Are The Major Labels On The Verge Of Obscurity

Recently I saw two things that made me think. The first was the announcement that Borders Bookstore was filing for Bankruptcy and the second was a youtube clip where the artist mentioned that a lot of times the major labels will clamor after the indie artist has created their own buzz.

That got me thinking. The necessity for a MAJOR record label deal has honestly changed.That is if you're willing to do some of the ground work yourself. Let's take a look at Drake. The excitement Drake generated happened before a major label even took notice. He actually had a Grammy nod before he'd signed to anyone. But this was due to him creating his own buzz.  Finally with all that work, he signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. Hmmm.

Dondria got on YouTube and continually "worked" for her fans, (she asked them what they wanted to hear her sing) until she got the ear and eye of Producer Jermaine Dupri. Currently she's signed to Dupri's independent SoSoDef Label.

The self proclaimed Barbie, that is Nicki Minaj, created a buzz with Playtime Is Over with Dirty Money Records. Next with Sucka Free, under the label of Be and Beam Me Up Scotty, another mixtape, in April 2009 under the label of Trapaholics Records. Finally when it came to sign on the dotted line she signed with Young Money Entertainment.





How did I bring the closing of Borders into this?  Here's the point. For the most part, Borders is a distribution point for not only books but music. With the advent of digital access, consumers no longer felt the need to go book shopping. The middle man (distribution) was cut out.

One of the reasons for wanting a major label deal is for that backing to get the brand of the artist out there. But with artist direct access to distribution, and the current ease of building your own brand as far as the releasing music and getting in touch with the fans with the social media access; one might wonder what can a major label do for me?

After all, it's my brand, my vision, why not control it all MYSELF?
Something to think about!

Now Go Forth and Make to Good Music

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Until next time ... Hit me up!

Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR

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You know how we do...It's all about the music!