Welcome to Real Men DON’T Cry!!! This is an informative self-help guide for all ARTISTS who are either starting or continuing to develop their CRAFT. I definitely don’t claim to have ALL the answers but I will share with you what I feel will ultimately HELP even if it means reaching out to others for their insight on whatever topic we decided to touch on.
“Location, Location, Location” is a term used in Real Estate when looking for a property to buy or invest in. The thought process with this phrase is that you want to know the value of the location that draws your interest. Usually you want to find a “Location” that’s on the incline meaning the value of the area is set to increase due to developing, zoning, income levels etc. Well in music this term can be applied. It is really important to “Get Hot” where you are from. The simplest form of promotion is “word of mouth”. You gotta get people talking about what you do. You could the best rapper your mirror has ever seen BUT if people haven’t heard of you then all you’ll ever be is “Vanity Smurf”.
Hip Hop for years has embraced the concept of “Hometown Hero”. Many of our greats started on their local street corner or club. The 1st time we saw Notorious B.I.G. he was “Live from Bedford Stuyvesant”. One of Jay-Z most pivotal records is definitely “Marcy”. Eminem made a movie out of being from a place called “8 Mile” and proving to the locals he was ILL. Nas has been the quintessential representation of “Queensbridge” for well over a decade. The fans love to see a hungry upstart “reppin’ the hood” because of America’s fascination with the “Black Experience”. As an artist you’re selling your experiences. Who can relate to that better than those who are going through it with you as well?
There have been instances where starting abroad then circling back has been effective. Take “A Tribe Called Quest” for instance. Initially their 1st two LP’s (People’s & Low End) were highly regarded in other parts of the country. NY didn’t totally embrace them until “Midnight Marauders” but because they were a “touring group”(meaning their stage show is INCREDIBLE) they went up & down both coasts and acquired NEW fans. Take a group like “Pharcyde” or “Souls of Mischief. Because of their sound we loved them on the East and didn’t know they were from the West. In my opinion I think that hurt them in the long run.
“The South” is the measuring stick for this application. Look how many flag bearers each individual city or town has in this region. The reason why Houston was able to dominant 2005 is because once one guy (namely Mike Jones) got national attention it put the city under the microscope and they had guys who had built up enough buzz in the town to go to the next level. From a DJ prospect look how Drama has cornered the market and become the definitive symbol of Atlanta.There have been instances where an area’s signature sound became so cult-like that it couldn’t break out on a national level. Always be mindful that the world is WATCHING.
Hip Hop being as territorial as it is now, you’ve gotta make noise “At Da Crib”. Whether your from Queens, The Bay, The A or wherever you gotta make sure they know your name and what you represent. That means getting on the local Mix CD’s, building with DJ’s at the local stations, going to the local clubs and jumping on the mic, freestyling on the DVD’s and hitting up “the Net”. You must establish your society before you can rule over nations. Remember you are your hood so rep that shit to the fullest!!!
Check out Rap City on 4/24 & 4/25 as I walk on “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” video and annihilate “The Booth” with Nelly & Murphy Lee.
This weekend check out the 3rd & Final Video Installment of “This Ain’t The 90’s” featuring Ralph McDaniels.
Check out Rap City on 4/24 & 4/25 as I walk on “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” video and annihilate “The Booth” with Nelly & Murphy Lee.
This weekend check out the 3rd & Final Video Installment of “This Ain’t The 90’s” featuring Ralph McDaniels.
For all updates & info
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The Cons Vol.6 “King Of Queens”
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Job Training DVD “The Making of Don’t Quit Your DayJob”
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Inside A Change
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