THE PROBLEM WITH THE INDIE RAP GAME TODAY IS....

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.
O

og MS

Member since 1997
#1
Apr 25, 2002
5,533
100
63
50
www.killavalley.com
#1
THE PROBLEM WITH THE INDIE RAP GAME TODAY IS....

finish this sentence in your own words....



The problem with the indie rap game today is.....

Too much talkin' not enough doin... I believe networkin and co-ops are the key in today's fucked up state of music in general. I also believe that new technology has fucked things up for the most part because it has lowered the musical standards as we once knew it. I know it's part of evolution but because of it, almost everyone is a rapper or producer because of how mainstream production & recording equipment is nowadays. I have seen that people who were once staunch supporters of artists and labels become competitive towards them because they now "rap" and/or "produce." Nothing wrong with fulfilling dreams... but try to do it right and learn the business and try to educate those underneath you so they can contribute in a way that is beneficial to the cause. I by all means am not perfect in this game, but I do know that I started and was part of an era that educated me and allowed me to soak plenty of game from many levels... entry level street promotion for the likes of RBL, Herm, JT the Bigga Figga, Black Market, AWOL, High Powered Music Group (B-12), YBB & Rob Nonies, Music People & Rod Guadalupe etc.. in 1994 to journalism and writing stories, reviews etc... in The Loop, Illtip etc... to sittin' in on sessions with Studio Ton (watching him track & mix our material) Black C, Crazy 8 etc..
I feel I am pretty much seasoned... but I definitely have plenty more to learn and am humbled by this cuthroat industry. I want to take the time to wish all our peers the best of luck and prosperity in 2004. Lord knows we need to network more and reach out to each other in order to survive and thrive in this dirty game.

sorry if I dragged on...
 
Sydal

Sydal

Sicc OG
#3
Apr 25, 2002
7,232
170
63
42
www.idealsentertainment.com
#3
I agree with you 100% playa...now I will add my 2 pennies to it...

THE PROBLEM WITH THE INDIE RAP GAME TODAY IS....

Everybody is gettin in it for the wrong reasons. They're trying to make money quick without knowing shit about the business they are getting into. The cats that were recording on Karaoke Machines back in the days over Instrumentals off mainstream singles and passing the tapes out, from the jump...cats with THAT KIND of dedication are the cats that need to be in the game. But now you got cats that have normal jobs, who see music equipment that is fairly inexpensive, and they cop the shit in order to capitalize off something they know dick about. People with NO MUSICAL EARS are "producing" now, and they get distributed because they had some money to get San Quinn, RBL, Messy Marv, and every other good artist, on their stank ass project!! Distributors look at names, and put out bullshit records that make everybody with talent look bad. Cats who REFUSE to put features on because they KNOW they have enough talent to do it themselves are getting overlooked...that's bullshit. That right there is fuckin the game up. If the TALENT can't get out the gutter because disty's would rather distribute the complete bullshit, sorry excuse for a rap project, the game will forever be fucked....and that is my opinion on the issue!!
 
BIGCHILL

BIGCHILL

Sicc OG
#6
Nov 14, 2002
7,495
2,386
113
#6
The cats that were recording on Karaoke Machines back in the days over Instrumentals off mainstream singles and passing the tapes out, from the jump...cats with THAT KIND of dedication are the cats that need to be in the game.

thats me!!!!!! i did the mixtape shit in the early 90s. i was rappin to -bitch betta have my money(amg)-when the single first droped.i was bustin on -just a friend-from (biz markie) when it was still on record!!! i flowed on (paris) -devil made me do it- single!!!!! i always took what i had and did what i could.I WAS THAT CAT RAPPIN BETWEEN TWO TAPE DECKS WIT ONE BEAT PLAYIN AND THE OTHER ONE RECORDING!!!!i tried -djing-,i use to -breakdance-. i use to spray shit all over the walls in my town.i see it like this....if you never been thru none of this i said,you need to study it before you jump in this rap shit. feel the struggle,feel the joy,feel the pain,just feel it!!!!!!!!!!! alot of these cats wake up and just decied to be a rapper.thats why they bitch and fuss when they dont sell!!!!!!!!! I DONT GIVE A FUCK IF I NEVER GET A RECORD DEAL.I DO THIS SHIT OUT OF THE LOVE AND THERES NO WAY IM GOING TO LET THIS RAP SHIT GO ANYTIME SOON,ITS IN MY BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!
 
Sydal

Sydal

Sicc OG
#7
Apr 25, 2002
7,232
170
63
42
www.idealsentertainment.com
#7
^^^^
Yup, I started the Karoake shit in the early 90's when I first started....wrote my own shit, went to the store and copped all the singles I could afford, came back to my house and laid it down. 2 tape decks on a Karaoke Machine like you said...I laid my vocals out over the beat, then I took the recorded tape, put it in deck 1, got another blank tape, and did my voice overs/double ups/and even faded the vocals WITHOUT editing equipment, it was all about how far I held the microphone from my mouth....and the shit sounded DOPE for something with no equipment...I mean shit, it was coming from a 12 year old. I did that, took like, 20 tapes a week to school and started passin that shit out...I even had a backlog 'cause everybody was askin for a tape, LOL!! I was doin shit like that until I got into Larry K's studio at the end of 2001...I'd say about 7 or 8 years of passing free tapes and CD's out to everybody, and I'm STILL working to get my name out there more, doing free shit for anybody who wants work from me!! So I feel you Chill, I been at it just like you....
 
