April 30, 2009

Mello-D with Latino Hip-Hop artist Cristopolis

If you are in the DC area come check me out tomorrow night at the Velvet Lounge.

I will be opening for Mello-D and the Rados and Soul Cannon, doors open @ 8:00 pm.






Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 29, 2009

Talk to my Manager

After the release of my first album, I began working with a friend, who wanted to help me out by being my manager.

Initially it was nice to be working with someone else and it was great for my ego.

I quickly got into the habit of whenever someone would approach me about a gig I would tell them that my manager handled that and remove myself from having to deal with them.

The only problem is that people are your most valuable commodity.

This is true in basically every industry.

Your Rolodex is your most critical asset and you should absolutely never give it away.

It's ok to have people help you but make sure you are the main point of contact.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 28, 2009

Social Media Chart - by Hit Singularity

This chart presented by Hit Singularity is a great example of how social media works.

I think that the most important idea to walk away with is that at the center of the now endless array of social media tools is your own personal website.




Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 27, 2009

The Power of a Website

Being a musician and only having a Myspace or Reverb Nation account says alot to people about your music.

To me it says I do not take my music or myself seriously.

It says, my economic situation is in shambles and I cannot afford $10.00 a month.

It says, I don't care and why should you?

And it also says, my music is probably amateur at best.

All of those things maynot be true, but I can't help but to think it when an artist doesn't care enough to build a website for himself.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 26, 2009

How Musicians Can Make Money on the Internet - by Gerd Leonard

In this video Gerd Leonard shares some of his "Whiteboard Wisdom" with us on how musicians can monetize web presence.




Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 25, 2009

Jack of All Trades or Master of One

I was just reviewing Mac's new iLife 09'......it's incredible!

If there ever was a time to be a Renaissance man, the time is now.

Write, produce, and record your track, create the album cover, edit your music video, and upload it all to the world, without leaving your desk.

Truly incredible.

But I know people who do most of these things better than I do. Actually much better than I do.

Therefore instead of trying my hand at everything, I choose to master one.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 24, 2009

Define Your Own Success

Success is subjective.

One person's definition of success as they define it for themselves is probably quite different from the next person's definition.

Some people do not even have a clear understanding of what success is for themselves.

In clearly defining what success is for yourself you eliminate all competition.

You've empowered yourself to solely focus on creating.

Creating your version of success that is.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 23, 2009

How Much of the Music Business is Music and How Much is Business?

The music business definitely has two aspects to it; art and the monetization of art as a product.

If we were to take the music business as a whole and try to figure out what percentage of it is music and what remaining percentage of it is business..........what would those numbers look like?

50/50?

30/70?

10/90?

I think that it can vary considerably from artist to artist, but one thing is for certain; every artist that is successful has a big 'business' machine behind him.

Name someone who doesn't?

On the other hand I can think of artist's that have the business machine and not the music and they're eating just fine.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 22, 2009

Music as a Business Card

CD sales and other monies related to selling music used to be a viable source of income.

Nowadays in order to make any real money in music you have to be able to pack shows or be recognizable enough to endorse products.

But the 'music' is ultimately still why fans love a particular artist. The music just happens to be free now.

Music is now like a business card a musician leaves you in hopes that you'll call him.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 21, 2009

Why is Myspace Dying?

How did the once omnipotente social networking site 'Myspace' suddenly become unpopular and uncool?

There are alot of reasons we could focus on such as too many fake profiles, profiles that are too busy, and the fact that 'Myspace' seems to be doing many things well, but nothing great (music, film, classifieds, etc.).

But what's really going on with 'Myspace' is that they stopped being cutting edge. They stopped leading and started following.

Right now 'Myspace' needs a game changer.

A user experience that makes people talk about it, use it, love it.

They need to change the rules or get use to being increasingly irrelevant.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 19, 2009

How to Organize a Better Show

Be punctual.

Demand it of yourself and of the artists. It's your responsibility to the people that have paid and are there on time.

Post the performance schedule in multiple easy to see places around the venue.

As each artist that is performing arrives, give them a small card with the show schedule and their name and slot highlighted.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 18, 2009

DAM - Palestinian Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop has always been and always will be revolution music.

It has given those people with something to say, a vehicle through which to say it to the world.

The struggle that Palestine has suffered through during the last half century is so apparent that it is a wonder that such a degree of injustice is still going on.

Their voices need to be heard.

