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Contributor
 
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 6/30/2010 10:04:36 AM
Posts: 46,
Visits: 75
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Speaking of money…What’s the best way for new artists to make money in today’s music scene?
Right now...it aint really about making money, like I’m not even returning to it to make money. I’m returning to it because I love it. It feeds me and it’s a game I like to play and I’m in it because I really love to do it. A couple years ago you could definitely make a plan to get in and make some money. Now if we’re specifically speaking about the artist that only does music and how can they survive. Go teach music if you’re a musician and you know how to play. I would say look to teach someone else how to play that instrument. If you’re an artist and you want to get out there and become known and create a following so that you one day can garner the eyes of the major record labels I would say do everything and anything you can to expose yourself. That means being on every social network platform that exists on the Internet. That means going to perform for every talent show, every showcase, attending symposiums, everything that you can go to, any contest that they may have on the radio. It’s just getting involved and knowing and conquering your territory. I know this plan well because I did it. This is part of what the First Priority music family did back in the day. We conquered New York, we went out further throughout the tri-state, went to New Jersey, went to Philly, went to Boston, went down into Baltimore and Delaware and D.C. Once we were able to do all of that on our own…of course the major record labels wanted to be in business at that point. So, I think it’s about really taking the bull by the horns and making it move the way you want it to and that means putting in that groundwork…that foundation. To tell you the truth, most people that are like flying high on top, they all did it. From Jay-Z to Ludacris to [Young] Jeezy, they were all on the grind for themselves prior to being noticed by any major record labels.
I’ve been listening to the new joints that you put out recently. I gotta say that my favorite one is “The Wonder Years.” How was that collaboration and are there any other collaborations that you have for the new project?
That song “The Wonder Years” is definitely [DJ] Premier. The beat was originally for Jay-Z and not sure what happened but he didn’t take it. I called him and said I wanted a track and he said he had one that it looks like Jay isn’t going to use so take it. So, I took it and that’s what became of it.
For this album I chose producers from all over the place. “Rockin with the Best” is with Ski and the Apple Juice Kid, these guys called the Notes from Detroit, I used the Teamsters out of Virginia. I’m moving around and I’m trying the tracks that best suit this record. This record is real hip-hop, soulful scenario. There are samples but then there are live instruments on top of the samples to give a fuller sound and so far I have a list of possible collaborations and have gotten word back that they really want to do something. Anthony Hamilton, Faith and other artists who I listen to and really enjoy. I don’t know how many I’ll be successful in getting but I’m certainly going to try.
I recently found out that Charles Hamilton is a cousin of yours. What do you feel about the direction that he’s going in with his career?
I actually know of the latest turn of his career that many are not privy to yet. He’s moved along with the production and mixing of his record and the bottom line is that Charles is a very honest guy. He’s gonna speak his mind which he should always. One thing he’ll never hear from me is shut up because I want to be told the truth and I want to know how somebody feels. With Charles, that’s just the type of guy he is…everybody votes for the underdog and as soon as the underdog starts coming up from out of the water and starts to fly everybody finds faults and flaws. What’s most important is that he’s back to making his music and he’s found explanation for why he felt the need to be as raw as he was being with the honest truth. People were taking advantage of him and I don’t blame him, I’d be upset too and as a matter of fact I was but I didn’t come into the knowledge that he came into until I was much older and he was made to deal with this at a very early age so it’s the politics of the business. It doesn’t make it right however it is something that those artists have to deal with and we’ll be hearing from him real soon and I’m proud of the works that he has coming and I think people are really gonna be happy with it.
Is there anything that you want to say to your fans or anything that you want people to know about your future plans?
Thank you very much to the fans for showing me undying love that allows me to do what I do for a living. I appreciate it and I’m forever in debt to those that speak up for MC Lyte whenever there’s a cipher going on and somebody asks who’s the best female mc that ever did it. High fives to all my brothers and sistas, I appreciate the love. I’m trying to get the album done and once it is people will hear it. I think over the course of the last five years I’ve given away so many songs and also have made songs available on the digital front if they ever felt the desire to go and purchase a MC Lyte record. “Rockin with the Best” is the setup single. I’m coming and you can find me on: Twitter.com/MCLyte. I’m on Myspace, Facebook, I blog at okaysister.com. I’m looking forward to really making it pop this year and coming into the next year with the two new television shows and the radio syndicated deal which will take me to at least 30 markets once a week with a show called Café Mocha, which is sort of like a radio version of the View. I’m executive vice president of DuBose Music Group which is the record label that (never thought I’d say it) I work for and it’s also the label I am signed to. I’m helping to strategize and make the plans for what will be my next album release.
How can producers get tracks to you and how do you look for track from up and coming cats?
I find them from all over the place. Someone might hit me up on Myspace. It’s really that simple. I only ask that they send in CD’s because at times MP3’s will cram my mailbox which becomes an issue. They can feel free to send me a CD at this address: DMG 1149 N. Gower St. Suite 256 Los Angeles, California 90038. Put Attention: MC Lyte
Are you amazed by how popular you are among the younger fans?
Funny thing is that I am finding more and more of that especially when I go to perform. I just did a show in Von King Park, Brooklyn and the audience was made up of two, three generations. The little kids are like “OMG, it’s Mc Lyte!” and I’m like oh, okay, I need to document this. I don’t think people understand the effect that can be long- lasting, specifically when I go and I perform and I speak because there’s a lot of cats in the game that don’t even speak to people. I tell them every time that I love who loves me so if you’re gonna give me the attention, I’m gonna give you something that’s worth it. Time is something you can never get back so when someone stands and watches a show or stands in line for an hour I want them to be able to walk away and say that they felt something. To give nothing in return is whack. The kids feel a genuine level of affinity for me because I feel it for them. It makes sense and I’m seeing it on blogs as well as the kids writing me on Twitter. Fourteen year old kids quoting my lyrics…it feels good to relate to the next generation just like the first time.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It’s been a pleasure.
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