Talentz Bank: Probable reasons why you are still upcoming (Think outside the box)

Your Sound

Listen to your music. Pay attention to the beats. Give thoughts to the lyrics. Analyze your delivery. Ask, is this different? Is this competitive? Can I buy this if I weren’t the singer? If you perceive some ‘wackiness’, you should ask first – Should I be doing music? But if people have been consistently telling you that you’ve got it, but you are still on the same spot, then try to do a personal survey. Ask close friends what they sincerely think about your music. You can even approach total strangers. They will be honest with you. This is to find out about your strength and weaknesses. So you can focus on your strength and do something about your weaknesses.

You be ‘Follow Follow o ooo’

You purposely sound like an existing artiste and you sound like a fake. If you are going to offer something similar to what an existing music artiste does, then you have to offer something better. A lot of upcoming acts fall into the temptation of always wanting to sound like whoever is currently making wave. And then when he (the current wave making dude) expires and there is a new guy with a new sound, they follow suit. It’s ok to like and be influenced by the music of an existing artiste but it is dangerous not to be creative about it. This will only put you behind- behind the game and seriously behind your original. It will make you a wannabe; keep you in the upcoming level. Dare to be different. And when you copy, dare to be creative.

You don’t think creative.

You are not creative. You have not even made an attempt to offer something different other than what’s in the industry. Discover your uniqueness and buttress on it. I know you’ll probably say you don’t have enough capital to prove yourself. All I‘ll say is that – THINK BIG, START SMALL.

Cheap

You probably can afford better. You can afford to pay for better sound. You know, in a better studio and for the services of a more skilful producer. You can afford to shoot a clearer and sensible music video. Instead you choose to patronize ‘cheap’, who would do a wacky job. This means you don’t value your music career nor do you value the public who would hear your music and view your video. There is no magic to it. The Universe will respond to you in the way you relate with it. Meaning, the music market will give you the kind of response your lame songs and wacky videos communicate.

You don’t look like you are going somewhere. I mean, up there- to the top. To shine up in the sky as a star that you’ll be. This does not only mean your dressing, but it also means your countenance and carriage. I mean, your gait, your talk, your delivery. Convince your audience when you perform, and potential investors when you have those ‘future determining’ meetings. Convince them that you are a star. That you are going in no other direction but north- UP. A Yoruba adage goes “It is the way you carry your calabash that people will help you carry it”. If you take you and your music seriously, people will take you seriously.

Critism

Criticize ‘small small’ my brother.

You are constantly hating on and criticizing whoever is making airwaves at the moment. Not exactly because they are not good enough, but you think they don’t deserve it. You really are in no position to say someone does not deserve success. Remember the law of sowing and reaping. Be careful what you wish for others. I know there are those who can’t even sing and seem to be on the forefront. But don’t worry about that, there are many things that a star needs to remain at the top. They will be tested in one way or the other and at one point or the other. If they don’t have it, they can’t remain in front for long. See, that’s why you should get serious and get moving. Just move. Don’t worry how much time you spend getting off the ground. Your aim is to reach the top and stay there for long. Ain’t it?

Industry ‘Boy Boy’

You probably have been under an existing artiste, a part of a clique or with some ‘moneybag’ dude who has promised to help take your career to the next level and yet you’ve been on the same level for a long time. I mean, you are not exactly getting exposure or working on your music project, but you are just been used for activities other than your music. I think you need to take a hike. Time flies. Time is money. You are not growing any younger. How long will you wait for ‘Mr I want to help your career’ get off his butts.

Probably sometimes, when you make up your mind that you want to leave, he/ she pleads with you and makes a few moves and loads of promises. Yet in a few months time, you are still where you were.

Get on the streets. There is no Lion there. Conquer your fears. Throw yourself on the market. Start on your own if need be. Package you and your music and shop for yourself a better management and record label or sponsor. Leave this unfruitful comfort zone.

Pride

If you are riding on a high horse, then you need to get off it. You might need to be extra patient and open, since you are new or still upcoming. Some ‘bull shit’ will come your way. But all your need to ask is “Does this contribute to the betterment of my career?” Does this require selling my soul or trading my birth right?” If it will aid your career, but does not jeopardize your conscience or values, then you can go ahead. It is just for a while.

Hard Work

You can’t live the life style of the existing successful music artistes at the moment. They are either near the top or on top. You are still coming up, so you need to do more, to put more effort at what you do. Hence, you can’t lounge with them as often, you can’t spend like they do (you have bills baby), you can’t even afford to pick up some of their habits at the moment. Remember you need time, resources and your talents. You need to keep your eye on the prize. Do you want to remain behind? Don’t you want to surpass... them? Well if you still say you are not in competition with anyone, but you do want to be the best you can be. Being the best you can be will put you ahead of the game.

Lack of patience

Do not jump the gun. There is a process. Get counsel. Don’t be so much in a hurry to blow, that you make decisions that will jeopardize your entire career. It might bring you back, lower than where you were. It might place you beneath-at not just ‘upcoming’ but ‘start over’. So think before you act.

Local brand with no global perspective

If you want to move beyond your local government where you are local champion, you have to think state wise. To move beyond your state you have to think national. While to be recognized internationally, requires you to think outside the ‘continental’ box. You need to break the barrier. Challenge yourself. Why should only very few of our artistes be recognized internationally when we have tons of music artistes in this country?

Be Nice and Open

Be open to criticism. Review every criticism and pull out which one you should really pay attention to.

Be accessible. At the beginning, for you, you need as much publicity as possible. It is necessary for the development of your music career. So, do the interviews. So long you are being sold in a friendly manner. The more people hear about you, the more they are able to recognize you and your music. They will get accustomed to your name, face and music. And this will activate demand for you and your music. Don’t be like some of these upcoming gospel music acts (I am not sorry to say) who think God will send angels to come down to help them push their music. I have not seen upcoming music artistes as proud, lazy and unserious as they are. I am a Christian. I’ve always done music and talent marketing. So I know.

Thanks for reading. We meet on Monday. Have a lovely weekend.