How Hip-Hop Will Survive in the Next Music Industry

The music industry is dead, and the how come doesn't matter. The question now is what next? How does an artist eat in an environment like this where record sales have dropped 20% since last year?

For rock bands, touring and merchandising will become more important than ever. Eventually they will be begging you to download their music for free, as long as you promise to pay 50 in damage for the live show and cop a T-shirt on your way out.

Rap acts though don't tour too tough. However, compared to the rockers, emcees are better suited to survive this new industry fallout. Ever since Diddy declared that anyone who questions how a rapper makes money is a "player hater", it's been open season for even the most indie leaning emcee to appear in commercials and have his own sneaker. Muscicians in other genres have to walk a fine line of art and commerce so they don't offend their fanbase. However, in hip-hop, the number of endorsements you score is part of your marketing plan.

Now, some see this and think there is too much commercialism in hip-hop. Me? I don't think there is enough.

From Sprite to Scion I see corporate sponsors as the new (or the first?) patrons of hip-hop. Back in the day, before recorded music and record labels, musical masters relied on patrons to front them while they made their art. In return for their investment, the wealthy patrons gained a higher social status by being linked to the incredible artists they fronted. Also, they would retain the artist to perform at their parties and write special dedications for themselves or family.

Now, doesn't that sound like how Reebok paid for the pairing of 50 Cent and Jay-Z or how  Boost Mobile did the same with Kanye, Ludacris, and The Game?

I'm not mad at any of those examples, because despite the money that's flowing I think hip-hop does a good job of holding to two rules that makes sure the commerce doesn't harm the art:

Rule # 1. Commercials are clearly commercials. Sprite has never tried to pass off one of their famous freestyle spots as an authentic, spontaneous, off-the-top endorsement by a rapper.

Rule # 2. Art is clearly art.  When Busta told Pharrell to "Pass the Courvoisier", I don't think he was considering a deal with that liquor brand, even if one came after the fact. He name dropped because it sounded hot, and that's it.

The only pass a rapper can get on rule #2 is if he owns the product he's pushing. Self-promotion is straight hip-hop.

I'm impressed with emcees like 50 Cent who has been able to remain independent and relevant and dangerous with his left hand, yet snatch coin from corporate America with his right. As 50 himself admitted in a Vibe Magazine interview, when asked about declining music sales industry wide, he said he doesn't care if less people buy the record, as long as they buy his clothing, vitamin water, videos game, and movies. 50 is in the business of selling a lifestlye, with music as the bait, a trick that Diddy and Jay-Z learned long ago.

That's the future now of the music business, and I think hip-hop will prosper in it.

UPDATE: Minutes after I published this post, I saw this article on Billboard about the touring boom:

"Pretty much any way you crunch the numbers, the concert industry kicked serious butt in 2006. Both dollars and attendance reported to Billboard Boxscore this year were at all-time highs. "

Comments

[Bol]

Well, yeah, but was anyone arguing this was going to be bad for the industry financially?

[Hashim]

I'm saying it's good financially, and won't effect the art. Only hip-hop can do that.

[enjoilax]

Sorry bud, but you got beaten to the punch. By a twee making bear no less.

http://podingtonbear.com//?p=36

[Bol]

>I'm saying it's good financially, and won't effect the art. Only hip-hop can do that.

Maybe, but I notice you left out the part about Jay and the Nets.

[J]

I think you underestimate the influence of commercialization. Just like lobbyist influencing lawmakers, artist will be under the thumb of those signing their checks. This is a fast track to lyrics being branded like NASCAR rides...-j

[Joey]

I've always advocated that artists focus more on concerts and commercials if they want to get paid because you can't fight the internets and records companies care about themselves, not their artists, to begin with. If CD sales are down, companies get upset because shareholders get upset. They don't get upset because it means that Freeway has a harder time eating.

[Jason]

How many established rock bands are there that don't have to lift a finger for the rest of their lives, collecting royalty checks and selling old greatest hits albums? How many rappers can do that? Sir Mix a Lot, maybe? Until this Digital Revolution iTunes thing took off, it looked like today's rappers had no viable future. But now that the game's changed, I think today's rap artists are better positioned than their rock contemporaries, as rappers have long been forced to find ways to turn music fame into non-music money.

[Dallas]

The connection that you make of artist to patron should be better for rappers since the patron essentially wants to be affiliated with the hottest artist. There might come an artistic liberation for rappers who don't have to place products in their rhymes.

Btw, the worst kept secret in the spirits industry is how much Couvosier paid to try to inch their way into Hennessy's demographic.

[jza]

Does this overcomercialization divides hip hop and break down the industry?

I agree with the business sense of hip hop, I am not so worry about diddy going broke tomorrow. I am a bit more scary of the health of hip hop.

This overcomercialization, will make companies be more like heards. They will go with the biggest fatest act and copy cat it. This will degrade the same art. Basically thats what happene when people reffer to hip-pop. The pop enviroment is a copycat and THAT affects the industry.

Example is Immortal Technique's song about how can people have a market for rouches sex fetiche magazine yet not find a market for true headed-political hip hop. Which happens to be the birth of hip hop to the industry (remember Public enemy?).

Yet groups failed to get exposure, groups like Dead Prez who even Dave Chappelle try to provide the exposure from his own spotlight.

I am not so connected to the latest and greatest of hip hop partly due because my media taste is driven by what I hear in the underground through the internet which makes me download (for free) the music.

I agree is not the best way, but you can blame distribution houses for not distributing cheap polycarbonate plastic with copyrighted material to my country.

Once that said, I just went on to BET and then youtube and scroll through the top 50 list and I havent found anything at all that is good. Hip hop songs has drastically cut off on rhymes and spend 45% of the song in a chorus that is basically less than 5 words.

