Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Everybody Hates Bush..
This guy took off his shoes during a press conference and launched them at Bush. At very close range he managed to miss both times.
Vote of the Week:
Hero or Epic Failure
Vote of the Week:
Hero or Epic Failure
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Dayum.............No Grease
How to F*** Over an Artist
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertaining read. Funny if you're not in the industry, familiar to all those involved in it..
---------------
By Wendy Day (www.RapCoalition.org and www.Rap-Coalition.com)
I’ve seen so many people get jerked in the 17 years that I have been pulling artists out of bad deals. And I have been vocal (for free) about how artists can protect themselves from getting jerked by less than savory managers and production companies, greedy labels, and unscrupulous scammers. Yet, every week it seems I get a new request for help. I’m not quite sure how the “protect yourself” information can be out there, and artists are STILL signing bad deals that steal their dreams from them. It’s most frustrating.
So I thought I’d write a tongue-in-cheek article on how to JERK an artist, and then maybe folks will read it and their bullshit tactics will be exposed. I realize that I run the risk of helping the scumbags jerk more people, but that’s a risk I am willing to take. So here goes….based on the numerous ways I have seen artists get jerked…
First of all, you have to be certain you are working with an artist over 18 who knows very little about the music business. How else will you be able to teach him your version of how it’s supposed to work? He definitely needs to be over 18 so a Judge doesn’t get involved and nullify the contract on the basis of a minor not being able to legally enter into a binding contract.
Definitely sign a male rapper. Yes, you run the risk of him becoming violent when he finds out you’ve scammed him, but by then you should have enough money to either be untouchable or hire security. Also, male rappers statistically sell better on average than female rappers, and if you’re going to stick somebody for their loot, it may as well be as much loot as possible. Besides, an angry female will go to further extremes if you piss her off, remember that last shorty you did wrong? She came after your ass, didn’t she?
A solo artist is less risky than a group, as it’s only one angry person to watch out for, rather than many who may team up for revenge. A younger person is often more naïve, and you can sell him some bullshit about the industry only wanting young artists. If you get him to lie that he’s two years younger than he really is, he’ll feel like he shares a secret with you. The more secrets you have on him, the easier it will be to control him. And if he pisses you off, you can tell the world his secrets and he’ll always be the one who looks stupid. He’ll also be too busy dodging the press, to come after you. If you can secretly record conversations that make him look bad, you can especially damage his career so he has nothing left--just in case he manages to get away from you.
It’s good to remind the artist often that you’re family and you’d never do him wrong. If he thinks you’re all sacrificing now to build something for a down-the-road payoff, you can probably get a good 4 years of loyalty out of the dupe. If you are all persons of color, you could utilize the race card to your benefit reminding him that “Black folks have to stick together because the white man has been keeping us down for long enough.” Some people even mention slavery and other assorted history to further the bond. Some phrases you could use to convince him are:
* We are family.
* I got your back.
* We are (a) soldiers, (b) warriors, (c) a team, (d) fill in the blank.
* We are building an empire
* You’re going to be a star
* You’re going to be rich
* You are doper than (a) Jay Z, (b) Tupac was, (c) Biggie was, (d) Eminem.
* You can buy your Mamma a big house
* I’m gonna make your dreams come true.
* There will be plenty for everybody
* Don’t be (a) a hater, (b) crabs in the barrel, (c) selfish, (d) fill in the blank
Make sure your artist has a “manager.” It will make him feel bigger than he is. If the person he chooses is too savvy, make sure you poo-poo his choice and allude that you can’t do a deal if he has this person in his camp. Encourage family member choices, or childhood friend choices, especially if you feel you can control them later through (a) money, (b) manipulation, (c) drug habits, (d) blackmail. An artist manager who secretly works for you is a priceless gift worth his weight in Gold. The major labels were built on this. What manager doesn’t eventually want his own label? You could dangle that carrot in front of him forever.
When the artist is in a position where he’s feeling secure and he believes in you 100%, it’s time to put that contract in front of him with a pen. Have it open to the last page and show him exactly where he should sign it. Act like you’re in a hurry. A time where you’re about to give him money, or right before a show in the parking lot of the club, or when he’s really high in the studio and hearing his boys giving him tons of “you the man” praise, are all good times to offer the contracts. Don’t worry, he’ll sign. They all do.
If he tries to look at the writing in the contract, or even tries to turn a page, snatch it back from him and act hurt. Remind him that you’re all family and if there’s no trust then maybe you should find someone else to sign. Tell him you could get him a lawyer if he really wants, but it’ll have to be in exchange for that (a) gear, (b) watch, (c) car, or (d) cash you were about to give him. If he really pushes the having his own attorney bit, and you can’t manipulate him out of the idea, make certain he has an attorney with no power. It’s important to let him use someone with some music business experience so they don’t run up the bill with your lawyer fighting for stupid stuff.
There are many new, wanna-be, and fringe (outside of the inner circle that exists in the music industry) lawyers who troll the industry for clients and will give love to whomever is paying their bill (you). They come in all colors and all prices. Just remember, a lawyer makes more money working for a label than for an artist, so most can very easily be swayed to do what you want in the deal, even for a reduced fee, with a promise of future work, even if it’s bullshit.
Lawyers get paid to do deals, not to break them, so they will usually finish the deal no matter how bad it is, rather than walk away from making their fee. They console themselves with the fact they got their client the best deal they could. It is important to find someone with reduced, or no, integrity.
