ANTI-EST.

.2012: A Few Changes.

2012-02-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a huge "what's up" to all my -Anti- constituents out there. It's been a happy new year thus far - I'm sure you all can say the same.

Anyway, to cut to the chase, I (Exec. Walls) have been planning a few changes to the overall theme, content, and layout of the website. These changes will roll-out gradually; taking full effect within the span of a few months. Everyone should expect to see a heavy amount of new posts and updated information, with a central focus on the inner workings of Anti-Est.Org and it's founder (myself).

I would like to thank everyone who's shown support since our inception, and everyone who will continue to visit us during this transformation. Feel free to shoot me any questions you might have in the comments section, I ALWAYS REPLY BACK.

Peace & Love.

.EMI: Forked & Knifed, Done & Divided.

2011-12-09T05:09:00.001-08:00

$4.1 billion. 4.1 billion dollars is the total amount that Citigroup was able to squeeze from auctioneers for the sale of EMI. As it was reported in November, the disgraced music giant was auctioned off in parts to Vivendi's Universal Music Group and another group of investors led by Sony Corporation (1).

I have reported extensively on the roller coaster ride that characterized EMI's 21st century existence (2). The auction took awhile but it's good to know that it finally happened; it's good to know that a dying giant may finally be laid to rest (given the needed regulatory approval).

Warner Music Group was expected to acquire at least SOME of EMI's recorded music division which, current owner, Len Blavatnik threw $1.5 - 1.6 billion at. They were ultimately outbid by Universal Music Group by a few hundred million, a total of $1.9 billion. Sony Corp and their consortium of investors (which included billionaire David Geffen) acquired EMI's publishing arm with a $2.2 billion offer.

Speaking on their (less than surprising) 4th quarter losses, WMG's current president, Stephen Cooper, said that they did not plan to bid more than they thought EMI's assets were worth (3). Now if only someone would've gave Leonard that same advice.

.ANTI-EST x TOP BILLION.

2011-12-06T15:03:00.001-08:00

Shout-out to the homey Top Billion for this cool customized sweater. It showcases one of the highest ranking url's on the Internet (1), along with the creative moniker of one of the hardest working indie artists in the country (2).

If you're not familiar with Top Billion [CMG], then I suggest you start with his newly released mixtape "The Treehouse."

Here's a music video that I think highlights TB's skills and dedication to his craft:

.Pre-Occupied Wall St.

2011-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

QUICK.A.R #5 by Executive Walls

By now, I would assume that an overwhelming majority of us are fully familiar with the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. I, for one, have been keeping an eye on this growing phenomena since it's inception. It was only a matter of time before this rise of activism and organization would encourage my curiosity to venture off to Zuccotti Park and see what's up. Thus began my enlightened journey into the "trenches."

It was a Saturday, and upon my arrival I immediately realized that a lot of what I read about the construction of tarp tents and different resource "hubs" was incredibly understated. There were highly impressive tents full of all the necessary equipment needed to camp out in the wildly unforgiving New York financial district. Sleeping bags, flashlights, first aid kits, laptops, cell phones, journals, thermal containers, etc., were all present. Then there were these "hubs" or departments that reflected signs of an emerging market. There was a medical department, tech/communications department, food center, a spiritual hub, a main gathering for performances, etc. A lot of very creative stuff.

Spiritual Center

Reference Center

Then there was the incredibly profound communication system that the protesters developed to circumvent the restriction of bullhorns. It was a call-and-echo type of system where the announcer would make an announcement in partial words and the crowd would repeat it, until the whole announcement was completed. It allowed the huge crowd to all hear an announcement and carry it beyond earshot, to others further out in the crowd. Anyone was allowed to make an announcement using this system, so that was really cool.

"PitchBlak" brass band

I was out there mingling with some incredibly talented artists (Vincent Paul and others), who seemed more than happy to show me around, introduce me to other artists and protesters, and discuss the overall impact of the movement. One person in particular was especially helpful and exceptionally talented; shout-out to you Angel at the Spanish Information department.

Angel's unfinished "99%" artwork

Vincent Paul's "We Occupy" artwork

Artwork of the actual scene @ Zuccotti Park

So after great conversations with many protesters and advocates of Occupy Wall Street, I was left with the impression that all they simply want is to be heard and considered by their elected officials. The call for corporate and governmental accountability was another point that was readily understood. When I questioned the lack of leadership involved in the movement and the ultimate goal of it all, I was answered by Angel. His response was that they've already won the majority of the battle, which is raising awareness and getting people involved - and as we can see, that requires NO leader whatsoever.

After I left the protest, I spent the rest of the weekend in New York and got to speak to other people who weren't actively involved with the protests but still felt it's impact. Most people mentioned the burden and inconvenience that the protesters are causing to area businesses, to their commutes in those areas and to their comfort. I can appreciate the arguments made on both sides, even those from right wing mouthpieces such as Herman Cain.

In an interview, Cain mentioned that he did not immediately understand the "wants" of the protesters and that accepting a certain level of responsibility for individual outcomes is always needed, regardless of macro-economics (1). I myself can identify with the pursuit of success and the determination that's often characteristic of those Wall Street guys (my brother noticed those qualities too and nicknamed me Wallstreet during our teenage years). I guess in this day and age those great qualities, which are synonymous with the "American Dream," have now been abused and manipulated to the dissatisfaction of a majority of Americans.

A "mock detainment" demonstration

Ultimately, I do believe that policies will be made based on some protester concerns (Obama's listening) and operations on Wall Street and in big corporations will become more transparent. I also believe that the protests have created, and continue to create, much more ideas and innovations for people who would rather be self-sufficient.

Stay Free, Stay -Anti-.

.Refreshingly Insightful.

2011-10-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

Image coutesy of keetsa.com

I found this video interview to be very interesting, so I thought I'd share. The insights and explanations given by David Gilmore are still so relevant to our current times as they were to his past experiences. Many key points made - so I'm sure there's enough gems here for everyone.

.Designed By The Blind.

2011-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of timeoutchicago.com

When I think of the creative scope of some incredible works of art, the first thing that comes to mind is imagination. Whether it be abstract or surreal paintings, fictional or existential literature, gangsta rap or indie pop - it is the beautifully constructed and slightly unfamiliar details that provide a captivating experience.

The artwork's creator and its recipients can equally relate to the impartial nature of reality, but the masterpiece is created when THAT reality is taken and filtered through the lens of imagination. Therefore, the creator captures the objective world and redesigns it blindly - giving the viewer/reader/listener an entirely new experience that still seems all too familiar. What a talent!

Here's a great video that chronicles the feelings behind many of the work that different artists have created. You'll notice Jeff Koons, Mary Heilmann, Florian Maier-Aichen, and Cao Fei. Enjoy.

Watch the full episode. See more ART:21.

#2 .The Evolution of a Man.

2011-08-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of johnforte.com

Although his career seemed to have been shattered, John never forgot his educational excellence and began studying business while incarcerated at FCI Loretto, in Pennsylvania.

While in prison, Carly Simon and Ben Taylor feverishly worked day and night to secure John's freedom. The pair petitioned to several elected officials, including President Bill Clinton, the Kennedy's, and 'then' presidential hopeful John Kerry (5). They found a helpful advocate in the Utah Senator, Orrin Hatch. Hatch approached former President George W. Bush with the intention of securing Forte's freedom. Surprisingly, in a turn of events, Bush commuted Forte's sentence in 2008, releasing him from prison after 7 years of incarceration (6).

After his release, Forte quickly went to work on new material, releasing a song with long-time friend and collaborator Talib Kweli, entitled "Homecoming." The allure of his evolution from gifted student, to violin prodigy, to recording artist, to federal inmate, has given John Forte an invaluable story to pass along to those facing hardships and adversity. He's been a part of several charities and non-profit events, as a musician and a public speaker (7).

John's music has also evolved - becoming refined through his experiences. While in prison he learned to play guitar and has been composing detailed melodies ever since. His subject matter is reflective, filled with self-awareness and social commentary - often somber but increasingly celebratory (as I've witnessed on his 2009 indie release, "StyleFree"). It's a refreshing mix that was seen emerging on "I, John" - an album which debuted in 2002 during his prison stay.

John Forte and his band have recently completed a tour of Russia and are expected to release collections of material from that trip. Material that, I for one, can't wait to hear, see, and enjoy. Cheers to John Forte' and the -Anti- evolution of a man.

Would You Remind Me? by John Forte

.The Evolution of a Man.

