lild: Many music industry pitfalls are already set for you
Written by lilD | | lild@toledofreepress.comYou’re not too gangsta to have never heard of Justin Bieber.
That being said, I know you know all about his “baby mama drama.” Regardless of whether Bieber really did father a child with a woman he hardly knows, it raises an interesting question for artists: are you taking preventative steps to secure your future?
Toledo may not be a huge city, and with Cleveland just up the street it seems that the artists here are often overlooked. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare yourself for all the things you will face in the industry. Artists from Toledo have signed record deals before and have been successful, so if you’re going to be the next artist who blows up, I suggest you be careful about your actions now.
Making it in Toledo
We’ve all seen it. The artist who becomes wildly successful — in Toledo — and thinks he’s “made it.” He gets into the clubs for free, women practically throw themselves at him and he gets free fast food at that one spot. Oh, yes, he iscertainly doing well for himself.
But then what happens? He gets comfortable.
Let’s be real: Toledo isn’t that big, and the urban music circle is like a small high school. Everyone knows each other, and if you’ve “gotten around,” there’s a great chance that you’re not the only person who’s “gotten around” to these women.
The problem is that some artists want to be famous so badly, once they become famous in their city, they start acting like they think famous people act. Responsibility goes out of the window, leaving room for the negativity of drugs, arrogance and unprotected sex. But you must never forget the most important rule in the music industry: Trust no one.
Famous, not rich
If you can live like a celebrity in Toledo, what makes you think the women who are so willing to be with you don’t view you as a celebrity as well?
I refuse to bash every woman in Toledo, but I call it like I see it.
There are those women who feel that instead of working, they’ll just have a baby by someone “famous” and be set for life.
I guess they don’t realize that “famous” doesn’t always equate to “rich.”
Take a kid who sat at the lunch table alone in high school. He never really had any friends and his clothes were never up-to-date. Then he discovers Hip-Hop, and to his surprise, people love his music. Give him six months, and he’s officially turned out.
You see, popularity doesn’t change anyone; it only solidifies that person’s characteristics. So I hope I catch you before you begin your real rise to the top.
Be careful what you wish for; you must be able to handle it if you get it. A wise man once told me that my only real friends are the ones who knew my government name before I had an alias. I challenge you to adopt the same philosophy, and always have your guard up with those who’ve come into your life after you’ve gained a little fame.
You must always be careful with those you deal with, because not all of them have your best interest at heart.
Live by these principles now, so that when you actually do get famous (because “Toledo famous” does not count), you hopefully
won’t fall in the traps already set and waiting for you.
Email Toledo Free Press Star columnist lilD at star@toledofreepress.com.
Tags: Justin Bieber, lilD, The Word I Heard
