{"id":1295,"date":"2013-07-29T19:35:35","date_gmt":"2013-07-30T02:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/?p=1295"},"modified":"2013-07-29T19:35:35","modified_gmt":"2013-07-30T02:35:35","slug":"the-10-laws-of-success-an-independent-artists-hip-hop-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/the-10-laws-of-success-an-independent-artists-hip-hop-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Laws Of Success: An Independent Artist’s Hip Hop Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

A panel of industry veterans including LEP Bogus Boys and Torae weigh in on how to launch an independent Hip Hop career. With all due respect to Eminem and 50 Cent, sometimes people watch movies like\u00a08 Mile<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Get Rich Or Die Tryin\u2019<\/em>\u00a0and assume launching a Hip Hop career works the same way they see in movies. I meet a lot of unsigned, aspiring rappers. Between assisting in HipHopDX\u2019s social media and marketing duties and working with Coast2CoastLive.com, I\u2019m at well over 250 events each year. And since Hip Hop is still a multi-billion dollar industry, one of the most common questions I run across is how an artist can get their music posted online in hopes of launching a successful career. We\u2019re doing 13 or 14 cities, and I also host four to six online showcases monthly, so those questions get asked pretty often. Luckily, I also encounter plenty of A&R\u2019s, executives, signed artists and producers who have established themselves within the industry. So the following advice comes from those professionals\u2014people like Ken Lewis (check the production credits of J. Cole\u2019s, Kanye West and Jay-Z\u2019s latest albums, and you\u2019ll see his name). When rappers hope to get posted on various Hip Hop blogs and websites, these are ultimately the people they hope to impress and work with. So we put together this list based on Robert Greene\u2019s\u00a0The 48 Laws Of Power<\/em>. It\u2019s geared to getting your stuff online or just an overall balance of how to be successful as an independent artist trying to get signed. This isn\u2019t some guaranteed guide on how you\u2019re gonna get on. But between industry veterans like J-Hatch, LEP Bogus Boys, DJ ill Will and Torae, there are over 100 combined years of experience in this roundtable. For what it\u2019s worth, I used to manage an OfficeMax before getting involved with DX, Coast2Coast and i-Standard Producers. I had to make the decision between taking a pay cut and keeping the same job, or taking my unemployment and severance pay to leave and pursue my passion. So I can relate to any aspiring artist out there with a stack of burned CDs in pursuit of their dream. Taking the advice from the industry vets you hope to someday work with\u2014along with some planning, hard work and some luck\u2014is a start.<\/p>\n

Law 1: Do Your Research<\/h2>\n

Eric Beasley:<\/strong>\u00a0Co-Owner of The world\u2019s largest MC Battle League, SMACK\/ URL and one of the largest Hip Hop YouTube channels online\u00a0www.youtube.com\/Theurltv<\/a>. Beasley has also worked as an artist and producer manager in addition to his time at Warner as an A&R.<\/em> \u201cMaking the transition from your mother\u2019s basement to Madison Square Garden can be extremely difficult in this current climate of the music business. Most labels won\u2019t take a chance on an artist\u2014especially a rapper without any traction. When I say traction, I mean trackable data about you or your brand. This data can be in the form of\u00a0BDS [Broadcast Data Systems]<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Mediabase<\/a>\u00a0radio spins, a huge buzz on a mixtape (thousands of on-line downloads, independent sales, or write ups and praise from notable publications) presence on key websites and blogs, significant views on YouTube with a music video or blogs, touring, endorsement from established artists etc. Many ask how this can be achieved when the competition has more money, contacts, management, etc. Getting signed or becoming a huge independent artist takes a plan!\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 2: Use Resources & Strategize<\/h2>\n