2011-08-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of johnforte.com

Natural Selection? Development and Adaptation? Survival of the Fittest? These common themes in the theory of evolution have been applied to humanity since the days of Charles Darwin, and has grown to include a more social focus in the vein of Herbert Spencer (1). You don't really need to study these theories in order to understand evolution itself. Musician, producer, public speaker, and convicted felon; John Edward Forte' has invariably provided the clearest definition in modern times.

Forte started from humble beginnings in crime-ridden Brookyln, NY. The only son of a working class single mother, he managed to excel in academics and master the violin at an early age (2). Those talents sent him to the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy at the age of 14. While at Exeter, John made friends with Ben Taylor, the son of the famed musician Carly Simon.

After his graduation at Exeter, Forte spent a brief time at New York University until his artistic ambitions took off. By networking his musical talents, John was able to land two spots as a co-writer and producer on the multi-platinum album "The Score," by the Fugees. Through his acclaim he was then signed to Columbia Records and released his first album, "PolySci" (3).

During those years of accomplishment, Forte started experiencing a whirlwind of "culture shocks" within the music industry; but all too familiar with his Brooklyn childhood. Drugs became a norm in Forte's circle, and he soon became a dealer. Things came full circle when he was caught in a New Jersey airport with suitcases containing $1.5 million worth of liquid cocaine (4).

John Forte was convicted in 2001 of possession with intent to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine, and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. He was only 26 years old.

#3 .My 2 Cents: Valued at $2 Million.

2011-08-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of files.coloribus.com

WARNING: This post gets real analytical and technical and rhetorical and all the other "CALs." So yeah, read at your own discretion.

Independent promoters request a handsome fees from record labels (sometimes in excess of 6 figures) to go to the top radio stations in their market and "promote" the label's music (3). Most indie's have been in the game for years and have built beneficial relationships with radio program directors. They use these relationships, which were mostly built on bribes and financial gains, to have the program director place the suggested song on a prime slot for potential indulgence by 5 million listeners (4).

Record companies also conduct extensive advertising and promotional campaigns with radio and television stations to ensure that a song is a hit. While these campaigns benefit the artist and label, they also benefit the radio station as money is spent on radio ads (which is 1 way terrestrial radio increases revenue), prize giveaways, special events, and other forms of exclusive "stuff" that promote the artist as well as the radio station. Radio broadcasting is a competitive industry, so radio stations value whatever competitive advantage that can be bartered between themselves and recording companies. Yup, Payola also comes in the form of influence.

So ladies and gentlemen, your favorite mainstream artist isn't all over the radio because they make better songs than everyone else (though the songs might actually be good, that notion of better is still subjective), but mostly because someone "promoted" their song ahead of a long list of other hopefuls (5).

TO BE CONTINUED.....

#2 .My 2 Cents: Valued at $2 Million.

2011-08-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of icanbecreative.com

WARNING: This post gets real analytical and technical and rhetorical and all the other "CALs." So yeah, read at your own discretion.

Top 40 radio consists of radio stations, in several markets, that play the top contemporary hits. These radio stations are incredibly valuable to record companies because they command an enormous audience. Take New York for example, NY state has a total population of about 19.3 million, according to 2010 Census Bureau stats (1). Of that 19.3 million, the Top 40 radio station: Z100 (WHTZ-FM) reached about 5.1 million listeners in it's market last June (2).

This means that one single radio station can potentially gain the attention of 5 million people to listen to 1 song - over and over and over again. That's A LOT of power. So it's no surprise that a record label would do whatever it takes to gain the attention of those listeners. By now we should all be familiar with payola, or the exchange of money or other expensive goods or services for airplay. Yes it's illegal, unless a radio station reveals upfront that it's taken part in such an exchange (which would stain any station's "good" image and reputation). So how do your favorite artist's songs get on the radio? Well through a payola intermediary known as an "independent promoter, a plugger, or an indie."

.My 2 Cents: Valued at $2 Million.

2011-08-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of 2000musicradio.com

WARNING: This post gets real analytical and technical and rhetorical and all the other "CALs." So yeah, read at your own discretion.

*This will probably end up turning into "a series," due to time constraints and attention spans, lol. So look out for any continuation of this topic bearing the same title and subject matter.

If I say that intrinsic value is based on your own belief of what constitutes value, then I'm sure you'd agree with me. Value isn't objective until it's put through the rigor of scientific/mathematical analysis, such as the "value" of a publicly traded company. So if I say that your favorite mainstream recording artist is full of shyt and makes horrible "music," you may disagree - citing that I'm only relaying opinion.

But if YOU say that your favorite mainstream recording artist makes the best music in his/her genre and is the most successful at it - can I disagree with that assessment? Some would suggest that there are a number of resources available to confirm the latter claim as FACT. I refute that notion. I say that the majority of those radio spins and BDS, all those Billboard 200 chart ranks based on Nielson Soundscan data, based on records SHIPPED, revolving around relentless promotion... ALL RESULT IN THE OUTCOME OF OPINION.

It's all opinion my friends - all of it! Your favorite popstar's initial value isn't based on any objectivity of any sort. What I am about to explain may be the most scathing analysis for any music fan who refers to his/her favorite artist's record sales, platinum plaques, and radio spins as an indication of "success" and superior musical content, lol. Let me break this down to you in the most digestible way possible, starting with radio spins and promotion.

.I See Right Through You.

2011-08-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of izatrend.onsugar.com/

I dig coming across new pieces of art and finding out about artists I wasn't previously familiar with. My tumbler.com associations are a large part of my awareness towards new creative works. So due to that I present to you my new found adoration for the astonishing works of Rems 182.

The things that this artist does with lights and darks, rectangular brush strokes, and the underlying creativity in his trademark transparency visuals - ARE ALL truly astonishing and to be admired. Take a look (all works are courtesy of Truly Design):

.For Your Viewing Pleasure.

2011-08-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

-Anti-. I love entrepreneurship, I love indie, and I love art. For those reasons alone I've added these super cool videos that pretty much show you why I love all three as much as I do. Starting with some commentary from the incredible Frank Zappa:

Next, we have some really great music from an incredibly indie band (by the name of Halloween Alaska) that, and I quote, rebelliously says "F#%* the 3rd eye." LoL. Enjoy.

Lastly we have this creatively unique visual artwork from Memory Tapes (I suggest you watch it in HD). Memory Tapes recently released his newest album "Player Piano" in July, and it sounds incredible. Make sure you check that out.

.Yes, A Quickie.

2011-08-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of chicagonow.com

Lets make this quick, shall we? Here goes some really interesting stuff for you to swallow.

The National Music Publishers Association has finally reached a settlement with Youtube over their copyright infringement disputes. The NMPA lawsuit, which originated in 2007, was a loss for the association which led to a subsequent appeal. The appeal has yet to see a courtroom, but now due to this latest settlement, it never will (1).

Spotify issued a letter combating recent claims of them scamming recording artists (2).

Great news for indie publishers in Tennessee. The Association for Independent Music Publishers just opened up a Nashville chapter (3).

Here's some great commentary about the state of music as it relates to social awareness (4).

.A Reminder To Self.

2011-08-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of popartmachine.com

If ever you should encounter a dying man; a deprived human being – and you give that man your heart, you quench that man’s thirst, you offer him your home, and you supply him with all the necessary resources that men require in order to survive…. it should all be done with the understanding that he owes you nothing, NOTHING AT ALL!

If that same man should ever encounter you thirsty and dying of hunger, you should still understand that he owes you NOTHING. Why? Because if that man should bypass you and act as if he never knew you; act as if he doesn’t understand nor empathize with your struggle – THAT WILL NOT KILL YOU, you will not die from his neglect. What will kill you is DEPENDENCY. You'll DIE if you continue to wait for someone to help you because you feel as though people OWE YOU something.

.Shut The Door On Your Way Out.

2011-08-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

What happens after you've done all that you could do? After a few "successes" are usurped by new challenges, how do you define a win? Can winning be sustained when your enemy grows more ruthless and calculated with every defeat? Welcome to digital warfare, and goodbye Mitch Bainwol.

The RIAA is an organization that is known to be overbearing assholes - FACT. They've launched countless civil suits against unsuspecting participators of music sharing programs. Mothers, children, college students - no one was spared from the RIAA's litigating wrath (1). This was all due to the fact that the internet was making music more accessible and ruining an industry that has profited, hand over fist, for years. One man was determined to bring back the chubby prosperity that the RIAA once lavished in. That man was, RIAA president, Mitch Bainwol.

Bainwol managed to win many battles against digital piracy during the height of the "epidemic." His most notable success was his battle against the Grokster and Kazaa cartels (lol), which gained the industry some musle for future tussles. Most recently, Bainwol won a relatively easy court battle against Limewire for an estimated $105 million (2).