[Cairo]

I totally agree with jza

[Sandra]

Could jealousy of the fact that Rappers won an academy award be driving Oprah's obsession with trying to destroy rap???
She wanted an award for the color purple real bad. Is she that petty and greedy and selfish???

[Bigrayvin]

The constantly the question is asked is Hip Hop dead. Constantly I answer no because hip hop culturely continues to push the envelope in so many directions. Exercise, DvD Magizines, mp3 you name it they push it. So the Hip Hop industry will be fine

[DJ Dave]

Hip hop is an artform man. Art never dies, it changes and morphs. Keep findin new ways to sell yourself and your music. Get a good artist management company to help. Or at least sign yourself up to Snocap and Phone Sherpa and move your beats from your web page.

[teksty piosenek]

Hip Hop in USA is commercial. In My country this type of music born few years ago it be somethibng great but now it going to be like in Your country... A the first day of life HH be a music of poor people, young people, that be music of "revolt"

[Big Gyrl Ent.]

http://www.myspace.com/fatalitythegyrlmusic

[wolfman]

its gonna be a tuffy. but underground hip hop will always be around. there nothing we can do about main stream stuff. just keep it cool dont over stress about others deal with your own. and it will survive..
and meanwhile have fun with it like this
http://m30.ca/contest/?paulwall?WolfMan

[biggyrl]

I am a 25 year old record lable C.E.O.. If you want to ball out of Control you need to do this. I have made $10,000 in about a month and I have so much Music Equipment it's ridiculous. So if you need some dough, loot, money whatever you call it just read this and follow the instructions and the money will start pouring in.

I'm sure you’ve read these letters asking you to send $1 to 6 different addresses. Putting your home address on the internet can be risky, but through paypal all you have to provide is your email address. It’s safe and easy just go to www.paypal.com and set up your account!!!! I am not a gullible person and have never trusted things like this, but I gave it a try, hey its only $6, I figured at least 6 people would respond out of the millions of people that use the internet. You should give it a try too! You have nothing to lose, and thousands to gain! Read on for the letter that I found ...
$$ HOW TO TURN $6 INTO $6,000+!!! THIS REALLY CAN MAKE YOU EASY MONEY!! IT WORKS!!! BUT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW IT TO THE LETTER FOR IT TO WORK!!!! $$

A little while back, I was browsing through newsgroup, just like you are now and came across an article similar to this that said you could make thousands dollars within weeks with only an initial investment of $6.00! So I thought, "Yeah, right, this must be a scam", but like most of us, I was curious, so I kept reading. Anyway, it said that you send $1.00 though paypal to each of the emails stated in the article. You then place your own email address in the bottom of the list at #6, and post the article in at least 200 news groups. (There are thousands) No catch that was it. So after thinking it over, and talking to few people first, I thought about trying it. I figured what have I got to lose except $6.00, right? Like most of us I was a little skeptical and a little worried about the legal aspects of it. It follows the same regulations as the "mailed chain letters, which according to the U.S. Post Office (1-800-725-2161) is indeed legal! Then I invested the measly $6.00. Well GUESS WHAT!!? Within 7 days, I started getting money in my paypal account! I was shocked! I figured it would end soon, but the money just kept coming in. In my first week, I made about $20.00. By the end second week I had made a total over $1,200.00!!! In the third week I had over $10,000.00 and it's still growing. This is now my fourth week and I have made a total of just over $36,000.00 and it's still coming in rapidly. It's Certainly worth $6.00. I have spent more than that on the lottery!! Let me tell you how this works and most importantly, why it works? Also, make sure you print a copy of this article NOW, so you can get the information off of it as you need it.

$$ REQUIREMENTS: You must have a verified paypal account. If you do not have an account you can go to www.paypal.com and follow the instructions to set up a free account. In order to place the initial $6 into your account, you will have to verify your bank account with paypal (which may take a few days). Paypal is 100% secure and is used by millions of people world wide.

STEP 1: Send, through paypal, $1.00 to each email on the below list. Make the subject of the payment "Email List" and in the comments, write "PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR EMAIL LIST." What you are doing is creating a service by this and best of all you are not giving your address to anyone you do not know ... THIS IS ABSOLUTELY LEGAL! The email list:

#1) [email protected]
#2) [email protected]
#3) [email protected]
#4) [email protected]
#5) [email protected]
#6) [email protected]

STEP 2: Now take the #1 email off the list that you see above, move the other addresses up (6 becomes 5, 5 becomes 4, etc) and add YOUR email address (the one used on the paypal account) as number 6 on the list.

STEP 3: Change anything you need to, but try to keep this article as close to original as possible. Now, post your amended article to at least 200 newsgroups, message board. (I think there are close to 32,000 groups) All you need is 200, but remember, the more you post, the more money you make - as well as everyone else on the list!

$$ DIRECTIONS $$ HOW TO POST TO NEWSGROUPS + MESSAGE BOARDS $$

Step #1) You do not need to re-type this entire letter to do your own posting. Simply put your CURSOR at the beginning of this letter and drag your CURSOR to the bottom of this document, and select 'copy' from the edit menu. This will copy the entire letter into the computer memory.

Step #2) Open a blank 'notepad' file and place your cursor at the top of the blank page. From the 'edit' menu select 'paste'. This will paste a copy of the letter into notepad so that you can add your name to the list.

Steps #3) save your new notepad file as a .txt file. If you want to do your postings in different sittings, you'll always have this file to go back to.

