David Guetta recently broke down a formula for success. He said success is mostly down to hard work and luck — not talent. His formula for success is “talent 20 percent, work probably 70 percent and 10 percent of luck.” In fact, he credits his long lasting career to hard work and persistence.

He goes on talk about his calloborations with Nicki Minaj and Sia.” I think we made records that were really life-changing together. And I feel like they became such huge stars and I think it’s amazing that they’re always here from me and really appreciate it.”

Unlike most DJ’s and producers, Guetta is motivated to make records because he loves the stage. “You know, like, I think a lot of new producers, DJs … they start by being producers and then because of having a successful record they go to [the] stage and become DJs. For me it’s the other way around. I go to the studio because when I’m making music, I’m imagining the moment I’m going to drop this record. And the amazing feeling of happiness … [is] what makes me want to work those 16 hours a day sometimes in the studio.”

Guetta’s dream collaboration is Adele. “There are many people that I want to work with. I would love to work with Adele, which I never did. But, at the same time, probably the biggest dream is to find a new Sia. Someone that can write and sing and that is unknown and that we can develop something together. That’s the ultimate dream really.

Today, the Music Modernization Act has been officially signed into law by President Trump. Kanye West among others witnessed the historic moment. Artists have been treated very unfairly for a long time. The Music Modernization Act will modernize copyright protection for recording artists and songwriters in the digital and streaming age. Simply, artists will get paid fair market value.

The bill revamps Section 115 of the U.S. Copyright Act. Their are the act’s three main pieces of legislation:The Music Modernization Act, which streamlines the music-licensing process to make it easier for rights holders to get paid when their music is streamed online. The Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, & Important Contributions to Society (CLASSICS) Act for pre-1972 recordings. The Allocation for Music Producers (AMP) Act, which improves royalty payouts for producers and engineers from SoundExchange when their recordings are used on satellite and online radio.

You’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression. Before you hit the share button on Instagram, make sure you’re visually literate. In fact, social critic Camille Paglia takes on the current state of Instagram in her latest article “The Rise of “Strangely Unsexy” Instagram Exhibitionism — And Why It Hurts Women”. Consequently, whether you’re are a boy or girl, artist or model, actor or actress, unflattering photos will kill your opportunities in seconds. Camille Paglia targets women more than men since Instagram is used by more than twice as many women as men.

Camille, a staunch feminist says this, “I have to say that an overwhelming number of today’s female-authored Instagrams seem stilted, forced and strangely unsexy. Visual illiteracy is spreading: It is sadly obvious that few young people have seen classic romantic films or studied the spectacular corpus of Hollywood publicity stills, with their gorgeous sensual allure.

Ironically, she praises Rihanna for her visual aesthetic. “The leading artist of Instagram eroticism remains Rihanna, who for several years uploaded one brilliant image after another, often via the intuitive camera of her best friend, Melissa Forde. Rihanna understands magic, mood and mystique — sex as a shimmering state of mind. But the bright and shiny surface of too many of today’s female-generated Instagrams conceals a bleak and regressive reality, with men in the driver’s seat for careless, hit-and-run hookups”. She even rips Ariana Grande for performing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral while wearing a sleeveless minidress. CONTINUE READING

Hotels are now sticking their nose in the music business. You heard it right. In fact, the experiment is already on its way with the first artist signing. The Marriott owned W Hotel Records signed R&B singer-songwriter Amber Mark. The first release by Mark is a Kings Go Forth’s “High On Your Love”. The Hotel chain noted it will sign 4 artists in the coming year. Unlike Starbucks which launched a now defunct record label in 2007, the Marriott backed music label will provide the artist with recording space, video shoot locations, distribution, streaming services and even vinyl production. How will W Records attract artists? They’ll get exposure to the million members of Marriott’s global rewards programs says the Hotel Chain. We’ll follow the new signings and keep an eye on the impact.

Madonna: The Rolling Stone Interview
“Feeling regret is really destructive. I’ve learned a lot from my marriage – mostly about myself.”

Here we learned everything about Madonna in the 1989 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine. We learned about her marriage, regrets, sleeping habits and run-ins with the police. It was transparent, at least we believe it was honest. It was a good read though, especially for fans of Madonna. Moreover, the biggest female celebrity in the world had a chance to show her human side talking about insecurities and fears.

Today, artists control the narrative. In many cases, the biggest artists won’t even engage in tell-all interviews. Taylor Swift won’t. Drake dropped out from giving any substantial interviews. Here is the difference. In 1989, celebrity journalism made a significant impact in the lives of artists. Consequently, social media replaced it. Artists are in 100% control of the narrative. Instead of talking with their audience in an interview setting, they “talk-at” their audience by means of scheduled social media posts. Which means? The death of celebrity press. CONTINUE READING