Oh - and one other thing...

An addition to yesterday’s blog - - - -
Another type I forgot to add:

The Underground Guerilla Marketer- I’m thinking more and more that THESE are the people to learn the game from. They usually have several projects going that are related (Example: Marketing team – record label – graphics shop – management company, maybe even distribution if they’re good.) They know ALL the tricks to cut costs, and are always looking for new ones. They put out some dope shit that you may have heard and remember (b/c it’s dope) but you have no idea where it came from. They are smart enough to know when to put something out that may not be their favorite style. .b/c every now and then you gotta go with something that will just sell or chart well to pay for the ‘labour of love’ projects.

They are the people you rarely see in magazines – or anywhere visible, but go to a conference or an important event with them – one where lots of major players are present. EVERYONE knows them and most respect them. They have AT MOST one degree of separation from anyone you can name b/c they have worked behind the scenes with so many people on so many things. This is usually not just ONE person; it’s usually a small collective of peeps.

Sometimes the big labels/brands start this way…….but if they’re smart, they don’t go mainstream/mass market – b/c then they have to start spending lots of money, and that just goes against the mindset that made them successful in the first place.

Getting this kind of a ball rolling usually takes the right combination of people coming together (i.e. – each participant having a different area of expertise to bring to the table, kind of like the Superfriends in the Hall of Justice) – and each person has usually spent SEVERAL years on their individual grind, doing work and meeting people, before they find each other and form a successful group. In other words, some stars have to line up correctly for this to happen. Also, it AINT glamourous. There are occasional big shows, or exotic locales that remind everyone, “yeah – this is why we grind the way we do” but in between those are lots of small offices, packed van rides to events, and smallish crowds. The art they contribute is important, in many ways they drive the scene, but there is very little shine involved for them.