Hey everyone!

I got a question for ya'

I was in a serious discussion with an A&R rep last night who has been talking about casting me in a "Prince" mold for his label. He told me that, even though I had my own sound, Prince's influence was the only influence in my music and was definitely there. I, on the other hand, disagreed and pointed to Hendrix, sly, The Beatles, etc...while still admitting the Prince influence. So here's what I can't figure out, even though he wants to take advantage of the whole "one man band thing" with the hopes that the comparison would flow, I still say that there are quite a few people doing that these days (Kravitz, for example?). And there's no way I look like Prince--I'm 6'2" and 185 lbs and I used to play College football! lol

Anyways, I haven't had to deal with these industry cats for a while and now it seems they're even more thick in the head than I remember..

So Here's my question:

1. Do I really sound that much like Prince?
2. Is the industry really that narrow minded these days?
3. Does every black guy who plays guitar have to be compared to Prince, Hendrix or Kravitz?

Please let me know and don't be shy...






Jshua

A&R definitely want a label for your music - a one to three word definition right away. Being black and playing your own instruments puts you way and above most artists immediately. If you sing as well, that pushed you farther into Prince land, long before anyone even hears your music.

Add to that your own influences - you listed major Prince influences. If you added Joni Mitchell and Santana, it would have been a complete listing.

So - even though your music is definitely different than Prince's music, you're building from the same blocks (all in one musician, same influences).

Think about Stevie Ray Vaughan. When he first came out, the immediate comparison was Eric Clapton because Eric was a guitar-playin-blues-singing cracker.

For A&R people to sell you to their label, and then to sell you to radio, video, etc, it's BEST to have something immediately similar for listeners to hinge on.

Don't see it as a horrible thing. It will get you in some doors, and then they'll hear what you have to offer. ESPECIALLY considering his appearance on the Grammys definitely has the music industry probably re-thinking their artist roster right now.

This is all my opinion based on the zeroes of record deals I've had.

Good luck!

1. Do I really sound that much like Prince?

Well, I'm the one who said "You're the closest thing to Prince on this board." My reasons? You play all instruments and sing, you can write in many styles and you seem to be incredibly prolific. I'd have to see a picture of you to see if you resemble him and it doesn't matter if you are tall...

2. Is the industry really that narrow minded these days?

YES. It boils down to simplification. Categories and lables are reference points. All multi-faceted artists have had to put up with these 1 dimensional comparisons, even Prince. And there you have another similiarity with Prince. Funny, huh?

3. Does every black guy who plays guitar have to be compared to Prince, Hendrix or Kravitz?

See #2.



I don't think that Kravitz is as versatile as Prince OR you. Funny, I was just thinking about this the other day, how your org name fits. Styles. You create music in many different styles.



It doesn't matter. I have a friend who plays guitar/writes music/sings and he has a bit of a Prince look in his eyes and smile. He's 5'9" and buff.

Hey, I feel for ya. All the record execs that keep begging for me to sign with them compare me to The Beatles. I don't even look like Ringo!

gotta go with beau and vina on that. Nothing more I can add to that.

Thanx for the responses!

Artist 08: lol, you definitely put it in humorous perspective...

Otan, Vina, Yamomma--thank you for your insight!

You're right, I'm gonna relax about it but it can be a little frustrating...







Jshua

I saw an A&R manager from V2 today and she respects entirely my style...

But I'm in europe and it's an independant label...

I didnt even no u were black! So yes every guitarist has to be compared 2 him.

No 2 me, u dont sound close 2 Prince at all. U have a unique style that's your own. period.

Trust your gut. If someone stepped to me and wanted to market me as the next your favorite artist here, I would have the same concerns. I'm gonna have to go with Otan on this one though.
Get in the door and then blast 'em.

1. no
2. YES!
3. Yes at first. You listed Kravitz who was once compared to both Hendrix and Prince. Today, he stands on his own.

marcdeondotcom said:

In which I'm sure Prince did JUST THAT, as he was compared to Stevie Wonder. (If you've ever read any of the early interviews)

Jshua, U had me fooled(for lack of a better word) as well. Not that race and music matters. It only matters 2 the commerce guys and the ignorant buying consumers. Isn't it nice 2 have a forum where u can display your talent without the bigotry standing in your way. Now that everyone on this site knows your ethnicity, I wonder if any of the lurkers will show any hate,now that they know u are black and a christian male, u might really see a new reality like the one I have witnessed first hand. But anyway, don't let them get u down.Don't give into their tricks. They try 2 entice u into a war of words. I would agree with Vina and Otan 2 say that U would be compared 2 Prince immediately. U sound alot like Prince as far as your influences go. U are a multi-talented brotha with mad skills. Like Marc said, get your foot in the door then knock it down.
[This message was edited Thu Feb 12 18:47:03 PST 2004 by talmuzic]

Talmuzic, Maceodotcom, Tikkah and PP4:

Once again, thank you for your insight!