Through their music DAM is helping to communicate to the world, the harsh reality of the Palestinian people.

Tomorrow, April 19, 2009 they will be in Washington, DC performing for one night only.

Don't miss your chance to hear their message.






Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 17, 2009

Triggers

What triggers your happiness?

What makes you smile?

What inspires you?

What makes you feel confident?

Learn what these are.

Repeat often.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 16, 2009

Top 10 Latino Hip-Hop Artist's

Who are the top 10 Latino Hip-Hop artist's of all time?

Not in any particular order, without seperating Hip-Hop and Reggaeton, who are your top 10?

Off the top of my head, here's my list:

1. Cypress Hill
2. Daddy Yankee
3. Malverde
4. Tego Calderon
5. Don Omar
6. Fat Joe
7. Big Punisher
8. Pitbull
9. The Beatnuts
10. Immortal Technique

Share your list in the comments.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 15, 2009

Hip-Hop is a Marathon

If you are on your grind there will undoubtedly be days you stay up late and wake up early.

We all like to think that the need to sleep somehow doesn't affect us.

But it does.

The effect is suttle and gradual. But the lack of sleep will cloud your judgement, decrease your ability to cope with stress and accelerate aging.

The lack of sleep also increases your susceptibility to ailments due to your
bodies weakened immune system.

So whenever you have not gotten your full 7-8 hrs. of sleep because you were out the night before networking, performing, or otherwise on your grizzly, be sure to give yourself some down time.

A nap, a massage, a movie. The important thing is for you to be aware enough, wise enough to know how to pace yourself.

Hip-Hop is a marathon not a sprint.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 14, 2009

Latino Hip-Hop in the Cloud

Recently a studio that I record out of was broken into and a few of my masters were lost along with the stolen equipment.

I thought about my loss for a second and then shrugged it off. I then proceeded to focus on how I could help the studio get through the challenge.

The reason why I was able to so quickly shrug it off is because the songs, along with the instrumentals and acapellas can all be found online. iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and many other companies all carry the songs.

So even in losing my masters the songs themselves can never be lost.

This is a different spin on cloud computing but it still marks a shift in reality. The ability digitize our lives completly changes the concept of ownership, forever.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 13, 2009

Beggars Can't Be Choosers

I hate it as much as you do, but at the end of the day things cost money.

As an artist you will either need to be backed by a label, a hook up, or pay for services yourself.

Production, engineering, photography, graphic design, web design are just a few necessities that every artist will quickly find that they need.

If you pay for these services not only do you keep creative control but you also keep ownership. The big trade off is that you have to put forth more work.

If somebody else provides these resources for you, then ultimately they get the final say and normally ownership of the product.

You on the other hand get to focus on your art. But that luxury comes with a price.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 12, 2009

Believe in What You Are Doing

The entertainment industry is an interesting place.

It's sort of like an open forum in which anyone and everyone can participate and give their opinions.

Therefore you will come across good advice and terrible advice. And you will have to use your own intelligence and experience to decipher which is which.

You will undoubtedly develop ideas that you believe in and you will find yourself challenged by great sounding arguments that you disagree with.

But the most challenging part about it all is that both points of view may be legitimate paths to success.

Therefore you will need to strongly believe in your own ideas in order to constantly not be persuaded from one path to another.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 11, 2009

What Do I Want?

Have you ever gone to a photographer and been asked what you want?

Or have you ever worked with an engineer and they ask you how you want it to sound?

Or maybe you're working with a producer and they ask you what type of beat you're looking for?

These questions are just plain dumb and annoying!

I want the best you have to offer.

When the photographer emails me the proofs, I don't care about 100 or 200 images. I'm only looking for that single image that makes my jaw drop. The one that makes my hypothalamus produce the happy chemical.

Same with the engineer, producer, web designer, etc.

It's just that simple. Don't ask me what I want, instead give me the absolute best you have to offer.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 10, 2009

What's the Big Deal About Twitter?

I don't get it.

I'm on twitter, I use it, I follow a few dozen people. About the same amount follows me.

I've started using twitter greatly due to the hype and because I've been wondering if I've been missing out on something. So far it doesn't feel like I was missing out on much.

Anyhow, if your curious about what I'm having for lunch or random rants that I blurt out you can follow me here:

www.twitter.com/cristopolis

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 9, 2009

The Great You

Imagine at any given time all of the options you have when taking an action.

