How do you make yourself known to people as an upcoming rap artist?
Posted by adminAug 10
My friend is an upcoming rap artist… and he’s really talented and skilled and makes some good songs. The problem is that NO one knows him. People are only gonna follow who they know. His main problem with his music and everything else is getting people to recognize him… spreading the word who he actually his. How should he go about doing this if he wants to be known? Just like how you can go to anyone and ask about Lil Wayne or Jay-Z and they can tell you who they are, he wants this same recognition, the recognition alone for now. How should he go about trying to accomplish this?
7 comments
Comment by J E M on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
Most of it is luck. There are so many people trying to make it in the entertainment world (music, film, books - all areas) that the industries get flooded with potential performers. A big part of this is due to it being a free market. Anyone can send a mixtape to a label or a manuscript to an agent so these people literally have thousands of people’s work sitting on there desk. Sometimes it’s sheer luck that an agent picks up your work instead of someone else’s.
The internet has made it a little easier to get your name out (which again hurts chances because it is also open to anyone who wants to throw their stuff on the web). He should make a MySpace music page, probably a SoundClick page, and a Facebook page if that’s possible. Then he just needs to start making music. Put together a well organized and cohesive mixtape. The closer to album quality it is the better. Take it to local radio stations and see if you can get someone to listen to it. Send it to labels, both indie and major. The chances of it being heard if you send it to, say, Universal are slim but the chances of it being heard if you don’t send it at all are none. Give away albums to anyone that will take one. You can buy a stack of 100 cds for like 10 bucks. Even consider going as far as putting labels on them (also extremely cheap).
The only way to do it is make the best music he can and get as many people to hear it or potentially hear it as possible.
Edit:
"no its not luck. how would it be luck?"
You’re telling me there aren’t a thousand Soulja Boys. But he was the one that made it. Call it luck, call it fate, call it whatever. Sometimes it more than just being good.
Comment by Hip Hop Rent-a-Cop on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
There are a few common steps that artists are taking nowadays: 1. Create a MySpace. 2. Plug your music on different music-based websites. 3. Creat posters and hang them up at local venues. 4. Call clubs and try to book shows. 5. Stay positive.
If there was some "get-rich (or famous)-quick" path that you could use I’m sure you would have heard of it already. There are musicians that go 10 (or many, many more) years without ever being recognized globally. My advice would be; work hard and stay focused.
Comment by Killuminati Soldier on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
by handing out free copies of your mix tapes or CDS to people.Also another way is to send in some CDS of you to a local radio station and have them play it.Another way is by participating at school dances,or gigs in fairs or at concerts handing out posters of you.I would also recommend you friend to make a Youtube account and post his music there and have people hear it,and also posting some songs on MySpace as well.I would also advise him to make friends with other local rappers,becuase chances are that those other local rappers know other people that have high friends in high places,and that way he can establish a connection with those people.make sure to go to clubs or resturants and make a performance.Eventually,talent agenst will be in the look out and if he’s good enough they might recoommend him to a label like Interscope or Def Jam.But he HAS to be very talented at rap.Another way is to send a record company like Def Jam,or Cash Money a CD of yours and have them listen to it.If he gets a very good vibe from the local people in your area about his music,chance are that he will get a very good vibe from people outside of the state or area.
Glad to have helped.
and tell him Good LUCK!!
Comment by drastik on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
no its not luck. how would it be luck?
Comment by james j on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
he can start by getting a following in his home area…and then he can collab wit other up and comers in other places that way he can hit more markets but he definately gonna need patience or maybe he can just get lucky
Comment by Mike S on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
First he should have a myspace. The myspace alone is an online demo tape. Then he should make youtube videos. Next he should book shows to perform a lot. He should also be social and try to network with as many people as he can. A lot of times it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. It would have even helped if you posted his myspace in your question like I do mine.
http://www.myspace.com/lyricalphase
A lot of times people think they are good, but it’s not untill they get criticism that they actually do become good and a standout artist.
Comment by willa44 on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 am
Besides putting your stuff on MySpace, and handing out free copies of a CD don’t forget YouTube and Facebook. Try a talent night at local coffee houses or other hang outs. Don’t forget local talent shows or battle of the bands type stuff. When you get a following from your promoting you can try and create your own venues.
A friend of mine is in a band and got permission to play at a Denny’s once. The Denny’s actually liked it because they got more customers in that night and you can be heard by the other people around in the restaurant.