Step #4) Use Netscape or Internet Explorer and try searching for various newsgroups, on-line forums, message boards, bulletin boards, chat sites, discussions, discussion groups, online communities, etc. For example: you log on to any search engine like yahoo.com, google.com, altavista.com, excite.com then you search with subject like ?millionaire message board? or ?money making message board? or ?employment message board? or ?money making discussions? or ?money making forum? or ?business message board? etc. You will find thousands & thousands of message boards. Click them one by one then you will find the option to post a new message.

Step #5) Visit these message boards and post this article as a new message by highlighting the text of this letter and selecting paste from the Edit menu. Fill in the Subject, this will be the header that everyone sees as they scroll thru the list of postings in a particular group, click the post message button. You're done with your first one! Congratulations? THAT'S IT!! All you have to do is jump to different newsgroups and post away, after you get the hang of it, it will take about 30 seconds for each newsgroup!

$$ REMEMBER, THE MORE NEWSGROUPS AND/OR MESSAGE BOARDS YOU POST IN, THE MORE MONEY YOU WILL MAKE!! BUT YOU HAVE TO POST A MINIMUM OF 200** That's it! You will begin receiving money within days! $$

$$ JUST MAKE SURE THE EMAIL YOU SUPPY IS EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON PAYPAL. $$ Now the WHY part: Out of 200 postings, say I receive only 5 replies (a very low example). So then I Made $5.00 with my name at #6 on the letter. Now, each of the 5 persons who just sent me $1.00 make the MINIMUM 200 postings, each with my name at #5 and only 5 persons respond to each of the original 5, that is another $25.00 for me, now those 25 each make 200 MINIMUM posts with my name at #4 and only 5 replies each, I will bring in an additional $125.00! Now, those 125 persons turn around and post the MINIMUM 200 with my name at #3 and only receive 5 replies each, I will make an additional $625.00! OK, now here is the fun part, each of those 625 persons post a MINIMUM 200 letters with my name at #2 and they only receive 5 replies that just made me $3,125.00!!! Those 3,125 persons will all deliver this message to 200 newsgroups with my name at #1 and if still 5 persons per 200 newsgroups react I will receive $15,625.00! With an original investment of only $6.00!

A - M - A - Z - I - N - G - $$

$$ When your name is no longer on the list, you just take latest posting in the newsgroups, and send out another $6.00 to names on the list, putting your name at number 6 again. And start posting again. The thing to remember is, do you realize that thousands of people all over the world are joining the internet and reading these articles everyday, JUST LIKE YOU are now!! So can you afford $6?? And see if it really works?? I think so? People have said, what if the plan is played out and no one sends you the money? So what are the chances of that happening when there are tons of new honest users and new honest people who are joining the internet and newsgroups everyday and are willing to give it a try? Estimates are at 20,000 to 50,000 new users, every day, with thousands of those joining the actual Internet.

Remember, play FAIRLY and HONESTLY and this will work. Seriously, most people think this is a scam, but you actually do get thousands of dollars out of it, it is NOT another crazy stupid scam, if people follow through with sending out $6, it works!!!!!

$$ REMEMBER, IT IS 100% LEGAL! DON'T PASS THIS UP! $$

Look at what PayPal had to say about it! (or ask them for yourself)

Dear ************

Thank you for contacting PayPal. We apologize for the delay in responding to your service request.

It has come to our attention that there is a PayPal scheme floating around at the moment you may have heard or seen the $5 scheme. You may have even taken part in it well we have been asked a lot of questions about this scheme the answer is yes it does work and yes it is safe to use providing you follow the rules it is legal and has made a big hit on the internet this year.

Thank you for using PayPal! Sincerely, PayPal Community Support.

There's no use trying to cheat for only $6.00 ***

$$ Have fun! $$

[Dirty]

I couldn't personally disagree more with this blog. If you are a philanthropist of hop music, then you would appreciate the monetary rewards the commercialize has reaped over the past 2 decades. However, and a big however, if you are a fan of the music, you will recognize the large thumb placed down on artists to sell to a constantly broadening fanbase. This means compromising your original intentions if it sells less. It is no less equal to government censorship of CD sales. Besides the parental advisory sticker, the single off many best-selling albums have remained censored to increase radio play, which not only gives fans a chance to play fill in the blank for an eternity, but jeopardizes the passion of the artist for allowing his work to be censored. You would only be trying just hard enough to live with yourself if you enjoy commercial hip hop. Financial success has never equated to cultural and creative success. Children in India who love 50 Cent will never buy a vitamin water, most likely because it isn't sold in areas where income is so low. Personally, I make music and listen to music because I love it, and if the financial reward becomes great, even better, but if not, I'll be buried in the same ground as Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G, and we can discuss it further from there. Thanks and check the www.myspace.com/dirty845

[texas summer music conference]

YES IT WILL!!!! FOR MORE INFO ON HOW TO SURVIVE CONTACT WWW.TEXASSUMMERMUSICCONFERENCE.COM

Do you have what it takes to make it in the music industry?
Texas Summer Music Conference will take place this year July 6th-8th @
the Westin Hotel (Down-Town Dallas)
Presale Tickets available now for a limit of time for $60! Contact
214.801.0674 or e-mail [email protected] to reserve your tickets today!
Log on to www. texassummermusicconference.com!

[texas summer music conference]

YES IT WILL!!!! FOR MORE INFO ON HOW TO SURVIVE CONTACT WWW.TEXASSUMMERMUSICCONFERENCE.COM

Do you have what it takes to make it in the music industry?
Texas Summer Music Conference will take place this year July 6th-8th @
the Westin Hotel (Down-Town Dallas)
Presale Tickets available now for a limit of time for $60! Contact
214.801.0674 or e-mail [email protected] to reserve your tickets today!
Log on to www. texassummermusicconference.com!