Sign as many artists as you want, promising them whatever you have to, to get them to sign. Don’t worry about putting them out or doing anything at all with them. Once they are signed, you own them. Most artists really just want to be signed to a record label and that will pacify them longer than you think. Be hard to find so you won’t have to listen to their bitching. If they can’t find you, it’s not your fault you’re busy-- after all, you are running a business. If they do catch you, sympathize with them and tell them you’ll look into it, or that they are up next. Both of these excuses only work about 3 times, but if you are good at eluding the artists, that’s at least a year.
Make certain your lawyer worded the contract to sign your artists for no less than 7 albums (not years, as 7 albums is about 14 years really), give him little to no advance, take 100% of the publishing and merchandising, get 50% of everything else as his production company, and make the stat rate at 10X, 75%. Have a separate contract that assigns you as his official manager for life, for 25%. Tell him how big you are in the industry and how you can make shit happen at the drop of a hat, in fact, you left Akon or Diddy on hold just now to speak with your favorite artist (him) because he’s so important to you.
Placate him with the lie that you’re going to put him on tour with (a) Jay Z, (b) Lil Wayne, (c) R Kelly (if he also likes his females young) or (d) Plies, and that nobody else would do that for him. Remind him that with his cut of tour income like that, he won’t even notice your manager’s fee of 25%, besides you’re doing all the work: all he has to do is rap on stage for 20 minutes and get head in the limo on the way back to the hotel by the prettiest female. Tough life.
Speaking of shows, if you are lucky enough to stumble on an opportunity, make sure the artist thinks he’s only getting $1,000 to do the show, while the promoter is really paying you $5,000. Then, when the promoter sends you the first half of $2,500, tell the artist the $500 front end came in, and you keep the other $2,000. Or be a sport and tell him since you’re such a great manager you got the whole $1,000 upfront and keep the remaining $1,500 and then keep the whole backend of $2,500. You’ll be his hero. By the time the IRS sends the artist a tax notice (takes about 3 years) for the taxes he didn’t pay on all the $5,000 shows, you’ll be long gone.
A real easy way to make a lot of money is to book multiple shows for the same night and don’t show up to any except one. You can keep all the front end deposits and do nothing because it’ll be the artists’ reputation in the crapper, not yours. By the time the lawsuits come in, again, you’ll be long gone. Your lawyer can stall the suits for 3 years or better. And it’s free money. You could even book all the shows for the same night at $5,000 each and call back all the promoters the day before to tell them you’ll come to whoever is the highest bidder. You might get double the price, and if you were smart enough to ask everyone for open airplane tickets, you can cash in the ones you don’t use and make some extra cash. Again, it’s the artist reputation that suffers, not yours.
The new 360 deals are a great way for you to make even more money than you should (although it doesn’t much matter what you call the deal, you’re never going to pay him anyway). With a 360 deal you can explain to him that you are building his career so he can make a lot of show money, and then you can tap into a portion of that income. Your argument should be that you are taking all the risk financially, so you should be able to tap into all of the income sources from what your promotional dollars create. If he stalls, remember to dangle an advance in his face so he won’t be able to stall you out for long. Keep other unsigned artists around so he feels that if he doesn’t take the deal, someone else will.
It’s a good idea to keep the artist in the studio as much as possible at first, because once he realizes you’re making all the money, it’ll be hard to get him back in there. The studio is really where he wants to be anyway; he’s most comfortable there. Keep him as high and as drunk as possible. Aside from the fact that it will be easy to control him then, the addiction will also keep him coming back to you. He will want to be in the studio all the time anyway, as he will be gung-ho to make his album. Truth be told, rappers really only want fame and pussy, and when everyone thinks he has an album coming out, the women will surround him, and he will feel like a star (even if his record never comes out).
Try to get him to make as many albums as possible, but don’t tell him that’s what you’re doing. Tell him the songs he’s making don’t fit his image, or the production is inferior, or that he is so much better than what you’re hearing. If you tell him it isn’t commercial enough and needs to be more radio friendly, which is the oldest label trick in the book, you may get some static as artists may see this as “selling out,” which will hurt his core beliefs (core beliefs are hard to sway). You may need to lock him out of the studio or cut off the supply of money and drugs, to get him to come around. Once he does though, you can get a good 10 or 20 more songs with this one excuse.
If he has a lot of knuckleheads around him whispering in his ear, or savvy industry folks around him all of a sudden, send him to a studio more than a ten hour drive away. This will instantly put a stop to that crap, and being in a strange place will force him to go to the studio because he’ll have nothing else to do. You can easily control him with money (keeping him waiting a few days for money when he’s broke and hungry will take the fight out of anyone). Never give him too much at once. The stress of bills and starving are excellent incentive for him to act right, especially if he has a baby’s mama and a kid or two. Great incentive. By the time the paternity suits and child support cases roll in, you’ll be long gone.
If you do put out a record for the rapper, keep him on the road as much as possible. Aside from the show scam being a great source of income for you, it keeps him from begging you for money constantly at home. Be certain he has his boy as his “manager” (preferably with no business or music industry knowledge or connections), and has a tour manager that you assign, control, and pay, that will report back to you immediately if there are any suspicions that you aren’t doing what’s right. When you hear rumblings, fly to whatever city he’s in and spend time with him. Buy him little gifts and get high with him. Remind him he’s part of something bigger. Strip bars in any city are perfect locations for meetings. Hookers afterwards are appropriate gifts. You should be seen at all times to be taking care of his needs, especially publicly. This will attract hoards of other artists to scam.
