Official Rap/Hip Hop Thread III

mugzi · Post #121 » by **mugzi** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:08 am

Yeah I have a hard time getting into new rappers.

I cant even get into old rappers putting out new ish that much anymore.

Thats why Im taking so much time with the mixtape, I can write rhymes all day about anything and I have no problem throwing 6-12 multis in a row, but I never liked punchlines but I find that Ive had to use them more now to dumb it down because thats what the kids want.

To me now its about production and having a sound thats unique but still can appeal on a mainstream level. Its a fine line to walk but we're doing it. Ive got my brother and I handling production, he doesnt rap so Im multitasking in between this project and my business and other interests but Im not just a mixtape rapper or someone who raps as a hobby. Ive rapped half my life and I take it as seriously as breathing. Its not something I do its what I am.

The problem I see is theres not many rappers that respect the rules of the game anymore. Theres no real effort at song structure or lyrical skill. 90% of rappers I hear have no idea how to formulate bars, syllable counts, and they can't even finish a word on a clap or snare like a real mc.

Its all punches with no substance.

Ive got 4 singles out of 12 tracks, and I used to never like writing singles but thats the game now.

But we're going to eat off of music regardless. Ive paid dues, invested my time and Ive got a marketing plan and enough dough to invest into marketing to make a living off this independently. But Im burning 1000 copies just as promos for djs/radio stations and labels because you have to be open to all avenues as an artist.

Jose7 · Post #122 » by **Jose7** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:47 pm

Forgive me for being late to the Kendrick Lamar party. One listen through section80 the other day and I could already say he was one of my favorite rappers.

I can't stop listening

Post #123 » by **j4remi** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:53 pm

mugzi wrote:Yeah I have a hard time getting into new rappers.

I cant even get into old rappers putting out new ish that much anymore.

Thats why Im taking so much time with the mixtape, I can write rhymes all day about anything and I have no problem throwing 6-12 multis in a row, but I never liked punchlines but I find that Ive had to use them more now to dumb it down because thats what the kids want.

To me now its about production and having a sound thats unique but still can appeal on a mainstream level. Its a fine line to walk but we're doing it. Ive got my brother and I handling production, he doesnt rap so Im multitasking in between this project and my business and other interests but Im not just a mixtape rapper or someone who raps as a hobby. Ive rapped half my life and I take it as seriously as breathing. Its not something I do its what I am.

The problem I see is theres not many rappers that respect the rules of the game anymore. Theres no real effort at song structure or lyrical skill. 90% of rappers I hear have no idea how to formulate bars, syllable counts, and they can't even finish a word on a clap or snare like a real mc.

Its all punches with no substance.

Ive got 4 singles out of 12 tracks, and I used to never like writing singles but thats the game now.

But we're going to eat off of music regardless. Ive paid dues, invested my time and Ive got a marketing plan and enough dough to invest into marketing to make a living off this independently. But Im burning 1000 copies just as promos for djs/radio stations and labels because you have to be open to all avenues as an artist.

You know what, this post ties in really well with a discussion I had with my brother yesterday. He's linking up with a producer he hasn't worked with in years and getting back in the studio for the first time in half a decade soon. Basically the story goes, while he was working with the producer he was introduced to a cat that had worked with the Outlawz. So he switched up producers and started cutting tracks with the new guy with more of a "let's make something for mass appeal" feel, which kind hurt his outlook on the whole thing. He went from making music that our clique liked, to aiming for something people in general would like and it just wasn't for him. The project kind of fell off and he just never picked it back up. Fast forward five years and he hit up that first producer and just wants to go back to making music for himself and his clique (which is how his team originally got contract offers and started making money of the music to begin with).

The all punches no substance approach is formulaic and simple, and we were never about that really. I LOVE seeing a complex scheme tie into a sick concept. This crew is too old to be worrying about caking off music any more, they got careers and all that so it's not about money at all. We just want to be back in the studio making something we like ourselves.

Seeing your outlook on today's scene, I have to co-sign 100%! If you can put together something with quality production and punchlines (especially wordplay lol), you can definitely be successful. I'd love to hear the music man, support Realgm's music movement.

Post #124 » by **Manhattan Project** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 5:28 pm

Just regarding the process of a new artist, it's rough. My boy is managing a new act, Sam Lachow. Thus far they have been putting on shows around the colleges around here, won the "Get Your Buzz Up" contest that HipHopDX was hosting. This allowed them to go to Miami at the end of the year to perform in another show. Winning that contest it got them interviews with various websites, a DX review on the album, features on the Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes among other stuff.

Bottom line is that it takes a lot of damn work just trying to make it the "independently" route these days mainly because it's damn near impossible. It's not about paying dues, it's constantly paying dues and continuing to do so. You have to try to appeal to a broad range of fans, you can't keep up the same thing when nobody knows you really.

For example I mean these two guys are top notch and damn near nobody even heard of them:
http://hulkshare.com/cpr1zva9ibxd

Post #125 » by **kane2021** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:34 pm

The biggest mistake you can make independently is trying to please listeners you cant reach. Make music you like. Music your circle likes. Have fun with it. Talk and work with as many people as you can. Visualize a root system growing. Each new encounter is a node.