[Learn how to C Walk]

Hip Hop will never die.

[kommercial]

Hip Hop is a world wide sub culture. I will survive.

[SZ]

When money and politics centres the subject of discussion when it comes to Hip-Hop you know the realness of the genre is on it's way out. Bring back the ones not doin it for the dough but doin it for the relative joe. Hip-Hop, remember, is a tool for the writer, putting the light on society issues neglected, and if it sticks to it's original plan Hip-Hop will never die as long as society exists, the market will appreciate it more. Financial influence or insentive will reshape the genre taking it out of it's original form, leaving us with a memory of what it used to be.

[Matchstik]

Matchstik was born in Fort Camble, Kentucky and raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Matchstik’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide. Matchstik’s father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Matchstik’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own.

Without a father figure in his life, Matchstik found a home in the streets with drug dealers. It wasn’t long before Matchstik himself began selling cocaine. At age 13, Matchstik had his first run in with the law. Matchstik had his second arrest at age 14 for possession of crack cocaine.

Thereafter, Matchstik joined forces with the local king pin, who also happened to be his mother’s boyfriend son. From the ages of 13 through 16, Matchstik and the local king pin worked together moving 3 to 4 kilos of crack cocaine per week.

Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Matchstik realized he had to turn his life around. Matchstik left the life of dealing behind, dropped out of high school and passed his G.E.D.

He also went on to attend college, and ultimately joined the Navy at age 20. After completing four years of service in the Navy, he decided to leave the South and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast. Matchstik is now living in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing a career in music.

His energetic and innovative beats, witty rhymes and clever choruses are just what the Hip-Hop industry needs. Matchstik has collaborated with numerous local artists in various locations throughout the United States ranging from the East Coast, the Dirty South, and the West Coast.

Matchstik has also opened up for Joe Buddins and Sean Paul (the Reggae Artist) in Winnipeg, Canada! Matchstik is an impressive 25-year-old who is one of America's next Hip-Hop stars. Uniquely talented, Matchstik does not only write his own rhymes but also produces his own beats.

Check out These Classic Masterpieces on
www.myspace.com/matchstik

thanks for your time,

-Matchstik
Live in the abundance, and make today your best!

[Osiris]

You are right, 50 is selling a lifestyle. But it is a lifestyle that we should not support or be proud of. While I cannot, and will not, lay the blame on him and other “artists” like him for the conditions of our community, I will say it is people like him that help to create and perpetuate dangerous mindsets of our youth - mindsets that make it exceedingly difficult to change these conditions in our community. Lets be honest, who among us can really say that what he personifies is having a positive effect on our community?

[Milo]

Sup Hashim, long time.

I didn't read the comment section, and I probably should have for relevancy, but check -- If hip hop survives in this next music industry with 50 Cent setting the example, it will die out quickly in my opinion.

50 Cent is an established artist. He uses his celebrity to get these endorsements. If the key to the new music industry is endorsements, not music, that cancels itself out. An up and coming rapper has to be popular to carry a brand on his shoulders. He can't come out the gate swigging Vitamin Water first and then drop an album second. Know what I mean?

It's a tough thing. I personally can't call it. I can guess that it'll have something to do with the internet, but I feel that since the entire music industry is changing, that's such a titantic shift it's impossible to predict.

What's up though! Good to see you're still blogging.

[Iverson Crossover 3]

Nike, Reebok, and Adidas the 3 largest shoe companies in the world have benefited from the basketball and hip-hop culture fusion of the past 23+ years that is now being called The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, 1984-Present. From Jordan to Iverson and now "King James" the sneaker world and hip-hop have helped create the branding of HIP-HOP. Iverson is the # 1 most influencial person of The "Dunkadelic-Era." The 5 following event's in 1984 gave birth to The "Dunkadelic-Era."

1. David Stern was announced as the 4th NBA Commissioner on February 1, 1984.

2. The NBA introduced the Slam Dunk Contest to All-Star Weekend. All-Star Weekend has become a huge gathering for NBA player's and hip-hop artists.

3. Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin formed Def Jam Records. Def Jam remains the #1 hip-hop label in America.

4. The "Fresh Fests" became the 1st major hip-hop concert tour in America. Kurtis Blow the hip-hop pioneer releases the hit rap-song Basketball.

5. Michael Jordan was the 3rd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Jordan signs with Nike to produce the "Air Jordan" sneakers that became fashion symbols within the hip-hop culture.

[MrDada]

Hip Hop will never die...

www.TeamLuxury.com

www.MrDada.com

[J.Costa]

CD sells drop, what about legal downloads? I've heard they still growing.

Plus, rappers are improving their live performances and including bands that makes the sound much better, they selling out arenas arround the world too.

The industry as we know it might be dead, but they figuring out a way out, believe me, we will still keep those guys rich as hell and they will keep that same speech like "I'm staky rich, I'ma dye tryna spend this shit" (that's sad)

[Whygee]

Just remember that Hip Hop is still a baby i'n the Music Family we aint goin nowhere... just gettin older and better...

Here's somemore shit if you dont have one get one...My Showcase
www.myspace.com/whygee

[Michael Brito]

Hey, sorry I have to leave a comment but I couldn't find a 'contact' link on your site.

Just thought your readers might enjoy a contest we just launched in cooperation with BET. You can get the details here:

http://bix.yahoo.com/hiphopawards

Let me know if you have any questions...

Michael

[TAKIA]

www.myspace.com/chocmusik

TAKIA

aka

Princess of Harlem!!!!

It's "HOMECOMING"

[Koolkidkulture]

Speaking of Hip Hop commercials

Boost Mobile Anthem 2.0 with Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy and Mickey Avalon.

http://koolkidkulture.blogspot.com/

exclusive pics and the track.

