soo.. life is super tough right now and my whole family is having tough times. i'm only 17 and with my grades in school its too late to be something great like a doctor or anything like that. music is something i love and ive been writing and "trying" to produce beats for a few years now. i dont wanna be like a gang banger type.. i want to change the way people see rap music. and also help out my family and friends money wise in this time of crisis. so what are my chances of being successful in that general area of profession?
218084
I feel exactly the same..unfortunately theres not much chance of being successful because your white (same here). Don't get down about it. She's right, above, you need to have a back-up career. Its common sense. \nI wouldn't mind collabin with you. send us your contact details and I'll be in touch shortly. \n\n1 tip- be original, be different, be individual, be unique- and you will shine like the star you are. Simple as. oh and ignore the haters.
303150
Well, you can't just jump into being a rock star.  You must earn that status.  Start now.  Start a company, band, organization, etc. based on what you are passionate about.
309844
I think any book that write about DJing should include a discussion of the hard work involved in becoming one. Are we talking about a DJ "artist".. somebody who spins/remixes electronica or hip-hop. Or are we talking about a career DJ, somebody who sells their services to weddings, etc..? While the dance/hip-hop DJ thing can be fun and glamorous, unless you're really good, it doesn't pay the bills.\n\nI was a career DJ for a while and I can tell you that it's not only expensive and hard work, but you don't really get much respect. It pays the bills, but the people you deal with can be difficult. Especially for someone just starting out, most people are looking for a ton of service and want to pay you nothing for it. Additionally, expect to have a huge catalog of songs available to people. This collection will need to be stuff that the general public would want to hear, so expect to store tons of cheesy pop and r&b, since the general public tends to have horrible taste in music.\n\nThis may not be the answer you want, but it is realistic.
580566
oh please all of you need a little education, it is so much more than that. You need to dig deeper to get into the roots of hip hop / rap to understand what its all about.\nIt was never about the crap it has transformed into.\n\nRap was about telling a story and educating each other, it was about having a good time and celebrating individuality.\n\nIt wasn't about calling women hoes, guys nig**rs, and bringing anybody down.\n\nIt has been castrated and mutated into a social and economic form of pop music. In the beginning it was designed to lift the spirits and moral of people in the neighborhood now it has turned into a way to suppress them. \n\nWhat you categorize, today, as rap is nothing more than twisted pop music crap.\n\nIf you do this project, I hope you uncover the true meaning of rap and dig deep to uncover its true virtue. I really hope you do and maybe can make someone understand.
319071
It can be a great job... just be willing to get dirty, sit down and stand up a lot, sing silly songs, and never act frustrated even when you are.  It would give you a great perspective on appreciating what your parents went through to get you to this point in life.  = )
599306
Record a CD and send it to a producer or someone high in the  music industry. If they don't reply try going on depending where your from...X-Factor or American idol or whatever. I will when I'm old enough!
221480
i think success is doing what you like to do and being able to support yourself on it. i make a living doing my favorite thing, playing music. (technically, thats my second favorite thing to do, lol). i teach guitar lessons, and play in a band and do recordings. i'm not looking to be rich, though i dont think i'd turn it down. i just want to be able to pay my mortgage and take care of my girlfriend as best i can by doing what i like to do. (and she's doing really well, it wouldnt surprise me if she makes more than i do in a few years.)
642391
Take a big deep breath.\nTake another one.\nYou are going to be okay. \n\nYou've got guts for following your heart, that's taking a risk, and risk-taking is an essential part of success. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't work out the way you want. Following your heart is not stupid! You are not stupid! Some people know what they want to do at a young age and are able to do it. Most don't. Don't beat yourself up.\n\nIts true that there are a lot of people wanting to go into multimedia. If you have the passion for, go back to it, cause what matters most is what you are able to work hard at.  If you are excited about it, and have talent, and stick with it, you will get somewhere. \n\nIf you have any interest in the medical field, and have the energy to work hard in that field, then do that, you will be rewarded for it. It is more stable than multimedia. But if you don't have any interest in it, forget it. Your mom probalby just wants you to go into that field because it is stable. But mostly she just wants you to be happy. She probably doesn't understand what you want, and it scares her. \n\nNo one can make this decision for you, and it is a hard decision. No matter what you choose, there will be parts you don't like. Plus, as you get older what you want will probably change.  \n\nWhatever it is that RIGHT NOW gives you energy and excitement, whatever it is RIGHT NOW you think you can work hard at, that is the direction to go. \n\nAnd get your degree, you will never regret finishing college, no matter what you major in.\n\nSmile! You have more character, originality, and guts than the people who just play it safe. Its hard to see it now, but you will learn a lot from the experience you've had.
