I’m sure you just wonder if this free advice thing can only
bring you great luck. It can only bring you wonders of the world. It can only
bring your wildest dreams to come true. I have been officially in the scene
since 2005 with a 12'' vinyl released on Matzah
4 Yo Mouf records. This label was my own imprint. I pressed up 1000 records
working a $4.50/hour job at a hotel.
I didn't know way too much. I didn't know anything. All I knew was how to show
up. And the rest happened. Now my record is at #13 on CMJ, I’m in URB, Spin, Okayplayer, have toured with _____ and will
be touring with ____ this year and even played ____ cities in ______
days. I can't reveal it all my friends...but I will reveal some.
So, for you I will make a little list (in
order) on what it is you aspiring musicians should do. This applies to all
who have dreams in music
1. SHOW UP-
The most important thing to do is show up. Remember rap is a bunch of people
who never really fit in anyways. Show up and introduce yourself. We are not all
Charles Hamilton or Asher Roth and just get discovered by some idiot who
wants to create us like that movie Weird Science. Create yourself.
2. CREATE-
Honestly if your music stinks don't be discouraged. Mimic other rappers and
continue to attend events. Mirror people. A good actor friend told me that
artists are like thieves. We steal and take and take from everyone and
eventually, create ourselves. Diversity is key in creation, so concentrate
on diversity. The best artists I have ever met listen to all kinds of
music. Rock, Jazz, Alternative, House, and Hip Hop...even that dirty south. Any
moment can inspire you and you might just have a hit song on your hand but you
would never even consider writing to that beat or using that sample as a
producer.
3. SIGN THAT LIST- If
your name isn't on the top of that open mic list, then you must not be serious.
Performing was the ill thing to do back in 2000. Nowadays people got
albums and mixtapes that no one cares about because no one even rocks a mic
right.
We would train 2 months to go on stage at Nuyorican Poets
cafe for 90 seconds during the Braggin Rites Era... I never recorded till
I had a reason. We are in the live
performance market. Producers need to show themselves at beat
battles and artists need to be paying to get in and be on stage.
4. TELL YOUR
FRIENDS- This could be a case by case scenario. For a
person like me who has no friends, I had to earn them through skills. Some of
you people might have a couple of friends who will give you an honest opinion. Bring
them to the show and make sure they blast your ish around town in their car.
You will be popular before you know it.
5. PICK A GOOD
NAME- If your name is not
memorable, no one will be able to remember you. Duh. Note; if you pick an
extravagant name, you have to be able to back it up. If your name is John "The Tree Hugger," you better be some kind of awesome environmentalist rapper. Also
if you are "MC Veganader," you should be a mix between a guy who raps
about Vegan life and Ralph
Nader, hence Veganader.
IF YOUR NAME IS BLUNT OR SK MONEY OR ACAPLUCO GOLD OR
SOME OTHER CORNY ASS STREET NAME YOU GAVE YOUR SELF, quit.
***Recent names I like are Blacastan, The Black Kids (a band
who is not black) Yo Majesty, Homeboy Sandman, Immortal Technique and Kosha
Dillz (aka me aka a name you can find in a Google search if someone wants to
look you up and can find you even if they spell it wrong)
***BONUS ADVICE (FOR TELL YOUR FRIENDS)
Bringing
them to shows is also great. It shows other people that even if you stink, you
have fans. Hey that’s the case with most rappers/rockers anyways...right?