Editorials
How Important Sound Is As A Rapper
”Yo? Are you ready to record?”
You nod your head excitedly and head over to the recording booth. The song that you wrote on your iPhone last night in between Full House episodes is the one that’s going to get you into the discussion for XXL 2019. You read through it over and over before you went to bed and decided to avoid looking at it in the morning: you want to go in the booth fresh, ready to destroy it. You walk into the booth and look through the slim window, giving the man behind the controls the thumbs up. As crisp drums shoot through the earphones you have on, you grab the mic and wait to come in when the time is right.
Only you wait. Wait some more. You hesitate and wait again, for the next go round. Only it never comes. You realize that you don’t know your sound.
We are in the midst of a generation of very intelligent artists. There are wordsmiths that can string together incredibly complex ballads that will send a listener to grab the dictionary off the nearest shelf. Since traditional hip-hop listeners believe that this is all it takes to be successful, why isn’t everyone hopping on private jets?
Since there are so many people capable of doing the same thing, what separates stars from regulars is their sound. How they craft everything else besides lyrics. An aesthetic that leaves the listener literally anxious for more. Sound. It’s so powerful that people who reinvent a failing one are able to dramatically improve their careers with the snap of a finger.
Why doesn’t everyone have sound?
When you step into the booth and record a song, rather haphazardly, you’ve created a sound. It may not be a good one, but it’s going to stick with you. When you record the next song, that previously established sound (whether good or bad) sticks with the listener and could potentially persuade them not to listen to it. That’s why its important to create a sound that people will want to listen to over and over again.
Do you know how to find it? There’s no magical trick. You need to experiment and find what works best for you. Try to be as unique as possible. Have you ever listened to Divine Council? Their in-house producer ICYTWAT has created an instantly recognizable sound that has propelled the group to the stratosphere. Think of this when you craft your sound; create one that resonates with people to keep them hungry.
Once you find your sound, don’t be afraid to change it if it isn’t receiving the reception that you want. That’s what keeps aspiring artists from achieving the success that they so desperately desire: a stubborn fascination with the sound that they know. It stems from fear of the unknown. But every listener in the history of the world respects artists more who experiment with new ideas instead of keeping with older ones.
As you begin to write-no-begin to think of writing a song, think about the sound behind it. Think about how you can change and warp it by experimenting with different ideas. Once you do this and find the sound that works for you as well as your audience, you’ll be on your way to sold out shows at Coachella.
Editorials
Artist To Watch: Meet Rising West Coast Star Vary
Vary, is a rising star on the West Coast music scene. Growing up, Vary was deeply involved in sports, dedicating his time and passion to basketball, ultimately playing at the University of Oregon and the University of Idaho. However, his love for music, influenced by his late father’s musical background, eventually led him to pursue a career in the industry.
Vary’s stage name, Vary, holds deep personal significance. It stems from his childhood nickname, ‘Vary’, given to him by friends and family. For Vary, music became a platform to articulate his truth and share uplifting messages, especially about his roots in North Portland.
His debut EP, “Richmond Ave”, pays homage to the neighborhood that shaped him. Vary’s collaborative ventures with fellow artists, including notable figures like Westside Boogie, Nipsey Hussle, and Goodbyecalev, have garnered attention and accolades. His track “AMG” featuring Westside Boogie has accumulated over 100k streams across various platforms.
Vary has performed at esteemed venues such as Edgefield Manor, Roseland Theater, and Star Theater, carving his place within the heart of the West Coast music culture.
His music, characterized by its soulful and timeless West Coast sound, resonates deeply with his audience. Embodying his aspirations and principles, Vary’s most recent project, “Championship Flow”, exemplifies his passion and vision for his community, expressing his optimistic outlook on life.
Outside of music, Vary aspires to give back to his community and put North Portland on the map. Embracing his humble beginnings, he aims to be a beacon of positivity and inspiration for those around him.
In the years ahead, Vary plans to release high-quality music that reflects his authentic self while remaining open to experimenting with diverse genres. He dreams of performing at major festivals and collaborating with artists such as Domani, LaRussell, Charlie Wilson, and Dom Kennedy, all while remaining true to his roots and principles.
Check out Vary’s latest music below.
Editorials
DJ Fresh, The Show Before The Show Has Been Captivating Audiences On Chris Brown Latest Tour
We have covered DJ Fresh before and we must say while he was already accomplished at that point that puts him in the one percentile of disk jockeys worldwide, his latest venture being the tour DJ of Chris Brown’s highly grossing tour this year put him in a position to be labeled as a superstar.
From his mixes to vibrant personality being shown on the mic, Fresh has received critical acclaim and co-signs from artist nationwide for his talents.
He has some major announcements coming soon but we wanted to really show this star some love for all he has accomplished and given to the culture throughout the years. While he might be Fresh in youth physically, he is Fresh in youth mentally and his energy has translated into unforgettable sets which he has received his flowers for.
Follow him on Instagram here.
Editorials
These Are The Secrets To Getting Your Music Posted On Your Favorite Websites
Are you an artist that wants to get your music posted on your favorite websites like 4Shomag, Complex, Pitchfork, MTV, and more? The secrets for how to do so have been revealed.
A writer named Trey Alston, who writes for everyone from Complex to Vulture, has written an e-book with a ton of strategies and tips for how you can get posted on your favorite platforms. He’s taken his experiences from more than 8 years writing about music and put them into a book to help anyone secure the posts that they’ve been looking for for so long.
Check it out at the link if you want to learn more.
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