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Earlier this year I was watching a documentary on a writer named Fran Lebowitz.  Fascinating film.  I highly recommend it.  At one point Lebowitz is speaking on a 2 person panel.  Her, and Toni Morrison.   At one point she addresses the audience and says:

By the way…When Toni said “Write the book you want to read.”, she didn’t mean everyone.

As Lebowitz speaks further, she says that this idea of self esteem has morphed into something much larger, where people think they can do anything well.

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Dear Industry,

I think you must have forgotten who runs the show here.  It’s certainly not you.

When most people think of “The Industry” they might think music.  I am speaking of all The Entertainment Industry, and the system that pushes the selling of art and such…

Listen up Industry, you got two choices: Listen to those you serve, or die.

And so far, you’re dying very quickly.

I can see movies on the internet.  I can download entire albums.  And from what I’ve heard of how art galleries operate, none of them are in a very good position right now, especially since an artist can upload their portfolio online/hold a showing where they want and sell their works.

I don’t know all that much of how the photography and visual art circles run.  I live in LA where the biggest exports are movies and music. I will say, it seems that all the art circles run through a similar gamut of politics and BS to get recognition.  Most of what it takes for fame has less to do with what you know than who you know.  Less on talent, more on looks.  Less on skill and more on having a name.

There’s a certain kind of music that came out in the 70′s called Disco.  You might be familiar with it, Industry, since you were the ones that basically created it.  You took pieces of all kinds of party music, created a formula, then drove it like a nail right into people’s heads until finally, an upheaval happened and there was Disco Demolition Night.  It happened almost in one sweep.  Radio stopped playing it.  It was virtually gone.

Hard to believe that people could go this far over music, isn’t it?

The lesson: The human mind is not wired to be entertained by the exact same thing over and over again.  You may think people are too stupid to know the difference, but trust me, it can all change in one day.

Now, for about 10, closer to 15 years, there has been this drive of pop acts.  First it was Spice Girls, then the Boy bands, then rap acts making songs for “the club”, then auto-tune…virtually every fad possible was exploited and drained of all it’s life to sustain record sales.

Hollywood has a movie that has major success with 3-D, and now they want EVERY action movie to be in 3-D, whether it was intended to be that way or not, really to get more money from the ticket prices.  Well, when Michael Bay calls using 3D a gimmick, you may have to step back and peep the situation.

And you wonder why people download your products for free or start not caring about The Industry?  It’s because the Consumer really knows that The Industry doesn’t care either.  You’re fueled by the dollars of The Consumer and the creations of The Artist.

And if the Artist can cut The Industry, the middle-man, out of the picture, then what good are you?

All the PSAs on piracy and lawsuits will not stop new forms of piracy from popping up.  The Industry has made it clear that their bottom line is money.  Nothing wrong with money, but if The Industry has no regard for The Artist or The Consumer, then why would they care about The Industry?

The Internet has made distribution free, so half of the reason for your existence is gone.  Lots of great content can be made for cheap now.

The Industry should do what needs to be done: separate the dirt from the gold, and give people what they want without flooding the market with monotony.

Until then, good luck.  The Industry needs it most.

Dear Consumer,

Do you have any idea how important you are to the life of The Artist?  You’re half the reason we exist.

Here’s the point- The art and entertainment you love are created by people who love it too, and they created it for you to love it.  They should get love back, not just in the form of words, but by tangible money, so that they can keep making what you love.

That intangible feeling that happens when you see a beautiful photo, painting, or hear your favorite song had to be created with work.  The least they can get is some money to keep giving you what you love.

Maybe you should read my Letter to The Artist to get a little context; but basically, the things that entertain you exist so that you, Consumer, can be happy.

Question- Why is Art/Entertainment even important?

Can you imagine a world with no music?  No painting?  No movies? No books?  No sense of art or creativity to take your mind to another place?

Think of your favorite brands.  Think of their logos.  Those were made by Artists.