In reality the options are infinite.

What should I wear? What should I eat? What should I read?

Now if we were to analyze these 'potential' actions, some would be better than others.

Better that is in regards to our own objectives, or for society, or for the planet.

The point being that certain choices are better for certain desired outcomes than others.

I call the realm or sphere of choices that are best for your desired outcome, your best choices.

And when you choose to make those best choices and take those best actions, then it can be said that you are being the best you.

The great you.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 8, 2009

iTunes' New Pricing Structure

The record labels have persuaded iTunes into a new pricing structure, with hit songs going for as high as $1.29 and older tracks going for as low as .69.

But only the Baby Boomers and older generation X'ers pay for music. Everyone else gets it for free.

Record labels are still trying to squeeze every penny out of their catalogs instead of paving the way for the future.

How about a Universal or Sony/BMG music player or music player phone that streams their entire catalog, with the cost of the streaming and music licensing built right into the price?

That still wouldn't be the future, that would be them finally catching up with the present.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 7, 2009

Taxes - Keep It Simple

It's definitely important to protect yourself and your business interests by creating a corporate entity.

But unless you know for a fact that you will be extremely profitable out the gate I would recommend you using an LLC instead of a C Corp or S Corp.

You will save alot of money simply by not having to file taxes twice.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 6, 2009

Capture It

I'm currently listening to the abridged audiobook version of Getting Things Done.

So far the information is practical and simple, which explains the great success of the book and the GTD system.

One of the cool techniques that I have innately cultivated over the years that the book covers is that of capturing
ideas.

Likening our brains to computers with limited processing power, the fundamental idea behind capturing ideas is the need to record action items, to do lists and fleeting thoughts.

This can be done in many ways, whether post it notes, digital voice recorders, sending yourself an email, or leaving yourself a voicemail.

The point is to get it out of your mind so that you're not bogging down your processing power...... in turn boosting your productivity, energy and creativity.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 5, 2009

Dream - FREE Download @ cristopolis.com


Less than 24 hrs. since it came home from the studio and now it's available for your iPod!

My new track "Dream"......that higher level Latino Hip-Hop, is available as a FREE Download at cristopolis.com, get it while supplies last ;)

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 4, 2009

How Many People Does it Take to Make a Song?

I'm always fascinated as to how many people play a role in making a song.

In my case I write and perform the songs.

But I normally purchase the instrumental.

I then often incorporate at least one if not all of the following; DJ, singer, live instrumentation.

Next the song is recorded. Followed by the engineering, sometimes this step is the same person.

Once the song is perfect and ready to be released it goes through the final step of mastering.

After I have the final product, I connect with a photographer in order to capture the concept of the album cover.

I then send the pic to a graphic designer who creates the album cover.

Once the album cover is ready I send the music and album cover to CD Baby in order to have it put on iTunes.

That's a whole lot of people.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 3, 2009

Discipline & Design

Generally speaking, we all try to better ourselves.

We set goals, we wish, we hope, we desire.

In short we use our minds to design our lives.

Discipline facilitates design.

It is not the only admirable quality we should aspire to, but without discipline it becomes difficult to cultivate areas of ourselves that do not come naturally to us.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 2, 2009

Invest in Yourself

When artists try to get signed what are they truly looking for?

I think it's someone who will invest in them and help make them successful right.

Well what if you invested in yourself?

Invested big. Thousand dollar songs, thousand dollar photo shoots, thousand dollar image, thousand dollar print ads.

Do you think you would make some noise?

What if you did all of this and maintained a rigorous performance schedule, consistently released new material and leveraged technology to increase your reach?

I think you would be living your dream!

The problem is too often we want someone to do it for us.

Get a job and invest in yourself!

Wishing you continued success*

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

April 1, 2009

What Hip-Hop can Learn from Singer/Songwriters

It was unpredictable in the late 1970's when Hip-Hop came into existence, that in a few short decades it would dominate popular culture.

But as the profitability of selling music decreases Hip-Hop artist's stand to gain alot from studying Singer/Songwriters.

Due to limited music industry market share, Singer/Songwriter's have always done things the old fashioned way. Meaning they get on stage and sing. Less glitz and more grind.

Now as digital music has killed the video star, artists from all genres will need to grind harder, perform more, release new material more frequently and focus on their fans not the masses.

Sounds like Singer/Songwriters have had it right all along.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com