Editorials
Four Tips To Survive In The Music Industry

The music industry gobbles people whole. Many artists who make it out of the local scene into the global scene often fizzle out; often times, they lose relevancy before they even get a hit. But what’s the cause of this? Misjudging their clout? Or getting lost in the glitz and glamour that comes with meeting all of your favorite musicians? There are a multitude of reasons that people fall off immediately. Being that the issue is a serious problem, we’ve come up with four tips to stay afloat.
Assume that everyone isn’t your friend
That manager interested in becoming a part of your team just wants the money and to attach himself to a rising star. That groupie that seems to be in love with you only wants the clout that comes from being seen with you (and money, of course). That artist that you’ve struck up a rapport with will leave you out to dry the second that something new, and hotter, comes into the game. Don’t ever think that anyone in the industry is your friend, because, nine times out of ten, they’re there for the advantages. It’s a sad truth to deal with. By being cautious of everyone, you eliminate that element of surprise when something inevitably goes bad. You also save money in the long run because your decision making skills wont be hinged on someone else’s happiness.
Your only as good as your last song
Lots of times, artists release a plethora of songs until one goes viral, then they fade into obscurity. The reason for it is that their price goes up, they get enough money to do what they want from shows and features, and they also get all of the attention that they salivated for. Six months later, the artist is back to square one because they hadn’t had a plan or additional music to market. To survive in this lucrative game, you must always be ready for something else to release. This means having multiple songs ready and preparing a plan in the event that something does takeoff. One of the most dangerous weapons an artist has is consistency.
Never, ever get too comfortable
This goes hand in hand with the last rule. Never, ever, think that you’re irreplaceable. Labels can always find someone younger and hotter. Same goes for artists looking to collaborate, or groupies searching for the next big thing. Don’t let your relationships falter, or your circle change because you’re on you high horse, not willing to work with anyone else because of a perceived lack of importance. This will get you humbled, quick.
Any press is good press
Kanye said it best when he said that he doesn’t mind if people talk junk about him because if they weren’t talking about him at all then he’d have a problem. This mindset is important to have. You can do everything right and you’ll still have one hater or false byline ready to tear you to shreds. Realize that this attention keeps you in the limelight and keeps the checks coming in. Make sure to feed the flames and remain important in peoples’ lives.
Editorials
.@uknowflyboi Is Ready

We spoke to one of Detroit’s hottest rising lyricists about his journey so far and what he has coming up in the pipeline. This is one discussion that you don’t want to miss.
Who is FlyBoi Rich?
FlyBoi Rich is your average “hood” kid telling his stories from what he has seen and been through. I try to keep it 100, I just ain’t got no filter when it comes to what I talk about. I try to bring lyrics and bangers together. From the Eastside of Detroit Glenwood, I came up with a big circle tryna win together. I’m a sports junkie so it’s heavy sports talk in
How did you get into the rap space?
I always played around with it. People around me started telling me I was nice and then I started taking it more
What’s your experience like in the Detroit rap scene?
It’s been cool. I’ve been around a few people that showed me some of the local areas early. It changed a lot as far as getting out face to face, it seems like social media platforms raise awareness a lot. Its all for the good, it’s bringing attention to the city I’m with it. Overall though, I’ve had a few good experiences and a few bad experiences from studio to venues but its all apart of the game
Detroit’s becoming one of the biggest cities in rap, destined to overthrow hubs like Chicago and Atlanta. Why do you think that the city is now getting its shine?
I believe for sure the new talent coming
Do you think that this shine is overdue? Why or why not?
Maybe so, because it started slowly picking up tho so can’t really say. The way artists are coming out now though I would say that it’s just the right time a few people either got deals or excelled higher last year than I seen in a while so I think the timing is right.
What was the recording process like for “New Jack City?”
New Jack City was inspired by the movie. I hopped in the studio one day after watching it. It kind of inspired the whole Black Movie Cinema Ep. Went in the studio got some of my “creative inspirations” together and I got to work. Writing process ain’t long for me, I go off whatever that I’m thinking about at the time. I usually try to get real witty with the words and
Why do you think fans identify with your music so much?
I think because it’s something good to the ears first and then the music
How do you think artists like Sada Baby and Tee
I think Grizz started it out crazy with that first day out once Vezzo was gone. He got out and jumped out with that joint it hit the whole year. Getting people like Bron to hop on the gram and spit your shit gotta be making noise for real. Sada, on the other hand, showed how we have fun with it. His grind and dropping track after track showed our dedication and grind they
Who is your favorite rapper from Detroit? Why? Gotta say either Royce or Em
What’s next for Fly Boi Rich?
Going all out its n
What’s your 2019 looking like?
So far
Who are you looking forward to collaborating with? Why?
Royce probably because of the lyrical challenge it will bring and Sada because the energy we a bring to a track together. I rock with both
Bring back some of these old neighborhoods I use to go to or live at before its too late and somebody from out of town capitalize on it. We let too my people come and take our town profits away so I wanna keep some stuff I remember alive and build a few small businesses and try to help a couple of neighborhoods out with something at least a job or a decent spot to hang or
Editorials
Russ Is Right, Exploiting Drug Addiction For Money Is Wack