[gudda brudaz]

www.myspace.com/dirtytreatment

www.myspace.com/neworleansguddabrudazmixtape

[Rachel]

Hip-Hop is alive!!!
Just check out this HOT new Music Video 'Going All Out' by Concrete Mob featuring Lucho.
Respect - Rachel!

[Rachel]

Hip-Hop is alive!!!
Just check out this HOT new Music Video 'Going All Out' by Concrete Mob featuring Lucho.
Respect - Rachel!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ImkgUv1rVJc

[sun god]

Da Backwudz are now..

LABRATZ!!

Former Rowdy Records act Da Backwudz, have left Dallas Austin’s camp to form the four man super group LABRATZ , and have released their first project on upstart label Royal Family Music. The former Rowdy signees site business and creative differences for their departure and were eager to find some like minds to spread their creative wings. They found that with long time Decatur homeboys and collaborators Heavy Slim and G-Wiz. The final piece to the puzzle appeared upon meeting super producer Sol Messiah (JAY ELECTRONICA, Dead Prez,talib kweli,Nappy Roots, Chamillionaire, David Banner) who is also the co-founder of Royal Family Music. LABRATZ and Sol Messiah got right to work on the soon to be classic ATLANTIS RISING . The project has two guest appearances featuring Dead Prez and Nappy Roots. The rest of the album is an exclusive collaboration between LABRATZ and Sol Messiah. LABRATZ have the southern artistic stylings of an Outkast and Goodie Mob, along with a musical and lyrical assault likened to Wu Tang Clan. Still, LABRATZ has a style all of its own and they are destined to start a movement. LABRATZ DEBUT ALBUM ATLANTIS RISING IS ON SELL ONLINE AT amazon.com and itunes and all other music sites.
www.myspace.com/thelabratzmusic

LABRATZ members are:
Big Marc (aka Leon Rothstein)
Sho Nuff (aka Marty McFly)
Heavy Slim
G-Wiz
*Sol Messiah (honorary member)

[Orville J. Parker]

I believe that the direction hip hop is moving towards is good for the industry as a whole.

True enough, artist will have to adapt to the game, but let's be honest, corporations have been making money off of urban music for years.

The only thing different now is that the details are positioned out in the open due to the decentralization of information.

Now everything is transparent.

Also, I feel that it is positive that artist can actually capitalize off of their efforts.

I feel that artist need to spend time studying up on the internet and how technology is changing the way we do business in the game.

Adaption is the name of the game.

Figure out a strategy to profit but at the same time, stay true to one's self.

J aka Big Hack
www.stackthatpaper.com

[MAFMATIKS]

DONT FORGET ABOUT THE CLOTHING LINES, i.e. MAFMATIKS. WE TAKIN OVER! WE THE BEST! THE BADEST!

[Beats Broke]

The problem I'm seeing is that technology is so cheap and available, everyone who thinks they're an artist makes an album.

I support a person's right to flex their artistic muscle, but the issue is a lack of quality control.

Before the web boom, record labels were the clearing house for talent. Now, we're spammed by jillions of people on MySpace/Blogs/Ect in our daily lives.

This constant self-promotion gets old to me. It's a fight for who can yell the loudest. Remember, you can catch more flies with honey!

[tr3sDosUno]

tr3sDosUno.blogspot.com
tr3sDosUno.blogspot.com
tr3sDosUno.blogspot.com

[Wanting to be Cool]

I am not sure I agree with you. The hip hop industry is based on people faking their coolness. Its not sustainable. Endorsing Sprite, is not what hip hop was about or should be about. Its been sadly bastardized.

[scott]

Pretty nice info. Thanks for the article.

[Cashflow420]

The underground artists that sell their album out the trunk are at least puttin bread on the table in the meantime. All this bootlegging and downloading is killer!
www.cashflow420.com

[Malik Scott]

Wondering how do we submit news/press releases to you??

Thanks,
--
Malik Scott
Real-Livin
Bronx, NY
www.gocmovie.com
[email protected]

[CrunchyMunchy]

You won't want to miss this... we just obtained a rare exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with the unbelievable talent behind Soulja Boy's phat moves:

http://digitalfuntown.squarespace.com/dft-blog/2008/2/5/interview-with-soulja-boys-choreographer.html

[Anant Kamat]

Hey friends,
To all the Hip Hop Fans here is an amazing Hip-Hop Contest going on. Just check out the URL given below for Lil Mama rap contest.

http://www.snapvine.com/contest/show/ca791a20b00211dc95ab0030485c71be?tag=mt

[Anant Kamat]

Hey friends,
To all the Hip Hop Fans here is an amazing Hip-Hop Contest going on. Just check out the URL given below for Lil Mama rap contest.You gotta check it out.........

http://www.snapvine.com/contest/show/ca791a20b00211dc95ab0030485c71be?tag=mt

[Hiphoptube]

We will win...Go Hiphop

[What!!!!!]

Thats true. But did you hear that Snoop Doggs new album Ego Trippin is dropn March 11th. Now that i can beleive. And you know its going to be crazy dope since his single that came out was Sensual Seduction. Its gonna be a classic. Heres what video you wanted to check out. Its classic snoop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE8Erd9cpAk

[FREEBEATS]

its kind of hard to say where hip hop will go. people are starting to change how they hustle. the net might some how bring it back even stronger for everybody

[J-Gan]

Yea Hip-Hop is fading out, kinda sad and shit but the truth is they are a sh*t load of underground emcee's out there that need to be given a chance but it hardly ever happens. what u see on the tv screens today are 1 hit wonders. there is actually no hip-hop tv station or hardly even a hip-hop tv show. i am a hip-hop producer/artist from North Dakota (wondering how that happened huh?) heres how i feel bout the new hip-hop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ikDnkrXvU

[Nubianem]

IS BARAK OBAMA BEING 'POLITICALLY CRUCIFED' BY THE JUDAS-MEDIA PHARASEES UNDER ORDERS FROM THEIR MASTERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA AND EAST ASIA WHO ARE TRYING TO REDUCE AMERICA INTO A NATION IN DEBT, WITH NO INDUSTRY, PAYING 'WELFARE' TO UNGRATEFUL NATIONS, HAVING ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE DOMINATE THE MEDIA AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN DOLLAR AND AMERICAN WEALTH?

