Expert View on Business Plans

There are many people who come to mind when thinking of business planners.   Knowing I write about music, I will focus more on those in the Entertainment industry.  For example, Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, would be a wonderful example of a business planner.  Starting at a very early age he began to think outside of the box and make a name for himself.  At an early age he learned to become self sufficient as well as how to hustle to survive.  He dove into the world of rap music and learned quickly in his endeavors that he did not want to follow the usual path to success.

http://youtu.be/HO3j9GFiVKo

He worked with a few artists and participated with a group called Original Flavor for a short while.  He soon realized that he did not want to follow the same route as his associates but instead he, along with his friends Damon Dash and Kareem Burke decided to start his own record label call Roc-a-Fella Records.  Once the distribution was established he was later able to release his debut album.  This was in 1996, today Roc-a-Fella has become an empire and includes more business such as Roc-a-Fella Films and Rockawear.  Today Jay-Z has partnered with Live Nation to create ROC Nation.  Live Nation is spread across 33 countries and is know to be one of the top producers of live concerts and their partnership with Jay-z has proven to be nothing but successful.   He later went on to become the president of Def Jam which was started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. He did not stop there though.  He went on to become part owner of the New Jersey Nets.  

 Through all of this some of the basic things that he believes that makes you successful is being true to who you are.  He believes that the businesses that he partners with he does because they are a part of him and who he is.  Starting a business because it is something you like and want to do is a key factor as well as being able to see ahead.

Russell Simmons has generally the same thought in mind.  He believes you should be true to yourself and know what you want and stick with it.  As mentioned earlier Russell Simmons is part founder of Def Jams, he is also one who has been a large influence in the music, fashion, poetry and comedic world of the industry.  Russell Simmons, like Jay-Z, born in NewYork.  However unlike Jay-Z he was raised in a home with parents who had stable careers. 

http://youtu.be/4pFcwQbmLso

As mentioned earlier Russell Simmons is part founder of Def Jams, he is also one who has been a large influence in the music, fashion, poetry and comedic world of the industry.  He started in the music industry with the Def Jam label and later became more of a businessman through his Corporation Rush Communications which encompasses a management company, a clothing line, a production company a magazine, Financial services and much more.  Today, even though he is still known for the music he produced, he is now well known as a media and fashion mogul.  He speaks on his success and he believes the key factor is believing in yourself and your ideas.  

This key factor helps when you are alone it what you want to do but continue to try and work it on your own.  Others around see how hard you are working to make it happen and they may want to participate.  Not being in a rush to make it is also something that you would have to keep in mind.  Success is something that may take time.   Apparently these key factors have worked for him since he is still up and running and continuously adding more business to his corporation.  He is currently working on producing another reality show about his office.  

Even with the negative publicity reality TV has been receiving he has found a way to turn it positive.  He believes through the shows he has produces it has given some form of positive influence to those who watch.  Whether it is show like Run house or his new show about his office that focus on the Career of the woman that work for him.   He has learned to take the things he has interest in and roll it into a package that he can show and sell to the consumer.

         

http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Jay-Z/Biography/

http://www.blackentrepreneurprofile.com/profile-full/article/shawn-jay-z-carter/

http://photobucket.com/images/JAY-Z/#!cpZZ5QQtppZZ24
http://photobucket.com/images/Russell%20Simmons/

Let's recognize them

Have you ever wondered why gospel music does not get the same hype that R&B, Hip Hop or Dance music receives?  For many years people have pondered if the religious aspect of this music is its kiss of death.   I wonder what would happen if people just looked at it as an R&B, Hip Hop or dance song with a religious connotation? It would seem that they would receive more attention because it is music with a positive statement...like a "The climb" by Miley Cyrus or "I'm a survivor" by Destiny's child.  Shouldn’t they receive more attention or just as much attention as those of the same style.  Is it because their positivity comes from God?  Shouldn’t they receive more attention or just as much attention as those of the same style?

For example Mary Mary made a name for themselves with the cross over song "Shackles" and ten years later they have gone on to win 3 Grammies, 2 American Music, an NAACP, and a BET award.  With every album they produce they are able to entertain different styles of music yet are mainly recognized for gospel.  Moreover, Mary Mary has gone on to explore more ventures to reach more people.  In doing this they have been able to include other artist such as David Banner.






Now knowing this, think about how often you here about them or any gospel artist who is in the main stream.  It would seem the media receive more from promoting artist with less of a positive message.

There has also been gospel artist who have crossed over and has received both positive and negative media.  Such artist as Kirk Franklin and Tye Tribbett are two good examples of this.
You would think that through their negative media is would show the world those gospel artists are still human.  This would normally help to the Urban, Hip Hop or R&B artist gain more recognition and yet nothing changes for gospel music.

Tye Tribbetts music has crossed over in more than one genre.  His latest album Fresh has styles that range from R&B to Hip Hop.  With songs like "Good in the Hood", you would think his album would be a shoe in for more recognition in the secular world.  This is not true.
Gospel music seems to be the only genre that is categorized by the lyric content instead of sound.  This is not a bad thing, but it may be one of the reasons many are not able to give gospel artist who have crossed over the attention that is earned.  This of course may not be a concern for the religious artist as they are working for God and not the media.

So why is it hard for us to recognize them in other genres?  While we ponder though let's recognize them just a little more.  This is something that will forever be pondered in all of our minds.