Editorials

Two Concrete Ways To Gain Influence As A Rapper

Published

6 years ago

August 4, 2018

Weasel

Progression is fickle in the musical environment. It’s both the most important method of measuring improvement, but at the same time, utterly meaningless unless it’s the right type of improvement. Over the past couple of decades, rapid advancements in technology have completely changed the way that we communicate with each other. In 2007, a majority of high school children owned flip phones, ten years later we have fully functioning computers capable of replacing our home desktops. In short, with the rapidly changing world, the path to stardom rapidly changes every single day. What may have worked for artists like Nas, Jay-Z, even Young Thug, may not necessarily work for artists in 2017. It’s important to realize that every artist begins at a different starting point on the road to glory. Take this in stride and create the right type of progress to push yourself in the correct direction.

This type of progress is what I wish to push in this essay that I’m writing today. While I love popular music as much as the next, I spend a majority of my listening time on Soundcloud. In addition to this, I am fortunate to call a number of excellent musicians my friends. Furthermore, I listen to around 75% of music links that I find online. Lastly, I read and listen to a lot of musicians interviews about coming up out of sheer curiosity. The point of explaining these points is that while I’m not directly affiliated with the music making experience, I know quite a bit about what it takes to “make it.” My ear for music constantly changes, allowing me to adapt to what’s hot at the moment as well as what will be hot next. As I sit on the sidelines watching artists’ stories unfold, I’ve come up with two factors that influence the rate of progression. For 2018 and beyond, I’d like to discuss these parameters so that all of the amazing hip hop artists I know are able to sprint to the finish line, regardless of where they started in the race to success. Quick Disclaimer: everything that I’m going to talk about is my own personal view. I’m well aware that these rules may not apply to everyone.

Create a spectacle.
In order to be anyone of importance in the world, you must be a spectacle. Act like an anomaly to attract an audience. Let’s face it; the days of getting noticed for sheer lyricism are long gone. It’s still possible in rare cases, like J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar (two artists who worked extremely hard to get in the positions that they are today) but don’t bank on it. That’s why so many artists go unfulfilled in their quest. Give the listener something to remember you by. What would you want your fans to say about you when they describe you? Bring the spectacle to your music. I’m not saying to have just one sound, but add similar characteristics so that we know can follow the growth in your music. Without remembrance, artists come and go quickly. Future’s trademark shtick of warbling charismatically originated on his Pluto album. It also consisted of songs such as Same Damn Time that featured traditional rapping styles. After seeing that his experimental sound garnered better reception, he would go on to use it heavily. This was the creation of the shtick.

Be confident in your shit. seriously.
One of the biggest killers of could-be great music comes from the artist: portraying their uncertainty on the track. Trust me, if you think you sound nervous you do. Even if it takes more than one hundred takes of making the song, keep going. Once you finish, begin experimenting with different cadences and pitches. Have a circle of friends who will give you an honest opinion. Make sure that you are confident in your work. Tee Grizzley’s “First Day Out” oozes with confidence that makes itself evident from the first line. How did it manage to amass tens of millions of views over the course of a few weeks? People gravitated to the song. The confidence Tee Grizzley conveyed captured the listener’s interest. That and the beat is ridiculously beautiful. When your confident in your work, it shows.

Apply these two rules and you’ll be well on your way to success.

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Editorials

The New West Coast Festival: A Revelation in the West Coast Music Scene

Published

4 days ago

April 25, 2024

Kalisha Perera

Photo Credit : @ShotByTicas

The pulsating rhythm of music, the vivid spectacle of lights, and the passionate energy of the crowd all converged at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, California at the highly anticipated music festival, The New West Coast Festival. Organized by No Label Tour, this grand event showcased a remarkable lineup of notable DJs and artists who brought their unique styles and talents to the stage, leaving the audience craving for more.

The festival kicked off on a high note with the charismatic Riverside social media star, JFromRiv, taking on the role of host. With his contagious enthusiasm and entertaining banter, JFromRiv effortlessly connected with the audience, building an interactive and engaging atmosphere throughout the festival.

The festival’s impressive array of DJs set the stage ablaze with their sensational performances. DJ Trill, DJ V.I.P, DJ A-Tron, DJ RioDaRoccstar, and Cypress Moreno brought their distinct musical styles, delivering sets that transcended boundaries and genres. Each DJ showcased their prowess, seamlessly blending catchy beats and contagious melodies that got the crowd moving and grooving to the rhythm.

The main stage was graced by a lineup of talented artists who left a lasting impression on the audience. Money Making Melo, Lamb4oe, R3 Da Chilliman, BlueBucksClan, Lil Maru, EBK Young Joc, Memo The Mafioso, Fenix Flexin, DB.Boutabag, and Bravo The Bagchaser, and many more, took the festival to greater heights with their energetic performances and undeniable stage presence. Their magnetic charisma and lyrical prowess captivated the audience, creating an electrifying atmosphere that resonated throughout the venue.

However, it was the festival’s headliner, Los Angeles superstar 03 Greedo, who truly stole the show. With his unique blend of raw talent and captivating storytelling, the audience was held captive by his charismatic presence. 03 Greedo’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating why he has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Behind the scenes, the festival’s detailed planning and organizational efforts were evident. The team behind the event worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the festival was meticulously executed, from the lighting and sound arrangements to the overall ambiance of the venue. Festival Representative Selena Reyes affirmed the team’s dedication and expressed confidence in the future of the festival, stating that this year’s event was merely a glimpse of what they are capable of achieving.

The New West Coast Festival also owes its success to the support of its sponsors. Urban Water, Heavenly Farms, and Cough Syrup by Desto Dubb played a significant role in bringing the festival to life. Their contributions, both financial and otherwise, were integral to creating an unforgettable experience for the participants.

In conclusion, The New West Coast Festival was a remarkable showcase of talent, commitment, and passion for music. From the energetic performances of the DJs to the captivating acts of the artists and the meticulous planning behind the scenes, every element of the festival came together harmoniously, creating a truly remarkable experience. As the West Coast’s music scene continues to evolve and thrive, The New West Coast Festival has undoubtedly emerged as a beacon of creativity and innovation, leaving a lasting impact on all those fortunate enough to have been part of this extraordinary event.

Editorials

New Jersey’s TMG Has What It Takes

Published

2 weeks ago

April 15, 2024

Kalisha Perera

TMG is a Rising Artist From Paterson New Jersey. He found his talent for making music on accident and went with it ever since. His sound is a mixture of Hip Hop, R&B, and pop music. The people who influenced him the most in music are Tupac, LL Cool J, Notorious B.I.G, Drake just to name a few.

“I started on this journey in 2017 just having fun with it. But I remembered my little brother who passed away telling me that he always wanted to be famous. So I do it for him and hopefully one day everyone will know both our stories. The journey that I’m on now is the next stage of my artistry, and that’s to climb to the top of the charts.” – TMG.

With a nice catalog and new music set to drop soon keep TMG on your radar.

Editorials

Luckwayy Has a Budding Hit With “Monyunn”

Published

4 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Kalisha Perera

Louisiana native and rising rapper Luckwayy is making traction with one of his latest single “Monyunn.” Fans of more energetic and melodic booming sounds such be at home with the uptempo track curated by this southern emcee.

The visual is also super creative and paints the young artist in a cool, hip light where he blends the blissful energy of the south trap drums along that blends perfectly with his voice that gives off a tremendous surge of adrenaline with every watch. It’s definitely a must add to your daily mix.

Stemming from his recently revealed project ‘Clover,’ Luckwayy is in his bag and continues to blossom into a full fledged star. Watch the video below and listen to the LP here.