In Urban Music as in Any Other Genre, the Key To Success Is a Great Song
“Big Jon” Platt, Senior Vice President, Creative, West Coast at EMI Music Publishing, offers some sage advice on breaking into the urban music songwriting scene.
By Kevin Zimmerman
What are urban music publishers looking for?
“Big Jon” Platt: The same as everybody else: hit records, as simple as that. But beyond that, personally, I’m a melody person first; I gravitate towards that. In my opinion, melody is one thing you can’t teach a person - they either have it or they don’t. For everything else, I can help you develop it or pair you up with someone whose strengths lie in lyrics or what-have-you - but melody is the key.
What’s currently working in urban music?
Platt: Some writers right now are striving for complete originality, trying to carve out their own name in the game. It’s always exciting to see someone like that break through. Then there are other writers who are interested in continuing trends that have already been put in place, but that still inspire them.
Can’t the latter approach be self-defeating, given how quickly today’s fresh sound becomes yesterday’s news?
Platt: Not necessarily. Depending on what’s going on, by concentrating on something that’s already going on you can help that sound keep getting larger and larger. That’s not always good, of course, because it doesn’t leave room for new styles to come in, but if you really have something positive to contribute to a sound that’s already happening, go for it. Of course, being the last one on the bus when the style in question is on its way out is not the place to be either. But if you can stretch a sound out for a longer period, and it remains popular, you can have a lot of success.
Are you on the lookout for someone who’s a pure songwriter, or someone who’s a songwriter/artist or songwriter/producer?
Platt: My advice is to play to your strengths. If you’re a 100% songwriter, first and foremost, then stick with that and keep working at that. If you only do music, stick with that; if you’re primarily into lyric-writing, then do that. I can put you together with someone else who’s strong where you’re not, if what you’re doing sounds like it might lead to something.
By the same token, if someone sends me [a tape] with100 songs on it and says, “I wrote all those songs just last week,” I say, “Great,” but I’m still interested in one great song. You can’t just be writing for the sake of writing.
Are there any “Must Avoids” that new songwriters should be aware of?
Platt: Blatant plagiarism will pretty much be the end of the meeting [laughs]. And unsolicited material is a problem. I used to be able to accept material that way, but it’s become so overwhelming that I don’t anymore.
What advice do you have for a songwriter who may not live in one of the industry’s capitals - Los Angeles, New York, Nashville?
Platt: You’ve got to leave your element sometimes. You can’t just sit there waiting for something to happen. It’s like being unemployed; the jobs aren’t going to come knocking on your door, you’ve got to go out and find them. Invest time, money and effort in yourself ? you may end up taking a trip to one of those markets to attend a conference or convention and start networking.
Networking always comes up as one of the key ingredients to success.
Platt: It’s true. Building relationships with the right people is important in anything, but especially in this business. Of course, you then need to learn how to manage that relationship without becoming a pest; it can be a fine line.
But isn’t it true that the business is always getting harder and harder to break into?
Platt: Unfortunately, yes. There’s less of everything right now, and there certainly seem to be fewer “real” conferences where things get done. When I was coming up you had things like the Jack the Rapper conference, the New Music Seminar. I started out as a club deejay, so I was able to rely on those relationships to a degree as well, but the relationships I was able to build at those conferences were crucial.
But it’s still possible to get your music heard. It sounds like a clich�, but you need to pound the pavement and meet people.
Do you put any credence into the argument that a big music publisher can do so much more for a writer than a small independent? Or do you think a writer is liable to get more personalized attention at a smaller house?
Platt: I’ve never gotten into that whole “small vs. large” argument. Companies can make that argument either way. But if you’re a guy at a smaller company who doesn’t write hits, then you’re in the same basic boat as a guy at a huge company who doesn’t write hits.
My advice is: Go with a good publisher. Somewhere you can establish a relationship, get attention, and have your songs get the attention they deserve and need. At the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference ? and the only way to determine what’s going to be right for you is to get out there, meet these people, and make your own decision.
