Like basketball players you can find good talent in any city and on virtually every street corner. The reality is that only a select few make it to the big times of riches and renown. The NBA dream for many has been transformed into the Hip Hop illusion. But if you think you are ready and have the skills to make it big, and then make sure you are ready to do business. Record labels are in the business to make money, so you need to have your eyes wide open.

Here are some quick systems checks to put you in position to sign that big deal.

• Good music (talent and experience
• Look signable (look like you can make the label money, local buzz)
• Professional looking demo package (CD, Bio, photos, press clippings
• Will your music sell?

"Nothin matters but the music". If you can relate to this then that is what Dead Broke Records is all about... The foundation is a trinity made up of: E&J, St. Nic, and Jay-C, based in Tallahassee, Florida. The rescue rangers of hip hop bring tales of reality in a form that has been missing from the industry for some time now. Remember the name "Dead Broke Records" as it will be coming to a speaker near you, and do not forget, nothing else matters.

Masks

Dead Broke uses masks for symbolism. Big word "symbolism", we broke ,not dumb! Peep this, an educational moment that helps to examine why Dead Broke is different. Our music takes on many faces, the ritual and the theatrical expression of the times, circumstances and the movement of the music. Mask - face covering that, in ritual and theater, disguises the wearer and usually communicates an alternate identity; also a type of portrait, and a protective screen for the face. Ritual masks generally depict deities, mythological beings, good and evil spirits, spirits of ancestors and the dead, animal spirits, and other beings believed to have power over humanity. Masks of human ancestors or totem ancestors (beings or animals to which a clan or family traces its ancestry) are often objects of family pride; when they are regarded as the dwelling of the spirit they represent, they may be honored with ceremonies and gifts.

Masks of Comedy and Tragedy

These two masks have come to symbolize the theater and its two major dramatic categories, comedy and tragedy. Masks have played an important part in the history of drama since the time of the ancient Greeks. They were originally used to allow the actors to clearly convey emotions such as anger, joy, or sorrow to the entire audience, and they made it easier for men to portray female characters.

Check these out:

• Dead Broke - Excuse Me Miss
• In the Ghetto - Atlanta Homicide episode Color Me Bad
• Excuse Me Miss
• Chocolate Delights
• Meant to Be

Karma Sutra by Dead Broke (lyrical spliff)

yo it_s two turn tables and a microphone, Bout to run rap shit like it's VIA-COM!
Let me clear my throat make sure the mic is on, Bout to shine so bright like the lights is on
Here's my shoes baby, try it on, Tryin to walk down the path where I been goin
Goin, goin, gone, right over the fence I am a homerun hitter, you still stittin the bench

Funk n Funny - this band combines comedy and music. You hear legendary comic skits from the likes of Richard Pryor, Cheech & Chong, Bill Cosby, Robin Harris, Cat Williams and others; intermixed with funk tracks.

Sunday Groove^1.0

Sunday Groove - radio was different on Sundays; it had that easy wispy, feel to it, not to hard and not to soft, just that groove, old school, neo-soul, jazz, blues, rock, whatever fits the groove.