"Prince really taught me what this business is about," says Brownmark. "Money and power. It’s sad. I mean, I know how these bar bands think, because I used to be in a bar band: ‘This is a good song, man! It could cross over! It could be on pop radio.’ Well, it ain’t gonna be nothing. You ain’t gonna get a deal; you ain’t even gonna get in the front door of the record company past the guard gate. That’s how tight the business is."Prince helped me see that. He taught me how lame the industry is. It’s the most prejudiced and worst business I’ve seen in my life. And so you learn to work around it. It’s like...picking a lock. And if you don’t know that, you’ll be in that line with aU the other [black musicians] trying to get through the front gate, when I’m slipping through the side door. I don’t wait in line."

this could explain BMarks mia status!!!!!

JQuad said:

I would say that the fact he has not made anything decent since 1988 would explain his status more than anything else.

Yes the business is obnoxious and has a horrible rep for treating artists like sh*t.

But doesn't it seem like some of P's attitude rubbed off on BrownMark, but perhaps not in the right way?

I mean how exactly is "slipping through the side door"? His solo albums were not particulary successful and what has he really done since? (I think he produced a couple songs here and there but he's not exaclty Jam & lewis)

Not trying to hate on him, I respect him as a musician and his talent.. but taht comment seems kinds weird

I wish BrownMark all the best! I'm just glad he's back to releasing music again. There's too few good musicians out there as it is. We need BrownMark. The trends in music today will only depress you. I'm hoping for a Purple Renaiisance. Yeah, I know it'll never happen. But it gives me something to look forward to.

I don't think this is necessarily sour grapes. I get the impression that he considers himself lucky to know how to actually get in the door. He even said he learned to "work around it." Even Prince is complaining about the biz bull and he's been successful at it. So it seems artists, both successful and not, think the biz sucks. And they're right.

Both Prince and BrownMark are right about the music industry. And over time it has gotten progressively worse. I never thought I'd see the day when there are so many non-talented artists at the top. Many of you may disagree with me. But I hope the day comes when record company's become a thing of the past. They are EVIL!

ThePunisher said:

I agree with you.....

Pop Music = TRASH
R N B = GARBAGE
Smooth Jazz = SMOOTH TRASH
Soul Music = Hasn't existed since the 70's
Rock = Non playing Mo' Fo's

ThePunisher said:

Dude, a record company is more or less a TOOL. It is NOT evil unto itself. Think of it as a Pokemon. Its as good or as bad as the person controlling it. Prince has been spouting that BS about "evil labels" yet damn near every thing he has ever released has been through what? A LABEL. Evil people have evil labels. Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records could hardly be considered evil. Sony Music...

I know from experience that it's all about who you know, the hype you build about yourself and the amount of arse you're willing to kiss. Talent is important, but they can hire a hot shot producer to make anything sound good. Don't believe me? turn the radio on!
It's also about building a team with members you trust around you: manager, booking agent, lawyer, accountant, road crew, sound guy, producers, engineers, travel agents, assistants, etc.