This past Sunday I attended my FIRST Industry Influence in New Orleans. The event has been going on awhile now always hosted by popular radio personality Wild Wayne, and hosted by DJ. E.F. Cuttin, and artist Sess 4-5. It consists of your basic panel of Artists, DJ's, and Managers. For this panel Wild Wayne got CEO and of the infamous Core DJ's Tony Neal and recording artist Dorrough to come speak to hopeful musicians on what it takes to make it in this difficult business.
Performances were done by local New Orleans artists Young Sleep, Y. Luck, G. Wilson, Shawt, and Sess 4-5
*Tony Neal CEO and Founder of the Core DJ's speaks to the crowd
Excuse the "amateur" photo's. My camara had a fatel fall with the curb right before I walked into the venue so I was forced to use my cell phone.
Tony got onstage and commanded silence to the talkative crowd stating "If you brought your partna with ya that doesnt give a damn about your career, tell them to shut the hell up" All ears and eyes were on the CEO as he explained that going major isn't always a good thing. Any artist can push his own music with singles, and profit off of that instead of being sucked into a contract. He also touched basis with the fact that you MUST have respect for your DJ's. Thats how your record is going to get heard. Not having good relationships with DJ's is going to lead you to a long hard road where eventually you will fail. Local buzz come up as he talked about the importance of creating a following first at home. Without a following from your own city, how do you expect to get hot elsewhere? Some in the crowd seem to get upset at the truthful words of Mr. Neal....but he was only speaking the truth.
*Dorrough speaks to audiance members about his come up.
Dallas recording artist Dorrough known for his hit single "Ice Cream Paint Job" took the stage to speak to hopeful artists about how he struggled and later had success with his music career. He let it be known that a deal wasn't just going to fall into your lap, you have to strive for it. As he left the stage DJ E.F. Cuttin dropped his new single "Get Big" that was premiered earlier that day on local New Orleans radio station Q93 with Wild Wayne himself.
Then came the artist showcase. This was basically what I came for. I love to see new artists display their skills. I enjoy the freshness and willingness of a unsigned artist that seems to live for the music. The panel of judges consisted of Raj Smoove, Tracy Smith, and Tony Neal. All in all it was some flops, some hotness, and some strange things being seen onstage, but for the most part I saw some promising artists take the stage. It seems New Orleans is on the come up music wise. An artist by the name of Rico was rewarded the $1000 prize after showcasing a R&B feel song and actually getting the crowd to rock with him and praising remarks from all 3 judges.
*An artist performs for the panel of judges and $1000 cash prize.
*More young up and coming artists perform
Overall my FIRST Industry Influence in New Orleans was a good look. I enjoyed myself and made some new and exciting contacts. You know the feeling when you see a musician that isn't quite successful yet, but you can feel it deep down inside that they're going to blow up eventually? Well I seemed to catch that feeling several times that night. I'll be even more prepared when Wild Wayne invites me again, and have even more to write about.
Let this be known though Wild Wayne is truley opening doors for the New Orleans music scene to get heard on a national level. And I'm loving it...
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