Things won’t get rough for you until about 9 months after his record comes out and he realizes he’s still living with his Mom. If you have multiple albums done, it won’t matter as his “fame” will keep him promoting the subsequent albums. He won’t want to lose that. Without fame he’ll lose all the free stuff, all the gratuitous pussy, all the attention, all the free drinks and free blunts… Fear of losing all this will keep him in line for awhile. Rarely be kind to him. The harder you are on him, and the harder you are to please, the harder he’ll try to please you. Kindness will only be taken as weakness and he’ll control you.
Artists are not loyal. They jump to wherever the money is. If he’s more pimp than whore, he will eventually find other ways to make money: (a) appearing on other artists’ albums for $10,000 (b) shows behind your back for $5,000 which is more than you’re booking him for, (c) bootlegging his own album, or (d) selling T-shirts or drugs at his own shows. If you don’t have subsequent albums to release, it’s important that you keep him broke so you can get him back in the studio as soon as possible with the promise of money--his next advance. If he’s a man destined to be pimped, he will most likely jump ship to another camp with the same game, willing to give up a bit more upfront cash incentive to him. Have a super sharp litigator on board to sue the other company immediately, and either they’ll toss him out like a used condom or write you a fat check to let him go. It’s up to you, since you legally own him.
In general, only give your artist what you have to, in order to get him working. If you give him too much he’ll disappear til it runs out. For the second album, if you promise half now and half when he finishes the album, it’s all gravy. And if you’re slick enough to use the studio excuses again to get even more songs out of him, you’re a star! By now he knows the necessity of radio hits, so that “music needs to be more radio friendly” will go a long way. You can even entice him by getting tracks from his favorite producers, and getting artists he admires to work with him. Both of these options require an outlay of money, but you can trick multiple artists on your label with the same track or the same guest appearance opportunity. Also, you’ll sell more records in the long run, and make more money that way, so it’s worth it. If you have signed more than one artist, you can pit them against each other for maximum effect. They’ll even sabotage each other with little effort on your part. You can sit back and enjoy the show.
If you’re an artist and you’re reading this, don’t get pissed off because you got beat. For 17 years, I have offered numerous free resources that teach you how to NOT get jerked, but that would require time, investigation, and reading skills on your part, and that just always seemed like too much work didn’t it. With the plethora of info out there, and the availability of trustworthy professionals to choose for your team, if any of you do get jerked, shame on you. You have no one to blame but yourselves. You’ve been warned. Enjoy that blunt…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertaining read. Funny if you're not in the industry, familiar to all those involved in it..
---------------
By Wendy Day (www.RapCoalition.org and www.Rap-Coalition.com)
I’ve seen so many people get jerked in the 17 years that I have been pulling artists out of bad deals. And I have been vocal (for free) about how artists can protect themselves from getting jerked by less than savory managers and production companies, greedy labels, and unscrupulous scammers. Yet, every week it seems I get a new request for help. I’m not quite sure how the “protect yourself” information can be out there, and artists are STILL signing bad deals that steal their dreams from them. It’s most frustrating.
So I thought I’d write a tongue-in-cheek article on how to JERK an artist, and then maybe folks will read it and their bullshit tactics will be exposed. I realize that I run the risk of helping the scumbags jerk more people, but that’s a risk I am willing to take. So here goes….based on the numerous ways I have seen artists get jerked…
First of all, you have to be certain you are working with an artist over 18 who knows very little about the music business. How else will you be able to teach him your version of how it’s supposed to work? He definitely needs to be over 18 so a Judge doesn’t get involved and nullify the contract on the basis of a minor not being able to legally enter into a binding contract.
Definitely sign a male rapper. Yes, you run the risk of him becoming violent when he finds out you’ve scammed him, but by then you should have enough money to either be untouchable or hire security. Also, male rappers statistically sell better on average than female rappers, and if you’re going to stick somebody for their loot, it may as well be as much loot as possible. Besides, an angry female will go to further extremes if you piss her off, remember that last shorty you did wrong? She came after your ass, didn’t she?
A solo artist is less risky than a group, as it’s only one angry person to watch out for, rather than many who may team up for revenge. A younger person is often more naïve, and you can sell him some bullshit about the industry only wanting young artists. If you get him to lie that he’s two years younger than he really is, he’ll feel like he shares a secret with you. The more secrets you have on him, the easier it will be to control him. And if he pisses you off, you can tell the world his secrets and he’ll always be the one who looks stupid. He’ll also be too busy dodging the press, to come after you. If you can secretly record conversations that make him look bad, you can especially damage his career so he has nothing left--just in case he manages to get away from you.
It’s good to remind the artist often that you’re family and you’d never do him wrong. If he thinks you’re all sacrificing now to build something for a down-the-road payoff, you can probably get a good 4 years of loyalty out of the dupe. If you are all persons of color, you could utilize the race card to your benefit reminding him that “Black folks have to stick together because the white man has been keeping us down for long enough.” Some people even mention slavery and other assorted history to further the bond. Some phrases you could use to convince him are:
* We are family.
* I got your back.
* We are (a) soldiers, (b) warriors, (c) a team, (d) fill in the blank.
* We are building an empire
* You’re going to be a star
* You’re going to be rich
* You are doper than (a) Jay Z, (b) Tupac was, (c) Biggie was, (d) Eminem.
* You can buy your Mamma a big house
* I’m gonna make your dreams come true.
* There will be plenty for everybody
* Don’t be (a) a hater, (b) crabs in the barrel, (c) selfish, (d) fill in the blank
Make sure your artist has a “manager.” It will make him feel bigger than he is. If the person he chooses is too savvy, make sure you poo-poo his choice and allude that you can’t do a deal if he has this person in his camp. Encourage family member choices, or childhood friend choices, especially if you feel you can control them later through (a) money, (b) manipulation, (c) drug habits, (d) blackmail. An artist manager who secretly works for you is a priceless gift worth his weight in Gold. The major labels were built on this. What manager doesn’t eventually want his own label? You could dangle that carrot in front of him forever.
