Jay-Z and Apple to Launch Record Label at Macworld?

[megfilmworks]

HA! Yeah... on the Internet we can be whatever we want to be... If you did work in the music industry you probably wouldn't have such a distaste and crass opinion about an genre that is making billions and effecting suburban American more than the rest of the nation.

Either way... let's hear some of your favorite genres and artists so we can bash them and bring out the fact that many of them can't play that well either. Not to mention that many vocalists can't play instruments either, and a hip hop artists is a vocalist.
p.s. I do want to thank you for keeping things civil.

That is true...but I have no favorite music except good.
You can believe what you want but, I own a recording studio, a mixing theatre and have three publishing companies, have multiple gold and platinum awards and a Grammy. I never said that rap is not art (I have worked with several well know rap artists on soundtracks for major pictures) or that I do not like some types of rap. But playing quantizing drum machines and samplers is not the same as playing instruments. I see great musicians everyday who can't get contracts because the money is in rap and hip hop.
All I say is Rap is art or as they called it in the 50's "beat poetry"..
not music.
And by the way I didn't get into the music biz to make money. I hate most commercial music. I got into the biz as a result of being a musician and my love for all good music genres.
By the way the voice is an instrument, the oldest one on earth!!
And, I as well thank you for your civil debate.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

But playing quantizing drum machines and samplers is not the same as playing instruments.

But rappers don't play quantizing drum machines. They put their vocals over them.

By the way the voice is an instrument, the oldest one on earth!!
And, I as well thank you for your civil debate.

I know it might not fit your strict definition, but I'd say that some rappers have better voices than others. For example, Jay-Z's effortless vocals over beats is much more pleasing to me than Lil' Wayne's.

I just don't understand how someone can say that an artform which requires vocals and intense lyricism (often many more words than in one rock song (excluding Thick As A Brick among others) is not music. I mean, I play it in my car from my iPhone and it sounds like music to me.

 

[Digital Skunk]

That is true...but I have no favorite music except good.
You can believe what you want but, I own a recording studio, a mixing theatre and have three publishing companies, have multiple gold and platinum awards and a Grammy. I never said that rap is not art (I have worked with several well know rap artists on soundtracks for major pictures) or that I do not like some types of rap. But playing quantizing drum machines and samplers is not the same as playing instruments. I see great musicians everyday who can't get contracts because the money is in rap and hip hop.
All I say is Rap is art or as they called it in the 50's "beat poetry"..
not music.
And by the way I didn't get into the music biz to make money. I hate most commercial music. I got into the biz as a result of being a musician and my love for all good music genres.
By the way the voice is an instrument, the oldest one on earth!!
And, I as well thank you for your civil debate.

Now you're speaking to me! First came the voice, then the stomping of feet and clapping of hands. I am no musician but I love good music as well... I take that back... I played Sousaphone in highschool and for three weeks at college so I am a musician.

I believe you are a audio professional as well. As for the great musicians everyday who can't get contracts.... sorry man... that's the business. Not that I agree with it or don't sympathize for them, but it's that way in every industry. I spend half my time freelancing because journalism isn't the way is used to be. And now that any grandma douchebag can get a Nikon D40 and hit the button a photographer is a dime a dozen. Times are hard.

Like we said before... there is plenty of music to hate and rap is one of them. When it comes to a possible, rumor of a deal with Apple being set up with Jay-Z, don't think that he can't handle it, or cater to other genre's because he was/is a hip hop/rap artist. If he ran Def Jam and Rocawear into the ground and bankrupted a few companies of course, but if they were successful and he sold one for 240 million dollars yet still oversees much of production give him his due.

 

[megfilmworks]

Now you're speaking to me! First came the voice, then the stomping of feet and clapping of hands. I am no musician but I love good music as well... I take that back... I played Sousaphone in highschool and for three weeks at college so I am a musician.

Then you are probably a better musician than Jay Z lol. Anyway, I like your argument. Posted this just for fun, as I'm sure someone will say its photoshopped. I am a voting member.

But one last thought...if Jay Z has created this much controversy here, how will it help Apple to have him run their supposed new record label?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Then you are probably a better musician than Jay Z lol. Anyway, I like your argument. Posted this just for fun, as I'm sure someone will say its photoshopped. I am a voting member.

But one last thought...if Jay Z has created this much controversy here, how will it help Apple to have him run their supposed new record label?

Honestly I hope Apple doesn't start a record label of any kind. They should be working on the plethora of issues they have with their hardware and Professional software.

If they do start one however and Apple does get Jay-Z to run it then I know that it will start even more controversy than this thread has. The problem in my eyes, is where the controversy comes from... and I will be frank:

Is Jay-Z a talented businessman and artist regardless of how some may feel about the genre he selected to perform in?