So with all these victories under his belt, why is it that Mitch Bainwol officially announced his resignation yesterday? I suspect it's because he understands that the war against music piracy will be a long and complex battle that becomes more involving with each technological advance that occurs. Either that or he thinks the auto industry offers easier challenges (which I'm sure, in comparison, it does) (3).

Adios to you Mr. Bainwol - I commend you and your god awful establishment for at least fighting the "good fight," that has shaped an entire industry.

Here's Mitch Bainwol's farewell letter, for those of you who're interested.

.TOO -ANTI- (This Is Nasty).

2011-07-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of THAT, I give you this: Too -Anti-.

Track #6 from Executive Monologue. More videos to come. "The lifestyle of the -Anti- is broadcasted right now."

© 2011 Anti-Est., '87 Clairvoyance

.His Life Left Him.

2011-07-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of elegantmensrings.com

Facing a divorce...

His life left him once his wife left him.

When asked why did she leave?

He gasped for air as if...

It was the 1st he'd ever received.

Stiff, he then replied to me:

"Not enough steaks in the fridge." (1)

A mere want for more as it is.

This is love.

Yes, this is love.

© 2011 Executive Walls, '87 Clairvoyance

.Masterful + Jody Mussoff.

2011-07-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

"Cinderella" by Jody Mussoff. - Courtesy of galleryneptune.com

I've been secretly having an affair; a love affair. The distance has left me bound to my own devices: a laptop and a multitude of images. Beauty is seen and inspiration is given. I'm in love - god, I'm in love. This state of enamor carries me away on a voyage through the mental channels of creativity, staggering. For this I thank you, Jody Mussoff, you're the best.

LoL. Ok, now back to life and back to reality (1). For awhile I've had this deeply rooted appreciation for the unorthodox style that, visual artist and potter, Jody Mussoff employs. The beauty of her work is not only in the subjects she chooses to depict, nor the creative settings and themes, but in her weapon of choice. Mussoff doesn't use paint brushes like the typical visual artist, instead she opts for a more creative - yet seemingly elementary tool, the colored pencil.

The type of masterpieces that she's able to create with such a simple tool is sort of the "trick right under your nose." The details are precise, the forms and shapes are accurately symmetrical, the finished work jumps out at you with depth. Amazing.

"Bird-Collar" by Jody Mussoff. - Courtesy of galleryneptune.com

As you would assume, Mussoff's work has been featured in various art galleries and museums around the world. This would include the Smithsonian, Corcoran Gallery, Kunsthalle Nuremberg, Origrafica, Malmo, and a long list of others (2). Mussoff, a Pennsylvania native - but Maryland resident, studied at Carnegie-Mellon and the Corcoran School of Art from 1970-1976, collectively (3). I do not believe that she can simply be classified as a talented artist, without 1st being classified as a brilliant thinker - one who understands human form and human nature beyond what's visible.

Cheers to you Ms. Mussoff for your contributions to the world of art. I'll never forget the brief words we had with one another, 'til this day I wish it had lasted longer. I'm sure we'll speak again. For those of you unfamiliar with Jody Mussoff's work, I've included a few in this post. Enjoy.

"Small Portrait" by Jody Mussoff. - Courtesy of galleryneptune.com

.Indie Goddess.

2011-07-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of wehatenikeshorts.blogspot.com

What more can you say about Annie Clark besides the fact that she makes INCREDIBLE music? Oh I know, ummm maybe the fact that she's indie as fuck and wears it proudly. That's a beautiful thing, that's an -Anti- thing (1).

Annie Clark is a female vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, who's God-given gift is music. She made her start with various bands and musicians before deciding to go solo; forming St. Vincent (2). She's mesmerizing on the mic, hypnotizing on the guitar and keyboards, and overall just an amazing talent. This must come natural for Annie since she composes and arranges all of her own music.

St. Vincent is signed to the prestigious U.K. indie label, 4AD. Two of her albums have been released through the label, 2007's "Marry Me" and 2009's "Actor." Both albums have been well-received by critics and consumers alike. To my surprise, St. Vincent is releasing a new album entitled, "Strange Mercy" (creativity even in the title), through 4AD on September 13th (3). You can check out the promotional website for ~~more info~~ a taste of something heavenly in the form of the newly released single "Surgeon."

I plan to pick up the album when it's released - I would suggest that you all do the same (I doubt any of us will be disappointed). In the meantime, enjoy some St. Vincent boogie. Thank me (or Annie) later. LoL.

#2 .Don't Worry, You'll Die Anyway.

2011-07-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

Yes repositioning is possible, as we've seen time and time again. Recording artists are made to change their whole style, subject matter, etc., to cater to the dominant demographic of consumer wants/needs (read: pander to the folks who spend the most money).

This can only continue for so long until the product (the artist) becomes "over-extended," as in product line extensions. It's only a matter of time until an artist has dabbled in so many genre's and so many lifestyles, and so many other markets, that the consumer becomes exhausted; growing weary of seeing "the same thing" in different spaces.

The consumer can usually identify whether or not the musician's "evolution" is authentic or fabricated. The first indication is the music and subject matter. The music will reach a point where the consumer is no longer able to relate, especially given the natural course of age and the growing income gaps between popular musicians and the average consumer.

Age. It has to be acknowledged that age rebels against most products (visual artwork loves growing old). Obviously, when the product is a living, breathing, human being, then age will be of the utmost importance. This is not to say that aging musicians, such as Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, and Bono/U2, aren't worth their weight in gold, but it does acknowledge that their fanbase will continue to decrease as time passes. This is inevitable, this is the life-cycle.

So I say to all artist (-Anti- or otherwise, but especially the -Anti-), please please please DIVERSIFY, because...... IT wont last forever.

.Let Me Upgrade You...OR Die.

2011-07-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

There will NEVER be a single recording artist (or band) that will be able to maintain a consistent market share - EVER. That means that ALL recording artists and musicians will lose favoritism within their existing fanbase, they'll ALL reach a point where they will no longer be able to scale or gain new fans, and their music will depreciate in due time.

Why, you ask? Well, because of the not so obvious answer, which has little to do with content, recording label, or technology. The answer to this inevitable decline in popularity and sales is because recording artists are made to be PRODUCTS. Yes, products! You see, just like with any other product, there's always an element that introduces something new while destroying something old. That element is called "planned obsolescence." Every marketer, recording label, and business-person understands this. That's why up-and-coming musicians are always told that fame and stardom "don't last forever" and that they should diversify their investments while they still can.

The ability to replace a product in favor of a "newer version," or totally revamped version, is a must. It's something that all consumers demand, right? No one plans to buy the same style of t-shirts from the same brand for the rest of their lives. No one. Nor would you decide to buy a sedan that looks the same (body-style and specs) as the one you bought 4 years ago from the same car maker. Therefore, companies alter their brands - the body style and interior specs of a car most likely will face an upgrade every 4 or more years. That means things such as in-dash tape players naturally become non-existent and replaced with cd players, while the cd player will soon become extinct and replaced with digital mp3 technologies (1). That's what happens to products - they evolve or become extinct (anyone remember Sega Genesis, or Oldsmobile Cutlass', or SkyTel pagers?? - My point exactly!), it's natural.

Humans are not meant to be products.

.A Spotted Fox Named Harry.

2011-07-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

Spotify this, Spotify that, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify. The European company has been making it's rounds in the news since it's North American arrival earlier this month. I ask myself, what's so cool about that "music streaming" service anyway? I mean, we already have a slew of music streaming services cluttering this digital space now, what's the need for another one?

I think the answer lays in the bed that Spotify sleeps in. Streaming music was originally a pesky thing for record labels, publishers, and songwriters alike (mainly questioning the legality of digital business models) (1). Then came Spotify, who changed the way streaming services operate by jumping in bed with the recording industry companies that were viewed as enemies to the digital revolution. Spotify has already made an impact in Europe based on it's ability to gain music licenses from several recording outfits (surely not the easiest of tasks) and pay royalties for those works (2). They've gained the trust of the establishment, therefore they are now championed by those who would have otherwise condemned them.

Business in Europe has been so good for the Sean Parker-guided company that they finally chose to make their splash in the U.S. In order to maintain the finely tailored relationships that they have with various industry leaders, Spotify has called on the Harry Fox Agency to secure it's licenses and distribute the spoils. HFA president Gary Churgin issued a statement saying that:

"HFA has the technology and operational backbone to supply Spotify with an all-encompassing mechanical publishing licensing, administration and management solution to help bring the service to millions of new customers. (3)"

It remains to be seen what overall impact Spotify's U.S. debut will have on all our other domestic music services. One thing's for sure and two things are certain: Spotify will not end up going in the direction of Napster and it WILL raise the stakes for other digital music providers who are not in compliance with the labels and RIAA.

