Very, very important material for people who write as much as I do. Case studies of success are, of course, cherry-picked for maximum persuasive power…so take it with a grain of salt. Still, though: a lot to think about here.

Lots of people have years of experience — after all, that’s just a matter of staying alive, right? This is a guy with years of experience being innovative and successful. This is one of the best “music biz” interviews I’ve come across in 2010.

Fuck your right to privacy, you have none, that’s not why I’m posting this. Intelligence agencies and global corporations are studying what you put out into the world and using it to create new models for decision making. Are you being weird enough with your social media? Seriously. Think about the power you have to distort reality right now…are you taking full advantage of it?

Freddie Gibbs is awesome — and what really shines through here is the commitment to quality that he’s got, and refreshingly bullshit-free approach he’s got to the industry. Must-read status.

Amir’s “BeatTips Manual” is a simply incredible book and the blog has been just as excellent. Usually “writing about music is like dancing about architecture,” but Said manages to give some very solid and universal advice here — great writing.

This is actually a very solid piece of marketing content, looking back on it now. I think I made a very persuasive business case — so much so, that I regret not investing in my own ideas, back in 2007.

This is for entertainment purposes, but Business Week actually ran this as a serious “Think Piece” which seriously ups the entertainment value. I realize that “Participatory Media” is a hot topic, but that doesn’t change the fact it’s stupid. Only corporations can make money here, this is is Long Tail territory where economies of scale get dominated by the biggest fish in the pond.

Yes, the title is hyperbole, but the meat here is excellent…a thought-provoking and detail-oriented look at the changing economics of the big label machine. At World Around, CATALOG is one of our biggest centers of gravity — the two opposing forces of creating new material vs. curating the best possible catalog.

Willie Green has been running a really damn good series for AboveGround magazine about his career as a hip hop producer, engineer, and mixing/mastering genius. This is a VERY important read for anyone who’s doing their own recording….learn up!!

Although I vehemently disagree on the value of “4 Hour Work Week,” I definitely do respect Greg and his other picks are all excellent. Variety is the spice of life, right? His first pick is an especially worthy read…

Some really solid points and interesting ideas here. This is also linked because it’s a great example of doing “update” posts right…

Excellent reading, and best of all, it’s not bloggery but first-hand advice from an innovative Nashville DJ who’s making it happen week after week. He makes many important points about The Disconnect between the online and offline worlds.

I don’t recommend MF Doom’s business approach, but I sure do enjoy watching him have fun fucking with people. Dropping a live album after the whole “Doomposter” uproar = motherfucking hilarious. I really dig Mr. Dumile’s style.

Jeff always gives good copy. It’s amazing but true: 99.999% of the people in the industry, and the world, give boring interviews. Don’t do that. Learn from Jeff — he is informative, entertaining and provocative. All of that matters more or less equally.

This is essential reading. Wendy Day has seen every mistake, hundreds of time, and she’s also tagged in some equally experienced vets to offer their own advice. Print this out and keep it. Side note: Wendy Day is the best writer on the hip hop music business ever, period.