Birthdays

1915- Eddie Heywood, Musician

Album Releases

"The Lion and the Cobra" - Sinéad O'Connor (1987)
"All for One" - Brand Nubian (1990)
"AOI: Bionix" - De La Soul (2001)
"Bang or Ball" - Mack 10 (2001)
"Big Boi and Dre Present...OutKast" - OutKast (2001)
"Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)" - Fat Joe (2001)
"Music and Me" - Nate Dogg (2001)
"New Old Songs" - Limp Bizkit (2001)
"Rock Steady" - No Doubt (2001)
"Stiff Upper Lip Live" - AC/DC (2001)
"Stoned Raiders" - Cypress Hill (2001)

Featured
2018 Music Consumer Insight Report | International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)
2018 Music Consumer Insight Report | International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has released the 2018 Music Consumer Insight Report. The data within this report provides global trends to help artists understand how people utilize music within their daily routines. Find out how this information may be helpful to your music career.| Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

Glossary of Music Industry Terms
Glossary of Music Industry Terms

There are multiple online publications that frequently release articles full of relevant information for artists looking to keep up with current events in the music industry.  Many of these outlets use jargon that is common to mainstream heavy-hitters, but often tends make independent artists who don't have the time to research terms feel excluded. As a producer, I've been asked about many of these from time to time, so I compiled a glossary with concise definitions to help you navigate through any article to determine how you can apply the information to your artistic career.  If there's another term not listed here that you've seen or heard frequently, but need it clarified, please feel free to mention it in the comments and I'll be happy to include it.

Music Media Conglomerates
Music Media Conglomerates

Many of the popular music blog sites that Hip Hop, R&B, House Heads & other genre lovers gravitate to are owned by/affiliated with just a handful of companies. While monetization of your hard work is generally a goal of many in the music industry, the question is how much of the content is influenced/sacrificed for the sake of those who fund the effort?

Why "Friends" Fall Silent on Success
Why "Friends" Fall Silent on Success

It happens sometimes. People you thought were down for the trials and tribulations on your path to success disappear, but when things are looking better they don't make the return you thought they would. It's NOT your problem and here's why.

EP vs. LP
EP vs. LP

This topic causes a bit of confusion among some artists on occasion, so I created an infographic to make it easier to see the differences at a glance.

Twitter Tips for Artists Who Don't Really Use Twitter
Twitter Tips for Artists Who Don't Really Use Twitter

Social media can be a bit overwhelming at times and it can be hard to keep up with considering you've got everyday life demanding your attention.  Not to mention the time it takes for you to make and market your music to pursue your dreams.  It's easy to gravitate to your favorite social media platform and let the others fall by the wayside until it's time to promote that new project or new show coming up.  Needless to say, it's a bit hard to get some traction on those tweets if you've been neglecting your audience until you need them. Here are some tips to stay moderately engaged and make the most you can from minimal use of the platform.

Strategic Planning for Independent Artists: Points to Ponder

Strategic Planning for Independent Artists: Points to Ponder


Now is the time that many businesses and organizations begin focusing on their strategic plan for the upcoming year. If you're an artist, producer, engineer, etc. without a major machine behind you, you should consider yourself as a business.  While it’s important to plan and adjust throughout the year, December tends to be popular as it’s a great time to reflect on how things went and what you wish to accomplish heading into the next year.
New Year's resolutions are great for expressing your intentions, however they may not come into fruition without a solidified plan that details how you will achieve your goals. Take it to the next level and develop your strategic plan to help you accomplish your artistic goals for the new year and propel your career forward at a high velocity.

5 Artistic Personalities That Can Curse a Collaboration
5 Artistic Personalities That Can Curse a Collaboration

This was my fifth post for my dearly departed friend & colleague Praverb.
Collaboration is an awesome tool when executed effectively. The benefits to the parties involved can make a huge impact on their individual careers but occasionally, they can go wrong. Sometimes things just happen that can throw off planning, other times people just happen.
When “people” happen, it is not due to anomalies but rather reoccurring habitual actions that lead to expectations not being met. Some of these characteristics can leave a bad taste in the mouths of collaborating artists, producers and promoters, potentially causing social backlash.
If you recognize these traits in anyone you have worked with, are working with or desire to work with you can make adjustments accordingly to spare yourself some headache. If you recognize any of these traits in yourself, reflect on it and take the opportunity to become a person people love to collaborate with.

Making Music on a Budget [Infographic]
Making Music on a Budget [Infographic]

This was my forth post for my dearly departed friend & colleague Praverb. 
You've rocked the mic at shows, wowed the crowds and gained fans. Now the fans are hungry for more and can’t wait for you to release music they can get their hands on and/or into their iPods.

You want to give them what they want, but when you sit back and think about the costs that goes into recording and releasing an album, you feel a bit overwhelmed. There's a slew of bills and financial obligations coming at you from what feels like every angle. So you wonder…"how am I going to make this work?"

You are not alone and it is something you can accomplish with patience and the right planning. Don't stress, many of us are far from waking up in luxury cars and popping expensive bottles of commonly mispronounced beverages. We need to be thrifty in our approach to create quality music. Here are some simple tips to make the process of budgeting for your project a less daunting task and easily attainable.

4 Things to Consider to Conquer Self Doubt and Create
4 Things to Consider to Conquer Self Doubt and Create

It happens to many artists and quite frequently those that are tremendously talented.  Being an artist requires a certain amount of sensitivity.  You see the world differently and you draw from your own personal experiences and emotions to compose something that your fans will enjoy.  You are pouring yourself into your music and the thought of someone not appreciating that can be a bit frightening and at times cause creative paralysis. Here are four things to keep in mind to allow you to create freely.