Deputies Pick Up Rap Beat
Stafford deputies spread the Gospel with microphones and a hip-hop beat
Date published: 8/14/2010
BY JONAS BEALS
By day, Angel Irizarry and Johnny Kyle are Stafford County Sheriff's deputies, working as school resource officers in middle schools. Behind microphones, they become Angel I. & Johnny K., and they want to be the next big thing in Christian hip-hop.
"Our whole concept is to change people's lives," Irizarry said. "Our vision is to take Stafford by storm, to take Fredericksburg by storm to take the world by storm.
"It's a message ordained by God," he added. "It can't be stopped."
Mixing the crass braggadocio of popular hip-hop music with Christianity might not sound like a match made in heaven, but gospel rap has been around almost as long as rap itself.
From Michael Peace to DC Talk to Group 1 Crew, there is plenty of proof that the word of God lends itself to a poetic flow. Even superstars MC Hammer, 2Pac and Kanye West have worked Jesus into a popular hip-hop context.
But Irizarry and Kyle want to do more than shout-out to the Lord--they want to spread the Gospel, live the word and convert their listeners.
"We see a lot going on with the youth," Kyle said. "We want to get out there and really change some things; reach some people."
They hope a recent record deal with Tate Music Group will spread their rhymes to a wider audience. Their latest album, "I See You," is scheduled for a Nov. 2 release, and will be available on iTunes.
The opening track is "Foolish Man," a cut that features what Irizarry calls a SWAT intro. It sounds like heavily armed officers are about to break into a gangster's hideout. At face value, it's difficult to differentiate it from the sort of violent skits rappers like Ice Cube and Onyx used to litter albums with.
But the lack of bad language is a giveaway. Despite the gun references, these officers want to slay evil with morals.
"We act as people with authority--people who are bold," Irizarry said. "We're armed with the word of God."
Kyle said that their music is a reflection of their professional lives, and vice versa. He and Irizarry fully embrace their charge to "protect and serve." Both men spoke of using their profession to offer salvation to kids and adults who chose the wrong path and wound up in the back of a squad car.
"No matter where you've been, no matter what you've done, you're somebody," Irizarry said. "That's how we treat everybody. It's empathy."
The two deputies were working security at the Virginia Gold Cup Races in Fauquier County when they discovered a mutual interest in music.
Kyle perked up when Irizarry mentioned his "demo." Kyle had been playing guitar since he was a kid in Northern Virginia. He had his own home music studio in Stafford. When he finally listened to Irizarry's rhymes, he heard potential.
But Kyle, 34, wasn't exactly a hip-hop expert. He grew up with rock 'n' roll, playing in a number of rock bands in and out of church. His heroes were Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix.
"I had to learn a lot about hip-hop," Kyle said. "I think God just entered into it for me. I started picking up on things and was able to create rap beats. It was awesome."
Irizarry, on the other hand, was well-versed in hip-hop. The 32-year-old grew up in York, Pa. He said that as long as he can remember, "he always wanted to be an entertainer." He was drawn to popular hip-hop like Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and the Wu-Tang Clan. He performed in a group called the Young Godfathers.
"I was into everything, but I loved hip-hop," Irizarry said, "I couldn't just make a rhyme, I could make people's heads bob."
After a stint in the Marines, he decided to stay in Stafford. He was saved in 1999, and got married in 2001. His musical life changed when his pastor suggested he use his talents to write a song for Jesus.
So now Irizarry does the writing and the rapping, Kyle makes the beats and produces the songs.
"We've got something," Irizarry said. "Everyone can jam to it."
Part of the music's appeal is that it relies on the familiar tones and aggressive posturing of popular rap. In some cases, the spiritual message almost becomes subliminal, available only to those listeners paying close attention. But Kyle and Irizarry have a decidedly different attitude than their sound implies.
"So much of gangster rap is negative," Kyle said. "I think, with us being police officers, it's so awesome to bring it to a positive. Being on patrol and being on the streets, we've seen a lot of things. We're here to bring a positive message and reach the youth."
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Dr. Tate Speaks the Truth...