I spent years and thousands making music. It was fun. It was a outlet. It stopped being fun when I became determined to profit off of my investment. I remember when I was just having fun,.. generating interest. Meeting important people. Passing up opportunities.

It inspired me to work harder alone. Then start making music that was not really me in a attempt to reach more people. That will burn you out.

Most people who are popular professional artists today are fake following trends. Depicting a image that fits the times. Thats why they come and go.

Rarely, you get someone who is themselves. Talented and intelligent. Just doing what they like to do. Its this rare person that starts a new chapter in the business. And it sends all the fakes out looking for copies.

Be yourself at all times. And have no expectations other than having fun. Impress yourself. Impress your circle. And their circle. One day you will be approached by someone. Make the most of that opportunity. The harder you try to make it. The harder it becomes to make it. Most music executives are not looking at people who are looking for them.

They scout. The have scouts. They like to take credit for discovering someone. So dont go looking for them.

Another thing. Like it or not, you will need a label. You need those connections. Promotion and distribution. Those are the keys. And they are the most difficult, exhausting, and expensive things to do independently. You can greatly hurt your creativity trying to do these things.

Last piece of advice. Read. Buy books. Learn the business and how it works. And when you get close, hire a lawyer who has experience in contracts. Preferably in entertainment. Never sign anything without a lawyer. I dont care how smart you are. How much you have researched. Million dollar companies hire million dollar lawyers to construct paperwork to make millions off of artists. And have been doing it for many years.

Beware of people who approach you and claim to be managers.

Just be you and have fun.

NBA Fan 1234 · Post #126 » by **NBA Fan 1234** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:15 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxrwPyhP924&ob=av2e[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2qEIMc_zZ4[/youtube]

I've been listening to those songs and the new Kid Ink mixtape today. Another good mixtape from Kid Ink.

ITGM · Post #127 » by **ITGM** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:32 pm

Did ya'll know Drake's uncle is Larry Graham?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYycDyAxgb0[/youtube]

Post #128 » by **Manhattan Project** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:44 pm

You ever watch any of the Nardwaur interviews?

ITGM · Post #129 » by **ITGM** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:51 pm

Manhattan Project wrote:You ever watch any of the Nardwaur interviews?

lol yea, that's where I got the info from.

Priggy Smalls · Post #130 » by **Priggy Smalls** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:47 pm

Jose7© wrote:Forgive me for being late to the Kendrick Lamar party. One listen through section80 the other day and I could already say he was one of my favorite rappers.

I can't stop listening

when you get the chance check out his OD tape too. quality wise it's on par with section 80 just a lot more personal.

Post #131 » by **Manhattan Project** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:23 pm

Yeah I honestly haven't meet/seen a person who doesn't like Kendrick yet. It's funny to me because people are still going gaga over Lil Wayne, TI, Ross and other overrated/overplayed acts while so many dope MC's just get brushed to the side. At the same time these same people act like they don't let sales/radio play influence their opinions. Funny people.

I really want to see Black Hippy start doing more freestyles/songs because they need to capitalize on Kendrick's buzz right now and even Jay Rock delivered a solid album.

ITGM as I type this I wonder what the hell was going through your head when you made this name, yeah Nardwaur always delivers great interviews and always gives great information to the fans. He is the best interviewer of all time without doubt and really shows who cares about music and who don't. He can put anyone on edge [Odd Future] and blow people away [N.E.R.D.] Anyone who hasn't watched his interviews go to youtube now and watch em.

knicks210 · Post #132 » by **knicks210** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:58 am

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBACUO3AMs[/youtube]

check out my cypher over Slaughterhouse's beat from the BET awards

ManualRam · Post #133 » by **ManualRam** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:07 am

a 1 man cypher? wtf?

Post #134 » by **Manhattan Project** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:20 am

The beat is Tried by 12, I'm actually shocked how little people knew that from the get go.

knicks210 · Post #135 » by **knicks210** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:41 am

I didnt mean it like that... thats the only way people would know the beat I am talking about.. but yeah now i know where it came from ^ Thanks !

Post #136 » by **Deeeez Knicks** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:30 am

I can't go to sleep. Insomnia can be a bitch

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB2p0l-ALJ8[/youtube]

NBA Fan 1234 · Post #137 » by **NBA Fan 1234** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:03 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r6IdGIqI_o[/youtube]

Old, but there is something about this song that makes me want to listen to it. I've listened to it a ton in the last few days.

Priggy Smalls · Post #138 » by **Priggy Smalls** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:36 pm

i dont know what it is about the weeknd but i could never get into him n/h

Jose7 · Post #139 » by **Jose7** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:16 am

One listen of Section 80 and he was already one of my favorite rappers. I love this guy.

Then Joe the week after!

Post #140 » by **Manhattan Project** » Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:39 am

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4xBlJUutmA[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6WWXD-Cibw&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]