Man, I could write a book on this shit. Its going to be hard for me to keep it short, and I doubt if I can, so bare with me. I was debating if I should even respond to this post, because I never want to discourage, but encourage. But at the same time niggaz need to know what they're facin, and what the real is. I mean it is what it is. As the owner of one of the most successful labels in Dago history (4 cds and one dvd and NEVER took a loss) I feel I shouldn't be selfish and not share the shit that I know with ya'll. That's why I said fuck it, and responded. I'm going to keep it real, and just tell the truth, whether you see it as negative or not!!!!! Let me say this first, there aint no money in the rap game!!!!!! Period!!!!! Rap game money is gone, and if it is coming in, its too slow!!!!!!! Especially to survive off of!!!!! If a nigga says otherwise, he's lying!!! Look at diddy and jay z etc. They'll say they don't make money off music, its off the other ventures that music created. BUT also like jay z said, if you haven't already blew up, its going to be damn near impossible to do it now!!!!! I'm talkin about selling 500,000 to a million cds is dam near impossible nowadays. Even the hit single people can't do it (with the exception of soulja boy). The rap game is a BAD INVESTMENT. If you're a businessman (investor, artist, major label) you will see that its a 99% chance you're going to lose on your investment, and I don't care what anybody says, the more money you pour into it, the more you're going to lose. Maybe not 10 or 15 yrs ago, but nowadays that's the reality of it. Just try it and see. Anybody that has REALLY BEEN IN THE GAME WILL TELL YOU THAT. Its like any investment stocks, real estate etc, its a chance you might lose, but the difference is the rap game is like insecured debt (I.e. Credit cards), and stocks and real estate is like secured debt. When you invest in rap and you lose, there is NO chance you will ever get your money back, but when you invest in stocks and real estate there's a chance you will make money in the long run (if you can hold on), because its secured by somethin that can eventually gain value. Puttin money in a local artist is not. Especially after you can't sell the 1000 cds you pressed up off the 20k investment. Its a wrap! That money is gone. The fact of the matter is, NOBODY'S SELLIN!!!!!!! Not majors, indies etc. So why would a major sign someone with how the market is right now. And why would an investor put money in this shit. Its not worth it. ESPECIALLY if you're coming from the west coast, even MORE ESPECIALLY if you're from Dago!!!! Look at the game from a bet, mtv, soundscan REALISTIC point of view. The west coast gang bang shit is played out!!!!!!!! Our image is played out. It will not sell in the mainstream!!! Even if the east coast and lil wayne bite the west coast culture. They still won't buy us. Its sad but true! Read up on the game and see how hard it is right now, instead of sayin' such and such could blow up, because the reality of it is 99% of the rappers in every city across america won't blow up. And EVERY city that hasn't blown up, think they're next. Its almost easier to make it in the nfl and nba than the rap game nowadays. I'm not sayin everybody should give up. KEEP TRYIN AND HUSTLIN, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW, BUT THE CHANCES ARE REALLY A LONG SHOT. SO, just don't count on it to secure your future! All of us are smart. You mean the only thing we can do is rap????!!!!! I give us more credit than that. And anything besides doin' the music thing game aint cool? Now about the age thing. Here's a few things I would like answered. At what age should a nigga stop chasin that dream, and realize it aint gonna happen? Do they go on forever and try until they're 40 or 50? Or better yet, how many YEARS do a nigga chase this dream of blowing up, even if they still are in their 20's? Most niggaz tryna' rap DON'T HAVE A PLAN B. But the reality is, most niggaz really aint gon' make it. Its sad but true and real, especially if you look at the game overall from a broad perspective and from a DAGO perspective. Be real with it. And SKILL, SWAG ETC have nothin to do with why someone won't blow up. Its a million tight rappers with mainstream appeal that are not ever going to blow up. Niggaz are STUPID if they're basing their whole future and life off the rap game!!!!!!! All I'm sayin is if you're rappin have a plan b! PLEASE!!!!! WHAT ARE NIGGAZ GOING TO DO IF THEY DON'T MAKE IT!!!! BE IN AND OUT THE PEN, STILL TALKIN ABOUT THEY'RE A RAPPER. Niggaz need to step out of the rap fantasy in to the real life. You can rap and produce, but don't count on it to save you. I know niggaz don't want to hear this, and probably ignore it, but it is what it is. TO THE YOUNGSTAS, KEEP RAPPIN, BUT DON'T COUNT ON IT!!!!! I TELL MY SON THAT ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!! And to be honest, DAGO might have missed the boat of the west coast 90's era. Shit if someone does blow from Dago it might be a 19yr old with a dance. So what! He made it. We can't expect and shouldn't want a nigga that didn't grow up in bangin to rap about bangin. And I personally don't want to even hear niggaz rap about bangin. All that set shit is fake anyway. All that homey shit, niggaz don't give a fuck about you for real! They are acquaintences that grew up where you did, but they're not real friends. Niggaz from your own set will cross you out in a minute. So fuck promoting that bullshit anyway. But back on topic. There is no answer to this question, because its not that Dago doesn't have the talent, its just that the game is burnt out!!!!!! The bottom line to this long ass shit I wrote is, know what you're facing, keep trying, but have a plan b!!!!!!! And imo, I think a Dago producer has a better chance of blowing with their beats, than a dago rapper. Good luck to all the Dago rappers and producers. But 2 yrs ago I said wait and see, and I'm still sayin it. Time will tell everything...
