Introduction
Just logging in to share a few thoughts. I won't call them facts, but I will tell you that every word in this article is driven by my 9 years experience as a producer, and 23 year almost full life span as a rapper. Lets look at this list one by one and talk about some things that every independent rap artist, singer, or label needs to know about making a living off music.
1. Remember that you are not major!
This is the first thing that needs to sink in. Some rappers, labels, or singers love to go the extra mile and create the "perfect" project. What exactly is "perfect" though?... To me once the music is right you have hit the mark. After this give your opportunity to grow, and remember where your money comes from.
On a major label most artists see almost none of their album sales, but however solo you see 100%. This give you a golden opportunity. Sell the music for less, and make more off of it. Treat this just like a business... and cash in on the music industry just like the major labels do. Just remember that you are self funded and you need to be careful what kind of obligation you sign your pockets up for. Which this brings me to point #2 on our list:
2. You are independent, so be independent!
There are a few things that I always practiced as a rapper. I made sure that I always treated myself as a business. My music was a product under development, and something to be released to the public at a low but still very profitable price. The outside look of the CD to me was something of little importance, seeing as people always lose CD cases, and what is actually on the CD is what really counts.
I treated my music more like an up and coming movement, campaigning for support as if I was about to run for presidency or congress. In a sense to me it was just that important, and I wanted the world to have a piece of the dream, but for a small price. Listening to my music was only a free experience if you did the footwork and found my single on youtube, or some other site.
3. Your independence is enough reason for anybody to support!
Sometimes we really forget how important independence is to the human race. There are people out there dying to support your musical talent. I have sold my records to people who listen to mainly rock music, country music, and even those who listen to no music. The key to this success was simply my daring to not put myself in a box, or give myself a common label.
Approach you the situation without the intention of selling your music. Approach the situation with the intention to make an impression. Generally people would not mind taking a little reminder of a great interaction with them... and what better than your Album, or Mixtape. The urge to support you will be greater than ever considering the impression you have already made.
4. This is 100% hard work and not to be done on the side!
The thing about alot of rappers that I have noticed is that they tend to slack off on their brand building strategies. Selling your record is a brand building strategy, and to me a better one than giving your CD away to random faces all day. There is no harm in wanting to get paid for your craft, and there is no easy way to squeeze money out of the pockets of the industry. Being a rapper takes hard work and determination... grind all day, and all night. Treat your rapper career like a 9-5 and you will get loads of money out of it.
These are all of the tips I can give for now... I will get more into the details of the game in some more articles.
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