D

Daddy Rich

Sicc OG
#8
Dec 20, 2003
2,290
76
0
48
#8
I feel the problem is an oversaturation of mediocre music not that the artists arent good but I think more time and eeffort need to be put into projects take mixing and mastering seriously when doing a project the more low budget your shit sound the more your shit will be looked at as just another lame independent project.Secondly there are no outlets for music in the bay such as lables and distributors.I understand that that a distribution company wont give a new artist a budget to work with as far as promoting and manufacturing but damn they at least need to do what they say there gonna do All the distributors I talked to simply put your shit on the shelf and have a if it sells it sell and if it dont it dont attitude.The object is for the artist do get exposure and money and for the distributor to make money as well do some type of promotion wheather its posters or flyer in every store or somethin If I was a head of a distribution company I would want my artists to sell and I would do whatever it takes to make shure that it does.Without that communication and teamwork the artist wont go nowhere and the dist. company will eventually fold.Remember people respect an owner that is just as quick to clean a toilet as he is to cash his check and those are the people that are successful in this industry today.My comments arent refere to anyone in paticular just my point of view and last I cant stress this word enuff SUPPORT the Bay!!!!!!!
 
M

Mista CaNE

On the Rise
#10
Apr 25, 2002
1,305
0
0
44
www.mistacane.com
#10
THE PROBLEM WITH THE INDIE RAP GAME TODAY IS....

Nobody really knows the problem.

I think the number 1 problem with indie rap is what few LOYAL fans that are left no longer trust artists or the product, therefore causing the sales to suffer.

Supbar cd's from veterans mixed along with recycled compilations and random new-comers (1cd and gone) have brought the mentality of the fans to "I have to hear it first". It used to be, shit so and so is droppin a new one, I know that shit's gonna be sick lemme go get that the 1st day it drops.

On top of that as in everything else in life, ego's are really at an all time high. When you do shows 9 times out of 10 there's more artists than fans which may even be ok if not for the ridiculous amount of hate we have for each other.

Nobody really calls anyone out as to not be labeled a "hater" or whatever term you like. And also nobody really claps or shows love as not to be a "dick rider" or whatever term you chose. Instead they sit like statue's in aww... either thinking he's coo but he ain't all that or - he sucks dick they shouldn't feel him they should copp my shit.

Networking is really the only way for anything to be re-stored. Now what i've learned is basically you have to earn the respect of your peers and don't treat anyone else inferior, because obviously you wouldn't want to be treated that way.


Newcomers need to stop acting as if the world or industry owe's them anything. Whether your NEW or OLD you need to surround yourself with quality cats willing to go the extra mile and out work the next man, out hustle the next man, out write the next man, out producer the next man, out promote the next man.

Real recognize real and the bottom line is....we all gotta realize

ARE WE GONNA BE PART OF THE PROBLEM
OR PART OF THE SOLUTION.... that's a tough question that not everyone is ready to come to term's with.

1 LUV
 
C

CrushOne

Sicc OG
#12
May 11, 2002
401
0
0
#12
too much product + not enough customers = everybody not eating right (which is what's happening now)

i don't see that many egos... some of the biggest ppl at the top and bottom of this rap shit are humble as fuck, considering everyone telling them they're the next hot thing

the answer = lose the bullshit and let the cream rise to the top
 
CARLOS ROSSI

CARLOS ROSSI

Sicc OG
#15
Aug 16, 2002
3,228
4
0
114
#15
I think the problem is you got to many people in the game not willing to network cuz they already in the game and they dont want no else piccin up the mic.... i'm alwayz readin all these posts about there are too many people rappin...so fuccin what i agree there are lames tryin to do this but when you got all these people down playin new artists its no wonder no one networks if your new no even fuccs wit you! weed out these poodles and all the realas on this site need to connect like buttcheeks! its not hard to see a poodle in a room full of pits either!!!



Rossi



and who really gives a fucc if you started 20 years ago or yesterday talent is talent!!
 
O

og MS

Member since 1997
#16
Apr 25, 2002
5,533
100
63
50
www.killavalley.com
#16
nice responses everybody...

the biz does need an overhaul... but that's for the consumers to decide... The game in general has change since Hip Hop music has become such a hot commodity. I can remember the days when anticipation of Snoop's Doggystyle album was at an amazing level in 93'... shit I remember people lining up outside Wherehouse Monday at Midnight in order to be one of the first to buy the cd... shit i was there in line my damn self! I don't ever see anything like that happening again. The interest just isn't there anymore....
 