While we're on the topic of the Harry Fox Agency, feel free to check out this informative interview with HFA president Gary Churgin.

.There's No One Left.

2011-07-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

Important Matters.

The Things We're After - By Any Means...

But Never Get.

A Subset of Broken Dreams - Shattered.

Unspoken Things Bring Laughter.

I Know You're Withholding Things...

Because...

My Progress & Potential Forms Your Dark Cloud - Consequential.

The World Hates For Us to be GREAT - Such Unholy Things.

So We're Humbled Until They Stumble...

And Profess Our Greatness.

© 2011 Executive Walls, '87 Clairvoyance

.Rap Music's Market Share.

2011-07-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of urbanmogullife.com

Every business, every industry, every competition has players that dominate the game. This is a cycle; one that never ends. The new players will walk on roads paved by those who came before them. This is no different for rap music. So lets take a look at the market share of the past and present titans of mainstream rap.

The past will be limited to the 90's "golden era" of rap music. To be concise, the "accolades" will be judged equally - i.e. past and present debut album sales compared to one another during their specific time periods. Also, it should be assumed that subsequent achievements also contributed to the decision to compare the past and present artist. Categories and artists are based on subject matter, demographics, and association.

Category: Weed Rap

*Present: Wiz Khalifa
Rolling Papers = 500,000+ copies sold
Black & Yellow= 3million copies sold
Roll Up= 1million copies sold

*Past: Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle= 4million copies sold
Gin and Juice= 500,000+ copies sold
What's My Name= 500,000+ copies sold

Category: Drug Kingpin/ Thug Rap

*Present: Rick Ross
Port of Miami= 500,000+ copies sold
Hustlin'= 1million copies sold
The Boss= 1million copies sold

*Past: Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt= 500,000+ copies sold
Dead Presidents= 500,000+ copies sold
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1= 1million copies sold

Category: Female/ Sex Appeal Rap

*Present: Nicki Minaj
Pink Friday= 1million copies sold
Your Love= 1million copies sold
Moment 4 Life= 500,000+ copies sold

*Past: Lil' Kim
Hardcore= 1million copies sold
Not Tonight= 1million copies sold
No Time= 500,000+ copies sold

Category: Soft/ Ladies Rap

*Present: Drake
Thank Me Later= 1million copies sold
Find Your Love= 1million copies sold
Over= 500,000+ copies sold

*Past: Mase
Harlem World= 3million copies sold
Feels So Good= 1million copies sold
Lookin' At Me= 500,000+ copies sold

All information was compiled using the god awful RIAA searchable database. Those guys got all that Limewire money, they should at least update their database to be more categorical and in-depth, smh.

All in all, this topic simply proves to me that rap music is in dire need of a new lane. Music in general needs unpaved roads for new and creative artists with different perspectives, to walk on. This will eventually pave a new road for all future artists after them. Hmph, leave it up to the repetitive establishment though and we'll continuously get clones until all markets are over-saturated. I wont hold my breath.

.Corporate Strategy + Lyrics.

2011-07-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

A more detailed look at track #2 from "Executive Monologue." It's incredible how everything coincides with each other.

Corporate Strategy by Executive Walls

Walls a booth-dweller, Anti-E truth teller

Rebeller of that mass marketed

Trash targeted, misled force-feed, corporate bullshyt

That aint me man, that aint Anti-E man

I be givin you style for free man

My secretaries smile for me and

Take calls and file for me - toss performance fees

They'll tell your ass, the enjoyment is worth the deployment of cash

My women enjoy their employment

Fun is work while living

Living to work aint worthwhile

Sittin, in a hammock - sippin and grinnin enjoying the fact that I'm winnin

Wont take this shyt for granted

The way I moonwalk on the mic be my advantage

And this is it, end scene roll credits

We aint gotta pretend cause we know how our movie gon end

What, like GT aint direct it, like the script I aint edit

Walls a visionary............

.Executive Monologue + Stream.

2011-06-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a streaming alternative for those who would rather "preview" before downloading.

Executive Monologue by Executive Walls

All 9 tracks of Executive Monologue

.Executive Monologue - Executive Walls.

2011-06-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

An inventory of material known as the "Executive Monologue." Enjoy.
Executive Monologue

Corporate Strategy by Executive Walls

.Epic Fail or Epic Reid.

2011-06-19T23:50:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of worldwidewaddie.com

I sometimes wonder who's better suited to run a record label comprised of several different acts, encompassing several different genres of music, catering to several different demographics of listeners. Is it the individual who has never been a part of (or has been so far removed from) the actual songwriting and production process OR the individual who has never been entrenched in the gruesome corporate side of the business?

Instead of continuing to wonder I decided to take a look at Epic Records. Epic was once a place of glory, especially during the 80's and 90's when their roster included Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Pearl Jam, etc. That was during a period when music sales flourished and a hit single almost always equated to a platinum album. Then came the 21st century where music sales plummeted and Epic fell to near obscurity.

In 2009 Epic hired Amanda Ghost, a talented singer/ songwriter, to morph the record label into the juggernaut that it once was. Sadly, that metamorphosis never occurred. Instead, Ghost resigned amidst claims of encouraging drug use by artists and staff, micro-managing, and forcing artists to use her own written material (1). It was an explosive departure for the simple fact that her tenure only lasted 18 months and did virtually nothing to improve Epic Records (2).

In steps Antonio "L.A." Reid, who's still fresh from his controversial departure from Def Jam (3). Reid, who is best known as the co-founder of LaFace Records during his more prosperous years with Babyface, was once a musician and producer himself. Those in-studio musical years were long gone by the time LaFace began it's meteoric rise, pulling in an estimated $100 million in revenue (4). The guy also had decent success during his Arista days, but arguably failed afterwards during his helm as chairman of Def Jam. It seems as though Reid's overall lack of sales performance is not a hindrance in the "recyclable-CEO" atmosphere of the music industry.

L.A. Reid has been appointed as the new CEO of a restructured Epic Records (5). What he brings to the table is pretty much questionable at this point, but at least he can start his reign by re-aligning himself with his past successes such as Usher and Pink. Plus he's in a cozy position with is idol Doug Morris, so that should produce a lot of support and encouragement.

Only time (and sales) will tell if the business-minded exec can save the dying establishment from the epic failure that the artist-minded exec couldn't.

.The Duke of -Anti-.

2011-06-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of itsnotyouitsmesite.blogspot.com

Quick.A.R #4 by Executive Walls

I would like to have an asteroid shower type of impact on culture. To affect various aspects of culture - pairing categories that aren't typically touched by minds under 30. Can business become more artful, can positivity be extracted from any situation?

As I've mentioned in my Executive Monologue, I think we should cultivate movements by first continuously perfecting our own singular crafts. Then engage others in our "sector" - creating alliances and developing communities of individuals who specialize in different portions of that sector. I think of Jean-Michel Basquiat's era, the way all those creative people got together and equally gave life to their creations.

They affected culture. We'll affect culture. The self-sufficient, the creative, and those who dribble with opportunity - we're royalty. The most -Anti-.

Image courtesy of rickday.net

Image courtesy of culturalinstincts.com

.Publishing Slips.

2011-06-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

Music Week has a very informative article on the state of music publishing in the UK. I doubt that the decline in mechanical royalties is specific only to the UK, because the sales of CDs are plummeting worldwide.

"Britain depends on its creative industries for about £17 billion in annual exports. They employ 2.3 million people, which is more than twice as many as the Financial Services sector and represent 7% of our Gross Domestic Product. In short, they are of huge importance to Britain, but are continually threatened by Internet piracy and the failure of intermediaries in the digital value chain to acknowledge their responsibilities properly."

Check out Digital Music News for some more insight and a couple depictions of the statistics. For those of you who aren't familiar with music publishing and its importance, here's a quick video to get you up to speed.

.To Define -Anti- + Jonas Bevacqua.

2011-05-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of gshock.com

Doing it yourself because nobody believes in you as much as you believe in yourself is -ANTI-.

Keeping it going when the road ahead seems long and winding is -ANTI-. Creating a brand that symbolizes lifestyle and culture is -ANTI-. Finding happiness within the intangibles is -ANTI-. God bless you Jonas Bevacqua, you were -ANTI- and more importantly, you were an inspiration.

Check out Miss Info's blog for more details on the death of the co-founder of L.R.G.