When the artist is in a position where he’s feeling secure and he believes in you 100%, it’s time to put that contract in front of him with a pen. Have it open to the last page and show him exactly where he should sign it. Act like you’re in a hurry. A time where you’re about to give him money, or right before a show in the parking lot of the club, or when he’s really high in the studio and hearing his boys giving him tons of “you the man” praise, are all good times to offer the contracts. Don’t worry, he’ll sign. They all do.
If he tries to look at the writing in the contract, or even tries to turn a page, snatch it back from him and act hurt. Remind him that you’re all family and if there’s no trust then maybe you should find someone else to sign. Tell him you could get him a lawyer if he really wants, but it’ll have to be in exchange for that (a) gear, (b) watch, (c) car, or (d) cash you were about to give him. If he really pushes the having his own attorney bit, and you can’t manipulate him out of the idea, make certain he has an attorney with no power. It’s important to let him use someone with some music business experience so they don’t run up the bill with your lawyer fighting for stupid stuff.
There are many new, wanna-be, and fringe (outside of the inner circle that exists in the music industry) lawyers who troll the industry for clients and will give love to whomever is paying their bill (you). They come in all colors and all prices. Just remember, a lawyer makes more money working for a label than for an artist, so most can very easily be swayed to do what you want in the deal, even for a reduced fee, with a promise of future work, even if it’s bullshit.
Lawyers get paid to do deals, not to break them, so they will usually finish the deal no matter how bad it is, rather than walk away from making their fee. They console themselves with the fact they got their client the best deal they could. It is important to find someone with reduced, or no, integrity.
Sign as many artists as you want, promising them whatever you have to, to get them to sign. Don’t worry about putting them out or doing anything at all with them. Once they are signed, you own them. Most artists really just want to be signed to a record label and that will pacify them longer than you think. Be hard to find so you won’t have to listen to their bitching. If they can’t find you, it’s not your fault you’re busy-- after all, you are running a business. If they do catch you, sympathize with them and tell them you’ll look into it, or that they are up next. Both of these excuses only work about 3 times, but if you are good at eluding the artists, that’s at least a year.
Make certain your lawyer worded the contract to sign your artists for no less than 7 albums (not years, as 7 albums is about 14 years really), give him little to no advance, take 100% of the publishing and merchandising, get 50% of everything else as his production company, and make the stat rate at 10X, 75%. Have a separate contract that assigns you as his official manager for life, for 25%. Tell him how big you are in the industry and how you can make shit happen at the drop of a hat, in fact, you left Akon or Diddy on hold just now to speak with your favorite artist (him) because he’s so important to you.
Placate him with the lie that you’re going to put him on tour with (a) Jay Z, (b) Lil Wayne, (c) R Kelly (if he also likes his females young) or (d) Plies, and that nobody else would do that for him. Remind him that with his cut of tour income like that, he won’t even notice your manager’s fee of 25%, besides you’re doing all the work: all he has to do is rap on stage for 20 minutes and get head in the limo on the way back to the hotel by the prettiest female. Tough life.
Speaking of shows, if you are lucky enough to stumble on an opportunity, make sure the artist thinks he’s only getting $1,000 to do the show, while the promoter is really paying you $5,000. Then, when the promoter sends you the first half of $2,500, tell the artist the $500 front end came in, and you keep the other $2,000. Or be a sport and tell him since you’re such a great manager you got the whole $1,000 upfront and keep the remaining $1,500 and then keep the whole backend of $2,500. You’ll be his hero. By the time the IRS sends the artist a tax notice (takes about 3 years) for the taxes he didn’t pay on all the $5,000 shows, you’ll be long gone.
A real easy way to make a lot of money is to book multiple shows for the same night and don’t show up to any except one. You can keep all the front end deposits and do nothing because it’ll be the artists’ reputation in the crapper, not yours. By the time the lawsuits come in, again, you’ll be long gone. Your lawyer can stall the suits for 3 years or better. And it’s free money. You could even book all the shows for the same night at $5,000 each and call back all the promoters the day before to tell them you’ll come to whoever is the highest bidder. You might get double the price, and if you were smart enough to ask everyone for open airplane tickets, you can cash in the ones you don’t use and make some extra cash. Again, it’s the artist reputation that suffers, not yours.
The new 360 deals are a great way for you to make even more money than you should (although it doesn’t much matter what you call the deal, you’re never going to pay him anyway). With a 360 deal you can explain to him that you are building his career so he can make a lot of show money, and then you can tap into a portion of that income. Your argument should be that you are taking all the risk financially, so you should be able to tap into all of the income sources from what your promotional dollars create. If he stalls, remember to dangle an advance in his face so he won’t be able to stall you out for long. Keep other unsigned artists around so he feels that if he doesn’t take the deal, someone else will.
It’s a good idea to keep the artist in the studio as much as possible at first, because once he realizes you’re making all the money, it’ll be hard to get him back in there. The studio is really where he wants to be anyway; he’s most comfortable there. Keep him as high and as drunk as possible. Aside from the fact that it will be easy to control him then, the addiction will also keep him coming back to you. He will want to be in the studio all the time anyway, as he will be gung-ho to make his album. Truth be told, rappers really only want fame and pussy, and when everyone thinks he has an album coming out, the women will surround him, and he will feel like a star (even if his record never comes out).
