The Biz-ness

Yeah so ummmmm. . . . it’s been a minute – I know. Not exactly the best way to get the momentum going on a new blog, but – hang with me. I’m not ready to throw the towel in on this one just yet.

Today, I think I am going to focus on my early efforts to figure out ways I can do something I care about – and have said activities provide enough money for me to eat, live on my own, and pay my bills.

Ah yes, my early inquisitions into the world of entertainment – more specifically music.
Let me tell you about my perceptions so far. . . . . Now I ain’t sayin all of the following descriptions are FACT, I’m just sayin this is the SENSE I seem to be getting. Perception isn’t always reality.

I have come across a few different kinds of people who I would say are “Making It” in the industry. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are rich, or famous….but what it DOES mean is that they are involved full time (i.e. don’t have a BS day job) and they are either working on projects that they are excited about, or well on their way to working on worthwhile endeavors. Occasionally, it actually DOES mean they are doin ok money or fame wise as well.

There seem to be a few types of people in this situation:

Those that know a LOT important people, but don’t really DO very much of anything. AKA the – “It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know crowd.” Now believe me, I understand the importance of the proper contacts, and working the room from time to time – but for some of these folks it seems like that’s all they’re really good at. Oh – and partying, they’re good at that too. They get a dope title with a good label, or promotion/event company, or management company – and they front like they’re on the grind – but there’s no proof in the puddin at the end of the day. Fact is though, they’ll either keep their job – or lose it and get another one just as good. They are charmers.

The Street Hustla – this is actually one of my favorites. They are often ‘jacks-of-all-trades’ – they always have 50 projects goin on. If they are successful, it’s usually because they have done a good job at making computers and modern modes of communication work for them – using these things to help them get their money from the art that they love. Occasionally they got something goin on the side to supplement income that is . . . . . how shall I say. . . . Less than legitimate – but not always, many have their hustle down so well that they can keep things above board. Here’s the thing though, I don’t know when these people sleep…..I think a lot of them are insomniacs, or they just plain don’t need many zzzzz’s. Also, I don’t know how they make ends meet – fact is, it takes a while to achieve any kind of financial stability with this approach. So what are they doin when they on the come up?

Of course there is the successful person that knew in school what they wanted to do – got their shit together early, did some internships that may have been not quite what they were after, and now are doing what they always wanted, and doing it well. The traditional mode of climbing the ladder doesn’t happen nearly as much in the entertainment world as it does in other businesses though.

There are also those who use some sleazy methods to get where they need to go – but usually they’re more interested in fame or LOTS of money than they are in being part of fulfilling projects.

So where do I fit in this world – how can I utilize my strengths best so that I can be noticed and do some work that makes me feel fulfilled?

I certainly can’t do the soulless paper pushing I’m doing right now for much longer.

I don’t fit any of these molds completely, and I know I gotta be myself in the end – but will that get the job done?

Do I focus on a certain field, or do I hustle as long as I can until I find my place. How can I make some $ so I can live and eat in the big city – but at the same time keep my jobs related to the direction I want to go in? These are things that have been on my mind lately…..

Hopefully more to come soon.