Riggs Morales:<\/strong>\u00a0VP of A&R and Artist Development at Atlantic Records. For more music education insight, visit\u00a0www.Itsriggdup.com<\/a><\/em> \u201cDrive: This is the trait is what will keep you moving forward as doubt sets in, as progress is made or as you reach those \u2018stand-still\u2019 moments when nothing is happening. \u201cCreativity: The ability to stand out from the rest starts here. Even if you find yourself in a place clogged by others pursuing the same thing you are (producing, singing, rapping), you should nurture the ability to create something that sets you apart from everyone and will help you stand out. \u201cResources: Learn to work with less to get more. You can do just as much with a three people as you can with a 1,000, if it\u2019s all you have to work with. Learning to work with bare essentials will push you to make the best with what you have. \u201cStrategize: Once you\u2019ve built a cohesive system with what you have, then it\u2019s important to utilize the little you have with a strategic approach. Make every small step count towards bigger steps. \u201cVision: Have a clear (and realistic) outline of where you want to be and what you think will take to get there. Know that it will not happen overnight. It will take you time as you develop a rhythm through trial and error, which will ultimately trim the fat off your artistry and unveil the artist you were meant to be. \u201cGet A Job: You will make\u00a0no money<\/em>\u00a0as you work on your craft, which can lead to a stressful state of mind and interfere with your creative rhythms. Get a job that allows you to pay bills and put food on your table until your \u2018passionate hobby\u2019 turns into \u2018paying occupation.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 3: Create Quality Product<\/h2>\n

Ken Lewis:<\/strong>\u00a0Multi-Platinum Producer for Kanye West, Jay-Z, Eminem, Drake, Usher, Danity Kane, Jeremih, 50 Cent. More info on Lewis and his online musical tutorial program is available viawww.AudioSchoolOnline.com<\/a>.<\/em> \u201cThe number one thing young artists forget is that it\u2019s really all about the music. If your song doesn\u2019t instantly and strongly connect to people who don\u2019t know you, you\u2019re not going to make it very far. Don\u2019t listen to your friends and relatives. They love you and want to see you win. Watch the reactions to your music from people you don\u2019t know. Don\u2019t tell me, \u2018Well this rapper got signed and his songs suck.\u2019 Really? Is that where you set the bar for yourself? If you want to get noticed, make or find hot beats, and write an undeniable hit. Then do it again, and again, and you’ll get a deal. If it was easy, everybody would do it. It\u2019s not easy, and it takes a ton of thankless, draining, work, coupled with tons of rejection and soul searching. But there are a few who will emerge every year to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 4: Master The Art Of Multi-tasking<\/h2>\n

L.E.P. Bogus Boys:<\/strong>\u00a0Blueprint\/Infared\/Interscope Recording Artists<\/em>.\u00a0Follow Count and Moonie via Twitter at\u00a0@LEPBOGUSBOYS<\/a>.<\/em> \u201cWhat you got to understand is that whether you\u2019re independent or signed, it all falls on you. So you have to have an immediate team that multitasks and know their roles. We only got a team of five including us, and we all make the mechanism work. When you sign, look for a label that understands your brand not just because they got a lot of money for you. You also gotta build your relationships and stay persistent. That\u2019s how we got so far\u2014because of our immediate outlets of people we can get to. It took a whole lot to build that so strong, but it worked. More than anything, you gotta have good product and challenge yourself to be great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 5: Value Your Independence<\/h2>\n

DJ ill Will:<\/strong>\u00a0CEO of Tha Alumni Music Group & Manager for Kid Ink<\/em>.\u00a0Ill Will has worked with and broke some of the hottest artists in the game including Soulja Boy, Chris Brown, Tyga and more.<\/em> \u201cNo offense to the major labels, but stay Indie and get your paper up before you even consider a major label deal. Trust me, you won\u2019t regret it! Putting yourself at the mercy of a major label is career suicide\u2026unless you\u2019re the rare few.<\/p>\n

Law 6: Develop An Identity & A Team<\/h2>\n

Brian \u201cZ\u201d Zisook<\/strong>: VP\/Editor-in-Chief of\u00a0DJBooth.net<\/a> \u201cThere are no hard and fast rules or stone cold lock advice that works universally when given to an aspiring artist, who is looking to escape from the confines of their mother’s basement and make it as a professional recording artist. There are, however, several steps that should be taken to ensure that you are giving yourself the best possible chance at future success. These steps include, but are certainly not limited to: finding a team of professionals who believe in you and your music, developing an identity as an artist and branding your stage name and music accordingly, and creating a product that will sell itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 7: Be Humble, Realistic & Work Hard<\/h2>\n

