The streets of Rotterdam were buzzing with an influx of international and local talents and the sounds of hip hop and rnb for the third edition of the world’s biggest urban music conference New Skool Rules which took place from April 5-7, 2013.
Over 970 vistors from 27 different countries visited the 3-day conference to network, attend panels and master classes and party hard and with a jam packed schedule there was a lot to do over 3 days. Here’s what went down!
Showcases
Over 54 acts were given their time to shine in front of music lovers and international bookers, who could potentially scout them for upcoming festivals and events around the world. A wide variety of live performances could be watched over the course of the weekend. Stand out sets included rapper Clencha and singer Hayley Cassidy from the UK, Dutch singer Maxime, US female rapper Allyssa Chic and Canadian Rappers Shaun Booth, Orpheous and DO as they all exuded extreme talent, professionalism and showcased attention grabbing performances, vocals and bars during their time on stage.
Many of the new acts attending ensured that A&Rs, journalists, DJs and producers attending NSRs didn’t leave without giving them a CD, business card or making them listen to their music. Their hustle and hunger for success was exciting to see.
Panels
Note books were filled, questions were asked and answered as eager audiences attended the panel sessions. Over the course of the weekend 13 panels were held on topics such as ‘The Role of the DJ’, ‘Branding’, ‘Securing Global Bookings’ to ‘Liaising with the Media’. Its not often you can walk up to the likes of BBC 1xtra’s Charlie Sloth, Universal Music A&R Benny Scars, DJ Trauma, producer Anthony Dent, BET Music Director Kelly G and Senior VP of A&R at Atlantic Records Kawan ‘ KP’ Prather and ask them for advice so attendees made the most of the opportunity to do this as well as gain knowledge and be inspired and motivated from the sessions.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Masterclasses and workshops were held over the course of the weekend where visitors could learn about crowd funding, social media, publishing, production and songwriting to name but a few with edutainers from the US, UK and Germany from representatives from companies such as MySpace and PlayMakers Group. Attendees listened and soaked up the knowledge like eager students at these intimate sessions.
Demo-Listening sessions
Artists were given a minute and a half to introduce themselves and play their music to a panle of industry heavyweights at demo listening sessions which were moderated by UK based Hip Hop producer Baby J. You could cut the air with a knife in anticipation of the feedback the panellists would give as they played judge and jury. Regardless of whether the feedback was good or negative the artists left there with able to improve their sound for the future.
Party Time
The days at the conference may have been long but this didn’t stop people attending the afterparties where Female DJ Takeova, Play Entertainment and DJ Trauma had everybody on their feet and patying literally until the sun came up. After leaving The Factory many delegates didn’t even want to go to bed so the parties transferred to the hotel lobby of the conference hotel (the plush Bilderberg Hotel in the heart of the city). If raving wasn’t your thing there were also live jam sessions being held at De Unie.
The New Skool Rules conference was closed with the exchange winners performing the official New Skool Rules anthem they created. A fantastic weekend was had by all, our hats go off to New Skool Rules CEO Henca and her team at Epitome Entertainment for arranging a productive and well organised conference.
For more information follow NSRs on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook @NewSkoolRules and visit their website to keep updated on all things NSRs www.newskoolrules.com