Course Description
Hit Urban songwriter, Jack Knight, will reveal his formula for success in the Urban music market. Jack has penned hits for Keyshia Cole, Usher, Lil' Kim, Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and more. In this course, Jack will be using examples of his hit songs and those of his "mastermind group" to give you his insider's perspective on how to be a player in this competitive market.
HANDOUT 1:
URB-TWF 250 - Studying The Masters
Instructor
Jack Knight
I. What is Urban Music?
II. Can you recognize a hit?
Examples of undeniable hits are:
Alicia Keys
No One
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50 Cent
In Da Club
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Diddy
Last Night
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III. Studying the Masters
The masters include but not limited to: Neyo, Al Green, Biggie Smalls, Billy Joel, Kurt Cobain, Curtis Mayfield,The Dream, Nas, Eminem, Donny Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, Lil’Kim, Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Pharell Williams (Neptunes), John Lennon, Paul McCartney, R. Kelly, Rakim, Marvin Gaye, Tupac, Prince, the Motown Writers, Billy Holiday
Neyo
Sexy Love
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Rihanna
Umbrella
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Prince
I Wanna Be Your Lover
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IV. Which Master’s influence do you hear?
Amy Winehouse
Rehab
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Jay-Z & Pharell
Give It To Me
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50 Cent
In Da Club
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V. What did these artists bring to the table that was new and exciting?
Andre Benjamin (Outkast)
Hey Ya
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T-Pain
Buy You A Drank
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Lil' Wayne
Lollipop
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URB-TWF 250 - Writing For The Urban Market
Instructor
Jack Knight
"The human mind is a form of energy. When two or more minds cooperate in harmony, they form a great bank of energy, plus a third, invisible force which can be likened to a mastermind." - Andrew Carnegie
What is "The Mastermind Group"?
The story of why and how "The Writing Factory" was formed
Song Example: I Need A Girl
[P. Diddy]
Yeah, c'mon
I need a, I want a
[Usher]
I need a girl to ride, ride, ride
I need a girl to be my wife
I need a girl who's mine
all mine
I need a girl in my life
The Benefits of Writing with a Mastermind Group
The story behind the song "I Need a Girl"
Staying humble and taking criticism
Combining strengths and weaknesses
Networking
The Business of Collaboration
Splits
Sample breakdown:
50% goes to to music and/or track writer and/or producer
20% goes to the lyricist if he comes up with the hook
10% for each verse
5% for the bridge
5% for the vamp hook
Note: If a sample is being used, the writer of the sample gets up to 50% of the music split. This means the track producer might some part of the other splits which reduces the lyricists percentages; Also, if the recording artist is a big name, they will probably get part of the writers' share.
The Beat CD
Which comes first the beat or the song?
What equipment do you need to make a beat track yourself?
Where can you find great beats/tracks, if you don't produce them?
What is the first thing to listen for in a beat track?
What instruments or sounds are always in a great beat track?
What tempo works best?
What are some tips for writing to tracks?
VI. What is Quantum Songwriting?
Examples of Quantum Songwriters
The Beatles
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Jimmy Hendrix
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Kurt Cobain
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