#3 .The Renegade Brigade + Grooveshark.

2011-05-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

QUICK.A.R #3 by Executive Walls

It's no secret that Grooveshark is one of my Internet darlings. I love what they have to offer: cool user interface, ability to find hardly known artists and bands by listening to widely known musicians, finding an array of music from a slew of different artists, and streaming it all for FREE (1). Hmmm, but is it really all for free? Someone pays a price somewhere down the line.

After detailing the battle between Grooveshark and the RIAA, I was awarded the opportunity to discuss Grooveshark's practices with one of my commenters. The point that the commenter made was that, while Grooveshark does offer a great listening experience and plenty of benefits for music fans - it simultaneously strips the musicians of their rights of compensation. It was also mentioned that Grooveshark does/did not honor continuous "take down" requests.

I, myself, have never had any experience with Grooveshark as a musician - but I do understand the frustration and anger that is exemplified by other musicians regarding this issue (2). Yes, some of these complaints are a bit dated (as I'm sure the company has updated their business model and approach since then) but these complaints are still relevant nonetheless. Being compensated for your art is to be expect of anyone who truly loves what they do and pursues a career in doing what they love.

I think the true beauty of Grooveshark is their ability to market and promote underground artists to 10 million users. This "beauty" is dependent on how the musician, manager, record label, publisher, chooses to take hold of the opportunity. Some artists have already reaped the rewards that come with cooperating with Grooveshark to promote their music (3). However, if the artist or record label, etc., disagrees with the compensation or promotion that's offered then they have the ability to request that their music be removed from the streaming service. *Note: the website for the "DMCA takedown form" produced a 404 error at the time of typing.

If the music was placed on Grooveshark by no one affiliated to the musician, I can imagine that it was done by someone who appreciated the musicians work and wanted to share it with others. That's not necessarily a bad thing because there's plenty of options for capitalizing on that awareness, such as: creating an account, claiming the songs as belonging to you or your record label, then managing the material's exposure (4).

My goal in typing this topic is to help foster an open relationship between technology and art/artist. I don't believe that every issue should be litigated (although some do warrant it) or every disagreement should be one-sided. There's often a middle-ground that can be reached if both sides choose to "stretch" in the same direction.

Here's a recent article that might offer some insight on the history of Grooveshark and some of their policies: A Good Read.

#2 .The Renegade Brigade + Limewire.

2011-05-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of onetothemillion.com

Limewire. This p2p file sharing company has operated with impunity for as long as I could remember. The company, which dates back to as early as 2004, has been one of the leaders in file-sharing and subsequent media piracy since Kazaa's downfall in 2006.

After the sweeping MGM v. Grokster trial, in which the Supreme Court ruled against many of the file-sharing tech companies, Kazaa was ordered to pay $100 million in damages and forced to shut-down or go legal. All of those tech companies are now just a memory of a time when individuals wanted cheap and accessible music/ media (1).

Fast forward to present time and you realize that the current downfall of Limewire had been prophesied since the days of Kazaa and Morpheus (as Limewire owner, Mark Gorton, predicted when he began moving his assets into family trusts) (2). Limewire was eventually shutdown by a federal court order back in October 2010 - this was half of a victory for the RIAA (3). Now after a few legal proceedings and multiple injunctions, Limewire has finally settled with the RIAA to a sum of $105 million. That total is considerably inexpensive compared to the earlier amount that the record companies computed in damages (4).

My first reaction to this revelation was astonishment. I was surprised that a vast amount of people still used Limewire after all the viruses that plagued that software program (5). My second reaction was disgust. I was disgusted at the fact that Limewire had so many opportunities to learn from it's predecessors and go the legal route, but continuously refused to. Oh well, now that chapter in p2p history has been closed.

The question now is how will this conclusion and settlement benefit the beast that is the music industry? Some have predicted that the artists (the real victims in this situation) will not receive a dime out of that $105 million settlement, as most of it will cover legal fees (6). Others have speculated that bringing down Limewire wont knock-out music piracy as a whole (7).

Torrents are still on the rise and the establishment has not decided on the best way to integrate online technology into their dated business models. Until the latter is accomplished, no amount of litigation will calm the waters that harbor the pirates.

.The Renegade Brigade.

2011-05-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of distribucionescarrillo.com

QUICK.A.R #2 by Executive Walls

So based on a recent conversation with a very enlightened commenter AND the debacle surrounding many of our "precious" internet music providers, I've decided to dive into the subject of music piracy. I'll break this down into 3 parts, this should be interesting.

Music Piracy is variably defined as: "The illegal copying of music products that have been released without permission from the copyright owner. Common ways this is done are by copying music onto or from a cassette, CD, a hard drive or the Internet (1)." So in other words, piracy is pretty much copyright infringement, and you all know how I feel about copyright infringement, right? Ok, now moving along.

The digital revolution has had it's way with the music industry since the late 1990's. Many have heralded the efforts of all the early tech companies who brought about this revolution through p2p technology, online streaming alternatives, torrent files, compressed/zip files of albums on website databases powered by user submissions, etc. The premise then was to liberate music by stripping it of it's major label/corporate confinement, ultimately getting more of the beloved music to more of the fans (part of the goal then was to share new musical discoveries). It was a war, and it was a damn costly war.

Towards the end of the decade it appeared that the music industry had given in to the digital revolution and had made music more affordable and accessible. Some have suggested that the revolutionaries had won the war; that there was no longer a need to continue the onslaught of "music sharing" when industry-approved services such as iTunes, Pandora, and Amazon Mp3 exist (2). I agree with that analysis for a few reasons: the price of a digital download is incredibly inexpensive, there are services that allow fans to stream music before purchasing, and based on the recent court ruling in favor of Eminem - it's starting to seem like artists and songwriters will be receiving a fair amount of revenues from digital downloads. These are more than enough reasons to buy from and support your favorite artists, whether they're -Anti- or not.

.New Feature.

2011-05-21T03:09:00.000-07:00

QUICK.A.R #1 by Executive Walls

Alright folks, I got some new shyt for ya'll. I understand that we're in the "information era" where things move quickly and people have limited time to spare. So I've decided to add a new feature that would help save some time while offering the ability to indulge in all the -Anti-. I'm excited to introduce a new feature to the website called QUICK.A.R (Quick Audio Read), that will allow readers the convenience of listening to the topics.

I don't intend this to be a stand-alone feature, but more so a supplement to the lengthier text-filled entries ( they can get pretty lengthy). If you're on the run with your mobile device, throw on your headphones and listen to the topics being discussed. Then, when you get a chance, feel free to read the topic to gain more understanding and visit the links/references provided. Dig? Dug!

.Information -Anti-.

2011-05-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a cool report on the state of the music industry in the digital era. Some of the information (and online services) might be a bit dated, but it still relevantly applies to the current state of affairs. Enjoy.

See if you can spot how many of those online music providers, mentioned in the video, no longer exist today as dominant players.

.A Wanted Man - $3.3 Billion Reward.

2011-05-15T02:05:00.000-07:00

Attention ladies and gentlemen, I need your undivided attention. A very dangerous individual is on the loose - an individual who has amassed a very sizable fortune with numerous resources at his disposal. This man has the ability to single-handedly change the course of an industry by continuing in a path of destruction and mayhem. He has been officially classified as a wanted persons, and we suggest that you approach this perpetrator with caution.

Len Blavatnik: Russian-American, self-made billionaire, a man with extensive academic accomplishments from many prestigious international universities. It's fabled that he arrived penniless into the United States but still went on to attend Columbia University in New York, receiving a degree in computer science (1). He then went on to create his own holding company in the form of Access Industries, and invested heavily in Russian oil, resulting in the development of TNK-BP. Through this he acquired his first billion. That my friends is admirable.

Now onto more pressing business. Len Blavatnik has been in the media and telecommunications industry for quite some time now. His most notable endeavor involves a 4 year stint as a board member in the ~~jail~~ house that Edgar Bronfman Jr built (2). Recently his 2% ownership of WMG has resulted in a full on buyout of the previously for sale record label. This is an extremely disappointing disappointment - but very much understandable.

Why is it understandable? It is for the simple fact that Warner Music Group may not have been able to get any closure from the previous bidders, given WMG's asking price of $3.3 billion but recent quarterly loss of $38 million (3). Plus, any other reasonable individual who'd acquire a sinking ship like WMG would definitely relieve that ship of it's incompetent upper management sailors - but not Blavatnik. He actually plans to retain most, if not all, of WMG's senior management in order to continue in the culture of losing; a culture that staff members have become accustomed to (4).