OR

Is Jay-Z an African American artist that should remain as such... a performer for rich suburban kids... and not step into an area that I am sure many think is deemed only for white Americans.

I am not saying that you feel that way, but that would be the underlying feeling if this rumor turned out to be true, and many African Americans may feel that way as well. Don't ask me to back that up, that's just how I feel.

Nice award by the way, I'd post an image proving I was in the journalism field but I don't know what to shoot.

 

[megfilmworks]

I'm sure that may be an underlying issue, but not with everyone...just look at Obama's big victory last night!
And thanks, but that silly pic is my invitation to this years's Grammy awards not my Grammy award.
Anyway thanks for the stimulating debate.

 

[LoganT]

I really don't understand how someone can say that rap music isn't music. When you listen to Jay-Z talk you know that he's talking. When you listen to Jay Z rap you know that he's rapping. It's quite easy to distinguish. Plus if it isn't music that would mean that most people could do it, and most people can't (well not good anyway).

 

[Klaxons2012]

But playing quantizing drum machines and samplers is not the same as playing instruments.

I actually agree with alot of the points that you've brought out. Jay-Z isn't a musician, he's not even a producer. But I have to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint concerning drum machines. Samplers you actually have a case for because you're pretty much just sequencing the samples to form a composition, I get that. But I believe that a drum machine is an instrument. The learning curve is nowhere near as great as it would be for an actual drum set or a guitar, not any person can sit down at a drum machine and lay down a pattern at the drop of a hat either.

You have to be musically inclined in order to create a successful rhythm and I think that's enough to call it an instrument.

Now, i'm sure you know this being an accomplished musician, but rap isn't just about samplers. Alot of musicians actually use live instruments and choirs for their songs. Producer Just Blaze is one of those who still use big bands and a large live sound to compose a hip hop song. I think Rap or Hip Hop as a music is like electronic music and dance music, a product of it's society. With society evolving into the digital age, so will music.

Thanks for your thoughts on this debate, it's been pretty enjoyable.

 

[Klaxons2012]

I really don't understand how someone can say that rap music isn't music. When you listen to Jay-Z talk you know that he's talking. When you listen to Jay Z rap you know that he's rapping. It's quite easy to distinguish. Plus if it isn't music that would mean that most people could do it, and most people can't (well not good anyway).

But there's two different parts to rap. The Rapping and the beats. The producer is the musician of the two. Jay-Z is like was mentioned earlier the vocalist. Jay-Z is lyrically sound and should be considered Poet Laureate of Brooklyn. But he's not a musician. If you watch Fade to Black, when he goes to the studio to lay down tracks, he isn't behind a synthesizer like Timbaland was, he wasn't in front of Pro Tools like Pharell was. He was listening to beats they created and songs they composed.

I think not considering Jay-Z a musician is valid, but not calling his final output music is an injustice.

 

[Klaxons2012]

I'm sure that may be an underlying issue, but not with everyone...just look at Obama's big victory last night!
And thanks, but that silly pic is my invitation to this years's Grammy awards not my Grammy award.
Anyway thanks for the stimulating debate.

Yeah, I doubt Barack Obama has been arrested for selling crack in Brooklyn. That could be the GOP's "October Surprise", but I doubt it. I don't think Jay-Z's presidency would be a big issue because his presidency with Island-Def Jam wasn't much of an issue. He won't be making most of the music related decisions, he'll be more of a spokesman/figurehead. Attaching Jay-Z and his music to your product will make you a good load of money.

 

[DMann]

October Surprise

Yeah, I doubt Barack Obama has been arrested for selling crack in Brooklyn. That could be the GOP's "October Surprise", but I doubt it. I don't think Jay-Z's presidency would be a big issue because his presidency with Island-Def Jam wasn't much of an issue. He won't be making most of the music related decisions, he'll be more of a spokesman/figurehead. Attaching Jay-Z and his music to your product will make you a good load of money.

The greatest surprise will be that he would be immediately forgiven for both smoking and inhaling. His charismatic charm and persuasive vision will make him impervious to mudslinging.

 

[megfilmworks]

I actually agree with alot of the points that you've brought out. Jay-Z isn't a musician, he's not even a producer. But I have to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint concerning drum machines. Samplers you actually have a case for because you're pretty much just sequencing the samples to form a composition, I get that. But I believe that a drum machine is an instrument. The learning curve is nowhere near as great as it would be for an actual drum set or a guitar, not any person can sit down at a drum machine and lay down a pattern at the drop of a hat either.

You have to be musically inclined in order to create a successful rhythm and I think that's enough to call it an instrument.