Try to get him to make as many albums as possible, but don’t tell him that’s what you’re doing. Tell him the songs he’s making don’t fit his image, or the production is inferior, or that he is so much better than what you’re hearing. If you tell him it isn’t commercial enough and needs to be more radio friendly, which is the oldest label trick in the book, you may get some static as artists may see this as “selling out,” which will hurt his core beliefs (core beliefs are hard to sway). You may need to lock him out of the studio or cut off the supply of money and drugs, to get him to come around. Once he does though, you can get a good 10 or 20 more songs with this one excuse.
If he has a lot of knuckleheads around him whispering in his ear, or savvy industry folks around him all of a sudden, send him to a studio more than a ten hour drive away. This will instantly put a stop to that crap, and being in a strange place will force him to go to the studio because he’ll have nothing else to do. You can easily control him with money (keeping him waiting a few days for money when he’s broke and hungry will take the fight out of anyone). Never give him too much at once. The stress of bills and starving are excellent incentive for him to act right, especially if he has a baby’s mama and a kid or two. Great incentive. By the time the paternity suits and child support cases roll in, you’ll be long gone.
If you do put out a record for the rapper, keep him on the road as much as possible. Aside from the show scam being a great source of income for you, it keeps him from begging you for money constantly at home. Be certain he has his boy as his “manager” (preferably with no business or music industry knowledge or connections), and has a tour manager that you assign, control, and pay, that will report back to you immediately if there are any suspicions that you aren’t doing what’s right. When you hear rumblings, fly to whatever city he’s in and spend time with him. Buy him little gifts and get high with him. Remind him he’s part of something bigger. Strip bars in any city are perfect locations for meetings. Hookers afterwards are appropriate gifts. You should be seen at all times to be taking care of his needs, especially publicly. This will attract hoards of other artists to scam.
Things won’t get rough for you until about 9 months after his record comes out and he realizes he’s still living with his Mom. If you have multiple albums done, it won’t matter as his “fame” will keep him promoting the subsequent albums. He won’t want to lose that. Without fame he’ll lose all the free stuff, all the gratuitous pussy, all the attention, all the free drinks and free blunts… Fear of losing all this will keep him in line for awhile. Rarely be kind to him. The harder you are on him, and the harder you are to please, the harder he’ll try to please you. Kindness will only be taken as weakness and he’ll control you.
Artists are not loyal. They jump to wherever the money is. If he’s more pimp than whore, he will eventually find other ways to make money: (a) appearing on other artists’ albums for $10,000 (b) shows behind your back for $5,000 which is more than you’re booking him for, (c) bootlegging his own album, or (d) selling T-shirts or drugs at his own shows. If you don’t have subsequent albums to release, it’s important that you keep him broke so you can get him back in the studio as soon as possible with the promise of money--his next advance. If he’s a man destined to be pimped, he will most likely jump ship to another camp with the same game, willing to give up a bit more upfront cash incentive to him. Have a super sharp litigator on board to sue the other company immediately, and either they’ll toss him out like a used condom or write you a fat check to let him go. It’s up to you, since you legally own him.
In general, only give your artist what you have to, in order to get him working. If you give him too much he’ll disappear til it runs out. For the second album, if you promise half now and half when he finishes the album, it’s all gravy. And if you’re slick enough to use the studio excuses again to get even more songs out of him, you’re a star! By now he knows the necessity of radio hits, so that “music needs to be more radio friendly” will go a long way. You can even entice him by getting tracks from his favorite producers, and getting artists he admires to work with him. Both of these options require an outlay of money, but you can trick multiple artists on your label with the same track or the same guest appearance opportunity. Also, you’ll sell more records in the long run, and make more money that way, so it’s worth it. If you have signed more than one artist, you can pit them against each other for maximum effect. They’ll even sabotage each other with little effort on your part. You can sit back and enjoy the show.
If you’re an artist and you’re reading this, don’t get pissed off because you got beat. For 17 years, I have offered numerous free resources that teach you how to NOT get jerked, but that would require time, investigation, and reading skills on your part, and that just always seemed like too much work didn’t it. With the plethora of info out there, and the availability of trustworthy professionals to choose for your team, if any of you do get jerked, shame on you. You have no one to blame but yourselves. You’ve been warned. Enjoy that blunt…
Monday, December 8, 2008
And the award for the most ridiculous rendition of the National Anthem EVER goes to....
Ladies and Gentlemen Miss KEYSHIA COLE!!
I've never heard so many unnecessary runs in a song. She looked a hot, dumb outfit wearing, trying too hard, about to be put in the same category as Ashanti MESS...
I've never heard so many unnecessary runs in a song. She looked a hot, dumb outfit wearing, trying too hard, about to be put in the same category as Ashanti MESS...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Dallas Lonestar Classic
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7970415&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/othertexas/stories/113008dnspocotton.3d13df9.html
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/othertexas/stories/113008dnspocotton.3d13df9.html
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Another Persons TOP RAP LPs
1
2Pac
All Eyez on Me (1996)
This is the finest piece of material to be released by this most Legendary and influential rapper.It was made in just under a couple of weeks.It is a miracle that an album that was made so quickly can still be this great.Definitely a West Coast Classic!
2
N.W.A
Straight Outta Compton (1988)
At a time when east coast rap ruled and when Rappers were talking about being happy,N.W.A. came in and changed the rules of the game by
bringing Gangsta-Rap to the mainstream.A blood-soaked masterpiece!
3
Dr. Dre
The Chronic (1992)
Wow!It did so much for Rap.It introduced the world to G-Funk.It made
the West Coast the most popular coast in rap.It also introduced the
world to the Rap Legend Snoop Dogg.
4
Nas
Illmatic (1994)
This is the album upon which Nas's reputation rests upon.Definitely one of the all-time greats (especially for the East Coast).