Posted Jan 18, 2005
Member Comments
Great article! This is “must have” advice form one of the biggest players in the publishing game.
If you don’t have melodies, what is to be recorded on the cd?
Thanks for the article. Great advice. Love to see more on urban songwriting.
Not exactly on songwriting, but you might want to also check this out:
Thank you Jon Platt you produce some very good sound advice for us songwriters. Melody is the key to a having a great hook in a song. Networking is the key to finding the right industry people.
Thanks E. Miller. Love Dallas Austin. Been following him for a while.
e.
“Big Jon” Platt thank you for your your time and knowlege we need more people like you in the music industry. My name is Mark Flagg I’m from Rochester N.Y I’m a music manager I jumped in the game knowing it wasn’t going to be easy trying to secure a recording deal for my artist, when I started managing I knew no one, but like you mentioned I paved the concrete creating contacts in the music industry. Attending music showcases such as E.A.R.S (Emerging Artist Reaching For Stardom.) In New York City. There I was able to meet such important contacts like entertainment lawyer Robert Celestine, Chavonne Dean (Ruff Riders) and many more. Through the word of mouth I was able to meet my mentor and friend Collin “C.L” Lampkin (Nivea Jive Records former manager.) He’s been a tremendous help with developing my skills in management, without networking none of this would be possible. My next move is to move to New York City hopefully we will meet soon God bless you! If there any one one this site looking for management please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) thank you and good luck!
HI MY NAME IS VENITA I HAVE A CONTRACT WITH BMI AS A SONGWRITER.
GOSPEL R&B AND ADULT CONTEMPORARY
THANKS FOR THE ADVISE ON HAVING A GOOD PUBLISHER.
I’M LOOKING FOR PUBLISHING DEALS FOR MY ORIGINLS SONGS- SOMEBODY OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME.-
VENITA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
HI MY NAME IS VENITA I HAVE A CONTRACT WITH BMI AS A SONGWRITER.
GOSPEL R&B AND ADULT CONTEMPORARY
THANKS FOR THE ADVISE ON HAVING A GOOD PUBLISHER.
I’M LOOKING FOR PUBLISHING DEALS FOR MY ORIGINLS SONGS- SOMEBODY OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME.-
VENITA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
First, let me thank Kevin Zimmerman for doing an article targeted towards urban writers. That is too far & few… Also, I was cunning enough to get to the point of receiving a “call back” from Big Jon but, I’ve been trying to get a meeting now for 2 years. HELP ANYBODY! At least I know I’m doing something right hunh. Lastly, I’m e-mailing Mark Flagg to see if he manages songwriters. That has been just as difficult as securing a meeting with Big Jon. To anyone reading this, good LUCK. If you ever just want words of encouragement feel free to e-mail me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This was a very good article, but what “pavement” should you pound to get your music heard by which right people? This past year I’ve been hobnobbing with the “right people”, got my own website (timaxmusic.com), and I’m linked to CDBaby (cdbaby.com/cd/ginamarie), and I do this from my metroDetroit (MI) home. Do I gig? Can’t; I don’t have a band. Think that it’s easy to get one together? No again, and it seems impossible. I’m not giving up, but I would at least need advice on how to get more people to my/CDBaby’s websites to at least get people to hear the sound bytes. Would this website help in at least that way? I’m only asking. GinaMarie .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hi my name is Jonathan Hogue and I’m a young Producer. My biggest problem is finding the right people in the Industry. I want to be around people thats going somewhere, and thinks different. Can anybody help me with info about Conferences in the Detroit area? or just how I can get more Publicity! Thanks Alot. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Record EXECS Wanted!!Please reply to me -by email,I have a LA LAKERS Song called,“Let The Show Begin-It’s Laker Time"Written by Melinda Bloomfield-Neal &Corneilus; Neal,ASCAP Members.This song is VERY COMMERCIAL-We just need a start-financially speaking!!Would love to have Clive Davis’s email for J-RECORDS…Respectfully,Melinda…
It’s Melinda Neal again,you can also check out my web site,under this name of Melinda Neal-www.melindaneal.exploretalent.com double click-resume.No photo included yet,as this just got started.I’m a woman of many talents!!