The most important thing to come out of this debacle is the fact that WMG can now make a more viable bid for EMI when Citigroup decides to sell it (5). If that happens we can rejoice in the anticipation of watching two "songbirds" killed with one proverbial stone. These things never change, these mainstream labels never learn.

.Three Six Zero Group + Jay-Z & Kelis.

2011-05-09T03:26:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of thatgrapejuice.net

While I was doing some research on artist management (which will be posted very soon), I happened to find myself browsing the Roc Nation website. The website has various links that point you in the direction of management, artists, publishing, etc. My curiosity dwelled in the link entitled "Partnerships" - hmmm, who could Roc Nation be partnering with directly?

After clicking the link I was sent to the Partnerships page of the Roc Nation website. Surprisingly enough, Roc Nation only has one stated partner by the name of "Three Six Zero Group." That's surprising because I would imagine that a "conglomerate [that is not really] remaining anonymous" would have a plethora of dedicated and consistent partners. That may very well be the case but maybe none of the other partners are being publicly stated as of yet.

When I clicked the lonely link, stylishly entitled Three Six Zero Group, I was redirected to the company's website. It appears that this is a UK based entertainment management and consulting firm that caters to a global audience. The company also has a publishing arm - structured similar to Roc Nation’s. Therefore I realized that Three Six Zero Group (I take this company name to mean 360 as in 360 deals) is basically the foreign counterpart of Roc Nation, most likely assisting with Roc Nation's foreign rights and administration. This is typical for many early domestic labels that lack a strong international presence.

After I drew all those conclusions I then took to browsing the Three Six Zero Group's website. I realized that they have a nice sized client base so I was interested to know what artists they actually manage - maybe some Roc Nation artist are included due to their partnership? I found no Roc Nation artists, producers, or DJ's - just a bunch of seemingly talented, maybe international, clients whom I'm not entirely familiar with. The only artist that I was familiar with was a female vocalist that came to fame during the very late 90's with her Neptunes produced hit "Caught Out There" b.k.a "I Hate You So Much Right Now."

It's not extremely unwarranted that Kelis would be signed to a UK based management firm, for the simple fact that she has gained a plump sized following in the UK market since her debut album: Kaleidoscope was released. What actually left me in awe was the realization that Jay-Z has really set his aim at having a vested interest in all aspects of the music industry. That long arm of interest will soon cuddle all artist directly, and in Kelis' case, indirectly.

This may not be filed under -Anti- perse', but it can be placed under good business.

.Analyze This.

2011-05-03T01:40:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of opinae.com

Check out these cool charts and graphs. They definitely paint a picture of the decline of mainstream music.

Image courtesy of allthingsd.com

Image courtesy of keepittrill.com

Image courtesy of emertel.files.wordpress.com

The trend shows that things are happening in favor of the -Anti-. More indie, less major label friendly.

.For Sale - WMG Update.

2011-05-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of fastcompany.com

Here's a quick update of this earlier entry.

- Sean Parker is officially out of the race for ownership of WMG. His $2.5 billion bid just wasn't high enough, even though in all actuality it was probably more than a generous amount. Oh well.

- The $3 billion deal is currently in the third round with only 2 competing bids in place. Financial groups "Access Industry" and "Platinum Equity and Gores Group" are duking it out for the spoils. (1)

- Even though this deal is valued at 9 times WMG's future earnings, it may be finalized by the end of this week.

WMG may not become definitively -Anti- after all, but maybe the new owner(s) might push it in a more consumer friendly direction. Wish for the best, prepare for the worst.

.Ticketing + $717 million.

2011-04-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of phawker.com

Image courtesy of saidaonline.com

Is touring the future of the music industry? Apparently the major labels think so, that's why they've added an extra emphasis on 360 deals (1). Live Nation has proven to be the biggest benefactor of the 360 deal with agreements from musicians such as Madonna, Jay-Z, and most importantly U2 (2).

U2 has had an outstanding touring season, with their recent tour grossing an estimated $717 million (3). Now it seems that the not so -Anti- Live Nation might be boosting their dominance, after their merger with Ticketmaster, by offering technology that allows vendors to adjust ticket prices based on analysis. According to Bloomberg News:

"Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (LYV)’s Ticketmaster division said it will begin pricing events based on consumer demand...The system lets venue owners target the markups that brokers charge for top events and sell more tickets for less- popular acts. Dynamic pricing will reduce scalping, freeing-up more tickets for consumers, the company said."

I'm not sure how well Live Nation works with indie artists and bands (limited optimism), but if their technology is offered to the indie community then there could be some great opportunities ahead. Maybe not as great as U2's, but great nonetheless.

.Black Girl Lost?.

2011-04-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of allthatsfab.com

It seems as if another major player in mainstream music's infrastructure may be displaced. Sylvia Rhone (who in 2009, so famously became the apple of Drake's eye, in the most contentious way possible) might soon join the names of all the other industry heads who have fallen from grace (1).

Rhone is currently the head of Universal Motown, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group after they acquired Motown records. She's had a long history in the music industry but now it appears that she might have to relish in those memories (2). After Rhone had lost her boss and mentor, Doug Morris, due to the swapping out of executives at UMG and Sony Music earlier this year - she was left in a vulnerable position (3). With only a year left on her contract, she's faced with decisions that see her either staying with UMG; playing a role that's less dominant, or shopping around for a new gig in a troublesome industry (4).

According to "The Wrap," Rhone's loyalty to Doug Morris (who, due to the terms of his new appointment, cannot take members of his previous staff with him to Sony) and her "enormous" pay package are suspected culprits in this UMG riff. That's most definitely understandable because all these label heads still feel as though they can command huge salaries after they've destroyed layers of the music industry's atmosphere.

Hey Sylvia, it aint 1995 no more - go innovate or go home.

.Deviance + Art.

2011-04-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Enlightened Reminders

I believe that life itself is creative, therefore we should extend our creativity to all aspects of life. If possible, we should strive to employ all 5 of our senses when creating things that we love - things of importance. Doing so will allow us to constantly improve our creations; our art.

If you're a musical artist who creates incredible tunes then I'm sure it would benefit you to add another layer to your incredibility. Great visual artwork that supplements your musical artwork can offer greater appreciation and understanding.

Consider aligning your creative work with still images. A great website for visual artists and enthusiasts is at your disposal: Deviant Art. There you can link up with an endless amount of artists to swap out ideas for album art, animated video, website graphics, etc. Artwork by artists such as "greno89" would definitely add a splash of "color" to your composition and draw more attention to your music.

This idea applies to all forms of art whether it be visual, musical, or literary - an added layer of creativity that caters to more of the senses can be incredibly beneficial. Surely that's good for business.

Image courtesy of greno89 at deviantart.com/

#2 .Your Future Is Odd.

2011-04-29T05:57:00.001-07:00

Image courtesy of dallasobserver.com/

Distribution Only deals definitely benefit all involved and allow the majors to remain active in "the discussion" without "yelling" their point across. Now the only question is how sustainable will the OFWGKTA brand be under these new circumstances and all other future situations to come.

One group member, Tyler The Creator, has mentioned (whether jokingly, seriously, or otherwise) that his goal is to "sell-out" and get a bunch of Grammy's. There's nothing wrong with embracing the desired outcomes of any business endeavor, especially if you built your brand through persistence and endless labor like Odd Future has done. Building anything independently is a long journey, but one with a GREAT ending that produces justifiable rewards. "Selling-out" is not -Anti- and tarnishes a bit of the legacy that one works so hard to build. This notion may not be the case for all members of the collective but we'll see how this story plays out soon enough.

Cheers to independence, cheers to distribution only deals, cheers to Odd Future, and cheers to the -Anti-.

+Here's a video of Tyler's current hit record, "Yonkers," for those who aren't familiar with the Odd Future movement.

.Your Future Is Odd.

2011-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of basemagazineonline.com/

There's a thin line here. A line so thin that no one man, woman, or child can walk it - talk less about a GROUP of individuals. This line separates independence from dependence and freedom from captivity; this line is called "distribution" - major label distribution.

There's a higher level of -Anti- needed to maintain an independent course while treading the waters of the majors without losing your creativity and, most importantly, your sanity lol. One collective believes that they have that level of -Anti-. "Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All."

