For those that are trying to get themselves into the industry and feel that they can just push right into it, the reality check may be a rude awakening once you realize that it's not that easy at all.  It's probably safe to say that most rap artists that are trying to get into the industry won't make it where they hoped and dreamed they would.  But then, another thing to keep in mind is as the old saying goes... "you get out of it, what you put into it".

 

Keeping that in mind, people that are really trying to get into the industry have to really step their game up.  I don't mean lyrical game so much as I mean hard work, dedication, and persistence.  For every artist that thinks they're the greatest rapper out there, there are at least twenty more that are better than you.  But the question is, have they put in the work that you have?  If you haven't put in the work as of yet, you may want to start doing so now.

 

That said, I wanted to list five strategic tips that you may find helpful when you are trying to get your hustle on.  It may not guarantee you into the hip hop game, BUT, it may move you five steps closer in your goals than you were originally.

 

1)  Spread the word!  Most people that are into rapping, or even singing for that matter, tend to start spreading the word for a little while, but once the buzz doesn't seem to pick up, they sit back.  Some will even convince themselves that they'll never get there, or, that they're just doing it for hobby.  Okay, if you're doing it for a hobby, that's great!  However, you can still create a buzz for yourself even if you're not aiming for mainstream fame.  Spreading the word is key, and this is not an overnight process.  This is probably the first and most major tip of all.  You're pretty much dead if you don't spread the word, and once you start, it becomes a fully dedicated requirement.

 

2)  Create a Social Network page or two or three!  This isn't the early 90's, where your buzz was only equal to the people in the neighborhood that you knew.  The internet has become a MAJOR key for helping your status and in being known.  I'm sure you've come across the many pages on Myspace, Facebook, and other social networking sites like Bebo, that are being utilized to create a buzz for the rap artist or aspiring singer.  There are so many websites dedicated to social networking that can help your rap or singing career boost further than you thought would be possible.  Other sites like Twitter, Del.icio.us, and Digg can be utilized to help you as well.  Just remember to not spam the social networks with your music, or they'll be annoyed and stop listening.  Take time out to listen to others as well as having them listen to what you have to offer.

 

3)  Create a Demo or Mixtape and hand those discs out!  It doesn't have to be studio recorded for you to do it.  You're not trying to create the most professional demo or mixtape at this time.  What you are trying to do is create something that sounds at least decently recorded over the hip hop beats, rap instrumentals, or r&b beats that you may have acquired, and creating a name for yourself.  You don't need it to sound like it has been recorded by Sony Records, but you do want it to sound as clear as you can get it to sound.  Obviously, you don't want static or hollowed recording.  But you do want something substantial.  You can do this with a bit of money invested into your computer, using a decent quality mic, and some recording software you can probably find online, and start to use it to create your demo or mixtape.  You can even just create a demo of three of your hottest tracks, and then buy a few spindles of CD's and start burning copies, and handing them out to people.  If you're in high school or college, this creates a great avenue to start handing out CD's.  Barber shops also create a buzz if you  know the barbers well and ask them to spread some of your discs out to their customers.  You can even help them by spreading their name to other people you know.  You'll need to invest a bit of money in yourself, but creating that buzz will help you in the long run.  If your work is really quality, you can even try to sell the CD's to people for $1.00.  It sounds cheap now, but remember that you're aiming to create a buzz, not to push people away with high dollar CD's.  Think about it... how many people do you know that download music now instead of buying it?  Sad, but true, so don't oversell your demos.

 

4)  Leave your contact information with the discs you hand out!  You want people to remember who you are, so take a little time to create contact information to leave everyone you hand discs to.  It doesn't have to mean that you stop and take their information down and give them yours.  You can be creative with it.  Writing your name on the demo CD's you hand out, along with your email address, website URL, and phone number (if you choose) can be substantially rewarding later on.  If you just hand out discs and not have a means to reach you by, you've wasted your efforts.  You want people to remember who you are, and to reach you.  You never know if someone listens to your CD, and passes it on to someone else that may have connections.  Spread your contact information like wildfire!  If you don't want to write your information on the CD, you can instead, create a business card to include inside of the CD case or paper covers, or write on the paper covers instead.  However, word of advice is to write it on the CD if possible, as people will be more inclined to lose a business card or paper cover, but not the CD itself.

 

5)  Reciprocity is the best policy!  This means, help others if you hope to also be helped.  You can do this by trading assistance.  For example, you can ask people to ilsten to your demos and to email you on the email you provided on the CD with a link to something they may have that they want you to review.  Or, if you have a website or profile page, you can have them contact you and you can give them a shoutout and a URL link to have your people look at, and ask them to do the same if they have a website as well.  It's the whole "one hand washes the other" saying... you help someone, they help you in return.  This builds good rapport with people and will allow them to remember you even more.  And good friendships or networking relationships can go a long way.  Never burn bridges with those that helped along the way, and try to always remain humble more than cocky once you get further into where you go.  You never know what could happen if you don't.  Burning a bridge and being arrogant towards those that once helped you reach your status may come back burning you, and all it takes is word of mouth to completely destroy the very name you once had others help you to build.

 

Take these five tips as valuable information to help you push further ahead of what you are hoping to achieve with your name and with the music you create.  If you make beats instead of rap or sing, you can still use the above to get yourself more publicity and well known.  Remember again, that persistence is key, and hard work and dedication will reward you in time.  Of course, there are countless other things that you can do as well in your pursuit to building your reputation, but these five should show more of an impact as time progresses. 

 

With hard work, dedication, and persistence, you will see a change in your work ethic, and in your results as well.  Good luck in your pursuits, and remember to share with others where you got this information from.  Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions you'd like to share?  All comments are welcome.

 

 

Genycis