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This is no hype, so you can believe this. With very few exceptions, rap aka Hip Hop records (today they are the same thing) haven’t delivered substance in years. PE’s new album, “How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Sold,” brings meaning and feeling back to this lackluster genre. The album brims over with social relevance, soul, quality, and most importantly a sound and energy that will remind true fans of why Hip Hop became such a powerful art form.

The album reminds me of a combination of PE’s first three classic albums. Chuck …

The RIAA reports that digital downloads now represent 23% of the US music industry. CD sales are down 17% and vinyl sales are now up 38%. This is somewhat shocking news since software such as Serato allows digital files to be manipulated with turntables and vinyl discs.

Insomniac: What was the high point in hip hop for you? 



Rakim: The high point in hip hop for me was back in 1981. To bare witness when hip hop was in its rarest form, to be there when pioneers were setting it. It’s like the first time you smoke weed, you don’t get that feeling after a while.



Insomniac: I know there’s tons of people that pioneered this. But, can you think of at least two or three people that inspired you to do this? 



Rakim: Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Flash.



Insomniac: What are people going …

Marshall “DJ Mars” Thomas is avidly credited for rocking Atlanta clubs to the core. But what separates this stand out DJ from the rest is his penchant for business. Notably, DJ Mars formed the World Famous Superfriends Organization (WFSO), the largest deejay crew in the southeastern region of the United States. In addition, DJ Mars is the tour deejay for multi-platinum artists Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys. On the morning of heading to Philadelphia, PA, to prepare for the Alicia Keys tour, Insomniac Magazine interviewed DJ Mars regarding deejaying Atlanta and holding down first …

TR-808

TR-909

Linn Drum

Altered TR-505

Oberhiem DX

Converted Korg DDM110

Drumulator

NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) is celebrating its 50th year in business. This year’s NARM Convention will take place at the San Francisco Marriott on May 4-7. Also taking center stage during NARM’s annual conference is Digital NARM, which will address and discuss the digital side of music retailing.

Throughout the years, NARM has consistently proven to be one of the most valuable music business events in the industry. Attendees include music wholesalers, retailers, one stops and distributors, as well as suppliers, labels, and others involved with bringing music to the retail (both physical and digital) …

Here’s another event noting the end of mass media, as we know it. Radiohead recently made individual tracks from their song “Nude” available for download on iTunes. These tracks consist of various components of the song: vocals, bass, guitars, effects, and drums. Digital downloads of the five individual tracks which make up “Nude,” and the actual song itself, were made available as a digital package for $5.99. Fans were encouraged to download the tracks and create their own remix of “Nude” using software such as Garageband. The combined sale of these stems, as they are called on …

“I remember we used to do…on the trains like this, December to December. One of the few here, old enough to remember.” -Breez Evahflowin

Not sure if you heard about the new Nine Inch Nail’s album. They’ve made it available in many different configurations and options– including a version that’s free. The interesting story here isn’t how many fans will download it for free, or even the masses that will buy the CD. The amazing thing is the 2,500 people that bought the $300 package– grossing the band $750k. It’s about those die-hard fans that are willing to support this type of thing.

Seth Godin discusses this phenomenon in his latest book- “Meatball Sundae.” He writes …

• Recent Posts

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  • RIAA Reports on Sales for 2007
  • Insomniac Classic Interview ‘97: Hip Hop Icon Rakim
  • DJ Mars- Hip Hop DJ Interview
  • Vintage Drum Machines Revisted
  • NARM Celebrates 50 Years with a Must Attend Conference
  • Radiohead and the Digital Single Package Further Usher in The New Music Economy
  • Hip Hop Subway Series: It Can Still Be Fun
  • Nine Inch Nails: Hitting The Nail on the Marketing Head
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