THE MISTAKE AUTHORS AND ARTISTS MAKE
by
Richard Tate
My wife and I traveled for over 25 years speaking, singing, and conducting seminars and conferences across the US and even overseas. We averaged about 40+ events per year for a quarter of a century. Much of what Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group does for authors and artists is a direct result of our experiences, both good and bad. They say no teacher is more effective than experience and we can certainly vouch for that. Many horrible hotels, hours and hours in a car with kids asleep in the back seat, endless hours in airports, small record and book sales and low payment for services and work, work, work. When I was in the Marine Corps back in the 60’s one of our officers made a statement to us during an especially difficult time. “No one ever drowned in sweat,” he screamed. How true that is.
The sad issue today is that many new authors and artists think that because they have a good book or great music that it should just “happen” for them and that it is the total responsibility of the publisher or label to do all the work. It takes work, persistence, and lots of effort by the author or artist along side their publisher and label. Trust me, it is all worth it and Rita and I have a million good memories as a result of those years and made a fine living on the road. You can too if that is your dream, if you are willing to work with your team.
Last fall I was outside our house standing in the driveway talking with my son Ryan, who is the effective President and CEO of our companies, about TMG issues when my cell phone rang. The voice on the other end was our good friend and country music legend, Kenny Rogers. He was calling about his upcoming trip to our location and wanted to go over a few things with me and Ryan. Here is the “kicker” to the conversation. I said, “Kenny, you sound a bit tired my friend!” He replied, “Just a bit Richard. We have the Fiftieth Anniversary tour coming up in January with Dolly Parton and I have been working ten hours a day on the phone and on the computer calling venues, newspapers, radio and TV stations, and promoters working to get the crowds out. I have been doing this for half a century and it is still a lot of work.” Kirk Webster, who works with us out of Nashville and manages Dolly Parton, told me at our dinner there recently, “Richard, I have never seen anyone work harder than Dolly. She is after it hours and hours every day to stay successful.” Lee Greenwood who is a new part of our music and publishing family and the author of “God Bless the USA” told us in the conference room at his last visit that he worked for years and years in every kind of venue that would book him, large or small before his career took off and he became the legend he is today. Two time country music artist of the year Neal McCoy is doing several projects with us. He was Entertainer of the Year TWICE and said to me his bus one night after a packed out show, “It took me 13 years Richard before I had a hit. 13 years of any and every kind of gig until things took off. I work harder today than ever to keep us on the road doing what I love.” We love our relationship with the Oak Ridge Boys and their long time manager Jim Halsey. I was visiting with Joe Bonsall when the “Boys” were here recently and I asked him (they still do over 100 shows a year) what he would tell some of our new and aspiring authors and artists. He did not even hesitate. “They have to be willing to work. They have to be willing to sing or speak to 5 just like they would to 5,000. Most people think they should get their break because of the record label. Not so. It takes the label and the artist working hard every day. You don’t deserve that booking, you have to work for it and it HAS to be about your music or the message of your book first of all.”
Our marketing and publicists work hard to make each artist and each author as successful as possible. But, the biggest mistake I see authors and artists make is to think they deserve it and it should just “happen.” It takes hard work even after you have become a legend in the industry. Just ask Kenny Rogers.
by
Richard Tate
My wife and I traveled for over 25 years speaking, singing, and conducting seminars and conferences across the US and even overseas. We averaged about 40+ events per year for a quarter of a century. Much of what Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group does for authors and artists is a direct result of our experiences, both good and bad. They say no teacher is more effective than experience and we can certainly vouch for that. Many horrible hotels, hours and hours in a car with kids asleep in the back seat, endless hours in airports, small record and book sales and low payment for services and work, work, work. When I was in the Marine Corps back in the 60’s one of our officers made a statement to us during an especially difficult time. “No one ever drowned in sweat,” he screamed. How true that is.
The sad issue today is that many new authors and artists think that because they have a good book or great music that it should just “happen” for them and that it is the total responsibility of the publisher or label to do all the work. It takes work, persistence, and lots of effort by the author or artist along side their publisher and label. Trust me, it is all worth it and Rita and I have a million good memories as a result of those years and made a fine living on the road. You can too if that is your dream, if you are willing to work with your team.