374336
Speaking from personal experience, playing music in school opened a lot of doors for me. I was always involved while in junior high and high school. So, that kept me busy. I acquired a passion for something, which is important to learn as you are growing up. It also offers a lot of scholarships to students who might not be able to afford college. I agree that it helps students to keep better grades in school. Just like sports programs you are required to keep a good grade average. \n\nOne thing you could do is a survey around your own school. Ask fellow students if they would like to have a music program and would they be interested in being involved in it. How would it impact their lives? Showing the school board how important it is to you and the students might help them see how important it can be for their future.
10924
You're too young for your life to suck.  I know that being young is hard sometimes but believe me things will get better.  Don't even contemplate suicide.  If your are highly talented in art and writing why not prusue that?
566861
To get anywhere in the music industry, the biggest thing you need to do is network.  The more people you know in the sector, the better your chances of surviving will be.  And it's never too soon to start building up your social network.
309609
Getting into broadcasting is very tough now.  Especially with all of the "Mega owners" like Clear Channel having multiple stations in every market.  But if radio is something you would like to pursue, I can give you some tips.  \nFirst, we in the business prefer the term "Air Personality" or "Air Talent" instead of DJ.  A DJ is the guy that spins records in a smokey nightclub, or weddings. We, on the other hand, need to have a lot more skills.  \n\nYou will want to get some formal education, and training.  Most colleges have Communications programs... look into one.\n\nYou will need to start small.  Nobody starts at the top.  Also be ready for a lot of rejection.  For every ten tapes you send out to stations, you are lucky to get feedback from one of them.\n\nWhen you are starting out, you have to be ready to accept any offer that arises at a radio station.  You will not be starting out at a "Drive-Time" slot, more than likely, you will start off doing part-time fill-ins. \n\nRadio is a very fun field to work in.  When you start off you will not make much money.... But once you move up to larger markets, the pay will also get much better.\n\nI wish you well in your future career in radio.\nIf you ever have any questions you can feel free to email me.\nGood Luck!
395698
Firstly, music is an art, and one style of music will never appeal to everybody...and you boys have a head start already and sometimes being the be all and end all of musicians isn't all it's cracked up to be...so enjoy your "growth" as musicians as it comes and you will find your way...you got a LOT of potential and years ahead of you!  \n\nThat being said, this is the world of the INTERNET...all things are possible here.\n\nThere are so many forums and possibilities, just posting here is a step, there's Myspace, and other sites you can create a blog,  support your fansites; heck give out a few single hit cds, have contests, have free sample download clips on your website...you can only put your music and yourselves out there, you can't change peoples taste...but since you're still "new" make yourselves accessible.  Try You Tube, Yahoo Videos....how about some free concerts where only bad music lives!!!   Join in and sing at some free summer festivals and such where large crowds gather.  Get behind and support a charitable cause you believe in.  You will not only be doing something for yourself but something for others who are much worse off than you.  Good deeds speak volumes. You will rise up in no time.\n\nGet your agent to dole out your cds to radio stations.  I'm sure with a nice note and all they will be happy to play it.
639396
Hip Hop is over. Loon probably misspent an advance. That's a oneway ticket to nowhere's ville if you don't have any real talent.
53128
It's really great that you're thinking seriously about career matters. I think the best advice I got was from Joseph Campbell, you might have read it too: "Follow your bliss."\n\nHe says you can choose an "easy" or safe career, and make money, but then you might also miss your calling in life.\n\nIf you choose to follow your bliss (what makes you feel truly alive), then you will end up with the money also (as did Campbell).\n\nOf course, some fields are more competitive than others. But the media world is experiencing explosive growth, and there is so much opportunity (just check www.brightcove.com for example to see a bit of the future).\n\nThe "competitiveness" or job prospect data of any industry out there, only serve to discourage people who do not have courage. With determination, passion, a focus on excellence and boundless courage, you can do anything in this life.
637320
Encourage education and finishing college first.  Make it a deal, you can play music as long as your grades are maintained (whatever you decide that should be).  \n\nMy son played in a very popular local Seattle band. We fought him tooth and nail to finish college.  The band was on its way signed with a major record company, when the lead singer and his best friend died tragically.  I cannot tell you how happy his now that he earned his degree.\n\n Music is great and full filling, but very few make it as a career.
278069
.MY  hat   goes  of  to  you  4  taking  that step. YOU  will  be  well  needed  in  the future.  Further  more  all  your  talents  will  come in  handy .  GOOD  LUCK ! ! !