Barak Obama is being 'politically crucified' by the JUDAS-"AMERICA COMES SECOND" MEDIA.

That media is dominated by master-propagandists such as Roosh Limbugstein, Shorn Connityberg, O'really, Cunninghumstein, Horrors-wits, Medvlad-the-Impaler, Savarage Nazion, unKOLTERBERG, and a cadre of JUDAS-MEDIA PROPAGANDISTS WHO USE THE TALK SHOW, CABLE AND RADIO TO 'CRUCIFY' ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT AMERICA MUST HAVE 'AN EVEN-HANDED POLICY,' IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

These rabidmouthed propagandists HAVE NO LOYALTY TO AMERICA. THEY PUT PARTICULAR NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST BEFORE AMERICA, AND ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS THAT AMERICA COMES FIRST - THAT PERSON IS CRICIFIED BY TODAYS JUDASES, PHARASEES AND ROMANS.

That is why the rat-mouths like Limbugstein, O'really and that lot of 'foreign-owned' propagandists working for their masters in the Middle East, Europe, Australia and the Far East continue to attack Obama.

OBAMA IS A TRUE PATRIOT - STANDING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE JUDAS-MEDIA ARE CONTROLLED BY THE PUPPET-MASTERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

[Kockturne]

Everyone do needs to do their part. Buy albums from dope artists and steal vitamin water.

[Kidney Hoover]

New hungarian underground hip-hop
Check it out!
http://www.myspace.com/logbasan

[Supa Mizzy]

Check us out if you want to here good music on the come up.

[Supa Mizzy]

www.thinkinbigproductions.com

[may]

hip hop has evolved and having to accept the commercialism is part of it. its not all bad, there is still dope hip hop out there, it keeps us rockin, dropping to the floor...it is part of us and always will be.

hip hop is still here it "cant stop wont stop"

may

www.myspace.com/wizkhalifa
http://www.youtube.com/user/WizKhalifaMusic

[elle]

poeple just need to learn to think outside the box and turn themself into a brand instead of trying to make money, industry is a hustle, so you better be good, and tough skin doenst hurt, it helps.

oh and if anyone is interested in some new music check out myspace.com/superstarvic he has a single called "get silly" which was produced by soulja boy, so go check it

[el gato]

the reason everyone hates commercial sell outs is because, with the exception of very rare artists, in order to achieve commercial success is because artists are forced water down their art and become trite parodies of their former selves and art. take the black eyed peas for example. good lord. what the hell happened there? the same thing that happens to most all commercial artists. i know it's hard to resist making a fortune by becoming a clown, but come on, have at least a little pride.
-
G-Biz
www.g-biz.net

[Yani]

Anybody ever heard of T.O.B.I.A.S. or DARKSIDE. Its a buzz going around that they are the new thing. jus checking. I peep them at www.myspace.com/darealm.Wow!Check em out it was hot. Let me know what yall think.

[Desiree]

THERE IS STILL SOME HOPE FOR GOOD MUSIC....

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ARMELSWORLD

[bill]

come check out our interview with the legendary DMC of RUN DMC!!!!
www.cheeseandbeer.net

[cookiemonsta]

Dj Cookie Monster was born June 19,1992 in Cincinnati Ohio. He grew up around Hip Hop since he was an infant. Being a son of producer G-Money, this kept Dj Cookie Monster in the
studio quite often.
By the age of 13 years old he gained interest in wanting to become a rapper. Then at the age of 14 years old he moved in with his father.
While living with his father he decided to pursue his ambitions of
becoming a rap artist.
So with the help of his father, who is a veteran in the game in
April of 07 he began working on his freshman album the "Cookie Jar".

"I am on a campaign to show the youth it's more than one way to
hustle" says Cookie Monster.

please go checkout his 2 singles at itunes music store or myspace.com/icookmics

[Hip-Hop Music]

Hip-Hop will live forever!!!!!!!!!!

[tony]

you are very right on everything you said. Nobody buys music anymore. All the labels are working on free download sites. There are many free download site up already like spiralfrog for majors and a bunch of test sites like wyplanet for indies. artists will make a name for themselves giving away free music then reaping the rewards with touring
if you are into mixtapes then come to http://www.thatcrack.com

keep telling the truth on your blog,even if they disagree

there is another blog that tells it like it is that blog is http://www.hiphopspy.com check it

[Tomasz]

test

[Tomasz]

http://terminateonsight.blogspot.com

[FREE BEATS]

Hip Hop Is just going to go back to the underground world again where it should be

[FREE BEATS]

Hip Hop Is just going to go back to the underground world again where it should be

[FREE BEATS]

Hip Hop Is just going to go back to the underground world again where it should be

[FREE BEATS]

Hip Hop Is just going to go back to the underground world again where it should be

[Dany]

Excellent article !! Great to know about Hip Hop and music industry.