Now, i'm sure you know this being an accomplished musician, but rap isn't just about samplers. Alot of musicians actually use live instruments and choirs for their songs. Producer Just Blaze is one of those who still use big bands and a large live sound to compose a hip hop song. I think Rap or Hip Hop as a music is like electronic music and dance music, a product of it's society. With society evolving into the digital age, so will music.

Thanks for your thoughts on this debate, it's been pretty enjoyable.

I agree, good points by you.
It is just that, a debate, with many "grey areas".
(No pun intended if you have ever been to Amsterdam) lol

 

[Virgil-TB2]

Jay-Z? Can't they do better than him? They should lay out some big bucks and get an established legend... maybe Gene Simmons.

Yah, cause an egomaniac washed-up, also-ran rockstar with a foot long tongue who endlessly talks about his sexual "conquests" is a real good image for Apple to get behind.

 

[Virgil-TB2]

Of course I'll play the card, though others are playing it quietly with all the negative ideas.

This rumor doesn't really say exactly what Jay-Z will be doing. Heck, he could be head of a Hip-Hop area for an Apple "record label". We don't know, but hell...I'd rather have Jay-Z (who has some skill) rather than a phoney rapper with none like 50 Cent.

Anyway, when Steve Jobs announces that Trent Reznor is also on board, most will change their thoughts.

I know what your saying here and I kind of agree a bit, but I think you are mistaking the "hip-hop card" for the race card maybe.

I think for a lot of people, (right or wrong), JayZ is synonymous with hip-hop music and that hip-hop is kinda synonymous with the death of the conventional music industry.

A huge amount of very normal non-racist people see hip-hop as mostly ***** and somewhat blame hip-hop and "modern soul" artists for all of the great excesses that brought the industry to the state it is now. Hip-hop is a culture that is inescapably tied to consumption, excess, and personal grandeur at the expense of almost anything else. A lot of people are just tired of it (it's been around for a long, long time now), and a lot of people are looking for something new.

So, I think that there is a perception that if it's a JayZ label, it's a hip-hop only label and IMO that's where a lot of the bad feeling is coming from.

As much as I know what your talking about and empathise, I must admit my first thought on hearing this news was ... "wake me up when a real label starts on iTunes."

Maybe this will be it, maybe not. He's certainly a very smart guy to get in on the ground floor of this sort of thing and certainly has a lot more talent than most of the others in the same genres. Here's hoping that he can broaden things so that it's more of an inclusive label than an exclusive label.

 

[Klaxons2012]

The greatest surprise will be that he would be immediately forgiven for both smoking and inhaling. His charismatic charm and persuasive vision will make him impervious to mudslinging.

God, I hope a Fox News staffer doesn't frequent MacRumors. I might've penned their lead story.

 

[Klaxons2012]

I agree, good points by you.
It is just that, a debate, with many "grey areas".
(No pun intended if you have ever been to Amsterdam) lol

*laughs*

 

[thegman1234]

I actually agree with alot of the points that you've brought out. Jay-Z isn't a musician, he's not even a producer. But I have to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint concerning drum machines. Samplers you actually have a case for because you're pretty much just sequencing the samples to form a composition, I get that. But I believe that a drum machine is an instrument. The learning curve is nowhere near as great as it would be for an actual drum set or a guitar, not any person can sit down at a drum machine and lay down a pattern at the drop of a hat either.

You have to be musically inclined in order to create a successful rhythm and I think that's enough to call it an instrument.

Now, i'm sure you know this being an accomplished musician, but rap isn't just about samplers. Alot of musicians actually use live instruments and choirs for their songs. Producer Just Blaze is one of those who still use big bands and a large live sound to compose a hip hop song. I think Rap or Hip Hop as a music is like electronic music and dance music, a product of it's society. With society evolving into the digital age, so will music.

Thanks for your thoughts on this debate, it's been pretty enjoyable.

You make some great points, however, there's one thing I disagree with you on. A vocalist IS by one definition, a musician. Also many consider the voice to be a musical instrument.

Just Blaze is a GREAT example to give for Hip-Hop producers that use instruments. Also, Rubin provided Jay-Z with an altered version of one of his older rock beats for 99 Problems.

 

[bluedevil14]

Not happening, it would alienate other record companies.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

Not happening, it would alienate other record companies.

You mean to pull their stuff from iTunes?

 

[i305]

JayZ and his wife beyonce is plotting on Apple. GET READY 2008!

and singer Beyonce is leaving SONY after her next album. Hmmm, maybe shes signing with her husband and Steve new label?

 

[monkeybongo]

1. Hip hop is a legitimate music genre (even if you don't like it).
2. Jay-Z is a popular and marketable hip-hop artist (even if you don't like him).

I think the real topic is if Jay-z would be a suitable CEO for a music division for Apple, not if he has arguable talent.

