Go Forward, Move Ahead, 2009

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Remix Editors

RISING STAR: JANELLE MONAE

With her lyrics detailing love-struck androids and far-away alternate universes, it's not far-fetched to say that Janelle Monae (www.jmonae.com) is literally the future of music. Choosing to not simply push the envelope but rather shove the hell out of it, this forward-thinking diva has combined alternative rock, pop, R&B and electronic influences to create a soulful synergy all her own.

“I don't categorize what I do or the art I make,” Monae says. “I'm a huge fan of Andy Warhol and he said you should never categorize your art. I want to help redefine certain categories that have been placed on artists before me.”

A helping hand from industry head-honcho Diddy, who inked Monae to his Bad Boy imprint in 2007, will surely aid her in that quest. But if you're expecting the deal to switch Monae into a mainstream Making the Band copycat, you're dead wrong. According to her, it'll only provide a bigger canvas on which to create her aural masterpieces. “I'm someone who believes in and fights for art for art's sake. I let the work speak for itself.”

After rereleasing her EP Metropolis: The Chase Suite last year to critical acclaim, she's now gearing up to release her first proper, as-yet-untitled full-length album in early 2009, a joint venture through her own Wondaland Arts Society and Bad Boy. With momentum behind her movement, Monae is not only hoping to change a few minds about the possibilities of music, but also change the world.

“It's important to lead by example. I have a responsibility and commitment to my community, to young girls and to coming up with new concepts and ideas. That keeps me thriving and consistent. It's up to us to help alter history.” — Anthony Roberts

OUT FROM THE ASHES: THE RETURN OF INDIE HIP-HOP

Is there any style of music more beleaguered than underground hip-hop? Ostensibly meant to indicate an artist's career status (that is, a rapper who isn't signed to a major label), indie hip-hop has become an entire oft-derided genre. Critics often ridicule it. (New Yorker critic Sasha Frere-Jones memorably heckled them as “schoolmarms” and “Renaissance-fair revivalists.”) Self-described thugs bullied it — one 2002 compilation featuring 50 Cent was called The Anti-Backpack Movement. And major labels, for the most part, ignored it — at least at first.

But now, with the music industry reeling, indie hip-hop suddenly seems like a good idea. While heavily promoted major-label washouts like Blak Jak and Trick Trick often sink without a trace, indie hip-hop artists can quietly sell between 30,000 and 50,000 copies. Better yet, they often tour as much as rock bands, playing small clubs and colleges around the country, which means their records continue to sell after the first week. For example, incendiary activist/rapper Immortal Technique sold more than 50,000 copies of his 2008 album, The 3rd World, selling out venues around North America with little mainstream publicity.

“I think it's all relative, first of all. I don't think there's some disproportionate success in indie hip-hop and large failure in commercial mainstream hip-hop,” says Brent “Siddiq” Sayers, who runs Rhymesayers (www.rhymesayers.com), home to Atmosphere, Brother Ali and others. After all, he notes, Lil Wayne still sold a million in first-week sales for Tha Carter III. Atmosphere was the only indie-identified rap artist to score a top-10 album in 2008; the rest of the slots went to commercial giants like Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and T.I.

However, Sayers acknowledges, “I think the dynamics of the industry and where the market is right now has balanced out the playing field.” Labels no longer seem able to push a second-tier artist to Gold-certified status on promotion and marketing alone. With music sales in free-fall, indie artists with the right combination — great music, grassroots organization, a strong Internet presence and touring — can sell just as many CDs.

With 100,000 units sold for each of his past four albums, Atmosphere may be the classic indie hip-hop success story. But others are signing deals with majors, too. Bay Area live rap crew Crown City Rockers, best known for their frequent tours with jam band Galactic, just signed a distribution deal with Sony's RED. Murs, a member of indie-rap pioneers Living Legends, issued Murs for President on Warner Bros. in December. (Other Warner Bros. prospects include Styles of Beyond and Jean Grae; Rhymesayers also has a deal with Warner's distribution arm, ILG.)

“At one point, if you weren't getting major video rotation, if you weren't getting radio play, you were nonexistent. But that's no longer the case,” Sayers says. “There isn't that huge sales gap anymore.” — Mosi Reeves

PREDICTION NO. 4: iPOD SETTLES IN; iPHONE GRABS MORE

Almost every music fan now has an iPod (or three). Since debuting in 2001, the device has become both an icon and a commonplace toy. Apple will still sell millions of iPods in 2009, but the new shiny toy is the iPhone, especially as capacities and capabilities improve. The current iPhone 3G has its issues, but Apple is still cutting its teeth. Expect a greatly improved update at a price people can afford. That is the face of the new portable player and part of a quickly growing mobile-music sector. — Paul Resnikoff

THE WEIRDER THE BETTER: THE MAINSTREAM MP3 INVASION

As we continue to create insular media boxes around ourselves, those determined little MP3s are weaving their way into everything — and we do mean everything. Not only can you purchase dedicated MP3 players of all shapes, sizes and colors (including constantly evolving iPod models), but you can now find MP3 players integrated into headphone amps, wall shelves, sunglasses (like Oakley's Thump series, http://oakley.com/pd/2213), stuffed toys, model cars and clothing — all trends that look to continue in the new year. Think we're kidding? Read on.

Although it has yet to surface in retailers, appliance company LG has filed a patent (of which the complete and rather fascinating specs are viewable online at remixmag.com) for an MP3 washing machine that features built-in speakers for both the music (“Tiny Bubbles,” anyone?) and a disembodied voice that will tell you how far your socks are along the wash cycle.

Ovation Guitars is offering up the iDea guitar (www.ovationidea.com), with a digital MP3 player/recorder and condenser mic built into the onboard preamp. The iDea guitar allows musicians to load their own roster of MP3s via USB so they can jam along, as well as capture song ideas right from the guitar itself. “It's technology that supports creativity,” explains Rick Hall, Ovation Guitars product manager, “to help capture musical inspiration the moment it strikes.”

And German clothing factory Lodenfrey's Textile division (www.lodenfrey.de) has developed lederhosen — yes, lederhosen — with MP3 controls built into the outside of the pant leg, replacing the traditional deer-antler buttons; or, if you prefer, you can deck yourself out in a classic Bavarian jacket with MP3 controls in the arm.

So where else is the ubiquitous MP3 going to show up in 2009? Fireplaces? Screwdrivers? Radishes? The possibilities are endless. — Kristi Kates

PREDICTION NO. 5: MUSIC KEEPS PLAYING

Some of the greatest music comes from the hardest times, and this will be no different. Actually, the difference this time is that great music is spread instantly, with or without the participation of the artist. Some will successfully monetize that energy and some won't, but expect more creativity ahead. — Paul Resnikoff

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