Recording Industry Association of America

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA was created in 1952.

 Why is the RIAA important?

            The RIAA most important program for the Latin Music Market is the Anti-Piracy initiative. Other services are the protection of the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies.

Latin Industry and Piracy

            The Dominican urban music acceptance is growing among Latinos living in the United States, Central and South America, and Europe. The problem is that many of these artists are not selling their music at all. Artist are placing their music on online websites and distributing free cd. Since many of the Latin artist’s music are not copyrighted, this music cannot be control or deemed illegal every time is passed to someone else. 

Effect on the Latin Music Industry

            There is no secret that the online music sale among Latinos is growing. In the effort to understand Latin buyers RIAA is launching a demographic study. The RIAA wants to know for example: age, sex, place of purchase and other important information that help understand buyer’s behavior. This is just one initiative, but it is a good start. Latin Urban artist (Latin Rappers) have limited knowledge about this organization and its benefits.

            The RIAA’s Miami office is leading this effort to educate Latin Artist about the negative effect that piracy brings to the Latin music industry. Educating Latin artist is a way to control the piracy problem. RIAA is an organization unknown by Latin artist this is also another problem. RIAA can more effective for Latin artist if promotes their initiative in Spanish.

Benefits for the Latin Market

            RIAA efforts should help reduce the piracy in the Latin Markets in order to increase online sales. According to Hilary Rosen in an article post by RIAA’s website, this anti-piracy efforts are considered successful. This organization can bring more benefits for the Latin Market once the study of the Latin Marker Buyer’s Demographic is concluded. This study will provide a better understanding and ways to continue the fight against music piracy. 

Sources:

http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?news_year_filter=&resultpage=115&id=C0A5CF83-61D1-FEAC-E573-6958DEDFAE68

http://www.riaa.com/index.php

http://www.riaa.com/physicalpiracy.php?content_selector=What-is-Online-Piracy

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/04/28/disappointing-latin-music-sales-making-industry-executives-sweat/

Latin Artists doing it all! : Performances, Producers, Directors, and Project Managers

(From left to right: Nova, Jory, Nengo Flow, Moises)

One word that I remember from my project management class at Temple University is delegation. My teacher always said in class: “Learn how to delegate”.  I guess is not that simple if universities spend time teaching this complicated process. Now that I am running my own business (www.latinnoize.com) interviewing artists, dj’s, and producers I am noticing an increase in the involvement of Latin artists to more than just write lyrics.  Could be that current changes in the entertainment industry are forcing Latin artist to do it all or current economic conditions is forcing them to reduce personnel to increase revenue.  One thing is clear to me. Latin artists are doing it all, ignoring important factors like: planning, budgeting, execution, and project control to achieve customer satisfaction.

I’m going to give you one example.

Moises is a local Philadelphia Latin Urban artist (rapper) that is producing an event for July 8, 2011 for his birthday. He wants to bring a puertorican known artist to Philadelphia. I’m going to breakdown each task to understand what he is doing to complete the event.

Planning,

 Moises knows the owner of a local club named “Praga”. He is also the DJ there. He ask a month ago (May) the owner for the July 8 to bring a well-known artist from Puerto Rico. The owner granted Moises request. Moises then call another rapper “Nova” in Puerto Rico who can book the artist for him. I worked with Moises before and I know he do not write stuff down. Moises then also called another friend that do graphic design work to do the promotional material like: flyers, posters, and stickers. I think Moises doing a good job on planning the event. What I think he missed was a detail plan with deadline for the task he delegated to his friends.

Budgeting,

Here is where Moises inexperience is starting to complicate things. Moises did not make an overall cost of the event. He did not create possible earnings projection base on the capacity of the venue or money that could be raise by sponsors. Moises do not have the money to pay for all necessary promotional materials or the money to pay the artist fee. To pay for the plane tickets, Moises is going to use some of his savings. I don’t think Moises knows the importance of budgeting. This is critical because budgeting the event properly can help you decide if it is worth executing the plan.

Execution,

To executing the plan with out money, Moises is relying on exchanges. Moises is also well-known producer [Moises is a rapper, a producer, and a DJ]. He had made beats for well-known artists within the Latin urban industry. He will produce a song for the performing artist that is coming from Puerto Rico in exchange for the performance at his birthday party. When I spoke to Moises he was confident that he has everything under control.

Project Control,

Moises is in full control of the project because he is doing everything. He spoke directly to the graphic designer, the artist who will perform, the club owner, the sponsors, and others who will have a direct effect on the event. Moises do not have a team that could help you putting this event together. Knowing Moises, he probably did not ask anyone for help.

Customer Satisfaction,

All the effort that Moises is placing to create this event will pay off if two things happen. One, enough people go to the event and pay at the door to cover for the cost of the venue and the cost of his personal work and time. Two, if the people who attend the event are satisfy. I will know that the day after of the event. I will post that information then… about the outcome of the event. Stay tune!!!!

This example is to show what Latin artist are doing to raise funds to pay for the music careers. Like Moises Latin artist are doing everything without the help of experienced people on this areas (planning, budgeting, execution, project managers) to increase the possibilities for a successful outcome.

Based on this example the current economic conditions force Moises to prepare and execute the task for this event by him self and explain why more Latin artist are more involve in their careers. I spoke to Moises about this task and what he can improve for a future event. He response was: “Ed, I don’t know how to do all that”(referring to planning, budgeting, execution). What he do not realize is that he knows a lot about it!!. 

