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Tips For Tonight’s BMI Finalists — And Other Aspiring Artists
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tonight, aspiring Atlanta acts Jarren Benton, Brandon Hines, Holly Weerd and Trimm will compete for cash, Gibson/Epiphone guitars, recording and photo sessions and other goodies at BMI’s 11th annual Unsigned Urban Showcase, at the Luckie Food Lounge.
But today, BMI vice president Catherine Brewton tells us what stood out about each of the finalists, those same finalists give their own take on their music, and finally a judge at tonight’s showcase — DJ Montay — offers some tips to them, and others who want to find themselves on the top of the charts someday.
“Jarren (above) absolutely, immediately stuck out to me, out of all of the finalists,” says Brewton. “Lyrically, his flow is like Jay-Z’s. I’m serious!”
“What I’m trying to do is show that Atlanta is bringing - no disrespect - something more than snap and trap music, but quality rap music,” adds Benton, who’s been working as rapper and producer almost 10 years. “I’m going to stick my hand in my chest, take my heart out, and let the people get a glimpse of who I really am. Take it home with you if you want to!”
“Brandon (above) is a very, very solid R&B act,” Brewton says. “I mean, he’s opening for Estelle [and appears in the new British sensation’s ‘American Boy’ video, below], and he doesn’t even have a deal yet. That says something right there.”
Hines has been singing seriously, he says, for about two years. “And my music is kind of weird man, because I like a lot of different genres of music,” he explains. “I love alternative, old-school, grungy hip-hop and R&B, and that’s all there…And as for the showcase, I didn’t even know it was a competition. I don’t even care. I mean, I’m from the original Motown, but Atlanta is our Motown of today. The epicenter of music. So I want to really do my thing in that city.”
“[Holly Weerd] are eclectic, very early OutKast, and I’d say the ones to beat,” predicts Brewton. “Their live show is amazing.”
Dreamer of Holly Weerd (above) attributes that accolade to the fact that “we are like a local supergroup,” who have about four years of musical experience between them; and are artists in residence, of sorts, at the Drunken Unicorn and Sugar Hill.
“We actually came up with our name one night at Sugar Hill, just jamming together at Joi’s improv night [on Tuesdays].”
“What’s interesting about Trimm (above) is he’s been trying like the last two or three times to be in this showcase, and he’s always been on the cusp,” Brewton recalls. “But this year he delivered. He came with the total package.”
“I do music that feel good all the way around,” continues Trimm, who says he’s been performing about two years. “From the hood to the suburbs, I can speak to you.”
That may be so, but there are still three things one of tonight’s judges — Hot-107.9 and the Big Oomp Camp’s DJ Montay — suggests to all he’ll see tonight, and others who want to get in, and continue to have success in the music business:
1) You’ve got to learn how to take criticism. 2) Don’t be afraid to step outside the box. “What worked with [rapper] Flo Rida is I tried to make the kind of beat everybody wasn’t making - and it worked.” (“Low” was the No. 1 single in the country for weeks). 3) Network. “Make sure your face stays familiar, and keep letting people know what you’re working on. I still do that, and I have hits!”
Any knowledgeable music people out there with any more tips? What about fans of the unsigned finalists performing tonight? Are you planning to be at Luckie Lounge — perhaps just to see Lil Wayne, Sean Garrett and Teyana Taylor on stage?
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