Think back to Obama’s campaign.  Remember the posters? That iconic layout?  That was all created by an Artist, Shepard Fairey.  You probably don’t even know just how often you’ve seen his work in other places.

Movies.  Books.  Songs.  Those were created by people. And in most cases not just one person, TEAMS of people.

Of course the biggest discussion that comes to mind in Artist vs Consumer talk is with the pirating and downloading of music.

I’m definitely no saint on this issue.  Let’s just say, I’m probably… no I AM the RIAA’s worst nightmare.  Even still, I’ve checked myself and bought albums of those who I want to succeed (check the P.S.) I’ve seen just how many artist are independent, and may never get a record deal or large sponsor.  The only sponsor they can get are fans of their work.

Do you know how expensive it is to create art?

I took a drawing class.  I had to get a large drawing board, pencils, paper, some oil paints, case, and a few other items.  It wasn’t all that much.  The cost: $200.  Imagine if I did that for a living?  Let’s not start on how expensive recording equipment is, or how much it costs to rent hours at a studio, or to rent an artist space, or rent a location to film a project…

I hear a lot of Consumers complaining about the lack of good music, music videos, movies, etc.  Well, it’s your dollars that effect those results.  If you think another singer, dancer, or actor is more talented, put money behind them.  That’s what The Industry responds to.  You’re broke?  Just save up $10.  That’s the same as getting a lunch.  And it’s a one time buy, you don’t have to buy it again.  Or just pay the $.99 for the songs you like.  Hell, download the free copy, and if you see the whole album is good, then buy the regular one.  Go to their shows.  Whatever the case, the money talks, not just your props.

Think about it: Happiness from a piece of art that you can afford.  That’s fair, right?

If you want to see more of what you like in the mainstream, then you have to put the money where you feel it belongs, and tell others to do the same.  Recommend artists you love to other people.

I’m not just talking about high-brow, extra fancy stuff.   If it makes you feel good, give The Artist some dough.  I don’t care if it’s Common or Soulja Boy, a surrealist painter or a someone who draws stick figures.

I’ll never forget when I was in 9th grade and heard “Elevators” by Outkast…

True I’ve got more fans than the average man, but not enough loot to last me til the end of the week.

I live by the beat like you live check to check.

If you don’t move your feet than I don’t eat, so we like neck to neck.

I had never heard any artist (rapper especially) admit how broke they were, even though they were famous. It was clear- He lives by each beat like the average person lives each hour with a 9-5.  And if you, Consumer, don’t move your feet (either by dancing, or getting to the store to buy their product) then they can’t keep going.

Imagine if that was the last you heard from them because they didn’t sell enough albums?

That’s how much you matter, Consumer.

P.S.

3 albums I spent money on recently, and didn’t look back…

Owusu & Hannibal- Living With Owusu & Hannibal

I heard some of their stuff years ago.  Searched all over for a free copy.  I heard 5 songs from it and said forget it, I’ll buy it.  Best $10 I ever spent. Get it!

Camp Lo- Another Heist

Camp Lo has been around for almost 15 years, and still underground; but, Luchini, Coolie High, and other songs from their first album, Uptown Saturday Night, are classics.  I had downloaded their mix-tapes.  I heard just a snippet of Another Heist before it came out, and when I heard Ski Beatz produced it all, I knew the production was going to be seamless.  The day it was released I couldn’t wait, so I downloaded it right off iTunes to my phone.  Why?  Because for 15 years they’ve stayed true to their style and made dope product.  I got enough of it free.  Haven’t looked back since.  Get it!

Shafiq Husayn- Shafiq ‘En A-Free-Ka

Imagine George Clinton, J Dilla, Afrika Bambaataa, and Fela Kuti sat in a studio and made an album.  That’s this album.  A few of my friends are on it too.  I told Shafiq ” Your album should win a Grammy.”  Get it!

P.P.S.

RIP Guru.

Dear Artist.

Have you been working? I hope so.

