Let's Be Real For a Minute. (Aspiring Rappers/Producers Thread)

[ShencotheMC]

College student and still finds time to spit a few bars. I just gotta do more shows and I'm good

 

[MC The Rapper]

So how did you learn about the business? Degree, reading or what? And what's your plan after that? I guess what im askin is how do you plan to market yourself? or just in the lab and create and create? And are you tryna blow up nation wide?

Well I definitely read a lot. I read about publishing,copywriting music, how artist make money off music,etc. They are a lot of sources out there .

As far plans I am going to release three solo projects a year. Albums and EPs and I will advertising on blogs like banner

ads,facebook ads, and couple other places and of course old school word of mouth in the city flyers and posters. Most of my

music will only be able digitally because that cuts the cost of print up Cds and all that. Another breaking into the international

market is another key I'm going to be working with people in Canada who have a mixtape show so that will give me international

exposure. Then I'm releasing this first album for free to give me exposure since I don't have a fan base but I'm still going to

make money off the itunes single. As far as music go I used upcoming producers on the album , I have been building

relationships. I also will produce the next ep I will release it in July it is going to be my production debut and i'm trying to

develop my own sound productionwise.This album I developed my own lyrical writing style and did different types of songs, like

storytelling,conscious,straight up rapping, i got a couple of club songs. A lot of variety and I'm looking to get my album reviewed

on hiphopgame.com and ozone magazine . So putting out an album will tell people more about me than a mixtape will I think and

having it for free will eliminate that risk associated with a new artist. Another thing it allows me to signed up with ascap since I

have published works out their that are copywritten.

 

[MC The Rapper]

So how did you learn about the business? Degree, reading or what? And what's your plan after that? I guess what im askin is how do you plan to market yourself? or just in the lab and create and create? And are you tryna blow up nation wide?

a couple things i wanted to add is cross promotion. using your lyrics as advertising vehicles for ya self, promoting future releases in songs and on album covers. merchandise having that available for ya fans great way to tell how big your fan base really is. J.Cole need that. having monetize blogs so you can profit from blogging and have another stream of income.

 

[G.R.I.P. Money $$$]

Well I definitely read a lot. I read about publishing,copywriting music, how artist make money off music,etc. They are a lot of sources out there .

As far plans I am going to release three solo projects a year. Albums and EPs and I will advertising on blogs like banner

ads,facebook ads, and couple other places and of course old school word of mouth in the city flyers and posters. Most of my

music will only be able digitally because that cuts the cost of print up Cds and all that. Another breaking into the international

market is another key I'm going to be working with people in Canada who have a mixtape show so that will give me international

exposure. Then I'm releasing this first album for free to give me exposure since I don't have a fan base but I'm still going to

make money off the itunes single. As far as music go I used upcoming producers on the album , I have been building

relationships. I also will produce the next ep I will release it in July it is going to be my production debut and i'm trying to

develop my own sound productionwise.This album I developed my own lyrical writing style and did different types of songs, like

storytelling,conscious,straight up rapping, i got a couple of club songs. A lot of variety and I'm looking to get my album reviewed

on hiphopgame.com and ozone magazine . So putting out an album will tell people more about me than a mixtape will I think and

having it for free will eliminate that risk associated with a new artist. Another thing it allows me to signed up with ascap since I

have published works out their that are copywritten.

what is the process of signing up with ascap or bmi and how much is it?

also how much is it to start up your own publishing and trademark ya name?

 

[CirocObama]

@MC The Rapper

Man i really really see and respect your vision. Seems like you really thought the shit thru and i respect that. I haven't heard your music (yet!) but on errthang i hope you reach your goal my dude. Much respect and support.

I just wanna ask tho, how much of your time does everything take? I mean even when you were searching for info about the biz and stuff i mean how much of your time does it take? And i'm guessin that you either work or go to school on the side so is it alot?

And also is there any distrubution company you thinking of messin with once you become a lil bigger? Like of course it would depend on the deal but is there any label ol distrubtion you think you'd sign a deal with/work with if they approached you?

 

[G.R.I.P. Money $$$]

So for the MC's/Prod. tryna get in the industry can y'all explain your thought pattern? Like what's your plan? I'm not a rapper/prod. im just interested cuz honestly i'd like to see niggas blow up, unless it's bs music of course lol.

