The Thoughts Of Michael “Determined” Barber

Posted on May 12 in Headline, Interviewsby adminPrint

Last year around this time I got the chance to listen to one of Michael “Determined” Barber’s many many street albums. Since that time it seems as though my man MDB has made some big strides in the industry. From garnering ad support from Miller High Life to signing a distribution deal with Universal MDB the Louisville, KY bred and current Orlando, FL resident is nonetheless on his shit. I recently got a chance to catch up with MDB and here’s a little bit of how it went!

Rapaveli.com: What have you been working on lately?

MDB: Lately besides recording I have been working on distribution techniques for my two albums that will both be out this summer at the latest, “Xanax and Anchovies” is a digital album, it is finished and it was all recorded with another artist named Sick’7, who then went AWOL with a girl, hahaha. Amalgam Digital was originally going to release that, but the money and timing just wasn’t right.  So I am putting it out myself.

“Shotguns and Canned Goods” will be both digital and physical. The hard copy will come out on Fontana/Universal Records, and will also be available in 320 Head Shops. The lead single will be hitting airwaves, websites, and hoods in about 30 days and it features Akon. As for other projects, the rock group Slightly Stoopid contacted me about doing a whole remix album so that’s in the works, and I will defiantly be back on tour this summer.

My website <http://www.rhymerelated.com> will be up May 1st and will be huge. It’s gonna be a big year.

Rapaveli.com: So aside from making good music alone, how else do you as an artist feel that you can build equity in your brand of music? Even with the internet changing all of the rules!

MDB: Well all I can do is put out honest music. That is what is missing, major labels are trying to just generate hits, and then new artists feel they should mimic that sound as producers or artists, so it’s not genuine. So I have brand awareness, people look for me. So with that, I just have to keep new material coming out. 

Rapaveli.com: We’re seeing more and more of an internet push on music these days. What are some of the cons and pros you see in marketing your music on the internet mostly?

MDB: The biggest con is that music became free. You want to hear a song you can youtube it, you can frostwire it, burn it and there you go. If an artist does an album, drops a CD that shit has usually leaked before it has even hit the stores and you can get the whole thing on a torrent site or just get the one hot song you like. Itunes made the album disappear, or napster. Napster made it easily available to get the one or two songs off of an album that you wanted, then Itunes just made it legal. Then they do it with the addition of the Ipod, and they really put a corner on the market. The internet killed the album!

As for the good, as an artist I have so many more outlets to get my music out into the hands of people. People find my music in the weirdest ways. Some girl in Nebraska likes one of my songs that I did a year ago, she uploaded it to youtube and next thing I know people find my website and hit me up on myspace. The major labels are still acting like it is 2001 and they try and act like the internet doesn’t exist.  I feel as an artist you should just embrace it, put your music everywhere. 

Rapaveli.com: It seems like that strategy has worked quite well for Lil Wayne. Would you say that that is one of the key steps to being successful in the industry? All too often you see artist who generate a buzz and then lose it because they don’t come with consistent product.

MDB: First off, fuck Wayne! His biggest hit EVER was written by Static Major a Louisville artist who Wayne never gives any respect to, RIP Static. I know a lot more about what really happened to Static, but we can talk about that later.  

Wayne did indeed put out about 365 mix tapes in a year, but then for him to come out and say fuck mixtape DJs after they gave him a buzz, is crazy to me. And now these lame DJs still put him on tapes instead of trying to break new artists. It shows you how people can just be followers.  

But to answer you, I feel the product I put out has been hot and the projects I’m working on are going to continue to build my fan base. 

Rapaveli.com: I feel that, I’ve heard the fucked up truth about what really happened to Static. As far as mixtapes go, how do you feel about their place in the industry now and in the future? It seems like there relevance is beginning to fade out because it seems to be more supply than demand.

MDB: Way too many artists, it’s to easy nowadays to record on an industry beat, then get a mixtape cover done, and put it on your myspace. But the cream always rises and the masses need a voice. They don’t want to hear your remix to the “Put On” beat or “Amillie.” I mean unless you really kill it. LOL. I actually did a five part series last year called Drag and Drop, just to show people how easy it is to make a mixtape, it was just or fun but people loved them. Mixtapes are fading away with the album. 

Rapaveli.com: What is it about yourself that you feel separates you from the rest of the pack? And what do you think the future of music sales is?

MDB: Everything is really set up for me this summer, the new song with Akon, I will be dropping one single a week on my website leading up to my digital and hard copy releases. They will feature Nappy Roots, Akon, and production from Aftermath Producers; it’s gonna be my summer. I feel confident! But besides that I gotta give the people what they want, Shotguns and Canned Goods is based on what we are living thru right now. We are in an economic crisis. 

As for me, the music will be distributed through a subscription service, it just has to be readily available, like if you can have access to a song at anytime, in your car, bathroom, etc then people will do it, maybe. Music has become free, if you’re an artist you better get your tour game correct. 

Music became free with Napster. And it is really secondary as entertainment; background to a lot of people!

So I really can’t answer how music will come, I know it won’t be a CD, I am just going to make my music as easily available to people that want it and I should be ok. If Universal wants me to come save the music industry they know how to get a hold of me.

I just wanted to add that I just received sponsorship from Miller High Life!!!!

Rapaveli.com: Word, could you explain that situation a little bit.

MDB: Well the high life sponsorship, they are giving me a monthly check right now as well as a bonus up front. In return I am putting their logo on my mixtapes, CD covers, and on my myspace, website etc as well as wearing T-shirts, hats etc. While I perform. It is one of many that I am working on. I already love the product so it is win win.

Rapaveli.com: Do you think that endorsement deals are a part of the answer for artist to get paid nowadays as opposed to depending on declining album sales?

MDB: Yes, and it has been going on. I don’t know if it will get to NASCAR status but it will get bigger.

Album sales are over it’s a bunch of old fucks at the labels thinking it’s 1991.

Rapaveli.com: Man it’s been a pleasure talking to you as always. Good luck on taking over the industry this year. Peace, until next time!

MDB: I’m excited!!! Thanks for everything as far as your help online! Peace…