5th Annual Global Mixx Retreat

By Melanie Williams/Tell Us Chicago

On the Street Promotions & Marketing announced the 2009 honorary co-chairs for the 5th Annual Global Mixx Music Retreat in Chicago. This past weekend G Mixx celebrated the theme “Back to the Basics” honoring some of the most influential music and marketing professionals in the industry. The festivities kicked –off Friday, October 2, 2009 and ran through Sunday, October 4, 2009 with a series of resourceful and empowering events ranging from artists showcases, DJ listening sessions, high powered panel discussions and a host of concerts at various venues.

Hip Hop Diva Correspondent, Melanie Williams visited Exposure Restaurant and Bar and this is what she had to say about it:

Friday Night, Exposure Restaurant and Bar was jumping with a performance from Chicago based rap group the “Money Bag Boyz.” Hundreds turned out to meet the group and to show their support. I had a chance to chat with Slim Back from the Money Bag Boyz and this is what he had to say:

Hip Hop Diva: What year did you make your debut?

Slim Black: Early 2008. This is our second year being apart of the G Mixx tour.
Hip Hop Diva: How has being apart of the G Mixx tour helped you as a new artist?

Slim Black: It has helped us tremendously as far as networking and building relationships. We are an independent label looking to get signed through a major distribution company like Universal and Def Jam. In today’s world you have to have good music and good relationships.

Hip Hop Diva: Who is your musical influence?

Slim Black: Well, I have only been rapping for two and half years so I would say Jay-Z and NWA.

Hip Hop Diva: Where do you see yourself in the future?

Slim Black: I see myself as one of the top entertainers in the game. Writing and starring in movies and books. Only the strong survive and I am one of the strongest.

Among those well wishers was legendary rap group Naughty by Nature, who was also there to promote their upcoming album and support G Mixx. I had the pleasure of getting a few moments to chat with one half of the duo, the infamous Treach. In our short conversation Treach spoke on his views on the state of Hip Hop in today’s society and where it was going. This is what he had to say:

The Hip Hop Diva: Why is Naughty one of the supporters for G Mixx?

Treach: It’s a beautiful thing to come out and support fresh talent. It’s a hard grind out here and we have been there and done that. It’s nothing like coming out to show love to artists that are where we once were in the game. It’s about the talent and supporting the talent.

Hip Hop Diva: What’s the future of the Naughty Album?

Treach: We are shooting for the summer of 2010. The way the industry is know, it’s a digital single’s game. It’s all about dropping hit single after hit single. Plus, when it’s time to drop the new album we want to officially drop it. We don’t want to push the album back and change release dates.

Hip Hop Diva: How do you feel about Hip Hop’s current state?

Treach: Hip Hop today is in a state of growth and it is up to groups like the “Money Bag Boyz” to bring a new wave to the future of Hip Hop. In order to be successful in the music industry artists have to have their own swagger sort of speak and be careful not to be like other artists. It is important to have your own style and that Hip Hop itself is a constant evolution, which consistently evolves and becomes something new every year from artist such as Soldier Boy to the Black Eyed Peas. Most Hip Hop artists are treated like athletes; once you pass a certain age mainstream can ignore you, where as rock and pop stars transition to different eras. In short, Hip Hop is a new artist game and if you’re not careful it can pass you by.

Hip Hop Diva: What is your take on the U.S. audience vs. overseas?

Treach: Hip Hop artists must think on larger scale as far as touring. Artists shouldn’t limit themselves to touring in the United States because there is a whole world overseas that appreciates Hip Hop as well. Artists must learn how to do show’s overseas, there’s a lot of money to be made overseas and people there appreciate and love the music on a completely different level than the American audience.
Hip Hop Diva: How do you feel about the Chicago Radio Market?

Treach: It’s so crazy. I treat it like Jersey. The love is in the streets and in the hood. The radio plays their babies, nothing but politics.

Hip Hop Diva: How do you feel about being on the road again?

Treach: O that’s easy, Naughty by Nature has done 150 shows a year continuously since 1991 and will continue to do so. Even though we have our own classics we will still continue to give the world new music. Naughty’s coming and you like us, you like us. If you hate us, you hate us but we’re still coming anyway.

Hip Hop Diva: Before I let you go, what music do you listen too?

Treach: My favorite song right now period is Black Eyed Peas- “I got a Feeling.” Then I listen to Nirvana, Bruce Springsteen, Flo Rida and Snoop. If it’s a hot song I don’t care where they from or who made it. The game isn’t dead; the artists in the game are dead.

Global Mixx 5th Annual Retreat
Saturday, October 3, 2009

This year’s historical Blackstone Renaissance Hotel painted the canvas for high powered panel discussions including “Music Meets Politics” and discussions on “Branding your Music in the Digital Age.” Our Hip Hop Diva correspondent had the chance to sit in on the panel and interview a few of the panelist and this is what they had to say.

Hip Hop Diva: How do you feel about what was discussed on today’s panel?

Leota Blacknor-VP of Marketing/Capitol Music Group/New York: Very informative, in terms of educating people about digital marketing and branding. It’s always nice when you have a legendary Hip Hop group like Naughty by Nature adding the true education on Hip Hop as well.

Hip Hop Diva: How do you feel about new technology taking over old schools formulas?

Leota Blacknor-VP of Marketing/Capitol Music Group/New York: I am still one of the old school believers. I believe that old school formula’s still work. You just have to be able to adapt to new technology especially the face of the internet now when all the digital elements like iTunes and Rhapsody are one of the many social networking tools. From a marketing stand point it’s a great way to get the message out to a ton of people very quickly.

Hip Hop Diva: People always say that once you go to New York, your chances on getting discovered are higher. Is New York the city to get discovered?

Leota Blacknor-VP of Marketing/Capitol Music Group/New York: I don’t think it matters where you are from as long as you’re talented and you make good music. I think places like New York and L.A. are always looked at in terms of the “Utopia” because that’s where the major record companies exist. It’s about starting in your home town first. I am feeling the philosophy of supporting your hometown hero.
Hip Hop Diva: What advice would you give new artists in today’s Hip Hop game?

Leota Blacknor-VP of Marketing/Capitol Music Group/New York: Brand your music and brand yourself. It’s really important to perfect your craft and figure out a marketing method that works for you. It’s about creating a micro branding method that sets you apart from other artists and gets you the publicity that is needed.

Hip Hop Diva: What expectations did you have about the G Mixx tour?

Katina Bynum-SVP of Marketing/Universal Music/New York: I didn’t know what to expect. Just seeing the energy and the different types of artists here, the mix of different people from DJ’s to rappers. The energy is amazing and it’s a really great conference.
Hip Hop Diva: What advice would you give to new artists in this new hip hop game?

Katina Bynum-SVP of Marketing/Universal Music/New York: For new artists I would say to do your homework and learn as much as you can before you get signed to a major label. It’s about knowing the ends and outs of the business. If you want to make it in this business you have to be hungry no matter what city or label you are with.

The evening didn’t stop there. The 5th annual Global Mixx Retreat had a outstanding panel line –up with topics such as: “The business of Song Writing, Publishing and Licensing” along with “The Global DJ- Going beyond your backyard”, “Radio Chronicles”, A&R sessions and many more. The evening carried over to Visions Night Club with a headline performance by Legends of Hip Hop Naughty by Nature and more of today’s emerging talents.