B

Big Robb

Sicc OG
#17
Apr 25, 2002
3,020
0
0
51
www.KillaValley.com
#17
People with NO MUSICAL EARS are "producing" now, and they get distributed because they had some money to get San Quinn, RBL, Messy Marv, and every other good artist, on their stank ass project!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in my thoughts i think they shouldnt even get on da album if its weak.......



"And stays trying to "find" the problems....when the only problem is them" "what few LOYAL fans that are left no longer trust artists or the product, therefore causing the sales to suffer" "most of you rappers suck ass and your grandma needs to stop encouragin' you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
very wise words



many ppl in it for different reasons....it became to easy to make music, it became ABC......if making computers was ABc ppl would be on it.......one thing ppl get blinded though when ppl think of music or better yet when they think or being the one on the cd cover of they first album they think "$$$$$" then they think "Fame".........its like selling youe soul to the devil, cuz then comes greedy and blame and hatered and finger pointing. Evil in one of its many forms



many ppl in the business:
1. Artist loves music
2. Artist wants the fame and the "bitches"
3. Artist wanna get paid
4. CEO wants the fame
5. CEO wanna get paid
6. CEO love da music
7. Business man doing his business


i like doing music its coo fun and excited most of the time till bills come in and the bills aint getting paisum times cuz the income is a lil low but its coo, i cant say i love it......but i love being a business man, i got my finacial head and hand in many things right now and i always will, but i dont think that makes me a "bad CEO" or " a greedy guy juss in it for the money".....i wanna have success, i wanna build sumin big and honest for theans, the consumer will always be #1 in my book, my business tactics are nothing like a Car Seels many, thats a low life seller, related to the drug pushers......different than a drug dealer.....but either way.....thats juss whut i do, do business....and i think if we set up a big network it can be big but ppl push away form that when they get called to do a show they dont call the whole network, they worry bout getting them self on that show, instead make it a must we all get on or none.....if yall is networked tagther then they can go now where else so all gota come.....but networking means working together, working with each other, working for each other, working side by side with each other, who really does that?.......
 
C

cHeWdOGG

Sicc OG
#18
Nov 28, 2002
1,859
0
0
39
#18
Mista CaNE said:
THE PROBLEM WITH THE INDIE RAP GAME TODAY IS....

Nobody really knows the problem.

I think the number 1 problem with indie rap is what few LOYAL fans that are left no longer trust artists or the product, therefore causing the sales to suffer.

Supbar cd's from veterans mixed along with recycled compilations and random new-comers (1cd and gone) have brought the mentality of the fans to "I have to hear it first". It used to be, shit so and so is droppin a new one, I know that shit's gonna be sick lemme go get that the 1st day it drops.

On top of that as in everything else in life, ego's are really at an all time high. When you do shows 9 times out of 10 there's more artists than fans which may even be ok if not for the ridiculous amount of hate we have for each other.

Nobody really calls anyone out as to not be labeled a "hater" or whatever term you like. And also nobody really claps or shows love as not to be a "dick rider" or whatever term you chose. Instead they sit like statue's in aww... either thinking he's coo but he ain't all that or - he sucks dick they shouldn't feel him they should copp my shit.

Networking is really the only way for anything to be re-stored. Now what i've learned is basically you have to earn the respect of your peers and don't treat anyone else inferior, because obviously you wouldn't want to be treated that way.


Newcomers need to stop acting as if the world or industry owe's them anything. Whether your NEW or OLD you need to surround yourself with quality cats willing to go the extra mile and out work the next man, out hustle the next man, out write the next man, out producer the next man, out promote the next man.

Real recognize real and the bottom line is....we all gotta realize

ARE WE GONNA BE PART OF THE PROBLEM
OR PART OF THE SOLUTION.... that's a tough question that not everyone is ready to come to term's with.

1 LUV
Click to expand...

Real fuckin talk folx you nailed it on the head wit that one I got no responce for this topic cane said it all!
 
UnderRated

UnderRated

Sicc OG
#20
Nov 8, 2002
346
0
0
47
www.UnderRatedBeats.com
#20
I think there are problems with this indie hip hop shit but there is also something dope as fuck about it.
It sounds like we all mopin' around sad about not eating right off some music shit.
Music shit is hard as hell to get into. Has been from the beginning.
I'm never one to think I know it all but there are things about hip hop now that is better than it used to be.
It used to be harder to make a CD. You had to be paid or had to have natural talent. I agree, it sucks that anybody can just pic a mic, record on their computer, or make beats pretty cheap now but thats kinda cool too.
Everybody has a chance to work and get good at this game. The people who focus and work harder will bubble while the whack 6 month rapper/producers will die off.
I've been doing this since '94 and I can't imagine stoppin anytime soon. We can't think about the negatives, cause shit always changes but there is a lot of positives too!
And thats my inspirational hip hop speech for the day.
I do remember being in that line to get the new Snoop - Doggystyle ablum too. I don't think I'll be excited like that ever again.
Maybe cause I'm older now though.
Maybe people ages 13-18 are that excited with the new Outkast.
Probably not though.
Alright I'll stop now.
Peace out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom