Top Music Artists Offer Valuable Advice At ASCAP Expo
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Akon mentors a young artist at the ASCAP Expo. (Ashley Velez/Neon Tommy)
Day one of three was packed with interactive panels featuring leading music industry executives from Billboard, BET, SONY, and more. Upcoming singers, songwriters, and producers swarmed the Loews Hollywood Hotel, hoping to network their way to the top.
Steve Rifkind, the humble founder of SRC Records, interviewed Akon during the “Courage of His Konvictions” master session. Rifkind, who is credited with jumpstarting the careers of artists like Big Pun, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, and Akon himself, lead the honest and comical discussion while offering valuable advice to imminent hopefuls.
“When you pick and choose the label you’re going to be with, make sure you have the freedom to do what the fuck you have to do,” said Rifkind, as the audience laughed and applauded.
Akon, a songwriter, producer and artist, joined his dear friend in providing words of wisdom to the talented crowd that filled the Hollywood Ballroom.
“Just understand that in this business the line is so long that most people drop out of the line before it’s time,” said Akon. “If God says it’s yours, it’s yours.”
Songwriters James Fauntleroy, Martin Johnson, Savan Kotecha, MoZella, and Lindy Robbins offer advice during the "Anatomy of a Hit Song" ASCAP Expo session. (Ashley Velez/Neon Tommy)
“If you don’t have access to a good producer, strip [the song] down because bad production will kill a hit,” said Lindy Robinson.
The importance of honesty, humility, and originality was emphasized across each panel.
“Songs are human experiences,” said MoZella, songwriter of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball." “Keep being human and real and use it.”
Fauntleroy, who co-wrote 20 of the 22 songs on Justin Timberlake’s full “20/20 Experience,” stressed the importance of letting go of emotional attachments in the songwriting process.
“If somebody wants that song, give them that song,” said Fauntleroy. “Give it to them all night long.”
The ASCAP Expo will continue through Saturday at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, featuring sessions with big names like Mike WiLL, Jermaine Dupri, and Desmond Child.
Reach Staff Reporter Ashley Velez here. Follow her on Twitter here.