5
The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die (1994)
This is the album that revitalized East Coast Rap and showed the world the natural talent for this Legend.Filled with great songs!
6
Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt (1996)
This classic album made Hova an instant Legend,it is one of the finest debuts in the history of Hip-Hop!
7
Ice Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990)
Ice Cube was born to join and leave N.W.A..After all,he was the most talented emcee of the whole group.Not even "Straight Outta Compton"
can prepare you for this hard-core,west-coast masterpiece!
8
Public Enemy
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
This album is so revolutionary!Public Enemy definitely has an important message in their music.Many have tried to imitate their political style,but never came close to being as great or as informative as them.Like Chuck D said,"Rap is our CNN".
9
Run-D.M.C.
Raising Hell (1986)
Run D.M.C. brought rap to the mainstream and their influence is Definitive!This is them at their very best.
10
Eric B. & Rakim
Paid in Full (1987)
Rakim had the smothest flow in the history of Rap music and he sounded great over Eric's jazzy beats.Their debut album resulted in this land-mark Hip-Hop album!
11
Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle (1993)
This album took G-Funk to the next level.It is a carbon-copy of "The Chronic",but the amazing thing about the album is that it is as good as "The Chronic".By far Snoop's best work.
12
Eminem
The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Dark, hard, shocking, controversial, and brilliant.
13
Eazy-E
Eazy-Duz-It (1988)
The Godfather of Gangsta Rap's debut album.Eazy-E might not of been one of the most talented emcees,but he is still a Legend.This is a
semi-sequel to "Straight Outta Compton" and was made very quickly after it,due to the success of "Straight Outta Compton".
14
Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
This album made all the members of the group Rap Legend's (especially
Method Man).Definitely one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever!
R.I.P. ODB.
15
OutKast
Speakerboxxx / The Love Below (2003)
This is the most innovative Rap album of all time.It is also the newest addition to the essential Hip-Hop albums!
16
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill (1991)
This is Cypress Hill's debut.It is filled with funky beats,great rhymes and B Real's excellent hellium flow!
17
Geto Boys
Grip It! On That Other Level (1989)
This is arguably one of the most controversial albums of all time.Everything on here is raw,from the beats to the rhymes.Definitely different!
18
Da Lench Mob
Guerillas in tha Mist (1992)
This is the most underrated essential Hip-Hop album of all time!
19
The D.O.C.
No One Can Do It Better (1989)
This was before he got into his horrible car accident,back when he had a strong flow and a major influence in Gangsta Rap.
20
LL Cool J
Radio (1985)
This was when LL Cool J was still good.Definitely a great way for this Legendary Rapper to kick off his long-lived career!His best work.
21
Boogie Down Productions
Criminal Minded (1987)
The reason this is an essential Hip-Hop album is,because it marked the invention of Gangsta Rap.
22
Slick Rick
The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988)
Slick Rick is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of Rap and this is his best work!
23
Scarface
The Diary (1994)
Scarface is the most talented member of Geto Boys and this is his best album!
24
Kanye West
The College Dropout (2004)
Kanye West is definitely the best emcee around right now and he proves it with this excellent debut of an album!
25
Eminem
The Slim Shady LP (1999)
Although many people may hate him this album still marked a turning point in Hip-Hop history,the first talented white rapper (there have been so many embarassments such as Vanilla Ice).The arrival of the "King Of Controversy".
26
Ice-T
O.G. Original Gangster (1991)
Ice-T is a "Gangsta Rap" pioneer and this is a classic album in the world of Hip-Hop.
27
Big Punisher
Capital Punishment (1998)
Big Pun has such a great flow and he is also a great lyricist.This album just makes me proud to be a Latino!
28
2Pac
Me Against the World (1995)
This is this legendary arist at his darkest.On this he is self-reflective,soul-bearing,honest,and introspective.
29
Ice Cube
Death Certificate (1991)
What's amazing is how he can talk about Politics while keeping it street and sounding hard.A great way to follow up his classic debut, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted!
30
The Notorious B.I.G.
Life After Death (1997)
This just proves that he still holds the title of the "King Of N.Y.",even in death.
31
Eric B. & Rakim
Follow the Leader (1988)
On this album Rakim's flow and his lyrics are as great as ever!Eric B.s jazzy beats just make the album sound even better!
32
Public Enemy
Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
It's a great way for this legendary group to follow up It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back,a great album in it's own right.
_Elvis was a hero to most but he never meant shit to me / Is he straight up racist / The sucker was simple and plain / Mother Fuck him and John Wayne_
From the song, Fight The Power.
Classic line right there!
33
Nas
Stillmatic (2001)
The greatest comeback in the history of hip-hop,he showed Jay-Z that he has tough competition to compete with for the titile of "King Of N.Y."!
34
Jay-Z
The Blueprint (2001)
This is his hottest album since Reasonable Doubt!This is a modern day Hip-Hop Classic!
35
Ice-T
Rhyme Pays (1987)
This is the first ever classic Hip-Hop album for the West Coast!
36
Makaveli
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)
Every song on this album is very heartfelt.It can make you sit back and question the existence of the late Tupac Amaru Shakur.It was completed before he died and released in death. R.I.P.
37
A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory (1991)
True art. Pure, original, laid-back, and cool Hip Hop!!!!
38
Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
The Greatest female Mc at her finest. I can't wait until she unveils some new material.
39
Common
Be (2005)
It's so refreshing to hear a real mc, especially, with all the c rap that's going on in hip-hop right now.