He does have previous experience as an music executive and also has a large network within the entertainment industry. He is also incredibely marketable as a brand on his own and would bring visibility and instant credibility to the label. They would also have the advantage with the label being instantly popular and would draw a large amount of talent.

Personally, I think the rumour is stupid. Apple makes more sense to make partnerships. I think if it did make music, other labels would be less likely to join iTunes simply based on the competition.

 

[diamond.g]

A huge amount of very normal non-racist people see hip-hop as mostly ***** and somewhat blame hip-hop and "modern soul" artists for all of the great excesses that brought the industry to the state it is now. Hip-hop is a culture that is inescapably tied to consumption, excess, and personal grandeur at the expense of almost anything else. A lot of people are just tired of it (it's been around for a long, long time now), and a lot of people are looking for something new.

I think everyone here needs to watch Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes in order to understand why music has basically broken down. The majority likes hip hop, that is why it is still around. Jadakiss said something in the film about how if he sells 1 million albums the first 200k may be from Blacks (as he says) but the rest are from (again as he says) Whites. That statement didn't shock me as much as why the music is popular. People interviewed that listened to hip hop that were white claimed it gave them insight to a life they never have lived. They felt cool and connected with Black people by listening to the music. That is what suprised me.

So in the end it will take the majority to get tired of that type of music before it will go away. Jay-Z becoming the head of an Apple ran label should not worry folks. I doubt that means the label will only put out hip hop. It just seems like they are trying to get someone who can tap into that majority that keep hip hop alive.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I think people put too much emphasis on music and it's effect on the market. People tried blaming Marilyn Manson for Columbine when it was really just the ignorant rich parent's fault. The same can be said for Hip-Hop. And for the guy that put Hip-Hop and Modern Soul into the same category please get educated on the differences between the genres. No one will EVER put Heavy Metal and Classic Rock together as the same type or form of music, please don't do the same with Hip Hop and Neo/Modern Soul, the two are nothing alike and don't even come close to reaching the same type of people or the same number of people.

Hip-Hop isn't the reason for the state of the music industry and it isn't responsible for the decline or state of "conventional music" (whatever the hell that is ) The only person responsible for that is the audience the music caters to the most, who are giving the form of music the money fuel it needs to grow and we all know who that audience with a lot of money is. As was said a million times in a million different ways, if you don't like the music and what it stands for, like Marilyn Manson, then don't buy them and show the music companies that we aren't interested in that form of music anymore.

Anyone remember Disco?

 

[diamond.g]

I think people put too much emphasis on music and it's effect on the market. People tried blaming Marilyn Manson for Columbine when it was really just the ignorant rich parent's fault. The same can be said for Hip-Hop. And for the guy that put Hip-Hop and Modern Soul into the same category please get educated on the differences between the genres. No one will EVER put Heavy Metal and Classic Rock together as the same type or form of music, please don't do the same with Hip Hop and Neo/Modern Soul, the two are nothing alike and don't even come close to reaching the same type of people or the same number of people.

Hip-Hop isn't the reason for the state of the music industry and it isn't responsible for the decline or state of "conventional music" (whatever the hell that is ) The only person responsible for that is the audience the music caters to the most, who are giving the form of music the money fuel it needs to grow and we all know who that audience with a lot of money is. As was said a million times in a million different ways, if you don't like the music and what it stands for, like Marilyn Manson, then don't buy them and show the music companies that we aren't interested in that form of music anymore.

Anyone remember Disco?

Didn't Disco basically turn into House?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Didn't Disco basically turn into House?

Yeah it did, much like all forms of older music mutate into something different. The style of disco is gone but the remnants remain as house and to some extent techno. I am no music junky however, so I could be wrong.

But Hip-Hop in the early 80s turned into rap during the early 90s, then the God awful, and where many uneducated listeners get their angst from, "gangster rap" during the mid 90s with the rise of Snoop Dog, WuTang Clan, etc. Now we are seeing the return of true Hip-Hop, which Jay-Z is really a part of, that really stresses capitalism at its finest on one end, and the effects of capitalism on the other.

For those that want to know, Jazz/Blues turned into R&B (rhythm & blues) in the late 80s, then soul in the 90s. Neo/Modern soul came about in the mid to late 90s with artists like Eryka Badu, Lauren Hill, Common, etc and the genre can express anything from bad times to a call to all people to rise up and make a difference in their lives. It's really a very diverse form of music which can be adapted to fit many messages.

Rock does the same thing, but it's hard rifts and fast beats tend to make it only fit certain messages. That's why there are so many categories of Rock, Soft, Classic, Metal, Alternative, Hard, etc. that can express those many different forms.

R&B and Neo/Modern Soul can express all of them and still remain in that genre.