Keep it real, sell out, or follow your dream?

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Gemini

Gemini

Sicc OG
#1
May 16, 2002
8,502
11,715
113
51
#1
I know and understand the thoughts and feelings most have when it comes to mainstream & underground music. I, myself, tend to believe that most people lie and do bump mainstream music behind closed doors. If I'm lying, most wouldn't have such strong opinions, know so much, or follow up on certain mainstream artist. That's another thread, though.

Now, when it it comes to underground artist and let's say you been around for a few years. Dropped a couple of albums, sold out the trunk, did mixtapes, did a few shows yada yada yada and haven't really sold, or gotten the exposure like you really want, or feel you deserve.

Reguardless of your genre of music, if you dropped album after album and have a small fan base, but have been trying to force it down the majority of peoples throats...would you tend to think perhaps you are due for a change in formila to attract a larger crowd?

The reality is, only difference and improvement in your albums are your Cd covers because your music remains the same.

Yeah, we all tend to want to "keep it real", but the reality is: It's just not happening outside your region, or outside your circle of homies. Assuming that is and has been, your life long dream. What do you do? Do you turn to make a radio / mainsteam sound music, or stick to your old repetative formila and keep telling yourself this will be the year you'll blow up?
 
jake921660

jake921660

Sicc OG
#4
Jun 23, 2008
5,090
14,497
113
33
Gold Coast, Australia
#4
I see people claiming rappers "sold out" every other day, but I highly doubt anyone in the same situation would not do the same thing.

If you had the choice between making a few people happy, and just scraping by, or to make the masses happy and make millions, which would you choose?
 
F

FDS

RIP DUKE BROTHERS
#5
Jan 29, 2006
7,279
3,744
113
40
#5
sell out, at the end of the day, the people calling u out, dont give a shit about you. the real people who care about u will be like "get that money"
 
radiostationrep

radiostationrep

Sicc OG
#7
Dec 2, 2006
6,161
44
0
#7
if you are called a sell out you are doing something right. music is a business like everything else, entertainment when it comes down to it. i'm not really a big fan of rap music nowadays because i dont live like that any longer. although i've done EVERYTHING people's favorite rapper claims or does do there is nothing stimulating about rap music to me personally. very few have the ability to paint a picture you can really see. it is a skill. if music is your career of choice, and appealing to the masses is how you become successful, why wouldnt you make music everybody can feel? imo that is the problem. artists let the music define them, they dont define the music. they are living for the close minded individuals that really never get out the hood but yet, want to tell you how you should live or make music. it's that mentality that holds people back. if you have an uncanny ability to make quality music, you should step your game up for the betterment of your career. not follow the protocol laid out by these bums that really live for others. keep it real to your self. in the end that's really the only thing that matters.
 
Big ZAC

Big ZAC

Sicc OG
#8
May 8, 2002
996
3
0
47
#8
If you want to be sucessful in the entertainment field you have to "sell out". You do it their way or you dont do it.
 
BASEDVATO

BASEDVATO

Judo Chop ur Spirit
#10
May 8, 2002
8,623
20,808
113
44
#10
-- real talk alert --


I have done rap shit for years - that never got me any far. Little shows little exposure little (no) money BUT I love it, and will forever do it.

I have recently joined a electro-band. In as little as two months we have played like 6 good venues, a lot of women at the show and sold many shirts and cd's afterward. I have changed scenery ( doing music thats not my first choice ) and making gains. Plus its a lot more intresting to look at then 1 person with a mic and a cd with a beat playing in the background.

shamless plug: www.myspace.com/bronzemedaldefender




u gotta switch it up every once in awhile... A sign of being stupid is doing the same unsuccessful thing over and over again - learn from mistake and push foward












and you don't have to sellout... there's is TONS of indy people doing well, they just found a market for what they doing
 
radiostationrep

radiostationrep

Sicc OG
#11
Dec 2, 2006
6,161
44
0
#11
N JAIL U MY HOE said:
there's is TONS of indy people doing well, they just found a market for what they doing
Click to expand...
definately in other genres of music. but not so much in rap music considering the tons of people that consider themselves artists and or independent.
technically all labels are independent. they are independently owned. the bigger ones just involve more people and keep a payroll like you should.
 
T

thatguy

Sicc OG
#12
Apr 8, 2005
6,128
13
0
35
#12
Gemini said:
I know and understand the thoughts and feelings most have when it comes to mainstream & underground music. I, myself, tend to believe that most people lie and do bump mainstream music behind closed doors. If I'm lying, most wouldn't have such strong opinions, know so much, or follow up on certain mainstream artist. That's another thread, though.

Now, when it it comes to underground artist and let's say you been around for a few years. Dropped a couple of albums, sold out the trunk, did mixtapes, did a few shows yada yada yada and haven't really sold, or gotten the exposure like you really want, or feel you deserve.

Reguardless of your genre of music, if you dropped album after album and have a small fan base, but have been trying to force it down the majority of peoples throats...would you tend to think perhaps you are due for a change in formila to attract a larger crowd?

The reality is, only difference and improvement in your albums are your Cd covers because your music remains the same.

Yeah, we all tend to want to "keep it real", but the reality is: It's just not happening outside your region, or outside your circle of homies. Assuming that is and has been, your life long dream. What do you do? Do you turn to make a radio / mainsteam sound music, or stick to your old repetative formila and keep telling yourself this will be the year you'll blow up?
Click to expand...
certified is a local group, they are the best thing to come out of all of washington, all of the northwest actually. i met them cats when they were rollin by my highschool a few years ago, selling cds out of their truck, i am one of the only people that bought the cd (i support anyone on the grind, specially when im buying the cd with drug money, lol) 4 cds later, the whole region knows about them, damn near everyone does, and they just got signed to ice t;s new label. their just as gangsta now as theyve ever been.

i think things are meant to be, and not meant to be. that being said, do you, if you doesnt work, maybe your not supposed to be famous.
 
bay2mi

bay2mi

Sicc OG
#13
Sep 5, 2008
1,995
27
0
49
#13
having people talk shit about you for a few years... while you end up rich for the rest of your life....

ill "sellout" TODAY, fuck being poor.
 
MOREBASS

MOREBASS

Sicc OG
#14
Dec 9, 2005
11,231
31
0
41
#14
I mean, I can't think of any artist who's main goal isn't to be as successful as possible.

I would consider selling out sacrificing your artistic integrity for the fame and fortune.
 
MRTHECOSE

MRTHECOSE

Sicc OG
#15
Oct 30, 2002
11,091
1,888
113
www.soundclick.com
#15
I enjoy making music and having people like and enjoy what comes from me.

being rich is a fantasy
(no real need to sell out because I didn't sell units)

having people feel me through music and appretiate it is my dream

I am more likely to touch my dream then my fantasy

I have a job to support my family

if I was to depend on music to support my family. I would eventually sell out for the money. but since I don't depend on it for income I can afford to do what I want.
 
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