DJ Kid Relly says: Aspiring Artists - Know This!!!

It is not enough to make a press kit, because many major record labels do not even open them once they get to the office. There is a way to avoid this situation from happening. You need to know who you are trying to contact at the office. In most cases, you want to get the contact information of the record labels’ Artists and Repertoire (A&R). The A&R is responsible for scouting and artist development, he probably doesn’t have enough time to sort through the plethora of demo tapes sent by hopeful musicians. Doesn’t make sense? Sure it does, - you have to know the A&R or have management that can facilitate a meeting with the A&R. This may be very expensive if you do not live near a location where many A&R’s work out of. Do not fear. A&R’s have created digital networks with independent artists to help them create a digital press kit which will allow them to meet with the labels when they are interested. So….. if you don’t have a direct connection with an A&R, you should be using the internet to try to get the attention of the label and get more listeners. Remember, creating a strong digital press kit is key. Don’t send them a press kit in the mail, because most likely the A&R will never open the shipping package. Here is a resource that can help, www.majorcontacts.com is one of several premier virtual A&R services. The website allows you to create a virtual press kit and shop it to different A&Rs.



DJ Kid Relly

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House is still hot........

Electronica is coming back. These days, much of the new music that has come out has an electric house feel to it. Many artists from rappers to pop and R&B artists are making music that appeals to people who like house music. Artists like Akon, Madonna, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne (remixes), Kanye West, Lupe and Kenna have recently made tracks with an electronica feel. The trick to making a good cross-genre beat is to stay true to one form while respecting the other. For example, Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” and “Stronger,” are classic house beats that are true to electronica and house, yet still have the basic elements of hip hop. Other artists have synthesized classic hip hop beats to house music by using pitch controls to speed the beat up while some have kept the beat clean like Wiz Khalifa’s “Say Yes”. The combination of hip hop, house and rock has helped to define artists that are looking to reach broad audiences while giving their fan base something new. A lot of the new music also comes with a house style b-side for the djs to play in clubs or other venues that ordinarily don’t play rock or hip hop. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” has elements of house music -so electronic house beats are unlimited to typical genres. -DP

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Congratulations Seniors!!!

College DJ would like to congratulate all of our college seniors. We wish you the best and hope our graduating djs continue to stay involved in music and www.collegedj.net. Make sure you get your alumni .edu email from your college so you can always access our music. You can also access our music using any new email address and we will confirm you as a former college dj member. Check in with us frequently to get new music before it hits the streets. Feel free to drop us a note and let us know if you will be working in a dj technology or music related field at contact@collegedj.net !!! We thank you for helping us become the number 1 source for college dj technology, information and music. Best of luck in all your endeavors….

The college dj staff.

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80's 201:.......Madonna .......

Madonna is back with another hit. Once again she has found a way to re-reinvent herself and stay relevant. Always beautiful, shapely and stylish, Madonna has come back with a new hit single featuring Justin Timberlake called "4 Minutes". Madonna made her debut as an 80's pop phenomenon and was later labeled the "Queen of Pop". In the 80's she created her own fashion trends and was the envy of many teenage girls. She was the first of many female pop stars to come…., but none of them have had the impact Madonna has had on popular culture. Always controversial, Madonna has been able to stand the test of time by creating classic songs and memorable collabos. The new song is rapidly rising on the charts and has a catchy hook. The new album "Hard Candy" will definitely solidify her pop nobility. Madonna has done it all from books, to movies and she is also tech savvy. We are featuring "4 Minutes" and other new music on our player -so make sure you check in with www.collegedj.net at least once a week to get the new -best out- before anyone else. What's up with the remix of "4 Minutes"?????? . ……….. dp
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The Electronica 80's

Electronic music is strictly an 80’s phenomenon. The push for using electronic sounds in music came from various forms of music meshing together to create a new sound. The hip hop movement influenced the integration of sampling and keyboard drumming to create new music. The alternative music world began to embrace “Depeche Mode and New Order’s” post-punk melodic music……. The rock and roll world also embraced electronic sounds via “Van Halen’s” popular song “Jump”. Then came house music which is now considered “Electronica”. House music was a combination of classic disco and modern mixing. Many of the classic house songs where remakes of songs like “Black Betty” or classic favorites like Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do”. The main tenant of the successful house/electronica beat is the steady bass drum and kick throughtout the song. It must be easy to locate. House music has now morphed into various genres of electric music and because basic dj technology is much cheaper than in years past – anyone can create a quick house beat. But it is not so easy to create a sound that people like. The top ranked global djs are all “Electronica”.  For example, djs like Spirit Catcher and Dub Taylor are well known on the dance, techno club - circuit. A good dj can blend electronica and anything else……. so get ready djs because house music is making a big comeback. Here is a Spirit Catcher tune called “Sweet Deal” we found that is reminiscent of classic house music...... Dp

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