The WAVE: JUNE '17

Keith Robinson (Cool V)
52 | @thewaveX
Mr. Official Whistle
@mrofiicialwhistle
Tell the readers who you are and where you’re from?
I’m the industry insomniac, The Official Whistle, Cool
V (Vibez), Mr Official Whistle. I’m a dj, producer,
marketing guru, music curator, blogger, public speaker,
writer and humanitarian, yeah that about sums it
up. I’m from NY (Bronx) and I also resided in Buffalo
NY and lived in many other places including Toronto,
DC and currently VA.
Being a monster on the marketing side of all things
music, what is the first thing an artist needs to do to
start pushing their brand the right way?
First I humbly say “Thank You” for the compliment
(Humbled) second to answer your question an artist
must first make sure no one already has his or her
name trademarked already because nothing’s worse
than putting in a ton of work only to find out someone
already legally possesses that name because that will
bring on a ton of issues. Also they should cover themselves
legally by trademarking their name/phrase for
future branding purposes. The Next thing is I would
make sure I would do is I would make sure my social
media outlets was on deck ( Facebook, Youtube, Twitter,
Instagram, Vine, Google+, Soundcloud, Blogsite/
Website. The also need a bio, E.P.K, one sheet and
other promotional material to be taken seriously. I
would also suggest they hire a music attorney and marketing
executive to save some some money it’s more
cost efficient because doing it yourself you may end
up spending a ton of unnecessary cash. For more tips
just follow me on Instagram/Twitter or check my blog
www.coolvsratednext.blogspot.com for much more
info.
Is college radio as effective as it once was?
I would say yes or no and here’s why. Yes, depending
on the college station if they have a popular app or
website because those sites still generate alot of traffic
but NO, if it’s a college that doesn’t have a website nor a
good listening audience but here’s the catch twenty two
it might be a yes if it’s a large college that has a college
station on site and they are your core audience.
There are now internet radio stations popping’ up by
the shit load. Just about everybody I know has a radio
show now. How can an artist know what stations are
good to go get on and weed out the bad ones?
First you want to find out if their station is a reporting
station. Find out if they are registered to soundscan
and if they chart new music. Also find out if their audience
and staff is receptive not just to new music but
new artists as well. Because not every deejay gives new
artists a platform that’s all contingent on the deejay and
the program director.
Let’s talk hip hop real quick. Where do you see the rap
game, musically, in 2 years?
Wow that’s a good question (Pauses) hmmm… Ok I
see Hip Hop moving in a more international direction
because it’s constantly evolving and it’s also merging
with other genre’s so It’s changing there’s so many
sub-genre’s now it’s hard to say which ones will stay
and which ones will be a fad it’s too early in the game
to make assumptions. However my prediction is it’s
going to not only go back to it’s roots but it will evolve
to something greater. I also see it merging with dance,
country and more island influenced. I see big label
contracts becoming a thing of the past more digital
distribution outlets emerging. I also see the concert
and promoting venues changing and it more intimate
and you being able to interact with your favorite artist
like never before.
In your opinion, what was the cause of mumble rap
and will it be around in the future?
I say the cause of mumble rap was society! I think
things was designed this was by the majors to dumb
down the consumer also because times are too real
some people don’t want to think they just want to
party and zone out to the music and as they say, “Just
ride the wave bro” , but as times get more serious and
reality settles in and the more emerging rappers like
Kendrick Lemar, J Cole and Dave East etc arrives and
the mure popular and mainstream they become the
more the demand for it. I see a revolution in music
remember Hip Hop’s been here before back when it
first merged with Pop music example C+C Music Factory
and Hammer. I see more female, gospel and gay
rappers emerging. I also predict the merging of dance
music being more prominent and a new evolution of
mixtapes.
Do you think hip hop as a culture and rap, as a genre
of music, are being made a mockery of by the labels
and the new crop of artist that the machine is pushing
out now?
I feel it’s an agenda because the people who are in
control of the labels and distribution know very little
about the music or the artists they represent most the
time ( Not ALL label executives fit this description),
@wavemag | 53