[Will a.k.a. Hip Hop Is Alive & Well]

How will Hip Hop ultimately survive?By artists that push the envelope lyrically and musically!Think about how DJ Premier used to chop up jazz samlples and lay underground Hip Hop cuts over the hooks?Nobody was doing that and that was something new!Think about how Tribe came into the game with a new sound that was kinda on some 60's hippie shit?Nobody in Hip Hop was doing that either!If Hip Hop is to truely survive then the way a producer approaches a beat is the key to me!It all starts with the producer!Not sampling is cool,but if you don't classically play an instrument and understand music arrangement then the two sounds that you do know how to play gets old very quickly!There is plenty of music to sample that you don't have to get publishing permission for,but most so-called producers nowadays are not students of the game!Producers don't dig for sounds and loops anymore!They think just because they can half way program a MPC that that makes them a super-producer!In order to expand your producing game you have to first be a true fan of "music" in general!Not just Hip Hop or Rap,but music!Why does every producer that gives Lil Wayne a beat use the same drum pattern?Who pushes him artistcally when they give him a track?Mannie Fresh was the only one who really ever pushed the envelope with Wayne and maybe whoever produced the Lollipop joint!So,I honestly believe that Hip Hop's survival depends on the producer first,then the rapper second!The producer should bring the vision to the table first and then see where the artist can take it lyrically!There are only a few emcees who can just simply run with a beat and make it hot without direction from the producer...Hova,Nas,and Common to name a few!And Busta Bust!But how many rappers out today have the lyrical vision of those rappers mentioned?Not many,so so-called producers...step your game up!-Will a.k.a. Hip Hop Is Alive & Well
www.myspace.com/lyricassassin

[london06]

the hottest artist in the midwest

www.myspace.com/grkinglouis

check him out...he is fire

[John]

Look back to where hip hop came from and the start and rise of gansta rap:

By clicking the links below, you will be brought straight to the iTunes store for viewing.

Tupac Vs.: http://tracking.newvideo.com/fclick.php?33
Welcome to Death Row: http://tracking.newvideo.com/fclick.php?32

[oldschool]

THE START OF HIP HOP!

Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant's historic PBS documentary Style Wars, which tracks the rise and fall of subway graffiti in New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is now available for viewing on iTunes.

Just click the link below and you will be brought straight to the iTunes Store for viewing:

http://tracking.newvideo.com/fclick.php?34

[brandon.real-fam]

how. wat. wat da fuck is diss shit goin on about. if u not wit me fuck u when i say diss. straight up. a few words too end fake shit.
THE GAME IZ TO BE TOLD. NOT TO BE SOLD FAGGET.

[Hip-Hop]

I am Hip-Hop, Hip Hop is strong and long lasting and can be here forever, but Just like "The Game" said last week that he don't like what hip hop has become and don't want to be apart of it anymore, well lots of people is see this the same way like ICE-T. if Hip-Hop artist don't get things back to a culture basses then we are all in for a rude awaking!!!

[posh]

yo on the real the real hip hop goin through a transfomation period. but if you listen to the new artist like little wayne, young jeezy, even them new hip hop heads like this spanish emcee J'Bella she fuckin people up. to find the real hip hop you gots to go to these little open mic joints where the real art is made

[patriziaotxoa]

Hip Hop is a way of living. It's a growing so fast, as we can see new types of urban music that have clearly hip hop roots coming out in various countries, in many different languages! We need the commercial and the artsy stuff, the commercial to keep on the market and on the mind. And the artsy to give pleasure to the ears.

Patricia

Outsourcing Solution

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[Mark]

How Hip-Hop Survives is already Happening I just read EveryDay Life By MG Hardie. This book is Hip-Hop and this book is how Hip-Hop not only survives but grows. It looks like a lot of so-called hip-hop mags and blogs are staying away from this new book. This book does question the industry is that why there has been no review in a hip-hop magazine of a new hip-hop book? They had better take note thsi book has it right. I have read it twice and I am still laughing.

[Mokah]

That is a good question How will Hip Hop Survive in the next music Industry? In my personal opinion Hip Hip will never die. With modern technology such as the the internet & digital downs capabilities, artist today is taking matters into their own hands and selling their music online, booking their own shows & taking more of a "business" approach rather than a "game."

There is DVD Magazine called "Chocolate City Live" it has one on interviews with various artist taking about how to survive in this untamed music industry, including concert & reality footage. You should check it out.. http://www.chocolatecitylivedvd.com/Chocolate_City_Live_DVD/DVD_MAG.html

Thanks for the tip on the book "EveryDay Life By MG Hardie." I will check it out...

[interscope records]

haliwood showtime will be the next artist on interscope records.
his single will drop in early oct 08
myspace.com/kinghaliwood
check him out

[Dave Lee]

I love hip hop clothing
http://www.reallydope.com/?ref=3101580

[underground hip hop]

Music biz is spiraling outta control... better get itwhiel ya can

[Duke Patterson]