Last fall I was outside our house standing in the driveway talking with my son Ryan, who is the effective President and CEO of our companies, about TMG issues when my cell phone rang. The voice on the other end was our good friend and country music legend, Kenny Rogers. He was calling about his upcoming trip to our location and wanted to go over a few things with me and Ryan. Here is the “kicker” to the conversation. I said, “Kenny, you sound a bit tired my friend!” He replied, “Just a bit Richard. We have the Fiftieth Anniversary tour coming up in January with Dolly Parton and I have been working ten hours a day on the phone and on the computer calling venues, newspapers, radio and TV stations, and promoters working to get the crowds out. I have been doing this for half a century and it is still a lot of work.” Kirk Webster, who works with us out of Nashville and manages Dolly Parton, told me at our dinner there recently, “Richard, I have never seen anyone work harder than Dolly. She is after it hours and hours every day to stay successful.” Lee Greenwood who is a new part of our music and publishing family and the author of “God Bless the USA” told us in the conference room at his last visit that he worked for years and years in every kind of venue that would book him, large or small before his career took off and he became the legend he is today. Two time country music artist of the year Neal McCoy is doing several projects with us. He was Entertainer of the Year TWICE and said to me his bus one night after a packed out show, “It took me 13 years Richard before I had a hit. 13 years of any and every kind of gig until things took off. I work harder today than ever to keep us on the road doing what I love.” We love our relationship with the Oak Ridge Boys and their long time manager Jim Halsey. I was visiting with Joe Bonsall when the “Boys” were here recently and I asked him (they still do over 100 shows a year) what he would tell some of our new and aspiring authors and artists. He did not even hesitate. “They have to be willing to work. They have to be willing to sing or speak to 5 just like they would to 5,000. Most people think they should get their break because of the record label. Not so. It takes the label and the artist working hard every day. You don’t deserve that booking, you have to work for it and it HAS to be about your music or the message of your book first of all.”
Our marketing and publicists work hard to make each artist and each author as successful as possible. But, the biggest mistake I see authors and artists make is to think they deserve it and it should just “happen.” It takes hard work even after you have become a legend in the industry. Just ask Kenny Rogers.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Variance Magazine released its debut publication July 1st and has since garnished over 65,000 unique impressions
“Variance is a new venture and I think we hit it out of the park for our first issue. I had a goal of 50k impressions by the next issue and it looks like we will destroy that number” said Chris Rutherford. The magazine is another killer marketing option TMG is able to provide our artists with. Along with Nationwide TV commercials and radio programming Tate Music Group has a share in the three major marketing and advertising mediums available. As Tate Music Group grows so will our share in all three. Variance gives us a go to resource for ads, reviews and articles that demands the attention of people interested in music, books and media. Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing have been able to drive thousands of impressions to our artists and authors this last week that wasn't available two weeks ago. As the viewership increases over time these numbers and results will only get better.
With the positive responses we've received we are excited to get started on the next issue!
With the positive responses we've received we are excited to get started on the next issue!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Country music icon Lee Greenwood, best known for his amazing hit song “God Bless the USA” and for twice being named CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, visited the Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group offices recently to discuss his future book and music projects. Mr. Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA” to honor local veterans during his visit. We are honored to have hosted him and look forward to future developments as they continue to unfold.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
EVEN LESS SHELF SPACE AHEAD
If you've been around or talked to anyone in the music industry you've heard over and over that digital distribution is what matters 100% to 99.99% of the artists out there with a product. It allows artists to distribute their music to the masses 24/7. As an example Tate Music Group provides artists with over 170 different digital retail outlets through our partnership with E1 Entertainment. If asked right now I couldn't name you 17 physical retailers that sell music in today's economy and it looks like another Major Retail Chain is redirecting its focus.
Billboard reported today that "BEST BUYS LOOKS TOWARD GAMING"
-- "As Billboard already reported, Best Buy shares dropped 6% on weaker-than-expected quarterly profits. The company did not reveal much about music sales, but it did make clear the category was among the losers last quarter."
What that means in the long run. As expected retail chains have dramatically reduced their shelf space for music, and it looks like the trend will continue. The majority of CD sales come from live events. With the ability to download singles and albums over the internet, physical CD distribution is becoming extinct.
