The National Music Publishers' Association's Importance to the Music Industry...and School?

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is a trade organization catered to music publishers in the United States. The goal of the NMPA is to serve as a supporter for the legal rights of publishers and songwriters. With over 2500 members, the NMPA is the largest music publishing trade association in the United States. The NMPA’s mission is to continue to create a creative platform for music publishers and songwriters by protecting the copyrights of musician’s creative works.

The NMPA is one of many associations involved in advocacy programs that fight to educate and protect the creative property of musicians along with fostering the importance of music in everyday life.  One of the groups that the NMPA uses to influence the music industry is the Give the Gift of Music program. The Give the Gift of Music program is comprised of musicians, trade organizations, record labels, and retailers who believe that when all else fails, music makes great gifts.

Under the Give the Gift of Music program initiative, there are several programs geared toward educating and uplifting individuals who are in need. The most popular initiative under the Give the Gift of Music program is vh1’s Save the Music Foundation. The Save the Music Foundation is a foundation aimed at recognizing and restoring the importance of music education in public elementary and middle schools.

Implementing the importance of music in school curriculum is beneficial to the academics and development of elementary and middle school children. It gives children an outlet to express themselves and it has a positive effect on their learning skills. The introduction of music at an early age could very well produce the next music icon, music publisher, producer, or songwriter.

  

I was fortunate to have a music program in my school and I would like to credit my love and passion for music and academic success to the early introduction of playing in the elementary school band. I think it is very important to give back to the community and trade associations, such as NMPA's, affiliation with the Gift of Music program is something that should continuously be implemented throughout the music industry. I am already a Facebook fan of Save the Music and I plan to do more to support this program and network with like-minded people. I encourage you to like the page if you are an advocate of having instrumental music programs in public schools.

Frank Ocean Introduces "Pyramids" and North American tour

Frank Ocean, born Christopher Francis Breaux, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a very talented 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and rapper. If his name does not sound familiar, maybe some of the people he has worked with ring a bell. He has written music for John Legend, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé (“I Miss You”, on her 4 album), and he is featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s, “No Church in the Wild.”

In 2011, Frank Ocean, released his stellar debut mix tape, Nostalgia, Ultra.  From the mix tape, Ocean released “Novacane”—the hit single laced with sex and drugs, and “Swim Good”—a song about heartbreak and finally getting over a love lost.

Aside from the mix tapes, the mastermind behind Nostalgia, Ultra, has announced the title of his new debut album and American tour, slated to start July. Channel Orange is scheduled for release on July 17, and has already gained attention from its single, “Pyramids.”

“Pyramids,” has the sound and feeling of an ‘80s R&B song and slowly advances to a bass-laden modern day track. Frank is able to lyrically capture audiences with his artistic wordplay and metaphorical stories. The 10-minute song tells the historical story of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and tells the story of a prostitute/ stripper named Cleopatra, who works at the strip club, the Pyramid. The first half of the song tells the story of Queen Cleopatra and her lover running to escape their fate, while the second half of the song tells of Cleopatra and her suitor going through an exodus to the future, where she is portrayed as a prostitute/ stripper and her lover as being a pimp. Musical transitions in the song mark the transitions of stories from the past to the present and showcases the musical tastes of the past into the present.

I really like this song and consider Frank Ocean a lyrical genius. I have already bought my ticket to the Channel Orange tour in Atlanta and can’t wait to go. Stay tuned next month for my review of the concert.

After listening to “Pyramids”, do you think you will tune into Channel Orange this summer?