Russ has made it clear for over a year now that he’s not for the glamorization of drugs for money. He recently got into a Twitter scuffle with Fat Nick, a known user of lean and narcotics, with the two debating about his fascination with drugs and how the latter makes money off of it. Nick frequently posts his drugs and merchandise that contains drugs online and sees nothing wrong with it. Russ however disagrees. And, after seeing both viewpoints, I daresay I agree with Russ. Glamorizing drugs is wack, point blank.
Rap music was founded in tough times. The best hip-hop to come out of the genre’s Golden Era focused on the hardships that people faced during daily life. Coping with these hardships came natural. Drug use isn’t new. However, the way that drug users are fetishizing these drugs is. Lean, Xanax, and Mollies have become as popular as the music itself. With rappers posting their drugs on social media and dedicating so much of their creative energies to showcasing their fascination with drugs, many kids try them out because the artists they look up to love it.
Nothing good comes out of this besides addiction and death. Xanax pills look fun until you’re trying your best to kick the habit while the withdrawal symptoms kick your ass. Let Mac Miller’s story inform you about the dangers of overdosing. Lil Tracy had a heart attack because of his drug usage. There’s nothing good to come out of using these drugs. Yet, new age rap stars align their aesthetics with drugs because its in and it sells.
This exploitation is no joke and needs to be talked about. Starting a conversation about it will enable the proper action to happen and, hopefully, the way that drugs are exploited for money can be addressed.
Editorials
Why Ella Mai’s “Trip” Is Better Than “Boo’d Up”

Everyone thought that “Boo’d Up” was the one. Ella Mai’s viral summer single became the talk of the season, a meme due to its widespread popularity across many age, racial, and gender groups. Many thought that Mai lucked up into the DJ Mustard-produced single, attributing much of the song’s success to the producer. But little did they know, “Trip” would come behind it and show that Mai is much more than a one hit wonder.
“Trip” released on August 3 and has been somewhat of a slow burn for the public. It’s a lot darker and moodier than “Boo’d Up”‘s ceiling-less mood. There’s a lingering piano that acts as the song’s lifeblood. When Mai comes in with her surprisingly deep voice, she offsets the equilibrium and swings things in her favor. As it goes on it become a catchy earworm that far outpaces the ceiling of “Boo’d Up”
With all of this said, her debut album, expected to arrive this fall, will be interesting to take in. Has she exhausted all creative avenues in her brilliant two first singles? Or will she continue pushing the culture? “Boo’d Up,” was one thing. “Trip” is another altogether, showcasing that she has a lot still left up her sleeve.
Listen to “Trip” below.
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