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REALITY



Last Updated: 12/26/2009

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Status: Married
City: Philadelphia
State: Pennsylvania
Country: US
Signup Date: 7/11/2006

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Saturday, November 07, 2009 
The truth is that big business controls the types of music and artists that get exposure and become popular. The record industry is a $14 billion dollar business. The five major record labels; Sony, Universal, BMG, EMI and Time Warner dominate 85% of the market when it comes to sales of Compact Discs. Leaving only 15% for the hundreds of independent record labels and thousands of artists out there. And when indies get too big or an artist starts making noise these major companies usually pick up the artist or label. This way they control the artist/label, get a percentage of the sales and keep competition to a minimum.

The Big Payoff (radio payola)
Ever wonder why you hear the same songs on the radio all the time? It's because major record companies are paying radio stations thousands of dollars to play their records! That's why you rarely, if ever, hear independent music on commercial radio. Most people don't know that virtually all the pop and rock songs they hear on the radio have been paid for by the major record companies. The record labels pay millions of dollars a year to middlemen (independent radio promoters), referred to as "indies," who in turn pass on some of that money to radio stations (they get a portion too), which accordingly play what the promoters ask/tell them to. In exchange for paying the stations an annual promotion budget ($100,000 for a medium-size market), the indie becomes the station's exclusive indie and gets paid by the record companies every time that station adds a new song.

Launching a single at rock radio can cost between $100,000 and $250,000. If the song's a hit and gets played at hundreds of stations across the country (with added charges for multiple plays a day) the costs can skyrocket enormously. Mercury Nashville president Luke Lewis told attendees at a music conference that his label spent more than $1.5 million on promotion for a Shania Twain single that crossed over to pop radio!

According to payola laws passed by Congress in 1960, it's a crime for a station employee to accept payment for playing a song if the station fails to notify listeners about the financial arrangement. That's partially the reason major record labels use huge indie promotion companies like Jeff McClusky and Associates and Tri State Promotions and Marketing, if shit ever happens the promoters will take the fall for it. But no one wants to rock the boat so everyone in the industry keeps their mouth shut and indies make tons of money for basically being nothing more than pay-off people. Overnighted packages stuffed with cash are shipped off to recipients with phony names, American Express money orders made out to programmers and sent to home addresses, travel and vacation packages... all of this is being used by major record labels and independent radio promoters to buy airplay of their songs on the radio. New and independent artists have no chance to receive airplay on radio and listeners are bombarded with the same music hour after hour.

Who pays for all of this? The artist. Most record companies recoup their costs for independent promotion from the artist's CD royalties - which of course would not be as high if they did not receive radio airplay. And, ironically enough, the radio stations pay as well, since money that might be used for promotions to build a larger audience is instead diverted into radio programmers' personal bank accounts.


Big Fish Eat Little Fish (monopoly)
There are three companies that own most the radio stations in the US - EMMIS, Radio One and Clear Channel. Over the past two years the Clear Channel company has been on an acquisition binge, spending almost $30 billion on buying radio stations, concert venues and advertising companies. The company is building a "monopolistic multimedia empire" that has decreased competition, reduced consumer choice, and driven up ticket prices for concerts.

Prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a radio company could only own 40 stations nationwide and only four in a particular market. Since that has changed Clear Channel now owns 1,170 radio stations nationwide! One out of every ten radio stations across the United States broadcasts under the Clear Channel’s banner and the company’s approximate 1,170 stations bill a full 20% of total industry revenue. Clear Channel broadcasts in every top ten market and in 47 of the top 50. These stations take to the airwaves across all 50 states, in almost every major market, reaching nearly every demographic. Clear Channel stations broadcast to over 110 million listeners every week.

Clear Channel also acquired SFX Entertainment, the world’s largest promoter and producer of live entertainment events, including concerts, theater and sporting events. Clear Channel now owns 135 venues, producing 26,000 shows last year (attended by 62 million people) - 70% of the total "live concert" market! Buying entertainment giant SFX cost Clear Channel $4.4 billion, making it instantly the nation's biggest promoter with $2 billion in live-event revenue a year.

Clear Channel Outdoor owns over half a million outdoor displays (770,000 billboards) around the world. This gives them and their customers the ability to, as they state on the Clear Channel website "reach over half of the entire U.S. population and over 75% of the entire U.S. Hispanic population". Outdoor is more than just billboards, other products they provide include; bulletins, posters, street furniture, airport displays, convenience store posters, mall displays, mass transit displays and mobile ads.
Now there's rumors that Clear Channel wants to start their own record label... hmmm. Think about it. They can play their artists on their radio stations, tour them in their venues and advertise them on their billboards.

What can you do? Support college & non-profit radio stations in your local area. These independent radio stations program alternative music as well as specialty shows (hip-hop, jazz, electronica etc.). Also support your local independent bars & clubs.


