April 10, 2008

Jermaine Dupri/Def Jam/Tag Records Label = Bad Idea Jeans?

"tag spray rapper" = next year's "ringtone rapper"?

Highbrid nation and Info have the details and the necessary snark. Many questions: Can throwing more money than ever into a system that doesn't work make the system start working? Will the Jermaine Dupri/Def Jam/Tag Records label be exploring new means of promoting/distributing etc, or are they trying to do a Pimp My Ride to the half-sunk Titanic?

How does the standard requirement for the artist to recoup fit into this "SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN EVER!!" thing? And how exactly does Tag get a return on this unprecedented investment as people spend less than ever on music? Are they thinking the marketing/publicity benefit for the brand makes this worthwhile regardless of sales results? How does that affect the art, and the artist, if your whole career is based on being a pitchman?

Credit where it's due, Hashim saw these questions coming

Jermaine Dupri Def Jam-Tag Records Label
Island Def Jam Music Group
(IDJ) and Procter & Gamble's TAG brand announce the formation of a new
hip-hop record label, TAG Records. The new label will be led by hip-hop
mogul Jermaine Dupri, who will act as president of the New York-based
venture. As president, Dupri will set the creative vision for the label and
play an integral part in identifying and developing its musical talent.

This is a milestone for the music industry as TAG Record's artists will be supported with a multi-million dollar marketing effort that is unprecedented for any new artist, including television, print, radio, digital and event marketing.
"Today, we make history in the music industry with TAG Records," said
Jermaine Dupri, president of TAG Records. "This label is going to provide
new artists with a chance of a lifetime. New artists will receive ten times
the typical marketing support - a first in the industry. I'm hand selecting
and molding these artists to make history in hip hop."

The launch of TAG Records is part of the TAG brand's initiative to
cultivate relationships with the urban community through the development of
programs that provide opportunities for aspiring hip-hop talent.

"We're very excited about our partnership with IDJ and the broad
platform it provides for creating artistic opportunities within the urban
community, said Alex Keith, general manager P&G Deodorants. "We're
confident the partnership will make a positive impact and bring
opportunities to undiscovered urban creativity and vision."

"This partnership marks an industry first. This is a breakthrough model
that will set the stage for innovative collaborations at Island Def Jam
Music Group," said Jeff Straughn, vice president of strategic marketing for
Island Def Jam Music Group. "This is a non-traditional approach that blends
our most valuable assets: the artist and their music, with the power of
brand marketing."

TAG Record's first artist will be officially announced in May. The
artist will be given a unique opportunity to merge their music with
personal brand marketing.

In addition to an album release, the TAG Brand will showcase TAG
Record's artist and Jermaine Dupri across various TAG brand advertising and
marketing initiatives throughout 2008.

The TAG and Island Def Jam Music Group partnership was forged and
managed by New York - based ACME Brand Content Company, TAG's branded
entertainment agency of record.

For more information on TAG Records and the announcement of its first
artist, visit http://www.tagrecords.com.

Jermaine Dupri-Def Jam-Tag Records Label

Posted by jsmooth995 at April 10, 2008 3:02 PM

Comments

why would you waste money into another label? there's only a bajillion under them, plus everyone has in home studios now and its cheaper! you could do acts like V.I.C. and stuff like that.

Posted by: elle at April 10, 2008 7:03 PM

Non traditional approach. blending. Brand marketing.
Def.

Posted by: JohnnyUnitus at April 11, 2008 2:13 AM

Dear J.D,
Congradulation, on both success Miss. Jackson
and your new label,I got to give you your prop's brother,you alway's make the right moves,and your one hell of a business man. J.D, when you get a chance, could you give a young one a look at:
www.myspace.com/kazieakacali,I write/ rapp /mix & master / and produce my own music.

Posted by: kazieakacali at April 11, 2008 4:02 PM

So, Jermaine Dupri hooked up with Proctor and Gamble to create a new music label, Tag Records. I know the music industry is suffering, but is it that bad? Why do music labels need corporate sponsors for their artists? I thought that was what the label was for!

This is just wrong.

Posted by: Ryann at April 12, 2008 1:16 AM

I think a record label is a corporate sponsor.
What they want to do is make up for the lackluster record sales that are inevitable by getting the money out of an ad. This is the blending they are referring to. For instance, newspapers supposedly make all of their money from advertisers, not from actual newspaper sales. Following that model, you put ads in the album, and get your money from advertisers. Like the Onion.
Or the magazine on airplanes.

Posted by: Divisivejones at April 12, 2008 2:44 PM

Def Jam tells you who I am. Suddenly everyones beginning to sound just like another pitchman.
As everything begins to take on that ankle landing veneer.

Posted by: JohnnyUnitus at April 12, 2008 4:34 PM

just stop already. its gonna be a waste of money

Posted by: elle at April 13, 2008 3:41 PM

It takes an innovative business man to do what J.D. is doing, he obviously knows how to make money. and for those who are hatin maybe you just mad because you don't have the connections to get your stuff out beside to a local DJ. the music industry is suffering because of the same sound is on almost every coast,and there are age brackets that aren't wanting to hear how the "Bitch Better Have My Money" all the time. However there are other talents that have a new flava, the flava he is looking for and that is why they are launching this endeavor, to seek out raw new talent and also to give some up and coming hip hop artist a chance of a lifetime, and in the process a major distributer and label is capitalizing as well. think about it those of you with a business sense and see don't it make cents (a whole lot$$$$$$)
Peace
Shaykay Entertainment

Posted by: Joe at April 17, 2008 4:05 PM

Im glad to see the lunch of another labeal but wondering how can someone with major talent get found with no demo or producer is there maybe a way i could send my music in

Posted by: Marko Brooks at April 23, 2008 9:02 AM

I think that Jermaine is extremely talented.I also think that by him doing this it may very well allow many up and coming artists who dont have a way up to have the chance to get a record deal. I have hoped for that all my life. I am an aspiring rapper myself hoping for that chance!

Posted by: Cee Heron at April 29, 2008 11:17 AM

The raw smell of artistic integrity not getting you cars, bitches, and riches? Spray some Tag, suck a dick, and join Tag Records! Cover your MPC with it and let the creativity flow out. Tag body spray, now in “Supa Dupa Playa Playa F’real To the Max” scent. Be somebody, sell out.

Anyone who signs with this “label” is immediately a whore. Period. You have to stand behind(hock) a bullshit product. I’m not saying that the artists who sign to TAG are any less talented or worthy of attention than if they signed elsewhere or went independant. I’m saying that by signing that you are now a shill. Doing a commercial alone isn’t enough to cross the line anymore. Pete Rock and CL Smooth did a Sprite commercial, as an example. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut… they didn’t get made that way. They used it as a vehicle and not the other way around. Sprite made money before that, and so did they.

One of my favorite producers is DJ Premier. Primo said NO to selling out to labels. He does whatever the damn well he pleases. Does Premier sell anything besides what he believes in? Year Round Records…Think about it.

What the fuck happened to integrity. Have a backbone and stand on your own two feet. You want to be respected and not some corporate chimp? Don’t sign on their dotted line.

Michael Downing

Posted by: Michael Downing at May 1, 2008 4:50 PM

hey JD

WE THINK YOU ARE THA BOMB HOMMIE, and we know tag is gonna do well, wen ya get time drop by and check out our myspace www.myspace.com/tdbthadeadlyboyz we could be wat you need for tag.
peace TDB

Posted by: stinga t at June 15, 2008 8:04 AM