In Industry filled with artist from many genres, especial the reggae and dancehall side of things, artist have a hard time standing out. In light of that Apollo Kre-ed is one of thos artist who is standing out and making waves in the local and regional market. He most likely holds the record for the most music videos appearing on regional stations like Tempo and Hype Tv by a Bahamian artist, these videos he payed for mostly out of his own pocket. Now a few years into the game Apollo has taken it to another level by securing a distribution deal for his music, that is helping to get the word about him and his music out there.
So who is Apollo Kre-ed?
Hmm, technically Apollo Kre-ed is a fictional character that Apollo Butler created six years ago, lolololol, but since you insist. Apollo Kre-ed is a young independent Dance Hall artist that just wants to entertain and bring the public MUSIC to grove to.
Why did you choose this genre of music?
One word: MARKET. People as you are going to see clearly in this article, Apollo Kre-ed is 100% BUSINESS. Let’s say we had 15 concerts already for 2009. Now can YOU the reader tell me how many out those 15 concerts was Rap compared to Dancehall, Reggae, and Soca??????????
I know earlier in the game you were doing hip hop. Why the change to Dancehall now?
It only made common sense to me to get into a genre of music I can benefit from as a young artist because Reggae and Dancehall concerts are always going on in the Bahamas and that gives me the opportunity to get booked for shows and be seen. See, Apollo Kre-ed refuses to be like some of those other established and so-called “rap artists” who are hype because they have a song in heavy rotation on 100jamz and because they are performing to these little club parties for a petty $100.00 or $200.00. Every song I dropped to the world cost me $1,000.00 and that is without a video. I am an artist who doesn’t have time to waste and will NOT be insulted by promoters.
You were probably the 1st Bahamian Hip hop artist with a video on Tempo. How does that feel?
I was the FIRST, at that time Bahamian RAPPER, to hit Tempo and that was a big achievement to me because that project cost me $2500.00 and it took me 18 long months to pay off all. See, even the people who ridiculed the video and laughed at me, could not prevent me from achieving my goal and unlike some of these lazy ass Bahamian artists today who are always looking for a sponsor, I accomplished that out of my own pocket. I wanted to achieve that goal and I GOT IT DONE. That video only showed the public 5% of my life and not the other 95% which would have shown how many times I had to ride in the rain, or work overtime to meet my payments. I didn’t make one penny back from that video.
How has the release of those videos impacted your career?
CRITICALLY. See, I am going to say it one more time, this game is a BUSINESS and you MUST BE SMART.
See, my first video cost me $2500 and I made nothing back from that. I kept on going and came back out in 2008 with another video (“Lord I Tried”) featuring Landlord. In total, from royalties, Itunes and live performances that project made $3,000. So being a DETERMINED artist right away I took my profit and went ahead and did another video (“Haitian Girl”) and I released that single in October of 08. By January 2009 that project made a total of over $5000 from live performances, Itunes and radio royalties. So to answer the question, yes all four of my videos have impacted my career tremendously, from inspiration to profit and this is what separates Apollo Kre-ed from the rest.
Now unlike most local artists you have a distribution deal. How is this working for you?
Having the deal with All Access Entertainment and the help of my publicist Heike (Axe-s Media) has really made a difference and has taken my career to another level. For example, two months ago they dropped the video for “Ghetto Star Remix” featuring General Degree worldwide. Within a week Apollo Kre-ed was #2 on MTV Africa. #1 on MTV Japan, #6 on TNH in Haiti, # 1 on MTV Russia, #5 on Carivibez Tv in New York and #4 on MTV France. This all came about because of my “Haitian Girl” single. The amount of money that the single made with a simple budget showed them that “hey Apollo got something that the people want, he is marketable”. My next video which is set to be released late 2010 will be featuring a BIGGER artist and to give you hint of who it will be. “What eyes don’t see, Heart don’t leap”. ?
We would be doing our readers injustice if we didn’t ask about the Mohawk….WHY??
It was really difficult for me to adjust to having such extreme colors in my hair 24/7 and not all the time when I go in public I want to be Apollo Kre-ed. And to be quite honest it just also costs to much to maintain.
Apollo’s quick industry tips:
Image:
Your image must capture and keep your audience’s attention whenever an artist is one stage and off
Management:
Good management is key but I say, as an artist learn the BUSINESS so you won’t have to pay for consultation fees and depend on no manager, friend or label for guidance. Be a dog and walk ya SELF
Distribution:
This is key for an artist. All those figures I called earlier would not have happened if I did not have distribution and yes it is EXPENSIVE but it pays LONG TERM.
Contracts:
Once again I tell artists to learn the BUSINESS and if you do not understand certain things in a contract stall on signing it. Then go hire an entertainment lawyer and if necessary pay him/her to tell you what you need to know so you won’t get swing.
Entourage:
I personally think I do not need one cause I have nohting to fear. When I go to a concert to perform I go by myself, act like an adult, do my job, and go home. A criminal record can limit an artist career.
