Somebody recently asked me what my views are on the state of Hip-Hop
today, where I see it going and what solutions I would offer, if any.
My answer is
that Hip Hop is in a state of rapid decay. Unlike where others place
the blame,
I place the blame on good emcees retiring, on emcees and djs who got
themselves arrested or killed, emcees who can't swing a relevant style,
and emcees who didn't invest their first run major label money into an
independent label. I also blame the decay on a natural process where
the concepts of Hip Hop just don't seem fresh, novel, or useful anymore.
I was also
asked to present some solutions from experience, so here they are in
random order:
First, The Self-Image: all
emcees and djs should consider themselves producers and adhere to a
regular production schedule.
Second, The Technology: all
Hip Hop producers should carry an array of
musical and recording devices including computers. They should not fear
new inventions, and they should maintain very large record and cd
collections, including a library of Hip Hop.
Third, The Finances: all Hip
Hop producers should register a
label/business with the city clerk, open a business bank account, and
SAVE, not borrow money to finance independent projects. Proceeds from
album sales should be reinvested into the company, it's projects, and
the stock market, and not spent on personal luxury items, except for
those used in production or worn as a performer.
Fourth, The Vehicle: all Hip
Hop producers should purchase and maintain
a good looking and registered car or van for street distro of records
and cds. This is also useful for transporting emcees dj and equipment
to and from performance venues and chain stores.
Fifth, The Magazine: all Hip
Hop producers should edit and distribute a
crew flyer or magazine where they promote their and other acts. The
promotion of other acts is critical to the promotion of your own act as
it builds a network and gets other people repping you as you rep
others. It is also necessary to have this platform to disrespect any
distributor, club, store or act that flakes off, blows you off, or rips
you off.
Sixth, The Stations: all Hip
Hop producers should establish working
relations with college radio DJs and wherever possible with major
station DJs. Local major stations that do not work without payola must
be blacklisted, disrespected on wax, disrespected in your and in other
local magazines and newspapers. Working lists of favorable DJs,
stations and venues must be maintained.
Seventh, The Website: is
self explanatory as to value, since we are on one
right now. The procedure is get a computer, get an internet service
provider, get an email account, think up a domain name and register it
with a domain name registry, duplicate and modify a successful website,
buy a $20 book on web development, get a paypal account, and dump all
your recordings, rants, beefs, props, flicks onto this website. Keep it
fresh weekly.
Eighth, The Mini Tour:
Perform like a maniac at small chains of local clubs and small chains
in various nearby states.
Ninth, The Cross Promotion:
Put your stuff and your face and your issue everywhere else along with
on your own site.
Tenth, The
Aggressive Self-Promotion: Always speak the best of
yourself in public and have your creative works ready to hand at all
times. Profit equally by positive or negative reactions.
Remember that you are a celebrity, a product, and a phenomenon. Dress well,
build your charisma, and always let everyone know in the most
impressive and engaging way that whatever the event may be, that event
is you!
