The Rawkus 50 and the Accordian Principle

Rawkus Records is choosing 50 unsigned rap acts with a strong net presence to become what they call the Rawkus 50. From their site:

RAWKUS RECORDS will consolidate the cumulative fanbases in the interests the co-operative. As one of hip hop’s most trusted brands, RAWKUS, will select 50 members ideally suited represent our logo and to work together.

In addition to the RAWKUS 50's comprehensive myspace marketing strategy, RAWKUS RECORDS will provide the following opportunities:

• National Full Page Print Campaigns Trusted Hip Hop Magazines
• National INTERNET marketing and promotion
• Sponsored NY and LA SHOW for the RAWKUS 50 to perform
• Blog and Podcast hosting, marketing and promotion

This new strategy by Rawkus follows Brafman and Beckstrom's "Accordion Principle":

"Over time, industries swing from being decentralized to centralized to decentralized and back again."

It is only natural that the music industry would centralize again after being decentralized by the net. In the web age my new problem as a listener is that there's too much  music out there - literally thousands of artist MySpace pages with either bangers or bombs embeded in them.

The monetary cost of the music from these indie artists is free, however the cost I pay in time and attention is expensive. For every gem I find, first I have to wade through hours of garbage to get to it. I need a label aggregator like Rawkus to lower the hidden cost of being an underground rap fan.

This is why I enjoy link happy blogs like Nah Right. Instead of hunting on multiple rap sites looking for the latest beefmix, Eskay curates the hot topics for me. That makes his site valuable to me. And that's what will make Rawkus valuable (again).

Comments

[Gif]

I'm a Hip Hop artist and I feel you on that. It makes it hard for people out there making good music. I put out a CD a while ago and gave it away. It was funny how many emails and phone calls I got from people. Theyed tell me how they almost never listen to stuff people give them or ask them to listen to because it's usually WACK! The fact that they found themselves liking my material and putting it into rotation in their cribs came as a shock to them. I'm like it's a shame when people are shocked that they like a record or artist that isn't on the radio! The market is oversaturated. To many business men trying to rap and get rich quick. If people started coming at the week rappers and exposing them for being wack there wouldn't so many. People gas people up though. The showcases don't care how you sound as long as you bring people and will tell you your great even if you suck if you can pack the house with your crew. The mix tape dudes today give a slot to whoever can pay for one, same thing with the DVD dudes, we know how shit goes with the radio, nobodies being honest. That feet you step on connected to the ass you have to kiss thing really got people holding their words these days.

[PublicityPro1]

good marketing.

[AaronBeats]

I think this should be an interesting concept, and i look forward to seeing what comes out of it.

Let me know how it goes, and if you are in need of any hip hop beats,
r&b beats, or rap beats for any of the projects, feel free to contact me to see if i can be of assistance with this project.

[Voli]

This is definitely a great marketing strategy. Rawkus is one of the few labels still trying to push the true hip hop sound...

-Volatile
CALLING ALL HIP-HOP/ R&B/ REGGAETON/ & POP ARTISTS!!!
make sure to check out my page
www.myspace.com/volimusic
Professional Beats for Sale
Look for the RED MYPOD SPECIAL
ONE for $150
THREE for $400
more beats on
www.soundclick.com/volimusic
PASS THE WORD!!!
-Voli
"Up and Coming Producer"

[POCA]

COME CHECK ME OUT!!!

[julian jen]

While serving time in multiple Wisconsin State prisons for the Robbery and Kidnapping of a City of Milwaukee detectives daughter, Newt Turner, CEO of G Livin Entertainment, designed the blueprint for an entertainment company called, “G-Livin” – which is known for its’ empowering and inspirational ideology. But now his movement is has been widely criticized by music executives, critics, religious organizations and parents for its’ graphic and violent subject matter.

He says, " I feel like if majority of Americans can accept these pedophile Catholic priests molesting and raping their children, then I should be able to heal those emotional scars through my music and literature, without censorship issues.”
A mother of four from Raleigh, North Carolina – who asked to remain anonymous said, “The song, “TeenAnger” should be banned from radio and stores. If the government allows him to release that music, then he should be liable for any violence children may commit after listening to it.”

“These whacked out parents don’t understand the mentalities and the emotional needs of their own children, said Newt. They don’t take the necessary time to learn about what they created. There are reasons why kids go to school and shoot everybody up. There was a reason my homegirl blew her head off her shoulders. There is a reason why a three year old girl starts crying when you leave her alone with her grandfather. I am just giving you the reasons why.”

“I don't care what people may say or think about who I am, what I am or what I am about. I refuse to let the opinions and comments of others deter me from my mission and vision. I’m always gonna stand up for what I believe in, even if I’m the only one standing”

Time Waits For No One: The First Gospel is a graphic and terrifying entry gate into a world we have never seen in music or literature. It’s a world of child abuse, sex, betrayal, ambitious lust, violence, revenge and the imprisonment of mind body and soul.

It is scheduled to be released the fall of 2008.

Julian Jen
Freelance Writer

Follow this link www.cdfuse.com/newt to listen to “TeenAnger” and exclusive songs from Time Waits For No One: The First Gospel.

[disdig]

yo ya'll should peep this stuff. funny ass fake auditions for Nelly's new joint Body on Me. This is what the music industry has come to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GltcVez6I00

[Make $250 Daily Call 252 626 9777 CLICK HERE]

Start Generating $150,$250 Even $500 Cash Daily Easily Call 252 626 9777 www.livinglikesam.com

Make $500 Cash Daily Now!

