Like the sign says, time to use an alternate route to get where you're going.
With this INterNets thing going full steam right now, I always ask, "why isn't there an artist to reflect the scene?" Portable digital TVs, cellphone video camcorders, 7" notebooks, touch screen pads, and dudes are still hoping for a major label recording contract. Dudes out here are walking around with high capability camcorders and are taking Polaroid stills with it. HD comes off like sh*t to someone who has an outdated computer (think about that link/video guys). I know they dropped something to this nature on XXL today, but I have been speaking from this same book of knowledge for a while. Why do dudes still think they need a label to do it these days? Finances? Not with that 360 deal homie. Fame? Many things feed the ego of men. Success? There are PLENTY of artists who have had mainstream music hits and were not compensated, and others simply overspent their earnings. And we need not deal with the law breaking episodes of some.
If I was in my 20's I'd be on some ground breaking sh*t with rap. I'd have virtuosos looped on the MPC straight giving the public some raw crazy illness that would have people waiting for the next drop. The videos would be visuals, some like them stoned psychedelic ones on Windows Media Player, some slide shows, some footage edits, you know, VISUALS. No offense, but it's 2010, mufukkas are still looking/hoping/paying for a 'Hype' Williams video. Just because Rik Cordero bought a HD camera don't mean you have to pay the raise in the rate rapper dude.
Charlie Sloth is the only one I have seen in my lane of thought so far.
Cats are wasting money, renting cars, paying video chicks, renting jewelry, still doing the 'standing in front of the posse rapping' shots. Dudes now have started the 'in the studio' performance videos, but how many times does that come off as a "get the camera son, this is fly" weeded moment? The same old tired formulas. Wasted time and space. Dudes are stuck in a box and can't see the environment or it's surroundings. Don't think the labels will help either. Why would they want to give you creative space if their hand is in your pocket? Gotta be close to them for that hand to reach.
That's why I have been telling y'all the Mp3 mystery, the 'think about how' you ain't gotta be a rapper to be in the industry and get money, the whole 'peep game' position. The way it's set up now, you ain't gotta pay for an A&R contact list (see that?). You ain't gotta even show your face or show up these days (e.g. DOOM). You can waste your time if you want trying to get Nahright & 2Dopeboyz to post your Mp3 (which is not enough). Sh*t, Meka from 2Dopeboyz started as an XXL commenter! He's the crate digger, not the A&R guy. Think about that one.
You could be the most anticipated worldwide phenom on the INterNets and never leave your house. You could be hearing your music on TV and stuff while watching it. You could do a real performance from your basement or backyard, I mean serious performance, not incriminating fiendish acting videotaping. Cats would never see your face, you do various styles of videos to go with your music. Live streams capable of making large clubs and venues. If you're a club DJ, you know what I'm typing is VERY possible. What promoter wouldn't salivate at not having to pamper an artist through town for a performance and instead wire you dough for a signed and agreed exclusive performance video stream?
A cat could be named 'Showercap' and have nothing but a silhouette of his head and have some crazy music and visuals to match, and he's an explosive character in media. Think of 'Max Headroom'. David Letterman will have you on the Top 10, believe this. Your 'mushroom' videos of music can get you in diners, boutiques, and cafes. Think about this when you wanna burn some DVDs (thank me later).
In this environment we should have an artist that uses Hindu/Arabic samples with some House/club undertones, old school drum beats, spitting rap like an animated Busta/wordplay BIG, looking like Devin The Dude (just saying), and everybody knows he drops a new banger the 3rd Friday of the month, and his Paypal is thick while he sits on his back porch eating a Hot Pocket and drinking a Sprite with a blunt lit. Females are not omitted from any part of this equation by the way.
"If I was in my 20's"
^ I could do it now. How many people have done unofficial edited videos to artists music on YouTube, and still garnered major views? Can an artist do this with new, original music? Yes, and could go really major with it, you know, how Drake was really supposed to be doing it and should have done it. He was "in a position" where he didn't need to sign to a label, everything on the radio was taken from the 'net (no vinyl), probably from the same download source we went and got it from. They (HHS1978) should have went to whoever visualized thisis50.com, and replicated that, continuance of the 'net presence for revenue, without the major label restraints (hands in the pockets).
The youngin's have one thing harder to do, whereas we had to create the visual with the words, they have to provide the actual visual to match the words.
There's an enormous detour available on the information superhighway that would actually be feasible for many to take. You might find that home you were looking for but were passing it all the time going the same way as everyone else.
