NEW YORK (Billboard) - It's no longer just the hardworking women who make money at strip clubs. These late-night hangouts, with their booming sound systems and gender-mixed crowds, have become big business for the record industry, particularly for hip-hop labels.
"Strip clubs have become the main breaking place for records, especially in the South," says Jermaine Dupri, president of urban music for Virgin Records.
The music industry increasingly has embraced the strip club out of necessity and convenience. Tighter radio playlists mean it's harder than ever to break a track on the FM dial, and regular dance clubs -- where songs get played for a moment and then lost in a mix -- tend to play what's already on the radio. At strip joints, DJs are able to play full tracks and can take a chance on underground and unproven material. (Billboard)
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Music Promotion in Strip Clubs
- Opportunity for record labels to promote new music in strip clubs as an alternative to traditional radio play.
- Music Discovery in Unconventional Spaces
- Opportunity to discover new music in unconventional spaces like strip clubs, where DJs can experiment with underground and unproven material.
- Alternative Platforms for Breaking Records
- Strip clubs provide an alternative platform for breaking records, especially in the South, where DJs can play full tracks and take chances on new music.
Where This Applies
- Record Labels
- Record labels can take advantage of strip clubs as a new avenue for promoting and breaking new music.
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- The nightlife and entertainment industry can benefit from incorporating music promotion and discovery within strip clubs.
- Radio Broadcasting
- Radio broadcasters can explore partnerships with strip clubs to expand their music discovery capabilities and attract a broader audience.
