Conrad Dimanche Celebrates Library of Congress Move to Preserve Music
In an effort to save music history, the Library of Congress has announced a plan to preserve a wide array of recording industry hits from over the years. Noted A&R professional Conrad Dimanche weighs in on this significant effort.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 27, 2013
As one of the leading A&R professionals in the world of hip hop, Conrad Dimanche has witnessed a lot of significant changes in technology and the many ways these developments have impacted the recording industry as a whole. In fact, Dimanche has used the power of the Internet to help found PMP Worldwide--an emerging, comprehensive online network that connects musical talent and the producers behind them. Although Dimanche notes that this network provides an easy way for talent to share music with others in a secure manner, the technology has not been as kind to those pieces that come before the digital era.A recent article from TIME takes a similar position, explaining that while technological resources may be a prime in today's world, protecting music history is a challenge, even when it comes to the newest "born digital" digital recordings. The article explains, "One of the key challenges, for instance, involves accommodating all the different types of recorded audio, ranging from wax cylinders and music rolls to vinyl records and magnetic tape...The problem doesn't go away or even necessarily get smaller with digital audio...the fact that we often don't know how today's "born digital" recordings were created puts them in as much danger as older recording formats."
With so much inconsistency and technological evolution in the music preservation world, many in the recording industry have a solid fear that their work stands threat of being lost forever. In fact, as the article states, "Experts estimate that more than half of the titles recorded on cylinder records--the dominant format used by the U.S. recording industry during its first 23 years--have not survived." Conrad Dimanche responds, "As an A&R professional who has worked with some of the greatest artists in hip hop, I have spent a lot of time in the recording industry trying to pave the way for the future of music. The thought that all of our hard work could disappear is one that no one really wants to think about."
Fortunately, TIME reveals that the Library of Congress has announced a comprehensive plan to address the myriad of obstacles that come up during its efforts to preserve music--one that began in 2002 when the National Recording Preservation Board started nominating recordings for annual preservation. Some common issues the organization has faced involves data storage requirements, incompatible music files and legal restrictions. With its new plan and designated task groups, the Library of Congress is taking more preventative action in order to make sure that essential recordings are not lost forever.
In response to the new plan, Conrad Dimanche concludes, "It is great to see that the government is taking a positive approach towards the preservation of music and other recordings. Without this history, a great part of American culture would be lost--we owe it to the musical talent of yesterday to keep their creations intact."
ABOUT:
Conrad Dimanche is one of the most widely recognized figures in the recording industry. In 2006, he was ranked as the number three A&R professional in the world by Hit Quarters--the largest online directory for those working in the recording industry. As the Senior A&R Director at Bad Boy Records--a leading hip hop record label founded by the notable Sean "Diddy" Combs--and President and co-founder of the premiere PMP Worldwide, Conrad Dimanche has become an incredibly influential voice in the world of hip hop and the music industry in general.
Website: http://conraddimanche.org