In the last post, I gave you guys 7 ways to get your unsigned music heard by A&Rs. I talked about the importance of a catchy hook and strong track.  But equally as important, is the clean version of your song.

Obviously, you’ve never turned on the radio (unless it was satellite or internet) and heard f-bombs being dropped. So be considerate and let us hear what your song will sound like cleaned up.

I’d actually prefer to hear the clean version, so that I can recommend it to my audience.

I remember when I finally heard the explicit version of Lil Jon’s Get Low, I was shocked. I’ll never forget it…I was at a skating rink here in Chicago and it was more kids than adults because it was an afternoon skate. I’m talking six or seven year olds with barrettes on their hair. And this song came on and everybody was hype.

Adults included.

If you’ve been skating you know its so much MORE fun with good music.

Until…

We realized it was the EXPLICIT version. And I was shocked.

Floored.

Wanted to run away.

All the little kids were singing the lyrics and there I was…

I didn’t haven’t a clue as to what the actual lyrics were. And quite frankly, I liked it better that way. But nooooo here I was forced to have to experience it with a bunch of six and seven years old.

You get the point though. Clean versions rock! Offer us two options, the clean or the explicit version. And FYI, there are some people that prefer the explicit version for their audience. But let’s face it…you don’t know that until you send it. So give us a choice!

Your providing me a choice gives me a chance to listen to your song without judging it strictly for its content. You do want me to listen right?

Do you provide your audience a clean and explicit version? If you do, what are your reasons? If you don’t, will you start?