Audio By Carbonatix
Fillup Banks is a business visionary with a digital hustle. 305HipHop.com, the successful site he started in 2003 is forging a new era in South Florida independent media production with the launch of Urban Union on March 22nd at 3:05pm. Urban Union is a multimedia production house. Here’s the Fillup Banks interview.
1. What’s your name, where you from and what do you do?
Fillup Banks, born and raised in the county of Dade, Hialeah to be exact. I’m
the founder and creator of 305HipHop.com, Miami’s official Rap website.
2. What’s this urban union venture all about and who’s involved?
The Urban Union is a group of entities and individuals (Local business
owners/ Independent entrepreneurs, Artists, Producers, DJ’s, B-Boys,
Photographers, Videographers, Promoters, etc.), that have come together
in order to improve the qualities and conditions of the entertainment
industry in the South Florida Region. In an effort to create outlets
for our community, we have decided to combine forces and bring all
others who are affiliated with us on board this vehicle as well. We
strongly encourage all others who are not yet involved to come along
for the ride and support the movement, too. We’re raising the bar for
upstarts and informing them as to exactly WHAT the industry standards
are, so that the level of quality found WITHIN our market is
drastically improved. At the end of the day, it’s all about progress,
and that is something beneficial to everyone down here. We’re located
at 7262 NW 66th St, Miami, Florida 33166. March 22nd is our grand
opening where we will be giving away free studio time, free photo
shoot, free video bio and more. Show kicks off at 3:05pm.
3. How long has 305hiphop.com been up, what’s your traffic like and how have
you seen the game and competition change since you started?
305HipHop.com was created back in 2003 when you actually had to know how to
set up a website or pay someone to do so. Around 2004 the site really took off with the
Miami Awards (
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2004-12-16/music/basshead ). Since then the
traffic has fluctuated. On average we receive millions of hits a month, pulling in an
audience from all over the world, but mostly from Florida. With the new click-and-create Social Web
websites with no user code configuring and freely-hosted blog services out there people
have started they’re own “online magazines” but when you get down to it there’s
really no competition for what we have a niche for and that’s Miami’s Hip Hop
scene. Google “Miami Rap” and see who comes out on top.
4. How do you feel you’re a part of the new dynamics of the music business,
where do you see it going, and what do you see as your role?
I’m a part of which has changed the form of promotion and distribution. No
longer do you need a big budget for advertising and production of a demo or
album. You create, upload and share it with the world. Sites that resemble
305HipHop.com’s purpose have been popping up lately and record companies are
noticing we’re the new mom and pop record shops / magazines / television & radio
shows. As the technology gets easier to work with, more
enthusiast will pop up with their websites on the ever growing internet. Soon
the artists themselves will take back the music business, instead of the hands
of executives where it’s been for the past years.
5. Who are some local underground/independent artists to look out for?
Man, there’s so many I would hate to leave anyone out. A recent favorite of
mine that I always try to check for is Ball Greezy. I love his writing, he’s
definitely one to look out for. Other than him you got C.P. Hollywood on them
beats, the underdog P.M., Triple C’s GunPlay, Poe Boy’s Billy Blue, of course T.H.C.,
Circle House’s Lunch Money, Flo Rida’s crew Da’ Groundhoggz, the list goes on and on. We have a
bunch of talent coming from the bottom and there’s not enough space to write
every name.
6. Is anybody really looking to book studio time in this economy?
Well to be honest just like every other industry, the recording
industry has also taken a hit. It all trickles down, but thankfully,
we’ve been blessed. With that in mind we have affordable rates and
really low priced block rates to get anyone who wants to record in the
studio. However, we offer our clients much more than just studio time.
We’ve got all bases covered in terms of getting your project ready for
mass consumption. From mass CD replication and album cover design to
any type of printing required for any particular project, we offer it.
The quality in our work is what keeps us busy.
7. What other music related business ventures are you part of?
Well, we always thought the whip game and music went together. Ever since we started
in the internet business we been putting together car shows with CarShowKing.com
where we would have local artist showcases. We just recently launch a weekly
radio show on RapReport.com where you can listen to that classic non-commercial
Hip Hop sound. Our online music catalog branched off to make MadeInDade.com
which is a music download service that caters solely to Florida artists.
FrontLine TV & Gas Face
Films is a company we work with to cover events, music videos, artist
biographies for EPKs, and more. We create EPKs, CD
inserts, and artist websites with the help of TightDesigns.com. We have several
other ventures in the works but those are some of the most known in the scene.
We’re always open to work with new people so if anyone has a unique idea they
think we can make come into fruition holla at us and we’ll listen.
8. How and why did you start 305hiphop.com and why do you feel it’s relevant,
would you ever sell it?
Before DJ Laz had Pitbull on his show or Khaled was shouting out Ross there was
no love in the city. A deejay would only put a local artist song on the radio if
he was paid a crazy amount of money. There was no avenue for Miami’s Hip Hop
scene to get noticed. There was a void that needed to be filled. In came 305HipHop.com only to promote awareness of the
abundance of talent coming from South Florida. That’s the niche we made and it
separates us from any other established music website. This makes us valuable to
record labels scouting the area to see who’s hot, people who moved from Florida
that want to stay in touch, and any underground music connoisseur that wants to
keep up with upcoming artists that they won’t find on the radio until years from
now. Also, it’s a great place for an artist to network with other artists and
collaborate. We will always be relevant but only if we stay true to our initial
purpose. I would have to be assured that 305HipHop.com will keep giving Miami an
avenue to promote it’s Hip Hop scene before I would ever consider selling.
9. What advice do you have for people using music to make money over the
internet?
If you’re a publisher, don’t bite the hand that feeds you. If music
content is bringing you an audience, don’t charge an artist a fee to
get on your website. Make money from advertisements or affiliate
programs. If you’re an artist, you will make more money off a single
unit than an artist signed to a major record label with a CD in
national store but you won’t get rich. Also, look into selling
ringtones.
10. Closing words, shout outs.
I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to your
audience. I appreciate the love. Shouts out to the Underboss and
the whole crew who help me put 305HipHop.com together on a daily basis. All the artist
in Florida, if it wasn’t for y’all we wouldn’t be here. DJ Mega Mix we miss you, Kastaway,
Destinee, DJ AS One, DJ R&R, y’all ready know what it is. Remember to come
out March 22nd to the grand opening of Urban Union Studios, no admission fee,
free food, free recording sessions all day long. Lets get it in. Dale!
