Kings of A&R

What was your first job in the music industry?
My 1st job in the music industry was in the mail room at Priority Records back in 1998.

Who was the last artist you worked?
The last artist album I worked on was Chingy’s “Hoodstar” album.

What are your thoughts on the current musical landscape?
I can’t speak for all music but as far as the urban musical landscape, it’s terrible. In Rap music I feel there is no more creativity! Everyone sounds alike and all the music videos are the same! There shot in a club with bottles of liquor and a bunch of half naked women.
Nothing is left to the imagination anymore! Music is supposed to be a form of expression! What happened to telling stories about your life experiences???? It’s all about girls shaking there ass’s and guys wearing platinum chains and driving expensive cars! No creativity!!!

Can you give us a description of your normal day?
A normal day for me is that I get to the office around 10:00 or 10:30 and I check my emails and voice mail. Then I check my calendar to see what meetings I have for that day. Depending on what project I’m working on, I check the BDS on the song that my artist(s) have at radio. Then I usually call my artist or there manager to check up on them to see how they are doing. From there I usually go meet with the marketing person for my projects to make sure my artist calendar is in tact as well as come up with new ideas on how we can further there visibility to the consumer. If I’m in the recording process of an album, I go to the studio with the artist to make sure the session go as planned! I have to make sure the producer creates the right beat for the artist I’m working with. Then around 2AM I go home and do it all over again the next day!

What are your thoughts on the current state of radio?
I can only speak for urban radio but I feel that all the stations play the same songs and it’s too political. The DJ’s don’t have the freedom to play what they want to play anymore. They have to follow a playlist that has been created by the program director! It doesn’t matter if a DJ wants to play a certain song if its not apart of the playlist they can’t play it!!
 

How much time do you spend looking for new artists?
I’m always looking for new artist!! There is never a time when I’m not looking for new artist!

Who are some of your “current’ favorite artists?
That’s a good question!!! I don’t have a current favorite! That’s really Sad!

How do you feel about the current “American Idol” Phenomena?
I’m not a big fan of American Idol. I feel if you put anyone with talent in front of millions of people every night of the week, they will sell records. I don’t feel it’s fair to all of the talented people that have been pursuing getting a record deal for years! But on the other hand I think the process worked for artist like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson who in today’s market otherwise would not have gotten deal!
 

You have been with Capitol Record for a long time and you have seen the executive changes. Tell us about your experience dealing with these changes.
It’s really no real way to deal with it; you just gotta roll with the punches and go with the flow.

I’m more concerned about the lack of stars than the whole digital/physical dilemma. Stars and great songs move units, that’s a fact.  The physical/digital problem will work itself out over time.  What happened to rock stars? Rap stars?
What I think happened to the “Rap star” Is that they all started to copy each other! You can’t tell who is who anymore! And the few artists that aren’t copy cats, they are so contrived that their image and sound is not authentic or believable!
 

Any advice for aspiring artists who want to break out into the big leagues?
Pick a new profession!! LOL! No on the real, just be prepared to work harder then you have ever worked in your life! And then you gotta work even harder then that! Network, this build industry is built on relationships so it’s all about who you know! So meet as many people as you can in the industry cuz you never know when you might need them!

KOAR is currently searching for Female Vocalists in the range of (12-18+). Email ordiner@aol.com for more information. Include a link to your myspace. If you don’t have a myspace we will set a time when you can sing over the phone.