Kyle \u201cKP\u201d Reilly:<\/strong>\u00a0VP Idle Media Inc \/\u00a0DatPiff.com<\/a><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/a> \u201cFor an artist to have a chance to make it out their mama\u2019s basement and into a label\u2019s boardroom, a lot of things need to happen, including a bit of luck. For the most part, what an artist needs more than anything is a good, realistic head on their shoulders. If your head isn\u2019t right, you have an inflated perception of yourself or of the game, you wont make it very far. Be humble, be yourself and don\u2019t follow everyone else\u2019s or industry trends. Work harder and harder for yourself\u2014not just to talk about how hard you\u2019re working\u2014results will speak for themselves. And lastly, do not spam or annoy those who you are attempting to sell yourself or distribute your music to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 8: Maintain A Physical Presence<\/h2>\n

J-Hatch:<\/strong>\u00a0Co-CEO of I-Standard Producers.\u00a0www.IstandardProducers.com<\/a><\/em> \u201cThese days, the general perception is that you need an online presence. Many aspiring artists then take to their social networks to send links out to people who in most cases consider that spamming. In reality it\u2019s all about creating a balance\u2014yes the Internet is important and influential. But networking, performing and building a fan base are all equally as important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 9: Become Business Savvy<\/h2>\n

Nick Hiersche:<\/strong>\u00a0President of Coast2Coast Mixtapes & Coast2Coast Live.\u00a0coast2coastmixtapes.com<\/a>\u00a0&coast2coastlive.com<\/a><\/em> \u201cI think the number one misconception we get is they think others owe them because they made a song. Just because you made a song does not make it a venue\u2019s responsibility to pay you all of a sudden. In order to get a paid booking, you must be able to sell tickets, alcohol or some other type of product for that venue or company. Music business is a business, and you must invest in yourself and your business until revenue starts being generated. If you are not getting paid to perform or feature on tracks, then you have not invested enough in yourself, period. The indie route is a smart route and can be done on a small budget, but it is still a budget. Until you realize this and make smart investments into your \u2018music business,\u2019 then it is a hobby, not a business. The converse of that is that if you want a \u2018major record deal,\u2019 you must invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into your \u2018music business.\u2019 It takes that much investment for large returns to come in, which is the only thing that interests labels. So both ways cost time, money and of course effort and talent. But in today\u2019s market you don\u2019t really need the major label. You can generate a sufficient income by investing in your indie \u2018music business\u2019 until the revenue starts coming. And then you can just collect from the loyal fans you gained from investing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Law 10: Maintain Consistency<\/h2>\n

Torae:<\/strong>\u00a0Emcee, Founder of Internal Affairs Entertainment, A&R for Soulspazm Records, co-host of Siriux XM\u2019s \u201cRap Is Outta Control.\u201d\u00a0www.facebook.com\/itstorae<\/a>\u00a0– Twitter & Instagram\u00a0@Torae<\/a><\/em> \u201cI think the most important thing in today\u2019s market is to be visible. It doesn\u2019t matter if you make the best music in the world if no one hears it or no one knows. So you have to be visible\u2014seen and heard. Do a lot of shows, even if they\u2019re free shows\u2026even if only your family is there. Perform your music. Master it, get it air tight and record it. YouTube has birthed a number of sensations, so definitely have it uploaded and linkable there. You also have to get used to giving away music for free. There is so much competition now, in order for people to know your music, you\u2019re going to have to give some away to build an audience and fan base. Social networking is very important as well. Make sure you\u2019re active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The more people are into you and what you\u2019re doing, the more they’ll care about the music, and the more they\u2019ll spread the word. \u201cI did a docu-series last year called \u2018Off The Record.\u2019 I think all new and aspiring artists should check it out to get some insight on the ups and downs of the music business. It was filmed during the recording and release of my album\u00a0For The Record<\/em>. I did it so that I could shed some light on what it takes on the daily basis to grind out a career in music.\u201d Via HipHopDx<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A panel of industry veterans including LEP Bogus Boys and Torae weigh in on how to launch an independent Hip Hop career. With all due respect to Eminem and 50 Cent, sometimes people watch movies like\u00a08 Mile\u00a0and\u00a0Get Rich Or Die Tryin\u2019\u00a0and assume launching a Hip Hop career works the same way they see in movies. I meet a lot of unsigned, aspiring rappers. Between assisting in HipHopDX\u2019s social media and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[223],"class_list":["post-1295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-tips","tag-marketing-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1295"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1296,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1295\/revisions\/1296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}