Product Placement (retail co-ops)
Isn't it great when you can buy your favorite artist or a new CD on sale at the record store. Ever notice those special displays (called endcaps) at the entrance, window or at a prime location in a large record chain store. Guess what? It's not the store that is putting it on sale, record companies have to pay to have it on sale in the store. This is what is called a Retail Co-Op and it works like this. For example if a label wants to put one of it's new CD's on sale in a 'un-named' chain store they would have to pay about $3,000 to have it's CD in 100 of its' stores. In exchange for the $3,000 the Chain store would bring in around 1,300 units and give them good placement in the stores, put them on sale and feature them in their listening stations in those 100 stores for one month. There are many different Co-Op programs with independent and major chain stores and they can be very expensive. There are a few problems with this system. First, for the record label it does not guarantee that the CD's the store brought in will sell. And since stores do not 'buy" but take product on 'consignment' it is all 100% returnable (see Retail Returns below). Second, major record labels spend so much money on Retail Co-Ops so that stores bring their product that stores aren't left with much money in their monthly budget to bring in independent music.


the big "R" (retail returns)
Most people think that a 'return' means that someone returned a CD to a record store because of a defect. That is called a return but in the record business 'returns' means something else - death. Music stores do not buy CD's and then sell them. They take CD's, sell what they can and return the rest - only paying for what sold. And there usually isn't a time frame so a company can return CD's to a label/distributor even a year or more later, usually with cracked jewel cases and all stickered up. The problem with this is record stores/chain stores can (and do) over-order a release because they can always return it. Bomb Hip-Hop spent money with one chain store on a Retail Co-Op for a new release and a few months later the chain store returned 88% of the CD's! Bomb Hip-Hop ended up being gaffled by the chain store and spent a lot of money it really didn't need to. The distributor made money, the retailer made money and Bomb Hip-Hop lost money from the program. Returns can kill any record label.


Too Greedy (price gouging)
Major record labels and retail chains stores have become too greedy by charging $18-19 for a CD that usually doesn't have more than 3 good songs on it. Universal priced Ja Rule's album Pain Is Love with a sticker price of $19.98! But it is not always the record label overcharging. In the past Bomb Hip-Hop has found it's releases that have a suggested retail price of $16.98 being sold for $18.98 in retail chain stores. The price to the store is based on the suggested retail price. For example a $16.98 list price CD is sold to stores for $11 per loose CD or $10.79 per CD by the box (usually 30 CD's in a box). These chain stores that price the CD at $18.98 will probably not sell very many because it is priced to high for underground hip-hop and/or a new artist. These stores do not care because in the end whatever they took is 100% returnable.


In Conclusion (the end)
There are approximately 27,000 music titles released every year. Of the 7,000 "new" titles released every year by major labels less than 10% are profitable. Major record labels sign only what they hope will sell, jumping on the latest trend and flooding the market with sound-alikes. Everything radio and video shows play sound and look like they came off an assembly line. Major record companies focus on radio-friendly and videogenic acts and unfortunately exclude new and experimental artists and genres of music. Consumers have become lazy and in turn are easily brainwashed by what they hear on the radio, see on tv and read in magazines. People need to be more educated and take a pro-active approach to music. Seek out new artists and new types of music, don't let big business influence and control what you think is good music or what you purchase. Take what you have just read and inform others of what you have learned - each one teach one. Much respect to all starving artists and independent companies, you are not forgotten and you are appreciated. Keep what you're doing and have fun making music.

12:30 AM 
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009 
Donate 5 dollars or more over at www.reality215.com you you will recieve a link to download " A Glimpse Of Reality" "Its More Than Music" and "Rolling Thunder'' FREE FREE!!!!

Thanks for the support

Reality
1:29 AM 
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Sunday, June 28, 2009 

Category: Life
What differentiates ministry from entertainment? One young man who provides that definition is Reality. Reality is an explosive, inspirational Hip-hop artist from the mean streets of Philadelphia, Pa, whose music captures the ears and hearts of listeners; Painting vivid portraits of real life and faith in Jesus Christ. He is simply real whether on stage, when you meet him after a concert, at home, in church or on the street.



With no formal introduction, star collaborations, or major dollar backing Reality first hit the studio in 2002 pouring his heart out on track after track, thus producing three hit volumes. His sole intention was to bring salvation to the streets. As a result of these faith-filled steps Reality took Philadelphia by storm, leading thousands of youths and young adults to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This success proved to him that anything is possible with Jesus Christ.




With the ability to rival any mainstream artist in terms of creativity, skills and delivery, Reality takes Hip-hop to another level. He admits that his musical inspirations have been drawn from various sources including Christian and Non-Christian. His delivery is clear enough for parents to understand; while his transparent, no-nonsense message relates to the youth. When witnessing Reality ministering live it is common to see audiences gripped by the anointing and reasoning behind the message. Other times you will see heads nodding and people dancing.



