Greetings my fellow music makers! Often times in this music industry that is ever changing we tend to lose focus or get complacent in our accomplishments way too often. With the software industry now in full effect in the aspect of making, distributing and recording music, things should be easier right? Well not exactly. You see with all this technology comes a  lot of cloudiness in the process of music making nowadays for both the producer and the artist. Newbies struggle with the creation aspect, what software to buy, what other gear they may need while old seasoned veterans of the game often times have their workflow set but fail to adapt completely to the technological aspects being pressed upon them by the industry. Given both of these facts this is why its important to remember the basics of the process no matter how old or young you are. If your desire is to become excellent and skilled in your craft (producer or artist) then below are 7 basic rules you absolutely need to know and continue to revisit as you proceed to succeed in this industry!

I can't tell you how many people told me to stop using samples in my music. I heard it from every where and all walks of life. There gripes ranged from "Its not right to use secular samples in Christian music to, it's too hard to clear them and the top artists are not going to want to clear them, to if you sample music then you're not really a good producer." Hogwash!! first of all, samples are cleared daily all across the world. It takes a little time but its not that difficult to clear if you're willing to pay them ;-). Who is them? Ok, when clearing a sample there are typically two entities you have to contact: The publisher and the record label that owns the masters to the recording. How do you find this information? Typically, you can find that information at either ASCAP's Or BMI's website database or whichever Performance Rights Organization the artist you sampled belongs to.

Now, let’s talk about music and my overall view of production. To me, it’s all about emotion. What made the Blueprint a classic?  Or what makes any album a classic?  The album has to have a central message and theme that connects with the listeners on a deep level.  Whether it’s the lyrics or the production, the listener must connect with the songs emotionally.  Classics are made when the music and the lyrics both connect with listeners on a deep, almost spiritual, level.  We call this a “marriage” between the artist and the beat. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music. 

Every week Trackstarz Radio does a segment called Line 4 Line sponsored by DaSouth.com, where they put music from well-known mainstream artists against that of a Christian artist to see who has better music.