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AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Culture, Race & Economy - Archive 2007 » 2 Many Blacks Wanting To B Stars « Previous Next »

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Edenson
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Username: Edenson

Post Number: 114
Registered: 06-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 06:04 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

wussup guys. it's me edenson for those who remember.... I'm trying to break into the music industry, and i started a myspace to showcase my music. i just started recording, so my songs aren't the way i really want them to be... i'm trying to find a good engineer right now... but its coll for now... But the real question i have is, are too many blacks trying to be stars these days? Everywhere you turn someone is rapping, singing, dancing, playing sports, or trying to be an actor... Is this a fad that entertainment brounght on us, is it our educational system not teaching that we can be more than just..., or is it that we feel entertainment is a quick way to get money and get out of a rough situation.

i know for me, the money is what i see... but even if there was no money i would still be singing. I've been singing since i can remember, and it's all I've ever wanted to do... It's what I love to do, so why not follow my dream and make it a career. So does that make me a follower? Does it mean that I just want to get rich quick? Everyone always says it's hard to make it... but is it really? or does it depend on how hard you work, and how much you want it?

I'm determined to make it... I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I'm so close I can taste it... Am I foolish for thinking like so many other young black people out there??? Let me know what you all think about this.... Would you want your child going after their dream, or go with something more stable like going to college to have a set career path???

O, and check out my myspace too, Let me know what you think... and be honest... i can take it....

http://www.myspace.com/edenson2007
http://www.myspace.com/edenson2007
http://www.myspace.com/edenson2007

Prince of HipHop n R&B
edenson
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Renata
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Renata

Post Number: 2149
Registered: 08-2005

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Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 08:14 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Having fun while making a lot of money is a dream of a lot of people, so don't feel so bad about it. As long as you're not hurting anyone doing it, not stealing from anyone to do it, and you're otherwise taking care of all of your other obligations like children and bills, I say go for it. Just don't let it get you down too much if you don't make it. So do your best in your "non-fabulous" life as well.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri

Post Number: 4726
Registered: 01-2006

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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 12:00 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)


Hi Edenson, your myspace page looks very nice. I haven't listened to your music as I have a lot of background noise happening right now. But I'm sure you're very talented.

To answer your question - it seems to me that everybody and their brother wants to be a musician these days, or a producer, manager, talent agent, concert promoter, etc. And that's fine. But people need to obtain some actual marketable skills to fall back on (and this comment isn't directed towards you E but to people in general) just in case that dream career doesn't materialize or doesn't sustain them.

Not to bust anyone's bubble, but obviously the odds are going to be against you that you will make it big. Successful talent has so much more than just talent. Things like connections, professional portfolios, image consultants, wardrobe budget, financial backing, professional website, a marketing plan, etc.

We've all heard of those who have cut a track in their broom closet and now they are millionaires, but those types of success stories happen once in a blue moon.

When I was in my pre-teens, there was a magazine targeted towards young Black people called Right On (I'm sure this is waaaay before most of y'all's time) they had an article about getting into the music business, suggesting that you make a cassette of yourself performing and sending it to the record companies. That was then. (And which I never had an interest in - I'd rather be a songwriter or something more profitable - plus I've always been a very private person, the limelight has never captured my interest)

It doesn't work that way anymore because there are just too many people trying to be in the entertainment industry. Just surf thru the myspace site - every second or third profile you click on is a wannabe musician, model, actor, or whatever. It's boring! Plus many people who do seem to make it turn out to be either a flash in the pan or a one hit wonder.

I'd find it more interesting if I came across the profile of someone who aspires to be an architect or something. Someone who produces something tangible that really enhances people's lives in a meaningful way. Something that won't just be a memory in people's past.

But, Edenson, I wish you luck in all your endeavors, regardless of what they are. I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of following your dreams because I believe in dreaming big. Just make sure you have something real to fall back on, so that you can keep on giving your cabbies those big fat tips :-)


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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 8572
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 01:51 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yes, hold on to your dreams, Edenson, but keep your day job. At least you are not naive and are aware of the fact that everybody wants to be a star, but the field is crowded. Your MySpace is cool, and you're kinda cute, babe. Good Luck. :-)
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 4369
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 02:48 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

But the real question i have is, are too many blacks trying to be stars these days? Everywhere you turn someone is rapping, singing, dancing, playing sports, or trying to be an actor... Is this a fad that entertainment brounght on us, is it our educational system not teaching that we can be more than just..., or is it that we feel entertainment is a quick way to get money and get out of a rough situation.


(This is what I always say. I always say that blacks should be trying to be behind the scenes and not on the stage--

HOWEVER

To many performing artists performing is more important than meat and drink. The best of them I have seen HAVE to do it. They would do it if nobody was there.

My old pastor used to say he started out preaching to the gnats and the muskeeters--it was in him and he was out in the swamps and fields of the south preaching to the open spaces.

I have known singers who sang all the time--at work, walking down the street, riding on the bus, in their sleep.

All of which is to say you are going to have to do it or you will go crazy. Just do it. Sing. Sing. Sing wherever anybody will have you. Sing everywhere.

Making it? This is another whole category. Get the book "This Business of Music" and don't be reluctant to diversify--sing, write songs, produce, all that.

You will feel better having tried and not made it than not having tried. But also realize that it is a young person's game and there will be a time when it will be over for you and think about what you want to do then--

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Latina_wi
Regular Poster
Username: Latina_wi

Post Number: 354
Registered: 08-2006

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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 03:37 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Looked at your myspace and will listen to your music later. You sound 'aware' to what is happening now with everyone trying to break into the industry and thinking they have the right to be 'stars' so you have a head start in the fact that you realise these things.

there is nothing wrong with having dreams and being determined. Just keep on being realistic and make sure your having fun. Reemember to have something to always fall back on.

Your sweet looking as well lol *blush blush*
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 9353
Registered: 04-2004

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Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 12:48 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Edenson,

Partner with someone you TRUST who has a good head for business and really believes in your talent and work. And let him-her handle much of the business aspect of things.

Very few people can be both great artists and great business people. Those are 2 entirely opposite sides of brain.

Most artists fail not because they lack talent or skill. They fail because they can't manage/reconcile both the creative and business aspects of the Entertainment industry. So they get taken advantage of, lose out on opportunities and eventually become disillusioned, depressed and often impoverished.

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