Billboard reported today that "BEST BUYS LOOKS TOWARD GAMING"
-- "As Billboard already reported, Best Buy shares dropped 6% on weaker-than-expected quarterly profits. The company did not reveal much about music sales, but it did make clear the category was among the losers last quarter."
What that means in the long run. As expected retail chains have dramatically reduced their shelf space for music, and it looks like the trend will continue. The majority of CD sales come from live events. With the ability to download singles and albums over the internet, physical CD distribution is becoming extinct.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Radio Airplay
Rick Lee Promotions – Radio Promoter Q&A
1. What stations do you concentrate your efforts on for your clients?
I have phone conversations bi-weekly with all R&R (Billboard) Reporters and CRW Reporters. These are the stations that drive the charts and will influence most other stations in what they decide to spin. It is hard to imagine that there are around 150 music programmers that decide what most all of the country will hear on Christian Radio. Getting airplay on non reporting stations might help with booking in those areas but will do nothing to advance your results at radio.
2. What percentage of a chance does a new artist have in receiving a radio spin on a reporting station?
Bottom line is only “great” songs make it to radio. Now there are a number of opinions as to what constitutes a “great” song. One good way to gauge that is simply to ask yourself, or more importantly a non-biased party, is my song as good as the ones you hear on the radio? Understand that most of the songs that make the top 20 have had thousands of dollars put into production. Most of those songs have been written or co-written by writers who consistently have hit songs on the radio. A radio song must be great in lyric, performance and production.
Most stations have a short list of songs in their rotation. They have their top 20 and then a recurrent list that is usually made up of songs that are past top 20. There may be 5 songs in heavy rotation (30 spins) and the medium (20) and light may go down to 10 per week.
Stations are very hesitant to play new artists. Picture yourself driving down the road listening to your favorite station and you hear 5 songs in a row from famous artists that you love and then a song comes on from a person you have never heard of. Unless you are blown away by the first 5 seconds of the song you will be tempted to turn the dial. That thought scares a programmer to death. Radio needs listeners, that is how they either sell commercials or raise funds from listeners. Content is the key and they are trying to appeal to a broad spectrum of likes and dislikes. It is not easy.
3. Why do artists hire radio promoters? What is the average fee a radio promoter will charge for a single, what results should an artist expect?
Music programmers are inundated with requests to play music. A radio promoter is a voice that separates you from the hundreds of other appeals. A radio programmer adds credibility and will increase the chances of your song being heard. A good radio promoter should be able to assure you that your song has been heard by the key decision maker at the radio station. Once the promoter gets it to that point the song must stand on its own merit.
I would venture to say that if there is not a promoter out there working on your behalf your song will not be heard by 90% of the programmers. The only exception to this scenario is that there would be some sort of heightened awareness about the song through publicity, movie theme, great story etc.
A successful Christian AC radio promoter will charge $1500 per month, $6,000 over the life of the song.
4. What is the correct way an artist can promote their single to radio? Should they send physical CD’s?
Sending CD’s to radio stations is a thing of the past. A song will be better received at radio by sending the single through digital delivery services like PLAY MPE. This is an industry standard and is user friendly for programmers. Additionally using digital distribution will add credibility to the song and the artist as well as separating from the sea of songs they are going through. I would say the best way to get a “NO” from any significant radio station would be to take a CD to the station and/or call the station yourself. Another no-no is to get a mass number of people to call the station and try to convince them to spin your song. Once a song is getting spins then that is appropriate for people to call and say “I like that song…..”
5. Is it common place to see a label and a radio promoter to be one in the same?
It is expected that record labels like the music on their label. It is quite another thing for a promoter to believe and push the song along with other valid artists. Independent artists usually hire outside promoters.
1. What stations do you concentrate your efforts on for your clients?
I have phone conversations bi-weekly with all R&R (Billboard) Reporters and CRW Reporters. These are the stations that drive the charts and will influence most other stations in what they decide to spin. It is hard to imagine that there are around 150 music programmers that decide what most all of the country will hear on Christian Radio. Getting airplay on non reporting stations might help with booking in those areas but will do nothing to advance your results at radio.
