Music Industry

It’s obvious that Willow Smith is closely following the coaching she has no doubt received from her parents, Will and Jada. During a recent MTV interview, the 9-year-old said, “I felt like all my hard work has paid off.”

What youngster do you know speaks like that? Now, reports are circulating that Willow’s parents should teach her how to read better, because they say the little girl had a had time pronouncing the word ‘congratulations.” More particularly, sites like mediatakeout.com are saying just that! WTF?!?! I say they should give Willow a break — the kid was nervous when she appeared on 106 And Park. Continue Reading…

Back in 1980, the record industry was in turmoil – a place they seem to find themselves in on a regular basis. Featuring interviews with various record label executives on weather or not this new thing called “music video” would save the record business.

“They’re Throwing Up A Lot of Facades”

HSK Exclusive - The man behind the discoveries of now household names in rap music believes many of today’s artists remain a far cry from what talent once was. In this exclusive interview with Dave Lighty, both Jacky Jasper and the OdLight Entertainment CEO agree that many of today’s artists sound the same — making the true singer obsolete in today’s market.

To be sure, Dave Lighty is responsible for bringing artists including 50 Cent, Kanye West and Nelly to the table. But during this candid conversation, the former Jive Records Senior Director tells how bringing those artists to light was not an easy task — pointing to the fact that record execs shut 50 Cent down FIVE times before signing the 20-million album-selling rapper.

Take a Listen…

Download for your IPOD Here!

ODLIGHT.com

Dave Lighty Twitter

As major record labels struggle to stay relevant, the digital age continues to show its reign. And that’s exactly how one Boston-based music industry businessman made his name known in the music game.

In 2006, DJ Next founded Amalgam, Inc., a company which Source Magazine proclaimed has “it’s finger on the pulse of Hip-Hop’s future.” Now, less than five-years later, Amalgam Digital is a widely recognized new media outfit, complete with its own independent record label, online music store, and is living an expansion to the south with a headquarters based in Atlanta.

Next’s success is nothing short of amazing. He began his venture into the music business as a DJ making mix tapes, and with less than five-hundred dollars he started his empire focusing on developing new independent artists. Continue Reading…

The man who recruited rapper 50 Cent for Violator Management in 2003 holds a strong opinion on what it takes to reign in the world of blogging.

In this exclusive interview with Dave Lighty, both Jacky Jasper and the OdLight Entertainment CEO agree that many bloggers do nothing more than just copy and paste. In addition to the differences between blog sites, Lighty also explains the contrast between working at Jive Records and Def Jam Records, and gives us an inside stance on artists like LL Cool J, T.I., T-Pain and Chris Brown.

During this very candid conversation, Jacky Jasper also inquires into the rumor of LA Reid to be replaced by Dave’s brother, Chris Lighty.

Take a listen to this second segment of our four part series…

Download for you IPOD Here!