It appears that OFWGKTA (or Odd Future for short), has signed a "distribution only" deal with Red Distribution/Sony Records (1). Distribution only deals (when negotiated properly) can be extremely rewarding because it allows an artist(s) to maintain all their creative control and release music on a wider scale without the overbearing intervention from the majors/distributor. According to Odd Future manager, Chris Clancy, via Rap Radar:

“It’s based on getting the distribution deal we’ve always envisioned that allows the group to “sign themselves” to their own company and keep their masters. They will have 100% creative control of all aspects of their music, art, and release schedule with no 3rd party participation in outside business. Freedom and ownership was the whole point. Red and Sony know that its in everyone’s best interest to maintain the group’s authenticity and control. They built it, they deserve it. There’s no cheesy hooks or fluorescent liquor product placements in the works.. It’s about to be fun.. and different.."

.The Bloody Establishment + Grooveshark Update.

2011-04-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

So based on a letter written by Paul Geller, it appears that the establishment is once again working against technology and trying to strip us of all the great avenues that provide creative content. Grooveshark, the incredible website I mentioned awhile back, is under attack by the RIAA.

The bloody establishment has forced the removal of the Grooveshark app from the Apple and the Google app stores (1). This is in retaliation for the fact that Grooveshark is creating an innovative and profitable means for artists to be heard and consumers to listen. To my knowledge, Grooveshark's business model is heavily based on advertisement revenue and artist "campaigns" as opposed to the traditional user pay-per-play model that many other websites have adopted. Pay-per-play (also known as "pay-as-you-go") allows the industry to easily track the amount of plays any individual song or album receives in order to calculate the royalties owed by the content provider who charges the listener for playing those songs or albums. It gets very technical and messy.

Grooveshark has found a safe haven which allows them to deliver content to listeners while fighting copyright infringement and developing better ways to measure the amount of royalties owed. This "Safe Harbor" is a component within the federally enacted DCMA. What the RIAA does not seem to understand is that unless they allow legal and competent content providers to live, the industry will continue to lose the battle over royalties and piracy because illegal and less competent providers of content will gain momentum in the absence.

If someone is wirelessly streaming great music on Grooveshark, they are less likely to go to a file sharing website and download that same music without any accountability taking place. SMH @ the establishment, the bloody establishment.

.'87 Clairvoyance.

2011-04-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Logo artwork commissioned by Enlightened Reminders

"The industry is suffering, their annoyance is bustling, pointed - at my '87 Clairvoyance, publishing...." -Executive Walls

Protect your interests.

We live in an age where integrity has diminished and honor is almost non-existent. That statement is especially true in situations where an entity with greater resources uses that advantage to usurp the rights and properties of it's smaller counterparts (1). Often times we realize that such actions are unavoidable due to the nature of the beast that is dishonesty and greed. The beauty of it all is that those type of situations groom us into more cautious and prepared individuals.

I suggest that all my -Anti- constituents protect themselves and their intellectual property from the vultures and hyenas that roam amongst us. Copyright, trademark, etc.

.An O.G.'s Perspective.

2011-04-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of http://www.indiewire.com/

When an O.G. music industry veteran speaks, you listen - and you listen attentively!!!

Here's a short video on the oil and water chemistry between the music industry and technology, detailed by former CBS head honcho Walter Yetnikoff. It's always amusing to see former giants and proponents of the mainstream music industry trash it once they've lost their grip or have been ousted. Ehhh, whatever works though - as long as they now see the light and preach the gospel, I'm cool. LoL.

Enjoy.

.GODS of Independence + Radiohead.

2011-04-13T03:38:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of onethirtybpm.com

Radiohead is -Anti-. Radiohead is truth.

Last month the legendary band Radiohead released their latest independent album, "The King of Limbs," to mostly positive reception (1) (2). This is yet another victory in a streak of wins for the English band formerly signed to EMI.

In 2007 the band explored a previously unheard of form of compensation for "In Rainbows," which allowed consumers to pay whatever they felt the album was worth. This reportedly saw 1.2 million downloads in the first two days, with a possible net of $5million (3). That's pretty much all profit. In the US, 60% downloaded the album, while 17% were willing to pay $4 or less for the release (4). That was definitely one of the greater paradigm shifts in the world of -Anti- and independence.

Although their most recent album has a specific price tag on it, it's still devoid of major label ownership. It seems as though Radiohead has become comfortable in this space of independence currently occupied by musicians such as Prince. Radiohead even released a corresponding newspaper (The Universal Sigh) to supplement their "King of Limbs" release in the same manner that Prince release his "Planet Earth" album in British newspapers (5). All this equals easily accessible music for the public, free of hefty major label price tags, and infused with 100% of the artist's creative control. I call that winning.

These Gods of independence have confirmed that former major label artists can be vindicated for all their unholy major label sins. That's definitely something to admire.

.The Fallen Empire - EMI update.

2011-04-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Edward Gibbon

Here's a quick update of this earlier entry.

- EMI will be sold off by Citigroup as one unit as opposed to previous speculations that some of it's more profitable assets (i.e. publishing) would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. So now whoever puchases this fallen empire has no option but to take in ALL of it's shame and disgrace, lol. (1)

- EMI will be combining its synchronization and licensing departments inorder to cut costs and foster a needed synegy between the two departments. I'm not sure why this wasn't done before, seeing as how sync and licensing are the more lucrative parts of the overall publishing department and would've made more sense to be all inclusive. (2)

- Robert C. Wright, the old head honcho of NBC Universal and vice chairman and executive at General Electric, will be on the board of directors for the shamed giant known as EMI. (3)

.Barry Weiss + Doug Morris.

2011-04-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of http://www.zimbio.com/

Image courtesy of idobi.com

TRADING PLACES, starring Barry Weiss: former CEO and chairman of RCA/ Jive Label Group and Doug Morris: former Universal Music Group chairman. These two long time music industry veterans are swapping out their previous positions to take helm of top positions previously held by each other --- huh?!?! (1) (2)

This seems like the same old story that ends with no innovation in a dying industry. A change of hands; you restructure the organization by bringing in your competitor's head honcho, hoping that your profits and market share will increase (3). The question is HOW? How will things change if the old guards continue to occupy the same posts? I challenge these wary music industry behemoths to scour the world outside of music and hire new faces with proven track records from different industries (I'm sure those Silicon Valley boys would be interested). Innovation is key.

I thought the definition of insanity was doing the same things over and over again expecting different results. We'll see if the un-Anti- realize this soon enough.

.Visuals To Remember + James Blake.

2011-04-11T01:44:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of http://www.inklingsnews.com/

As I've mentioned before, an individual's artistry should be plugged into all outlets in order to effectively convey the message.

Music videos just aren't what they used to be. I think that the "D.I.Y culture," that has emerged due to social media and the digital/ internet revolution, allows EVERYONE an opportunity to produce more thoughtful and relevant high quality videos than ever before. There's a certain element of beauty in simplicity, so a million dollar idea doesn't necessarily carry a million dollar price tag anymore. British musician and -Anti- conventional artist, James Blake, understands this.

After watching his video for "The Wilhelm Scream," I realized that the creativity of this artist is in his ability to remain simple but captivating. Even if you forget this song and this artist entirely, I can guarantee that you WILL NOT forget this video.

He recently signed a distribution deal with Universal Republic to have his music circulated through the US (1). Anyone keeping tally, let me know if this distribution deal changes the young lad's music or creativity any bit - moving forward.

.In Agreeance + Steve Stoute.

2011-04-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

A few words from advertising, marketing, record company mogul: Steve Stoute.

Due to his renowned focus on profitable and marketable artist, I'm somewhat surprised to see that Stoute embraces the truth in music and the raw passion of individual talent. He said it himself though: "I sit in that fine line between art and commerce, and straddling it is tough..." - so my sentiments are not without warrant, lol.

.Reflective Art.

2011-04-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Steven Assael

DISCLAIMER: NSFW (NOT SAFE FOR WORK)

Let the art be a reflection of your lifestyle and state of mind. Don't pretty it up for the acceptance of anyone. Let your work embody you, let your work speak words that you should never have to mention.

The -Anti- spotlight is drawn on the incredible artwork of Steven Assael. I don't want to describe the nature of his work too much because I want you to view it for yourselves and draw your own independent conclusions. There are artistic elements of nudity present, so SOME of his work may not be for the faint of heart.

If you're keenly interested in getting to know the artist himself then here's some short videos that might enlighten you. Enjoy.

.360 Ways To Die.

2011-04-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of blastr.com

Sadly at this point it's quite common to see recording artists getting robbed for all their rights by the same major labels that cradle them. These robberies were taking place since the dawn of time, usually consisting of artist publishing and record sales. Publishing is still good money since it's a stream that can be reinvigorated with little to no cost - but record sales are another story. Record sales are continuing to nose dive at accelerated speeds, there are no brakes. Major labels have realized this nearly a decade ago and have been developing more creative ways to rob their artists. Their collective creativity has ushered in the era of the 360 deal, also known as the multiple rights deal.

