Do You Like My Demo Album Cover

Why don't album covers show their critical acclaims like video games?

I would like to clarify that various albums do this, but through stickers (generally on the shrink wrap rather than on the digipack or jewel case) rather than getting it printed in the actual cover. And even then, a lot of this buzz-text is descriptive and comparative quotes rather than mere context-less praise or scores.So why do videogames get this rather ugly treatment? Well, for one part, there is still a greater perception of games as merely “consumer products” than as art, including from the part of the publishers. More importantly, GOTY/definitive versions of games (and mind you, there’s a fair share of titles that don’t get this clusterfuck of text thrown in) are somewhat tricky sells: the hardcore fanbase probably bought the game when it came out originally. While most of these are ostentibly discounted (with DLC and other bonuses bundled in), the marketing department knows that both them and the retailers are going to have to work extra to get these moving off the shelves. Oh yeah, that’s another issue: your average gamer nowadays buys digital (before I get chewed up in the comments, you’re not any less of a “real gamer” if you prefer physically owning games; I’m a music collector myself), so the target audience for these boxes is not only reluctant latecomers but also people looking for gifts.

What are some of the most hilarious or risque rap album covers?

HilariousFat Boys - Fat BoysWhat's better than an image of three fat guys eating food? An image of three fat guys eating food combined with a miniature image of the same fat guys eating more food. Chunky A - Large and In Charge.Comedian Arsenio Hall came up with this alter ego, an overweight cassanova rapper. Part comedy, part rap, this album is largely forgotten.  LMFAO - Sorry for the Party RockinThe stoned look on their faces. The camel toe. Makes me laugh every time.   RisqueHoez With Attitude - As Much Ass Azz You WantNot uncommon for half-naked women to be flaunted on an album cover. What made this one unusual was that the girls on the cover were the girls in the group.  Snoop Doggy Dogg - DoggystyleMost people don't blink an eye at this album cover now, but it was very controversial when it came out for the image of the female dog in the doggystyle position. The liner notes contained a comic strip that continued the storyline. Anti-rap groups complained that that comic-style cover was being used to persuade children to buy the album.  Akinyele - Vagina Diner

How can you get a demo signed at a record label in the UK?

Thanks for the A2A- Let's break this down a bit further. What are your expectations from a label? What are you main objectives as an artist? How big is your following, by which I mean, social media aside, how many live bodies can you get to see you at a live show within 500 miles of your hometown on any given day? This is a very different climate than the romanticized era of A&R men scouring live clubs for hot bands or listening to desks-full of demos in label offices and signing artists in droves. It used to be that if a band was good and made a good demo the label would sign them, give them an advance and the band would record an album. Those days have been gone for a very long time. Now you you have to a professionally produced album and a strong following of actual people who have consistently turned up to gigs, not just social media numbers (though strong SM numbers help, too). The band I managed, Noughts and Exes, were the top indie band in Hong Kong. They played countless big festivals, they were known for their creative videos and photographs, and were screened at major film festivals. It wasn't until after they had a #1 song and a viral video (their song "Hearts") that major labels took notice. This was after myself and previous managers spent a good amount of time doing our due diligence with indie labels and working to get the band signed. Essentially, everything you used to get once you were signed you need to have in order to even stand a chance of getting the attention of a label. Sure, there are the occasional outliers, but they are very few and far between. Now, the good news is you don't really need a label. The band I used to manage played major festivals, made incredible videos, were screened at film festival, had a #1 single, and a viral video witout one. Other artists have done the same and more. Yes, you're going to have to be organized and hire a team (manager and PR rep at the very least), you're also in control and won't be met with the word signed artists learn to hate most: Recoupment. Should you wish to pursue labels, make a list of labels you like and are suited to your music. From there, go to their website and check the 'About' section. Almost always they'll have their submission info. Some labels welcome submissions, some do at certain times of year, some don't allow unsolicited submissions. Sorting through it all takes time but that's what you do.

How different is a song demo from the final produced song?

I don’t know if I can say a demo is much different than a final production but it is certainly less polished. I record 2 types of demos and they are completely different.Mid it is a demo of a song I plan on putting out myself it is fairly close to what the end recording will sound like but if I am making a demo to present to someone for use for another artist other than myself it it more stripped down.Most A&R firms looking for songs for one of their artists don’t want a demo that is already arranged. They prefer a simple acoustic version of the song. They want this because they have their own ideas as far as how the arrangement should be for their artists. Hearing a completed song is somewhat of a distraction.I guess to answer your question it would depend on the reason for the demo. Many times I can take my demo and use a great deal of it for the final arrangement. I may add a few things or remove a few things but it is fairly close to the finished product. The demo made for someone else is bare bones. It took me a long time to find out why so many of my demos were passed over. One day a producer explained to me that they generally don’t even bother listening to semi finished or finished songs sent in as demos. He told me only amateur songwriters do this while professional songwriters keep it simple.