The question is directed to the niggas who tryna get in the industry.

my plan will be slow as hell..

i wanna get copywriting and mastering for my first mixtape this semester, and possibly get it pressed up and out to the surrounding streets and try to build a lil fanbase or wat ever on the social networks..

then try to expand from there

 

[MC The Rapper]

what is the process of signing up with ascap or bmi and how much is it?

also how much is it to start up your own publishing and trademark ya name?

going with ascap is probably the best because their own by the artist composers etc. so they will fight for you but def do ya research on bmi just to see what they offer. ascap

cost 35 as a writer/composer and another 35 if you want to be a publisher check out more info at www.ascap.com. Now another thing you have to do to get a publishing

company is register with your state as an llc and get a tax id number which is cheaper if you do instead of a lawyer. google registering a business in miss. Now registering rap

name costs some bread its not cheap but even then it doesn't automatically mean if you have litigation over the name you will win. The main thing is making sure you first to

market with it and that you can back it up . But def if I had the money I would get my name registered but heres a link http://http://www.uspto.gov/faq/musicart.jsp

http://copyright.gov/

for getting stuff copywritten

i'm gon drop more links about sources of info, digital distribution, etc.

 

[MC The Rapper]

@MC The Rapper

Man i really really see and respect your vision. Seems like you really thought the shit thru and i respect that. I haven't heard your music (yet!) but on errthang i hope you reach your goal my dude. Much respect and support.

I just wanna ask tho, how much of your time does everything take? I mean even when you were searching for info about the biz and stuff i mean how much of your time does it take? And i'm guessin that you either work or go to school on the side so is it alot?

And also is there any distrubution company you thinking of messin with once you become a lil bigger? Like of course it would depend on the deal but is there any label ol distrubtion you think you'd sign a deal with/work with if they approached you?

ADA which is Warner Music Group indie Distribution company but its hard to say because rumors are that Warner is up for sale so who knows

 

[bkkbully]

So for the MC's/Prod. tryna get in the industry can y'all explain your thought pattern? Like what's your plan? I'm not a rapper/prod. im just interested cuz honestly i'd like to see niggas blow up, unless it's bs music of course lol.

The question is directed to the niggas who tryna get in the industry.

I already own my independent label / publishing company thats a registered LLC and under BMI. I'm a rapper, songwriter, sound designer, composer, radio host, & producer. I've been doing shows around the world including Canada, Asia, & just got booked for 4 shows & a documentary in New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras. I also compose music for commercials & films. I went to university for Sound Design & Film and received my bachelors degree in Fine Arts. The thread starter is ignorant as hell, I'm grinding all of the time and just because I wanna get on a hip hop board after working all day and occasionally drop links I won't blow up? Open your mind son. Plus, it's never in my intention to become filthy rich off of music. I chose this life because I want to be HAPPY and comfortable. Instead of slaving all day at a bullshit job, hating to wake up in the morning. Life is more than that, thankfully I was blessed and got a scholarship because of my beats and I took it to the next level. Much love to all the aspiring / up and coming rappers or producers, keep doing your thing and don't let anybody tell you NOTHING.

Generation Me-X Entertainment

www.genmx.com

Go to discography and you can find our music. I go by the name of Unda

 

[nyst8ofmin]

i went to institute of audio research. prior to that, i studied music theory in community college.

i started dj'ing in 1993 and making beats in '97. bought an mpc in '04 and havent lookd back since.

next tuesday i am starting at an online radio station, twice a week for 2 hrs a pop.

ive worked with rappers. engineered sessions, dj'ed on college tours. etc

and......ive only ever promoted myself in my sig, or dedicated threads.

or word of mouth, but never my mouth.

t/s is just mad he never had a back up plan until it was too late

o, and... btw check me out....

http://soundcloud.com/you/tracks

http://www.myspace.com/bicedidit

 

[Soho Fresco]

I don't want to be one of those people that always wanted to do something but never tried it. They end up old sitting in a rocking chair all bitter telling kids " look at that.... could have been me" .

I live with no regrets and I am happy that I invested nearly all of my school and working money into this. The t/s is cool in my books but he just came off a little ignorant. Whatever you do in life, you have to spend money and sacrifice. That still don't mean you're guaranteed the success but at least you're showing dedication and commitment.

You can enroll into college for four years but don't that cost money too?...especially when you're done and have to pay them back. Some students dropout halfway through and still end up in major debt.

I've learned that I have the potential from my drive alone...back in 2010, my music had the worse quality ever and I was still able to grind out 3,000 friends on myspace but I kept it real with myself . The quality was to bad to be taken serious so I took a year off and got my shit together and came back in the beginning of this month and I am ready now.

 

[Soho Fresco]

I would post a link of how my music sounds now compared to a youtube video I have of how bad my music sounded in early 2010 to show that im not all talk but I know people on here don't click on links lol.

 

[Disciplined InSight]

All of that aspiring to get into the game..

..ya'll this faggot ass troll get to ya'll? Nine times outta ten, he's probably still stuck in his mommy's basement trying to figure out what when wrong in his budding career. Fuck that clown and keep it moving..let this thread die.

Threadstarter is a German White homosexual. Thus, his opinion is invalid.

Word...

 

[ShencotheMC]

Good thing my school got a patent and copyright office on campus