Can you imagine if there were such a thing for music? Who would make the cut and who wouldn’t? Now obviously because art is very subjective and well, because we’ve been told where beauty is… such a thing would never occur but I just thought that it would be a fun concept to throw around.

The reason that this is on my mind is that everywhere you go (especially online and at Guitar Center) everyone is a Producer, Writer, Engineer, Singer, Rapper, DJ, and on and on and on. Yes there is a lot of great talent out there waiting to be discovered, but there is a whole lot of other stuff that you have to sift through to get to the good. That might be the biggest difference these days between professional sports and “professional” music. (more…)

A couple of days out from the new year I thought that I might put together a little list of things that I hope to see in 2011. Of course this is somewhat in lieu of a list for Santa since well, 1. Christmas has passed and 2. I’m a few years past the Santa stage. I would like to stress only a few years past that stage.

1. Less free music and more quality music at any(some)price.

A single here and there to test the waters I get that. But a free ep every quarter/month/every other week? Cue Ed Lover! The profit margins may be very low these days, but at the end of the day a profit is still a profit. Right?

2. The end of mediafire et al as a tool for legitimate music promotion.

If you are a hobbyist and you want to send some music around to your friends to show them how adept you have become at constructing 4 bar loops by all means use something like the aforementioned sporage system(that’s combination spam and storage system). All others who fashion themselves professionals, please consider the bevy of options that are optimized for music promotion, which many are (gasp) free.

3. A return to the formula music>marketing.

Of course these days especially if you are an artist doin’-it-yourself, you have to do a fair amount of grassroots marketing, but when it seems that’s all you do? Sometimes I get the feeling that some artists believe that once they’ve made a recording that’s all that they need to do: Concentrate on making recordings. What about developing your craft? Professional athletes still practice don’t they? Why can’t you spend some time doing the same? Practicing, growing, learning, developing so that you will have added to your bag of tricks for the next musical masterpiece you record. Maybe for every 5 or more hours you spend on your music maybe you could then spend 1 hour marketing. Just a thought. Either that or when money allows hire… which brings me to my next point. (more…)

I’m so glad that this video has been making the rounds… it really addresses something that really is a problem. I am not even going to try and predict what the future of the music industry will be, I don’t think anyone knows but one thing I do know is that along with the over-saturation of music there is an equal amount of over-saturation of music “services” designed to help artists connect with fans blah, blah, blah. Isn’t that the purpose of the music? (more…)

Webcam chat at UstreamMashable just completed with Bill Cosby. (more…)

The sole music-related event at last week’s Social Media Week in NYC was the SoundCtrl “What is Your Social Music Currency” event on February 4th. The event was moderated by James Andrews (former Columbia exec) and featured a panel of Questlove, Andrew Katz from Pepsi, and Marisa Bangesh (Uncensored Interview). Lots of good talk followed, but most of it centered around brands, content, and of course….social media. More video + photos after the jump.

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In response to the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti yesterday, musician/humanitarian Wyclef Jean has sent the clarion call for aid to his homeland. Wyclef has been working on a number of humanitarian efforts in Haiti for well-over a decade. In 2005 he established the Yele Haiti Foundation in response to Hurricane Jeanne.

This is how an artist with the social conscious of a Wyclef Jean responds to a crisis. As viral and immediate as we can make the most vile and totally unimportant information spread using social media, we can use these same tools for the greater good. Big ups to you Mr. Jean! It is a much more noble character to serve others than to be served.

Just text “Yele” to 501501 to make a $5 donation to Wyclef Jean’s relief effort via cellphone, and follow him on twitter @wyclef for more information!