Under custody Rakim y Ken-Y for the new video

The duo was arrested as part of their new video produce by Marlon P. The duo is all smiles once the handcuff are order to be removed. For Rakim (in the last photo) was the first time that the he felt the twins (handcuff) around his wrist. (hopefully is also the last time)

Reggeaton Mega star sue for copyright infringement

Since his mega hit “Gasolina” in (2000) Daddy Yankee have been questioned about his songs. This time the situacion looks and feels diferent. According to reliable news sources papers has been filled in Illinois. According to The Source website “the songs are similar, melodically, rhythmically and harmonically”. If this situation turns to be true, could open the door to more lawsuit to other artist in the Reggeaton music world.

Daddy Yankee is considered on of the most influential Latinos for his charity work. He received the “Latino of the Year Award” given at Harvard University for the work done by his foundation Corazon Guerrero. For Daddy Yankee this lawsuit could affect his reputations, because this news are not only hitting Latin news outlets, but making noise worldwide. 

According to Moises an artist from the local Philadelphia Reggeaton group “Los Roboses” this music is no stranger of this type of comments. “Reggeaton is a blend of various tropical rhythms from Jamaica mix with Hip Hop” Mioses said.

Also in the early 90’s the Hip Hop mega group Wu-tang Clan accused Reggeaton group Memo y Vale of copying their songs. Since then no other artist have been publicly accused until now.

All of us can learn from this situation. Nobody is above the law, not even Daddy Yankee. Since the Latin Urban movement is relatively new this could be a learning event for those new artist that want to be part of this industry. There are rules and serious consequences for those who break them.

The current trend of new Latin artist of making music and upload them in blogs and social media website like: YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace is sending the wrong idea how the music industry works. Many artists do not have any idea of how complicated this music and entertainment industry really is.  

We will continue following the Daddy Yankee situation and how this will affect the Latin Urban Movement.

References:

http://www.thesource.com/blog/post/68102/Daddy-Yankee-Accused-Of-Copyright-Infringement-?thesource-prod=lelqev5612lcbdbarqgcr55bp5

http://blogamole.tr3s.com/2008/04/17/daddy-yankee-goes-to-harvard/

Latin Urban Music Revolution

The control over the Latin Urban Music Market is changing. Since late 1980’s Puerto Rican artists dominated this music. Artist like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, and Cosulluela were the top players. Now that this music had reach mainstream exposure across the world, artists from different countries are looking enter and for a top position.

One country in which this music is growing at a fast pace is the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic Latin urban music is called “Dem Bow” which is the also the name of the rhythm or beat used to record their songs. Two factors that are making this music spread like wild fire: The Internet, and the increase in Dominican communities in large cities of the US and Europe.

The increase of the Internet used among Latinos is the most important factor helping to spread this music. Dominican artist are benefiting greatly from the new uses and social media sites. Internet blogs are another tool used to spread news and new music of unknown artists. The low-cost maintenance of this blogs helps, because the current economic situation of many of the artists in the country. One issue that will become a issue in the future is the piracy.    

Another important factor is the growing Dominican population in the US and Europe. According to The City University of New York (Dec 2010) Dominicans living in this city are on track to become the largest Latino group in the state.  This fact is important since, New York is famous for helping spreading urban music across the world. Europe is another key geographical area for Dominicans artist. The reason is that Dominicans can travel to European countries were immigration laws are less strict. Also the value of the Euro (currency) in the Dominican Republic is higher.  

These two factors are affecting the power that Puerto Rican has over this music. In many cities of New York Dominican Artists are drawing larger crowds than Puerto Rican artist.  Because of the low-cost involving booking a Dominican artist, establishment owners are also opting feature a Dominican Artist for entertainment.

The next big thing that will crown the Dominican “Dem Bow” over that rest of their fellows Latin Artist is a performance of any Dominican Urban Artist on the Latin Billboards or the Latin Grammy’s. We will see next year. 

Free Tempo in 5 years

Last month a Federal Judge gave Tempo a the opportunity to be free in 5 years. Tempo was sentenced to serve 24 years for a Drug trafficking related case. The response to the judge action created a positive buzz around the Latin Urban Music Community. Many of his fellows artist have been view his future release positive for the industry since he is known as one of the best.

Jay y Negro New Video "Pam-Pam" Controversy

Jay y Negro (Los Roboses) are the new Reggeaton artist representing Philadelphia. Both are originally from Loiza, Puerto Rico. "Pam-Pam" is the latest video released by the duo. Recently have been some controversy about this song since another well-known Puertorican artist (Cosculluela) came out with the same style after the duo showed the song to one of Cosculluela managers.

Calle 13 continue with their revolutionary movement

Calle 13 is giving everybody something to talk about. This time they are protesting about the tax that Puerto Rican government official are implementing to cover the cost of the natural gas pipe.  Many believe that Calle 13 has no business talking about subjects that they don’t understand, others agree with them against the government actions. Couple day ago the group created another controversial comment about the incident involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Maybe this is marketing strategic move to maintain popularity. 

Latinnoize.com

Now you can be inform about the latest news about the Latin Urban Movement. Latin Noize.com will bring the latest videos, news, and rumors of your favorite artist.

Visit Latinnoize.com for more information.

Urban Latin Artist "Taste" the Hollywood Fame

Don Omar and Tego Calderon are making news for their performance in the movie Fast Five. Both are well known Latin Urban Music artists. With their performance Hollywood two good things are happening. First, many of the millions of Latin followers are talking about the movie theaters in different social networks. Second, Hollywood had ignited an interest of companies to used Latin Urban Artist to attract the 18-34 Latin demographics. In the last edition of the Latin Billboard Awards Don Omar made a impacting performance combining the live performance with the starting cast of the movie (Tyress, Ludacris, and Vin Diesel) that have everybody talking. I expect in the future more movie and companies will use famous Latin Artist in their marketing plans.