I get asked all the time by aspiring writers and other creatives about how to “make it” in the music industry. I tell them as soon as I figure it out, I’ll get back to them. In all seriousness, even entering my third year covering music and boxing, I’m still learning everyday. The fraternity of creatives trying to pursue their dreams is a special one, and I’ve seen my journey progress through the helping hands and advice of others who saw my potential long before I did.
For many musicians just starting out, the task ahead of them can seem daunting. How do you stand out from countless others? Make a mixtape or an album? How do I get tours and sponsorship? Industry veterans Kevin Nottingham and Kareem Fort have come together to answer those questions and more with DEMOS: An Independent Artist’s Guide to Success.
Being that there’s no set way to go about it, the duo have enlisted the opinions of successful artists spanning the last 20 years, ranging from former multi-platinum stars like Naughty By Nature, to new school upstarts like Mac Miller. The documentary drops in Summer 2011, and be on the lookout for various contests, additional trailers, and other details in the coming months.
Below is an expanded list of all the artists involved.
Narrated by the Grammy Award winning Hip-Hop Poet J Ivy, with appearances by: Pete Rock and CL Smooth,,Naughty By Nature, Shyheim, A-King from PNC Radio, Murs, Carl Choi, El Prez, Dae One, Statik Selektah, Talib Kweli, Tony Rock,Verbs, Wax, Dumbfoundead, Michelle McDevitt from Audible Treats, Money Making Jam Boyz, Z of DJ Booth.net, Asya of Fusicology, Spintelect, Big Pee Wee of KJLH, K Sparks, The Regiment, Convinced, Raven Sorvino, Jean Grae, Pharoah Monch, Big Dho, Jake Paine of HHDX.com, Da Beatminerz, Cisco Adler, Chris Young, DJ Houseshoes, J Davey, Sean Falyon, Marley Marl, TruthLive, Matt Diamond, Joe Scudda, Chaundon, DJ Rhettmatic, Kooley High, Tanya Morgan, Kyra Kyles, Tanvi Patel of Crucial Music, Mac Miller, Warren G, Verbs, Cymarshall Law, and more to be announced.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 