360 deals are developed to allow record companies to capitalize on all aspects of an artists brand: merchandising, endorsements, record sales, touring, everything. Long gone are the days where artists could expect to be deprived of a reasonable percentage of their record sales but make up the difference (and some) by simply touring and selling merchandise. The labels want a piece of that too, which makes a bit of sense because the labels are the ones who initially create the artist's brand - allowing for all these multiple revenue streams to be developed.

The problem lies in the nature of the beast that is greed; greed that dwells within recording companies when they claim that more money is needed for operational costs and recoupment. This greed can be even more devastating to the artist now because there is no safe haven, no sanctuary from the financial assault from the hand that rock-n-rolls their cradle. Certain big name artists might benefit from 360 deals but for all the rookie acts entering the game, it's sure to be a tough road ahead.

Unto thee I say: Stay independent. Stay -Anti-.

For deeper understanding, here are some GREAT links that fully explore the matter:

1) Murder

2) Rape

3) Robbery

4) A Hostage Situation

.Dance When Sharks Smell Blood In Water.

2011-04-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

I know we were all disappointed upon learning that imeem.com was purchased by MySpace and ultimately dismantled/ merged into MySpace Music's platform (1). But a worthy alternative to Imeem has surfaced! It comes in the form of Groove Shark.
This service has been around since 2007, but for most this will be a new discovery because the site itself is still relatively new and is only growing at a rate of 3% per day (as of 2009) . This international site is very comparable to Imeem, with similar functionality, including internet radio in the likeness of Pandora.

So people, spread the word and enjoy free musical content at it's finest. All praises be unto GrooveShark.com, lol.

.Album Art Like Picasso's.

2011-04-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of bloomberg.com

It's being reported that Picasso's 1934 Femmes Lisant (Deux Personnages) may sell for $35 million at an upcoming art auction (1). I think that's a respectable price for timeless art and I also think that it's reflective of people's appreciation for work infused with emotion and creativity.

Now if only recording artist could infuse the emotion bottled within the music INTO their album artwork. You'd be hard-pressed to find some creative album art these days, but if you do it's probably from a recording artist who's love for his or her work transcends the actual recording itself and becomes apparent in all aspects.

What are some of your favorite album artworks?

.In The Midst of The Struggle - EMI.

2011-04-06T04:23:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of guardian.co.uk

When you're struggling to overcome perceived burdens of any kind, you have 1 of 2 options to choose from. You can either fight the good fight and be at peace with whatever the outcome is, OR you can dwell in sorrow; allowing yourself to fall deeper into "defeat." A re-evaluation is necessary if the latter is chosen. Is there a middle ground?

On to EMI. Currently under the same fate as WMG, this up-for-sale major label recording company has been facing financial troubles since only God can remember. Now they're in the process of auctioning off some or all of their assets under the guidance/ownership of Citigroup (previously owned by Guy Hands, who's butter-fingers apparently lead to the fumbling of the label). Now the establishment has fallen.

The irony is that even as this behemoth is in the process of crumbling, it still continues to jab aimlessly at the incredibly -Anti- digital revolution; a revolution that has sealed the fate of the music industry since the late 90's. A recent court filing shows that EMI is strongly opposed to mp3 cloud services and the companies, such as Google, who are spearheading this new push towards the cloud (1). The label still feels that p2p sharing of recorded music is a travesty (2). EMI understands it has lost this digital fight years ago, but bitterness departs acceptance and ignorance lacks understanding. A re-evaluation is needed.

.Warner Music Group May Turn -Anti-.

2011-03-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of http://onethirtybpm.com/

Image courtesy of WMG

Wow Edgar, you're really planning that exit strategy, huh? Edgar Bronfman Jr, the current owner of WMG and sullied businessman (to understand his sullage lol, check out the sale of his family business to DuPont or his recent charges for misleading investors), has been in the process of divesting himself of the company he purchased in 2004. It's no secret that the home of The White Stripes, B.o.B, Eric Clapton, and most recently Curren$y and Rick Ross, has been in the red since 2005, with estimated losses of $429 million. (1)

Those type of losses are more or less to be expected in this current digital age of music, where anyone can obtain their favorite artists album at no cost at all. This was first noticed with the advent of the incredibly -Anti- "Napster," the website that popularized online music sharing or as the industry calls it: "music piracy." Through various court proceedings with the former owners of Napster, that digital revolution was streamlined by the major record labels into a profitable model that incorporates different pay-per-play/ pay-per-download offerings.

But NOW in returns the -Anti-. It's rumored that Sean Parker, one of the former owners of Napster (and first president of Facebook) is considering purchasing Warner Music Group (2). I'm not exactly sure what plans Parker may have for the slumming label, but I can guarantee that he'll bring a revolutionary approach to the table. I'll update once I get wind of some more details.

As of 3/25/2011 at 3pm, WMG is being traded at $5.89 per share, up 0.68%.

.Weeding Out Subject Matter That Matters.

2011-03-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of anti-establishment.tumblr.com

The current trend in rap music is geared towards the smokers; the consumers of weed and participators of weed culture. It makes perfect sense as marijuana consumption has increased in recent years with the introduction of medical marijuana use in 15 states, including the District of Columbia. That's not withstanding the obvious increase in illegal weed use among middle school and high school students as a recent survey of 4,097 Connecticut students indicates a 40% increase. (1)

Another glimpse of this increase in weed smoking can be seen in the arrests made by police officers. According to the Gotham Gazette, officers in New York have arrested 50,383 marijuana "offenders" last year, signaling a 70% increase since 2005. That total includes 70% under the age of 30 with 86% being Black and Latino (2). Lastly, based on a CNBC analysis, the marijuana market is BOOMING. By estimating that 6% of the population over the age of 12 consumes weed, just one $5 jay per day can fetch a total of $27 billion.

All these stats basically equal two things: DEMOGRAPHICS and PROFITS. By focusing on weed as the basis of subject matter and image, an artist can cater to and profit from all the demographics stated above. Is it necessarily anti? No. Does it make good business sense? Yes. I don't condone the following of (or adherence to) "trends" but I will say that a good business strategy incorporates statistics and an understandable mission statement - and these rappers with their trending subject matters and buzz words are definitely following that philosophy.

#2 .Endorsing -Against- Branding + Jay-Z.

2011-03-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of http://www.sojones.com

In the same vein as Jay-Z's approach with Ace of Spades, when hippin people to things that you dig and proving the point that you typically dig things that are worthwhile, endorsing can be more beneficial than branding.

When you endorse a product, a service, or an idea, you offer your stamp of approval without tainting that approval with ownership bias. If you brand a product, service, or idea attached to your image, influence, or otherwise - it's possible that public reception to that offering may be unfavorable, due to the fact that people will believe it to be a biased recommendation because of ownership or inclusion in whatever is being branded and offered. The people aint havin it.

So it's safe to say that with an estimated $4million a year (1) from endorsing Ace of Spades, Jay-Z is hippin a lot of people to that gold bottle.

.Endorsing -Against- Branding + Jay-Z.

2011-03-24T04:19:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of last.fm

Jay-Z. He's so far left of what I (and I'm sure many others) believe to be anti, but at times he does make a good attempt at rebelling against the conventional.

A recent leak of a great excerpt from Zack O'Malley Greenburg's book "Empire State of Mind," sort of proves the point that sometimes endorsing something (with no obvious financial ties to it) can appear to be more genuine than branding something that you obviously own. Perception is everything:

"Jay-Z publicly denies any connection to Armand de Brignac because he wants to be seen as a connoisseur, a trendsetter with the sophistication to anoint a successor to Cristal. Or, as Bienvenu offhandedly explained to me: “He doesn’t want to be considered a brand ambassador or something like this.” More importantly, Jay-Z realizes that the revelation of a financial connection could endanger the authenticity of his endorsement—and jeopardize a lucrative arrangement." (1)

.Executive Monologue.

2011-03-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

In the event that the whole structure of production, distribution, and consumption crumbles, what would YOU do? For now, let's limit this view strictly to creative outlets involving audio, visual, and literary components. What do WE do when we are no longer pampered with music, videos, and books that we don't even dig but have become immune to?

I think we become ANTI.

I think we create; we create content that we're especially interested in consuming. Then we form communities based on trade/ whatever we're good at creating.

I suggest that everyone start this process of creation based on trade, by first becoming fully aware of whatever you love
doing and are great at doing. Then DO IT - all the necessary resources will gravitate towards you as you continue in this process.

Anti-Est. - winning starts with this beginning.