Are Rappers Afraid or Smart To Not Drop An Album?

Written by Jugrnaut

Are Rappers Afraid or Smart To Not Drop An Album?

Ok, so rapper got the song of the day/week/month/whatever.. They have the streets buzzing..  They have like 10 features!  They on everything!!!

So when is the album dropping?? Rapper(s) reply.. "I dunno about the album yet, but you can check out my new mixtaape.."

WTF?

Is rapper afraid or just smart to not put out an album?

Some may say they're afraid because they know they're only good at giving mixtapes away.

Some others may say they're afraid if they had to actually sell some records, there wouldn't be too many rapper(s) left standing.

So is that being afraid or just being smart?

Now before you start the Music Industry Bullshit about the internet, downloading and coming up with your own opinions, take a minute to read the different sides.

Ok…now…Mixtapes are great promo tools for artist(s) but now have become the new safe haven for them. Check it out..

Mixtape Promo = Live Appearance/Show Money

No ones counting the sales of Mixtapes, so if a Mixtape isn't well received, no one would know or really care.  If an album comes out and flops, then the artist buzz is diminished as they didn't sell/flopped.

Basically, if rapper(s) puts out an album, chances are he will put his/her show money in jeopardy.  Who needs to sell records when they can get 10k-50k+ a night doing shows off the buzz from a Mixtape..?  #majorlabelsepicfail

Sure shows generate revenue for the Artist.  I'm not against that at all. Get your doe. However, album sales generate revenue for the Artist AND everyone else. Who's everyone else? The writers, musicians, producers, promo staff, marketing staff, studios, engineers etc. When you fail to release an album, you are essentially destroying the food
chain. No one else gets to eat. The hip hop labels fail. If they fail, we fail, as hip-hop employs mostly minorities.

Basically the artist is destroying the natural food chain, the natural order of things

Now if you’re in that chain you’re of course going to say an album needs to drop. If you’re a fan your going to say isn’t it your responsibility to put out an album? Isn’t that the reason you have a record deal?
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

I guess some of these new rappers only look at this hip hop thing as a hustle, a quick flip. Maybe they don’t care about becoming a music icon, a legend in the game. Maybe they don’t care about what you think about them, or not making some kind of hip hop list. Maybe they don’t even care about getting an honorable mention. Maybe all they care
about is themselves and that dollar bill.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

But if this isn’t you, and you do care about this hip hop thing, and you don’t want to flop, here's some healthy advice. Please be clear by applying these methods it does not guarantee you won’t flop. If you’re wack and everyone knows it, or the support just isn’t there, then that’s on you and yours. Ok here we go…

1. Get some quality production. Album material should not sound worst then your mixtape. The key with the mixtape is to gain your fan base but at the same time develop your lane so you can grow into the album. Look at it as a scrimage game before the real deal, a trial run. Now if you end up putting out an album and people are saying I rather the mixtape..You have a small problem on your hands. Its back to mixtape land til you can figure out how the hell you demoted yourself. Good news is…At least they like the mixtape.

2. Scale back on the free/promo material.  Once the consumer gets use to a free ride, there's no way you are going to get them to pay. Especially if you pulled a #1

3.  If you're going to release promo material, it’s more advantageous to release GOOD music videos.  The key word is GOOD people.  If its trash, you deserve to flop.

4.  You do know you can sell albums at shows right?  And they can count toward soundscan reporting? Ya'll really not hearing me.. Maybe I’m saying tooooo much.

Of course there's a lot  more to it, but I digress...

Some rappers will find this info useful, and release some hot albums, have longevity in their careers, possibly become hip-hop icons, opening doors for others, and pushing this hip hop thing forward.

Others will say "Who needs lyrics?  Why drop an album?..I'm getting money right?.."

(Sigh)

You make the call are these rappers …  Afraid?   Or, just smart?

Throw me your feedback: www.twitter.com/JUG_ARKATECHBTZ

Jug