40
The Game
You Know What It Is Vol. 3 (mixtape) (2005) [Bootleg / Unauthorized]
The album that made 50 Cent officialy a bitch, listen to "300 Bars", it's reason enough to buy it.
41
Kanye West
Late Registration (2005)
The future is looking bright for Kanye.
42
Boogie Down Productions
By All Means Necessary (1988)
One of the best Mc's ever is KRS-One!!!!!!!!!
43
2Pac
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993)
"Keep Ya Head Up" is one of my favorite songs.
2Pac
All Eyez on Me (1996)
This is the finest piece of material to be released by this most Legendary and influential rapper.It was made in just under a couple of weeks.It is a miracle that an album that was made so quickly can still be this great.Definitely a West Coast Classic!
2
N.W.A
Straight Outta Compton (1988)
At a time when east coast rap ruled and when Rappers were talking about being happy,N.W.A. came in and changed the rules of the game by
bringing Gangsta-Rap to the mainstream.A blood-soaked masterpiece!
3
Dr. Dre
The Chronic (1992)
Wow!It did so much for Rap.It introduced the world to G-Funk.It made
the West Coast the most popular coast in rap.It also introduced the
world to the Rap Legend Snoop Dogg.
4
Nas
Illmatic (1994)
This is the album upon which Nas's reputation rests upon.Definitely one of the all-time greats (especially for the East Coast).
5
The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die (1994)
This is the album that revitalized East Coast Rap and showed the world the natural talent for this Legend.Filled with great songs!
6
Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt (1996)
This classic album made Hova an instant Legend,it is one of the finest debuts in the history of Hip-Hop!
7
Ice Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990)
Ice Cube was born to join and leave N.W.A..After all,he was the most talented emcee of the whole group.Not even "Straight Outta Compton"
can prepare you for this hard-core,west-coast masterpiece!
8
Public Enemy
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
This album is so revolutionary!Public Enemy definitely has an important message in their music.Many have tried to imitate their political style,but never came close to being as great or as informative as them.Like Chuck D said,"Rap is our CNN".
9
Run-D.M.C.
Raising Hell (1986)
Run D.M.C. brought rap to the mainstream and their influence is Definitive!This is them at their very best.
10
Eric B. & Rakim
Paid in Full (1987)
Rakim had the smothest flow in the history of Rap music and he sounded great over Eric's jazzy beats.Their debut album resulted in this land-mark Hip-Hop album!
11
Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle (1993)
This album took G-Funk to the next level.It is a carbon-copy of "The Chronic",but the amazing thing about the album is that it is as good as "The Chronic".By far Snoop's best work.
12
Eminem
The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Dark, hard, shocking, controversial, and brilliant.
13
Eazy-E
Eazy-Duz-It (1988)
The Godfather of Gangsta Rap's debut album.Eazy-E might not of been one of the most talented emcees,but he is still a Legend.This is a
semi-sequel to "Straight Outta Compton" and was made very quickly after it,due to the success of "Straight Outta Compton".
14
Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
This album made all the members of the group Rap Legend's (especially
Method Man).Definitely one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever!
R.I.P. ODB.
15
OutKast
Speakerboxxx / The Love Below (2003)
This is the most innovative Rap album of all time.It is also the newest addition to the essential Hip-Hop albums!
16
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill (1991)
This is Cypress Hill's debut.It is filled with funky beats,great rhymes and B Real's excellent hellium flow!
17
Geto Boys
Grip It! On That Other Level (1989)
This is arguably one of the most controversial albums of all time.Everything on here is raw,from the beats to the rhymes.Definitely different!
18
Da Lench Mob
Guerillas in tha Mist (1992)
This is the most underrated essential Hip-Hop album of all time!
19
The D.O.C.
No One Can Do It Better (1989)
This was before he got into his horrible car accident,back when he had a strong flow and a major influence in Gangsta Rap.
20
LL Cool J
Radio (1985)
This was when LL Cool J was still good.Definitely a great way for this Legendary Rapper to kick off his long-lived career!His best work.
21
Boogie Down Productions
Criminal Minded (1987)
The reason this is an essential Hip-Hop album is,because it marked the invention of Gangsta Rap.
22
Slick Rick
The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988)
Slick Rick is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of Rap and this is his best work!
23
Scarface
The Diary (1994)
Scarface is the most talented member of Geto Boys and this is his best album!
24
Kanye West
The College Dropout (2004)
Kanye West is definitely the best emcee around right now and he proves it with this excellent debut of an album!
25
Eminem
The Slim Shady LP (1999)
Although many people may hate him this album still marked a turning point in Hip-Hop history,the first talented white rapper (there have been so many embarassments such as Vanilla Ice).The arrival of the "King Of Controversy".
26
Ice-T
O.G. Original Gangster (1991)
Ice-T is a "Gangsta Rap" pioneer and this is a classic album in the world of Hip-Hop.
27
Big Punisher
Capital Punishment (1998)
Big Pun has such a great flow and he is also a great lyricist.This album just makes me proud to be a Latino!
28
2Pac
Me Against the World (1995)
This is this legendary arist at his darkest.On this he is self-reflective,soul-bearing,honest,and introspective.
29
Ice Cube
Death Certificate (1991)
What's amazing is how he can talk about Politics while keeping it street and sounding hard.A great way to follow up his classic debut, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted!
30
The Notorious B.I.G.
Life After Death (1997)
This just proves that he still holds the title of the "King Of N.Y.",even in death.
31
Eric B. & Rakim
Follow the Leader (1988)
On this album Rakim's flow and his lyrics are as great as ever!Eric B.s jazzy beats just make the album sound even better!
32
Public Enemy
Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
It's a great way for this legendary group to follow up It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back,a great album in it's own right.