Make $500 Cash Daily Now!

Make $500 Cash Daily Now!

[Dujuan]

Hey ya'll,

You guys have to check out this kid. New artist. I heard him at a club in atlanta. His name is Kutt TheCheck. His album is called "Undeniable."

Just check him out... Kid's hot...

http://www.kuttthecheck.com

[wiseguysbeats]

Good Post

http://www.wiseguysbeats.com/
"Cheapest Beats Around "

[Multiple Eargasm]

I like what Rawkus is doing.

You can also find out about new-n-true hip-hop artist making great hip-hop music in the "Who's Next" section of www.MultipleEargasm.com

Stop by and enjoy!!

[d]

I just wanted to give you my new music video my new song “Holding On” . This is the first single off my new album “Friends Enemies Apples Apples” due out in Sept.

“Holding On” features Tara Ellis (Will I Am, Common, The Procussions) and the video was directed by Arthur King (“Just For Kicks”, Def Jam, Hocus Pocus, Michele Gondry affiliation)

This is the first look at what the full length will hold and we hope that you will enjoy it enough to help support it! As of right now there has been no promo for this video (yet) so you will be one of the first to have it. We also attached a link to the EXCLUSIVE MP3, feel free to download it and spread the word! Would love to hear from you if you have...thank you!

Here are the links:

AUDIO
If you would like the FREE “Holding On” mp3 and want to make it available to your viewers go here:
http://mrjmedeiros.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/holding-on-single-mr-j-medeirosmp3.zip

VIDEO
If you would like to download the entire Quicktime file for yourself go here:
http://mrjmedeiros.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/holding-on-videomov.zip

If you would like the Myspace video version go here:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individualVideoID=59768147

If you would like the Youtube version go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee73bBj00SQ

If you would like the Vimeo version or too download it from Vimeo go here:
http://www.vimeo.com/5580248

SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

Evilmonito.com-
http://evilmonito.com/2009/07/17/holding-on-from-mr-j-medeiros-feat-tara-ellis/

[qwerty]

spam spam spam!

buy viagra!

I am an artist, I would love to sign up for the Rawkus 50. I will check them out.

myspace.com/endevor1 - mandatory promotion

Great website, its nice to see a hiphop site thatz not all writtin in dah slang, datz wuz up.

[Drip]

What's up with the White Girl Song....www.kruciel.com

[Zac Pearsall]

Do you like WHITE GIRL.....drugs
>>>

[Jazzy D]

COPYRIGHTS JAZZY MANAGEMENT..

The most important step to protect your music, beats and intellectual property rights, will be making sure that you have registered your music with the Copyright Office

Introduction

This will give my young homies a basic understanding, along with the steps you should take to protect your music creations. Not having suitable registered proof that you are the owner of your creation may cause you to lose certain rights that come with registering your works with the Copyright Office. Copyright Office Registration, and getting the rights that come with it is not to be done with the “poor-man’s copyright; mailing a copy back to yourself, or any other nonsense, if you plan on having the backing of the US Congress set of laws and regulations regarding infringement and legislative pay support for music you own the rights to for licensing, etc. So read this segment , and follow the simple steps to protect yourself. Also, I have decided to provide a little bit of information for those of you who may be interested in knowing when to use certain Copyright Forms.
By Definition, What is A Copyright?


A Copyright is the exclusive right, granted by law for a stated period, usually until 70 years after the death of the surviving author of the work, to make, dispose of, and otherwise control copies of literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial and other copyrightable works. The exclusive right is set forth in the 1976 Copyright Act Section 106.

Now, the law says that Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is "created" when it is fixed in a copy, and that your music actually has a legitimate copyright as soon as you can get your song or music “fixed” into a tangible format of expression. This just means that you either need to get your song recorded into some type of recorder, or get it written down or logged into some type of records file. But to truly protect yourself, along with some very great advantages and benefits that are backed by the US Government, it’s best to register your music with the Copyright Office.

By registering your music with the Copyright Office, you will not only have a better record of proof that you are the owner of the music, but you will also get certain rights when it comes to lawsuits, and benefits for you if you must make a claim for copyright infringement… just incase someone uses your music without your permission or the right to do so.

How to register your song or beats
To register your song with the Copyright office, do the following:


1. Send a request for a form SR or PA application to the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, S E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 or download the application from the website: www.copyright.gov

Note: To order an application by telephone, call (202) 707-9100.

2. When the application is completed (properly), send it back to the Copyright Office with:

(a) If unpublished - One copy of manuscript, lead sheet OR sound recording of the best edition…or

(b) If published - Two copies of manuscript (sheet music) OR a sound recording of the best edition…and

(c) The appropriate non-refundable registration fee, which is presently $45, by money order, bank draft or check, made payable to Register of Copyrights.

[Buy Viagra]

Great post thanks for sharing a informative article about Rawkus 50 and the Accordian Principle keep it up
thanks.

[Rawnewhiphop]

come check out rawnewhiphop.com come watch videos of all this

www.rawnewhiphop.com is the #1 urban Blog bringing you the hottest New music,videos,news,hype,girls and more everyday. Log in daily to stay up on whats going on.

[generic propecia]

I'm like it's a shame when people are shocked that they like a record or artist that isn't on the radio! The market is oversaturated. To many business men trying to rap and get rich quick. If people started coming at the week rappers and exposing them for being wack there wouldn't so many. People gas people up though.