G FIIVE

LL COOL J, CHRIS BROWN, BOW WOW, JAY Z, KANYE WEST, TI, OUTKAST, NEYO AND USHER IS THE MIXTURE. HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE? HIP HOP, R&B, DANCE MOVES, CRAZY STAGE PERFORMANCE, HIGH ENERGY AND THE LADIES ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! WHO IS HE? “G FIIVE”. HE IS A DOWN SOUTH ARTIST WORKING WITH PRODUCERS SUCH AS RICO LUMPKIN, WHO HAS WORKED WITH TLC, SAMMIE, OUTKAST, BOBBY V, LLOYD ETC., SWOLE OF THE PACKAGE STORE OF COLLIPARK MUSIC WHO HAS WORKED WITH VIC, SOULJA BOY ETC., GARRY “GIZZO” SMITH WHO HAS WORKED WITH JAGGED EDGE, BOBBY V., J R GET MONEY AND NEW ARTIST JOE GUTTA. I CAN SMELL THE MIXTURE OF HIP HOP AND R&B COOKING.
BACKED BY THE FOUR TIME ALL PRO AND PRO BOWLER OF THE BALTIMORE RAVENS, HOW AND WHY DID CINCINNATI BENGALS LET THAT HAPPEN, WHO IS A TRUE FAN OF HIP HOP THAT LOVES JAY Z, OUTKAST, AND BIGGIE SMALLS. IN HONOR OF BIGGIE SMALLS AND WILLIE’S WAY OF LIFE HE NAMED HIS COMPANY “THINK BIG LLC” WHICH HOUSES THINK BIG ENTERTAINMENT, FATBURGER OF ATLANTA AND FATBURGER OF OHIO AS WELL AS HIS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT COMPANY.
G FIIVE IS NOT THE TYPICAL ENTERTAINER. HE TAKES PRIDE IN HIS PERFORMANCES BY PUTTING IN THE WORK TO GIVE YOU A GOOD SHOW EVERY TIME YOU SEE IT. G FIIVE BELIEVES EVERY TIME YOU SEE HIM IT’S A FIRST IMPRESSION. ONCE HE PUTS DOWN HIS PEN AT SOME POINT IN THE DAY FROM WRITING MUSIC OR JUST LAYING SOME TRACKS DOWN IN THE STUDIO HE PICKS UP HIS PENCIL AND WORKS ON HIS ARTWORK. “ARTWORK YOU SAY” YES THE KID IS ALSO AN ARTIST. HE PUTS DOWN HIS VISONS ON THE CANVAS AS WELL. G FIIVE HAS SKILLZ AT IT. HE SEES IN HIS HEAD AND PUTS IT DOWN LIKE HIS PICTURE OF HOW HE SEES HEAVEN,’HE HAS A SPIRITUAL SIDE ALSO’. ONCE HE WAS APPROACHED BY ONE OF HIS FRIENDS FROM MYSPACE CALLING HIM OUT STATING “DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLZ TO DRAW ME“, HE TOLD HER TO GIVE ME A PICTURE AND TWO DAYS AND THERE WAS THE MASTERPIECE POSTED IN HIS PICS ON MYSPACE. LITTLE DID SHE KNOW THAT IN ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS WAS HIS HUSTLE AND A WAY FOR HIM TO GET MONEY. BUT BACK TO THE BUSINESS AT HAND THIS KID IS A HOTT NEW ARTIST ON THE RADAR WITH GOOD MUSIC WE ALL CAN LISTEN TO FROM AGES SEVEN TO ONE HUNDRED SEVEN SO DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE PARENTAL ADVISORY BECAUSE ALL THE MUSIC IS CLEAN AND AGAIN LADIES HE IS DEFINETLY SOMETHING TO SEE. HE ALSO HITS YOU BACK ON THE SPACE SO HERE IT IS. GET AT HIM BECAUSE HE WILL DEFINETLY GET BACK AT YOU!!!!!!

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/YOUNGGONLINE WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/GMUSICGROUP

ARTICLE BY KEDRA

[BRIX]

Hip Hop like always will adapt with the times.

(Hey I found your link on twitter - holla @ me)

[Evan]

I think that this has been a successful trend among hip hop artist to embrace half of their identity with merchandising. Its also seems like that industry is the only one that can pull it off with that kind of success. There is no way an indie band could pull that off.

Evan
www.beyondrace.com

[Frost]

This is a post directed at all of the frequent posters on this blog, as well as at Hashim, the author of this engaging article. I am an undergrad researcher at Stanford University as well as lifetime hip hop head, and I am studying the effects of the blogosphere and online communities on the face of the hip hop nation and the future of hip hop, economically, culturally, and musically.
My question is this: how does the hip hop blogosphere at large relate to the future of hip-hop in the post-record industry age? How will it facilitate new musical and cultural trends in the genre? How does the internet change the face of the hip hop nation. In short, how will the future of hip-hop be changed by the online communities such as this one?

[fAN OF maNN]

Check Mann out, new 17 yr old artist on Def Jam. JERKIN!!

Myspace.com/mann

[WRUWT?]

Just wanted to share a new hip hop dancing site made by dancers, for dancers.

please join us today! and get your own friends involved!

http://www.hip-hop-dancers.com

[pj78]

Jet Phynx's Animated is coming Soon

[MsBaker]

Touring and commercialization is definitely not new to the music industry. Why you think CEO and MC Snoop Dogg helped to start the trend of reality TV? I am very excited for Season 2 of Father Hood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLxPb0xZjOo

[UrbanUmpires.com]

Hip hop is to new to stop just yet. It has evolved and changed over this short time - then you have the real heads doing their thing to bring the true culture of it back. It will all take time and so expect hip hop to stay just that...Hip Hop.

Oh, and if you love music go to UrbanUmpires.com (flash side) and click the Third Rail sign for hundreds of hours of free professional on demand mixes of all genres - also there are free videos if you browse the site!

Prince Po, Marc Stretch, Grand V, Turbin, Various Blends, Just Jay and more ae all part of the umpire fam.

No sign up - no catch - just dope music and video!

UrbanUmpires.com

Peace and Love

[TC of 39th Ave Music]

TC aka The Ambassador of Hope Hop, Got The World Doing Da Double Dutch!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/516793825a641fe4/

[TC of 39th Ave Music]

Lou-ish...

"The Gift to the City" inspired by the creativity of STL in its fashion/style and the way we party. TC wanted to give something directly to the people that have supported him and also to the new fans as well.

TAKE A LISTEN
http://www.zshare.net/audio/51679246853258d7/