The Future of an A&R

WHAT IS AN A&R??
STANDS FOR ATTITUDE AND REJECTION
~In the music industry, A&R stands for artist and repertoire
~finding, signing, and developing new talent as well as helping guide their careers. ~involves going to showcases, checking out bands at clubs, hearing about new talent from a network of associates and other artists in the industry, and even searching the Internet for talented artists.
~A&R reps do not accept unsolicited demos because they believe that if an artist has talent they will create a buzz, which will eventually get to the A&R rep. "I don't want you to come to me, I want you to make me come to you."
~work with record producers and introduce the artist to the other people that will help them at the record company.
~find songs for their artists to record or help decide what songs should go on the album

How has it Changed??
~ Traditionally A&R would match up recording artists with songwriters, picking songs that would suit the artists and picking artists that would score hits for a songwriter.
~Over the years their role has changed, their main job is acting as the point of contact between the artist, and their management, and the rest of the label infrastructure.

What's Next?

In my experience in attending The University of the Arts, I had the opportunity to take part in a internship at Philadelphia International Records; the home of legendary song producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It was such an honor for me to even be in the same space where artist such as The Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, and Phyllis Hyman recorded music. When sharing the news to my parents and grandparents, they were so excited for me and were happy that I got to share in the history of great music. I was also familiar and appreciative of the musical background and the importance of that record label in the history and revolution of music. Philly International Records was The Sound of Philadelphia. They have produced more songs then you can even imagine and that you hear everyday in television and films. For example, on Donald Trumps show “The Apprentice,” the opening theme music is the recording of “For the Love of Money” by The O’Jays; artist of Philly International. Now that I have enlightened you on some of the labels works, you would think more people would know about this; WRONG! When I shared the same news with my friends of my new job position, I could see the look on their faces like they didn’t know what I was talking about. They had no clue as to who Gamble & Huff were. But that is ONLY one example of how today’s generation doesn’t know the meaning behind “good R&B music.”