Born to parents Davida and Alonzo , Reality was the last of three boys. Growing up in one of the most notorious inner-city areas in Philadelphia he witnessed people being shot, killed, drive by shootings and stabbings on multiple occasions. By the age of 16 he was already selling drugs, stealing, shop lifting, and having no respect for people in authority. His aim was to make it out of the ghetto by any means necessary.



In high school Reality's first love was football. Being one of the two young stars on the rise Reality dominated the spotlight with his brother Sean. His dedication and natural ability later earned him many honors, making the city All Stars Team and front covers of news papers. At that time Jerry McConnel (Football Coach)at Cardinal Dougherty High was very influential in steering Reality in the right direction. Not only did this career path have great potential, it also enabled Reality to channel the anger and frustration from his personal life.



In spite of College prospects and dreams of playing in the NFL, in 1999 Reality dropped football to tend to a child he fathered in the 12th grade. With no back-up plans Reality reverted to doing what he knew best – survive by any means necessary. Nevertheless this fast street life soon took its toll. Reality could feel his heart growing colder and life becoming depressing as he saw the effects drugs had on its victims. But he was filled with too much pride to accept a minimum wage job. That is until a series of tragic events caused him to reconsider his path.



Reality began his Hip-hop ministry at the age of 21 and has been rapping ever since. Presently Reality has release his his debut album “When the World Meets Reality”. With this project Reality has sought professional Marketing and Distribution to extend his international reach in 2008. He believes his message is not just national but international. Anywhere around the globe that needs deliverance from gun culture, gangs and drugs.

11:47 PM 
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Saturday, June 13, 2009 

Category: Music
Reality has been nominated for the third time 2009 Best Inspirational Gospel Hip Hop Artist of the year please log on and vote for your boi.


Photobucket
6:20 AM 
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009 

Category: Life
Man i cheated death one more time, one more story added to my testimony. On sunday nite I was headed back to philly from New Jersey on route 130 south going about 55 miles a hour when a girl in the next lane over decided to to speed up and cross in front of me to get to dunkin donuts and we both crash at a high rate off speed causing there car to to almost do a 360 with me and her both slamming into each other and crashing up the side walk just missing a light poll. I was in alot of pain and had to be rush to the hospital which the good news is I don't have any broken bones but may have some nerve damage done to me neck and back and left arm.I am really thankful to be alive I cheated death one more time
Folks apreciate life everyday your family and friends and love ones and always keep God first tomorrow is not promise. 
I choose to leave my mark and inspire the world
Reality
2:48 AM 
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009 

Category: Life
Happiness is not in our circumstances but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are.
Happiness is more a state of health than of wealth.

Giving of yourself, learning to be tolerant, giving recognition and approval to others, remaining flexible enough to mature and learn - yields happiness, harmony, contentment and productivity. These are the qualities of a rich life, the bounteous harvest of getting along with people.

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

If you have nothing else to do, look about you and see if there isn't something close at hand that you can improve! It may make you wealthy, thought it is more likely that it will make you happy.

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have.

Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.

There are two types of people in this world, good and bad. The good sleep better, but the bad seem to enjoy the waking hours much more.
 
 
Those who have easy, cheerful attitudes tend to be happier than those with less pleasant temperaments, regardless of money, 'making it', or success.

The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.

It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

There is no point to samba if it doesn't make you smile.

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.

Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.

Many people think that if they were only in some other place, or had some other job, they would be happy. Well, that is doubtful. So get as much happiness out of what you are doing as you can and don't put off being happy until some future date.

Prosperity is living easily and happily in the real world, whether you have money or not.

It is not the place, nor the condition, but the mind alone that can make anyone happy or miserable.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.

We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.

Real happiness comes from inside. Nobody can give it to you.

Happiness is the art of learning how to get joy from your substance.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
Be Inspired
Reality
9:58 PM 
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Thursday, March 05, 2009 

Category: Life
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

Ones best success comes after their greatest disappointments...

It's simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do.


Thre is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.


What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?


Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.


The gent who wakes up and finds himself a success hasn't been asleep.


Success usuallly comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.


Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.


Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.


People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.


Success is never wondering what if.


It takes 20 years to make an overnight success.


Success is getting what you want, and happiness is wanting what you get.


The first and most important step toward success is the feeling that we can
succeed


My Job Is to Inspire You Every Chance I Get
Reality
1:28 AM 
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008 

Proud to announce Reality has been nominated 2009 Male Artist of The Year and Best Lyricist Of The Year by the Fire Fest Gospel Music Awards

 

Thanks For All Your Support

9:36 PM 
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Thursday, July 10, 2008 
Proud to announce that Reality "My finger Prints" has reached the 1 Played Christian Rap and the 3 most played Hip-Hop Song over at www.soundclick.com with well over 1 million artist and song listed.
6:00 PM 
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Friday, April 27, 2007 

Category: Music
All I could say was wow
1:02 PM 
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