I didn't mean to bring up race as an issue and I apologize if anyone took offense to it. I grew up in a family where I saw an awful lot of ethnic diversity on both sides; Thereto, I (like just about everyone else) have a lot of different cultures running through my blood stream, so when it comes to race--I'm very color blind.
It, honestly, just bothered me that someone like that guy would put a tag on me like that. I agree that for every new artist that comes out, there is an inevitable reference point that they are to be associated with. But that's been part of why I didn't wish to say that much in regards to my backround because I wanted the music to speak for itself...

Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to me...

Because, before I joined this forum, I honestly didn't think anyone would care to listen to my music and that it was best kept to myself...

Much Luv, y'all!






Jshua

1. Do I really sound that much like Prince? Well...I burned I can't on a CD of Mellow songs I listen to in my car...and my mom heard it(who happens to be a huge Prince fan and a musician)said :This guy sounds a lot like Prince...this a very beautiful song.My opinion when I first heard you was "Wow1That guy can write some good songs. I wonder would he work with me?" So that's like beauty all in the eye(or ear)of the beholder
2. Is the industry really that narrow minded these days?Heck yeah!
3. Does every black guy who plays guitar have to be compared to Prince, Hendrix or Kravitz?
Pretty much.And every black guy that plays and sings falcetto is compared to Prince.Maxwell,D'Angelo... Don't worry. I'm a lighter skinned black girl with long hair who dances,but has a jazz voice,and can play and write. Managers either want me to be Alicia Keys and not dance at all, Beyonce and Bootyshake and not play,or Ashanti and not even sing!When I guess I'm more of a "Kelis". We're all pigeonholed in some way. that's why I'm redoing my demo myself,I want it be a reflection of myself. As far as race goes...I might get beat up for this but...think about the Joss Stones and Eminem's I know lots of women and men of color who are just as talented. Some that sound almost identical to these people. There race(gulp)may have gotten them in the door. If Joss Stone didn't look like A Britney Spears would she have been signed?Or the opposite, If Fefe Dobson didn't "sound" like Avril Lavigne would she have been signed? Labels see jackpots in the stereotypical opposite artists. White people who "sound black" (whatever that means)get signed faster than Black people who "sound black".You could make the same point for beautiful talantless artists and talanted less attractive artists,or lighter skinned black female artists,against darker skinned ones.It's all sad and horrible. . One obviously is favored over the other . It's just how you play the game. If you wanna get paid Styles, sometimes you got play it.I mean..they won't even PLAY Kravitz on BET.You're a talanted guy,and sometimes you can manipulate the system into working for you.Like Pink,first R&B,now rock.Besides,it's good to have a album out there in the public eye. Wow that was long...sorry. Don't flame me you guys,just expressing some opinions,and stories heard from the label frontlines.I love you all.

I'll keep my post as short as I can. :+) I almost signed with a major label about 4 years ago. They wanted to market me as "the next John Lennon". That sucked! :+P I look nothing like John Lennon and the only reason they thought that I'm sure is because of this one guitar ballad I had on the demo I submitted. haha They also said that because of another song that I had on there that basically...ummm... blasted all of "pop" culture and trendy things. I found it ironic because I wrote it as a sign of my frustration at such things (including major record labels) haha

You never know what an A&R person will say. They like to compare you to big stars who have done well. It has always been that way. For the most part, they're not interested in originality. Just their "marketable" formula. I used to work for 2 different labels (one was a major) I knew A&R people... they sure are a different breed. haha

Anyway...4 years later, I finally compromised. I have been writing "pop" now and I guess I'm ok with it to a certain point. Experimentation, writing in various styles and also writing as many songs as I can (while keeping quality in mind) is what keeps me going in this crazy business. :+) Oh well, take care everybody :+)

Nikki and Bootsinox,

thank you for your thoughts!!!!!

Its all good!








Jshua

I wouldn't let it upset you. You are too versatile to be pigeon-holed into any category. Unfortunately, there aren't many new black artists who are multi-instrumentalists so Prince and Stevie Wonder are usually the industry's first reference points. Like Marc Deon said, get your foot in the door and blow some minds afterwards.

Thanx Bro!

I do intend to get my foot in the door and then blow it off the hinges!








Jshua