I wanna address an issue I have with Hot 97 and their treatment of “media professionals” – because that’s what I am. By now, most of you have read my concerns on Twitter about the way I was treated at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. Let me give you some background: A few months back I was contacted by a member of Hot 97’s marketing team to come and provide coverage for Summer Jam 2010 on Sound-Savvy. Of course me, the avid music blogger, jumped at the chance for such a historic event. It’s something that my readers and I hear about every year after-the-fact and not many of us are able to attend so this was an opportunity for me to share something with you all. My experience was not enjoyable at all. To start off, I was made to believe there would be an area dedicated to media/press, however when I arrived to check-in, all I received was a ticket to the show. Furthermore, my ticket was in the back of the arena, section 233. I was made to stand in line amidst thousands of people just to get inside the venue (instead of access through the PRESS entry) so by the time I got to my seat, I’d completely missed Gucci Mane’s set. The purpose of my attendance was to cover this event for my outlets, as was discussed; to write a detailed review for my readers across ALL my outlets. After traveling from Charlotte, NC, to New Jersey, booking travel arrangements, lodging and transportation, I was given seats where I couldn’t see the stage. If I can’t see the stage or even hear the music, what’s the purpose of doing a review? And the only reason I STAYED at the show and didn’t leave as my instincts told me halfway thru the show is because I felt obligated to my readers, who looked forward to this opportunity just as much as I did.
So here’s my beef with Hot 97: Your staff obviously thought enough of my readers and I to invite me to Summer Jam for “media coverage”, so why would you sit me in an obscure back corner of the arena amidst the drunk and disorderly attendees? Around Trey’s set, I caught a ‘contact high’ from the 4 marijuana blunts that were being rolled during Drake’s set, then my row was bumrushed by drunks who were also high so I ended up having to move to another seat just so I’d be comfortable. Solution? We should have all been in a MEDIA Section in close range of the event. Furthermore, this event is PRIME for a press room. Why weren’t we granted pre-show interviews, photo ops – oh right, that’s the stuff that REAL media does. Well check my credentials: you can peruse my site and see how many interviews I’ve conducted with national recording artists, some of whom were at Summer Jam performing. You wouldn’t send Angie Martinez or Mr. Cee to broadcast live from an event with seats half-a-mile away where they can’t give the listeners the scoop, would you? Your media people should be in a place where they can see everything happening and feel the energy of the show – not in some corner, forced to watch it on a screen – that’s what YouTube is for.
What these organizations/companies need to learn is that it’s not enough for bloggers to be “in the building” anymore. Some of us take this very seriously, updating our sites multiple times DAILY to ensure that our readers have the latest information and newest content. So for a major media giant like HOT97 to downplay me, but then you expect this blogger to write about your event and give glowing reviews? It doesn’t work that way. If you’re going to invite bloggers to cover your event with media access, then give us the same respect you would give any other media outlet – we are NOT crumbsnatchers. We’re doing a service FOR YOU and unlike some of these major organizations, we’re financing ourselves. In a few more years, companies like Hot 97 and Emmis will become more reliant on Bloggers because the print and traditional media industry will continue to decline. Not because the quality of their work isn’t as good – we’re just faster and more easily accessible. But really, the bottom line stands as follows: YOU invited ME. And while I’m appreciative of the invitation, I don’t appreciate the ill treatment. I’m a music blogger, you’re a legendary hip-hop station – there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to work together to give the people what they want.
For my review of the actual show, click here to read Part 1.