2. What percentage of a chance does a new artist have in receiving a radio spin on a reporting station?
Bottom line is only “great” songs make it to radio. Now there are a number of opinions as to what constitutes a “great” song. One good way to gauge that is simply to ask yourself, or more importantly a non-biased party, is my song as good as the ones you hear on the radio? Understand that most of the songs that make the top 20 have had thousands of dollars put into production. Most of those songs have been written or co-written by writers who consistently have hit songs on the radio. A radio song must be great in lyric, performance and production.
Most stations have a short list of songs in their rotation. They have their top 20 and then a recurrent list that is usually made up of songs that are past top 20. There may be 5 songs in heavy rotation (30 spins) and the medium (20) and light may go down to 10 per week.
Stations are very hesitant to play new artists. Picture yourself driving down the road listening to your favorite station and you hear 5 songs in a row from famous artists that you love and then a song comes on from a person you have never heard of. Unless you are blown away by the first 5 seconds of the song you will be tempted to turn the dial. That thought scares a programmer to death. Radio needs listeners, that is how they either sell commercials or raise funds from listeners. Content is the key and they are trying to appeal to a broad spectrum of likes and dislikes. It is not easy.
3. Why do artists hire radio promoters? What is the average fee a radio promoter will charge for a single, what results should an artist expect?
Music programmers are inundated with requests to play music. A radio promoter is a voice that separates you from the hundreds of other appeals. A radio programmer adds credibility and will increase the chances of your song being heard. A good radio promoter should be able to assure you that your song has been heard by the key decision maker at the radio station. Once the promoter gets it to that point the song must stand on its own merit.
I would venture to say that if there is not a promoter out there working on your behalf your song will not be heard by 90% of the programmers. The only exception to this scenario is that there would be some sort of heightened awareness about the song through publicity, movie theme, great story etc.
A successful Christian AC radio promoter will charge $1500 per month, $6,000 over the life of the song.
4. What is the correct way an artist can promote their single to radio? Should they send physical CD’s?
Sending CD’s to radio stations is a thing of the past. A song will be better received at radio by sending the single through digital delivery services like PLAY MPE. This is an industry standard and is user friendly for programmers. Additionally using digital distribution will add credibility to the song and the artist as well as separating from the sea of songs they are going through. I would say the best way to get a “NO” from any significant radio station would be to take a CD to the station and/or call the station yourself. Another no-no is to get a mass number of people to call the station and try to convince them to spin your song. Once a song is getting spins then that is appropriate for people to call and say “I like that song…..”
5. Is it common place to see a label and a radio promoter to be one in the same?
It is expected that record labels like the music on their label. It is quite another thing for a promoter to believe and push the song along with other valid artists. Independent artists usually hire outside promoters.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Creating BUZZ
Whenever an artists arrives in marketing her at Tate Music Group one of their questions is "How do I create a buzz"? The simple answer is to network your butt off. TMG always emphasizes the importance of social networking...blogs, twitter, myspace, facebook etc...
Tate Music Group understands how important these networks are for artists that our production team goes as far as building and designing these sites for all of our guys so that they have a professional page to direct family, friends and fans too.
In a recent article in Billboard it looks like MTV understands the importance and power of social networking and wants to create an outlet where fans can follow artists and keep up with all of their network sites.
"MTV Networks wants to establish its Web properties as the go-to outlets for fans to track all of their favorite artists’ social media activities.
MTV executives said the initiative is aimed at "super-serving" music enthusiasts that expect back-and-forth relationships with their favorite performers, while enabling fans to foster those relationships in a single locale."
Tate Music Group understands how important these networks are for artists that our production team goes as far as building and designing these sites for all of our guys so that they have a professional page to direct family, friends and fans too.
In a recent article in Billboard it looks like MTV understands the importance and power of social networking and wants to create an outlet where fans can follow artists and keep up with all of their network sites.
"MTV Networks wants to establish its Web properties as the go-to outlets for fans to track all of their favorite artists’ social media activities.
MTV executives said the initiative is aimed at "super-serving" music enthusiasts that expect back-and-forth relationships with their favorite performers, while enabling fans to foster those relationships in a single locale."
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