_Elvis was a hero to most but he never meant shit to me / Is he straight up racist / The sucker was simple and plain / Mother Fuck him and John Wayne_
From the song, Fight The Power.
Classic line right there!
33
Nas
Stillmatic (2001)
The greatest comeback in the history of hip-hop,he showed Jay-Z that he has tough competition to compete with for the titile of "King Of N.Y."!
34
Jay-Z
The Blueprint (2001)
This is his hottest album since Reasonable Doubt!This is a modern day Hip-Hop Classic!
35
Ice-T
Rhyme Pays (1987)
This is the first ever classic Hip-Hop album for the West Coast!
36
Makaveli
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)
Every song on this album is very heartfelt.It can make you sit back and question the existence of the late Tupac Amaru Shakur.It was completed before he died and released in death. R.I.P.
37
A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory (1991)
True art. Pure, original, laid-back, and cool Hip Hop!!!!
38
Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
The Greatest female Mc at her finest. I can't wait until she unveils some new material.
39
Common
Be (2005)
It's so refreshing to hear a real mc, especially, with all the c rap that's going on in hip-hop right now.
40
The Game
You Know What It Is Vol. 3 (mixtape) (2005) [Bootleg / Unauthorized]
The album that made 50 Cent officialy a bitch, listen to "300 Bars", it's reason enough to buy it.
41
Kanye West
Late Registration (2005)
The future is looking bright for Kanye.
42
Boogie Down Productions
By All Means Necessary (1988)
One of the best Mc's ever is KRS-One!!!!!!!!!
43
2Pac
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993)
"Keep Ya Head Up" is one of my favorite songs.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Pic of The Week!
I welcome YOU to the Future!!! It's SO refreshing to have a President who knows a lil something about..as John McCain puts it.. "The Email" It's the first "Techie Prezzy" Beeyatches!!! Get ya gadgets up boys! I see u Pac-Man!
Friday, November 21, 2008
STORE CLOSINGS AND LAYOFFS
STORE CLOSINGS AND LAYOFFS
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!!
Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month
Mervyns- Bankruptcy all stores to close after holiday!!
Circuit City - Bankruptcy all stores to close.
Shoe Pavilion-Bankruptcy all stores to close
Room Source- Bankruptcy all stores to close
Eddie Bauer to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
Cache closing stores. Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant , Fashion Bug , Catherine's Plus Sizes will close about 150 under performing stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.
Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbot's announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 under performing stores.. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbot's women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.
Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic . The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.
Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment
Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed already. The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,0);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,0);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,0);" id="KonaLink0" oncontextmenu="return false;">furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960's, the ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,1);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,1);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,1);" id="KonaLink1" oncontextmenu="return false;">warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay ..
Zales, ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,2);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,2);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,2);" id="KonaLink2" oncontextmenu="return false;">Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 under performing stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.
Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney, in the news release, said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.
Home Depot store closings. (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign) ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the under performing U.S. stores being closed represents less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.
CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,3);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,3);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,3);" id="KonaLink3" oncontextmenu="return false;">extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.
Macy's - 9 stores
Movie Gallery - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,4);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,4);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,4);" id="KonaLink4" oncontextmenu="return false;">rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.
Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores
Pep Boys - 33 stores
Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations. New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,5);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,5);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,5);" id="KonaLink5" oncontextmenu="return false;">consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.
J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back
Ethan Allen Interiors: The company announced plans to close
12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.
Wilsons the Leather Experts - 158 stores
Pacific Sunwear will close its 154 Demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,6);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,6);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,6);" id="KonaLink6" oncontextmenu="return false;">apparel brand. Seventy-four under performing Demo stores closed last May.
Sharper Image: The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close..
Bombay Company: The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.
KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information
Dillard's to Close More Stores. Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six under performing stores this year
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!!
Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month
Mervyns- Bankruptcy all stores to close after holiday!!
Circuit City - Bankruptcy all stores to close.
Shoe Pavilion-Bankruptcy all stores to close
Room Source- Bankruptcy all stores to close
Eddie Bauer to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
Cache closing stores. Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant , Fashion Bug , Catherine's Plus Sizes will close about 150 under performing stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.
Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbot's announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 under performing stores.. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbot's women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.
Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic . The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.
Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment
Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed already. The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,0);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,0);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,0);" id="KonaLink0" oncontextmenu="return false;">furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960's, the ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,1);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,1);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,1);" id="KonaLink1" oncontextmenu="return false;">warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay ..
Zales, ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,2);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,2);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,2);" id="KonaLink2" oncontextmenu="return false;">Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 under performing stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.
Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney, in the news release, said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.
Home Depot store closings. (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign) ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the under performing U.S. stores being closed represents less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.
CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,3);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,3);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,3);" id="KonaLink3" oncontextmenu="return false;">extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.
Macy's - 9 stores
Movie Gallery - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,4);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,4);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,4);" id="KonaLink4" oncontextmenu="return false;">rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.
Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores
Pep Boys - 33 stores
Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations. New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will ..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,5);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,5);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,5);" id="KonaLink5" oncontextmenu="return false;">consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.
J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back
Ethan Allen Interiors: The company announced plans to close
12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.
Wilsons the Leather Experts - 158 stores
Pacific Sunwear will close its 154 Demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-..."adlinkMouseOut(event,this,6);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,6);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,6);" id="KonaLink6" oncontextmenu="return false;">apparel brand. Seventy-four under performing Demo stores closed last May.
Sharper Image: The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close..
Bombay Company: The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.
KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information
Dillard's to Close More Stores. Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six under performing stores this year
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