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Journalist Soren Baker- A Love for Hip-Hop Created a Lifetime of Opportunities

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Release Date: 10/05/2017

A3C Music Business Discussion: Getting on Tours, Festivals, and Shows show art A3C Music Business Discussion: Getting on Tours, Festivals, and Shows

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

This is a special episode from the A3C Festival and Conference in Atlanta, where I was invited to speak on a panel about touring, festivals, and shows.  We also gave some helpful tips on how to grow a fanbase organically and how to build an artist's overall brand.

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Media Mastermind Justin Hunte- Create Your Own Path show art Media Mastermind Justin Hunte- Create Your Own Path

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Justin Hunte is the Head of Video Production & Development for Ambrosia For Heads, and Director of Content and Strategic Marketing at Empire Distribution. Hunte is also a weekly contributor to Shade45's All Out Show on SiriusXM. He sacrificed a profitable investment banking career with the goal of becoming the greatest Hip-Hop writer on the planet. Hunte is a great example for anyone who has a dream and a vision, but is hesitant to take the necessary leap of faith.  

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KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)- Winning Through Hard Work and Creativity show art KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)- Winning Through Hard Work and Creativity

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

KXNG Crooked AKA Crooked I is one of Hip-Hop's all-time great lyricists. Suge Knight once hailed him as the next Tupac Shakur, and years later Eminem signed his group Slaughterhouse to Shady Records. But that doesn't even begin to explain Crooked's foresight and brilliance. Crooked built one of Hip-Hop's first online followings with the release of his Hip-Hop Weekly Series, releasing a new track every week for a year, and creating a trend that was later implemented by a number of successful artists.

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Film Producer Gary Ousdahl- The Making of Warren G's Film Producer Gary Ousdahl- The Making of Warren G's "G-Funk" Documentary

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Gary Ousdahl is the Owner and Manager of Advanced Management. He recently produced the upcoming Warren G documentary “G-Funk”, which will be released in early 2018. Previously, Gary worked as an agent at William Morris. He also worked side by side with the prolific Tyler Perry almost every day from 2008-2010. Gary is a master networker and dot connector, and he shares some of the methods that have helped him succeed as a film producer, manager, and business owner.

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A&R Michael Chehadé- Realizing the Value in Yourself show art A&R Michael Chehadé- Realizing the Value in Yourself

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Michael Chehadé is currently the Director of A&R and Creative Director with the Adler Music Group. Previously, he managed radio/ TV personality DJ Skee as well as Dash Radio.  Chehadé was also a producer at Skee TV, which aired on Access and Fuse TV.  Additionally, Michael is a known tastemaker, championing and promoting many of your favorite artists before the general public becomes aware of their music.  

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Musician Adam Hamilton- From L.A. Guns to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner show art Musician Adam Hamilton- From L.A. Guns to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Adam Hamilton is an accomplished musician who was discovered by C.C. Deville from Poison, and was the former bass guitarist for L.A. Guns. He's worked with everyone from Angie Stone to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner, who he continues to work with on a regular basis. Adam's music has also appeared everywhere from The Bourne Identity to Saturday Night Live to The Simpsons. We delve deep into publishing and Adam breaks down the benefits of placing your music in film, TV, commercials, and more.  

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Music Entrepreneur Dame Ritter- Always Focus on Your Fans show art Music Entrepreneur Dame Ritter- Always Focus on Your Fans

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Dame Ritter is best known as the co-founder of the successful Indie Hip-Hop label Funk Volume (Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, Jerren Benton).  After the dissolution of the label, Dame founded the Music Entrepreneur Club, a music business educational platform. Dame also continues to work with Dizzy Wright and their Still Movin' Movement. After all of his accomplishments, Dame continues to keep striving for more success, and both his persistence and business acumen are on display throughout the interview.

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Tastemaker Jen Deleon- Sacrificing Money for Your Own Happiness show art Tastemaker Jen Deleon- Sacrificing Money for Your Own Happiness

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Jen Deleon is a perfect example of the Indie Playbook lifestyle. She has proven her willingness to sacrifice money for her happiness in order to follow her dreams.  She inspires a number of people daily through video content that allows her fans honest access into her personal and professional life. Jen has also accomplished a great deal in the music industry, as an interviewer, personality, publicist, consultant, agent, and tastemaker, and it's obvious that she is only beginning.  

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Agent Jamie Adler- The Importance of Taking Risks and Helping Others show art Agent Jamie Adler- The Importance of Taking Risks and Helping Others

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Born into a rock n’ roll family as the younger brother of Guns n’ Roses co-founder and original drummer Steven Adler, Jamie followed his brother into the music industry. He has served as the agent for Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Motorhead, Danzig, Tyrese, Bobby Brown, ODB, and Guru from Gangstarr among others. Adler is perhaps best known as the agent/manager for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, DJ Quik, and Dennis Quaid & The Sharks. In this episode, Jamie balances unbelievable stories with expert advice.

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Artist/ DJ Hanif Wondir- Have Faith in Your Own Perspective show art Artist/ DJ Hanif Wondir- Have Faith in Your Own Perspective

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Hanif Wondir is a multi-talented artist, DJ, and graphic designer. He was voted “Best Club DJ” by readers of the Monterey County Weekly six times out of the last seven years. He is also the official DJ of the prestigious Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. Hanif has toured the country and regularly performs up and down the west coast.

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More Episodes

Soren Baker is an incredibly respected journalist in the world of Hip-Hop. After years of writing and interviewing numerous rap legends, he went on to become the editor at The Source magazine, which was the bible for all of us Hip-Hop heads growing up. More recently, his online channel Unique Access Entertainment has surpassed one million views on YouTube. As you’ll see, Soren is also a true Hip-Hop scholar, historian, and fan. Find out how Soren’s love for Hip-Hop culture and rap music has led to amazing opportunities to pen books and write for television and films.

13:59 Why Soren stood out as a young writer
16:56 Soren always tried to make the story compelling about each artist, no matter what his personal opinion was
19:58 Soren explains why he should have tried to be more visible earlier in his career
23:43 Why genuine relationship lead to great opportunities
27:23 YouTube as a revenue stream
34:51 Why Outkast is the best group of all time
36:57 Why A Tribe Called Quest went downhill
40:43 Soren sets himself apart by studying an artist’s entire catalog instead of just the single
47:04 Being a good listener is fundamental to being a good writer
48:06 Writers need to make the articles about the artist, not about themselves
52:11 The importance of being diverse in creating revenue streams
1:08:25 The importance of follow through
1:14:48 How Soren sets and accomplishes goals
1:18:19 Soren’s advice for an artist who had a $5000 album budget
1:20:31 The value or lack thereof of a publicist
1:27:40 Soren’s dad told him not to take a job he didn’t want, which led to a gig with Rap Pages