I want to write you this letter as a reality check.  This may be hard to hear.  This may not be easy to read; but, I’m doing it because I care.  I’m an Artist just like you.  It’s hard, isn’t it?  You have all these ideas.  You have visions.  You’re pushing your way through.  You may have seen some other Artists (or people who called themselves that) push past you in what seems undeserving reward.  I know.  It sucks.  But let’s ask some real questions here.

Do you want to be an Artist, or a Celebrity?

I don’t care what your medium is.  Music.  Fashion.  Acting.  Writing.  Photography.

Are you doing this becuase you love it, or cause you want to be that popular kid in high school again?

Were you even a popular kid to begin with?  Or has the lack of popularity driven you to try to prove something?

They say a lot of Artists are insecure and want public approval.  I don’t entirely believe that.  I think an Artist is just as secure and insecure as the average person.  No matter what we do we want to make sure our work is done well.  If my work is music, I want folks to like the end result.  The ego comes in where everything has to be “my” idea, or “my” whatever.

At some point Artist (if that’s what you are), it can’t only be what you want.  Yes your intentions may be good to make people think differently, but unfortunately you might be making things too complex.  It doesn’t mean people aren’t intelligent.  It may just mean you aren’t breaking down what you are communicating in good enough language.  And putting complex things simply and effectively is difficult.  It’s nothing to fret over, it just means more work.  You don’t mind working, do you?

On the flip side of that, it may not have anything to do with complexity.  You may just not be very good.  Making art is actually a big lesson in confidence because you never know if others will see what you see.  You have to trust your sense of taste, and lots of people have different tastes.  But if you don’t seem to get consistent answers of your stuff being good, or no one seems to promote your work, then maybe you just don’t have that talent.  You can either give up or study harder.  I don’t advocate giving up…but you should know when to say when.  Quitting doesn’t mean failure.  You tried, which is a big step.

Do you have your business in order?

Being an artist pretty much means you’re an entrepreneur.  You’re a small business.  You make a product, and you sell it.  Just like a fast food chain, just like things at the 99 cent store.  I know, it’s not as endearing as you want to hear it because deep down it feels more sentimental than that.  I agree with you, but when it comes to handling business, that’s the role you play to the person selling your stuff.  Get your business mind right, or find someone else who loves business like you love art.  But first, perfect your craft.  Have you perfected your craft?  Do that first.  Then get your business right.

So, you wanna do this the rest of your life?  Well here’s something the world may not have told you:

Being an Artist doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be rich.

Being famous doesn’t mean you’ll be rich either.  There’s lots of well known names who aint making much money in Art. Yeah, yeah, I see Jay-Z.  I see Kanye.  I see Marc Jacobs.  All I have to say is, don’t let the music videos and E! Channel fool you.

You want to live “comfortably” off your art?

What does “comfortable” look like to you?  If you’re making $50k a year on your art, can you live comfy enough?  You gonna be able to raise kids on that?  Guess what, Art may have to be your 2nd job.  You know how some people have a full time job AND a part time job?  That’s most likely gonna be you.  It could be for the rest of your life.  Can you handle that?

Hey guess what else?

A lot of your stuff may have to be given away free.  Yes I know they say “If you don’t make people pay they wont take you seriously.”  Well it’s funny…people will try a restaurant and still pay if the food isn’t all that good, but no one wants to walk away with a piece of Art that’s crappy.  You see, food gets out of your system in 4-5 hours.  But a bad song?  It’s unbearable.  A bad movie?  You can’t get time back, AND it’s a waste of money!  No one wants to waste their time and money, even if it’s for a 3 min song.  But yes, they’ll pay for some OK food and a possible heart attack.  The Internet has made a whole lot of things free and accessible.  You may have to give somethings away.  But if you’re good, it’ll bring you business!

Being an Artist is a very hard job.  There are a lot of things you have to do to “make it”.  Work.  Politics.  Following up your last project.  Being professional.  Thinking out the box. Pressure.  But being a creative person means problem solving.

So…still wanna be an Artist?