i have a hit song that some one in the industry has and is draggin there feet in putting it on his cd (this person is very very well know platinum artist) i dont wanna pull it away from him and risk not being on his next cd and i dont want it to get ‘OLD’ or “dated’ either…i’m tellin yall it’s a hit song and real hit song…jon or anybody holla back at me cause i dont have a pub deal and i’m open for suggestions. holla at me yall (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) waitin to here from yall…I NEED A PUB DEAL NOW!!!!!
I am not a very good song writer but i’m an impressive vocalist. I am also looking to hone my skills as a song writer so i can be a double threat but right now I mainly sing. I have been having trouble finding out the first step to getting a demo made. I know I have to write some songs so if anyone can e-mail me some advice for basic formulation of songwriting for my genre please contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) any help be it a demo or advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time. David Masterson
I’m a songwriter from Philly. I’ve written all kinds of songs but recently I wrote a real anthem that I think would fit nicely into the urban market. I Still Believe in the Dream has got a great melody, meaningful lyric, and classic hook. Looking to hook it up with top r&b singer. Can you please help? Thanks. Jerry Forman
“Big Jon” You’re right, Melody is Key so is the Musical & Lyrical Hook ...add in New/Fresh/Innovative & Relevant Lyrics and you’ll probably have a Hit. Weather writing 1 or 100 songs if the fore mentioned aren’t present it’s probably a futile waste of time and effort. I WRITE ONLY HITS! I know this sounds presumptuous- But I Do. If what I’m writing isn’t going anywhere good ...I just move on rather than try to force or conform something suspect into something that might be acceptable. By the way I write in various genres from Rock, Metal, Pop, Country, to R&B etc. So… If possible I would like to have a dialog with someone like yourself. My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) I look forward to possibly talking & working with you, Cheers!
P.S. I’m also looking for music writing collaborators- so email me if you’d like.
I want to show my appreciation on the advice that was given in this article. I have a question; where do you go and network and build relationships with people who can help get your music out there? My love for the craft of song writing and being in tuned with melody is something that exist for more than 10 years. I’m now taking the time to fulfill this dream of mine, so I’m fairly new to this. I’m in New York, but I don’t know where to find this information, on networking, or conference etc…....
If you are good at writing lyrics and soso with the melodic part how do you break into song writing…any advice would be appreciated…
If you are good at writing lyrics and soso with the melodic part how do you break into song writing…any advice would be appreciated…
This article was very helpful to me. I am a singer/songwriter. I am just now trying to get a demo made so that I can get myself heard. Anyone have any advice for me? I was thinking that I would try and network with some of the radio stations here in my area - Chicago. I have also gotten the address’ of some labels that accept unsolicited material. What is a good way to find a manager and someone to work with me on getting my demo made? Any advice anyone?
hi i am new to this site…i really liked this artical…but what if ur justin learin how to write..i am a singer but i want to write my own work something that means something…how do i start..
hi i am new to this site…i really liked this artical…but what if ur justin learin how to write..i am a singer but i want to write my own work something that means something…how do i start..
This article had a lot of interesting advice about the business. I will check back through to learn more from it. Thanks for posting it.
Hi Pat here 58 year old disabled person tring to fullfill life long dream. New at the game and need all the help i can get have written 7 songs last year and produced by Paramount Group. Tring hard to get a contract but nothing yet. Everyone at the post offic knows me by my first name now. lol Thanks for any help
That’s givin’ it to you straight! That’s some of the best advice I’ve ever heard…The networking seems to be the key,,,next to great songs of course!
Hi, “Big Jon”.
Listen to “Must Be Dreaming”, at http://www.audiosparx.com/raesoulman and watch the video, at http://smashtune.com/profile/raesoulman, where it got to No: 8, in their recent competition. Urban enough..?
Raymond
