Rapper’s are known for voicing their opinions, this is no secret. One thing I don’t like as a rapper, is when in an interview situation, I have to stick with whatever the interviewer asks. I can’t just go, and speak freely on any subject I want. So, I’ve decided to start a new weekly article here on Day & A Dream called, Rapper’s Rant. This will be a platform where an artists can finally say anything the want. Anything that peeves them about the genre, the trends, a venue that they have a problems with, another rapper that they have a had problems with, a political issue, ANYTHING. So here we go this is the Rapper’s Rant.

Ranting Rapper: Rob Jay

I did not know what a blog was until late 2008.

I kind of miss those days, not that I’m not appreciative of all the blogs that have been behind my music and supported me. But I think most rappers lose focus on the big prize when they start focusing on blog placements. Before I knew about blogs I depended exclusively on hand to hand distribution of my music and collecting emails at shows. I was the source of telling people about my music.

What I’ve noticed is that during that phase of my career I was creating FANS! Around 2009 I started hitting up the blogs real hard and it kind of became an obsession and my number 1 priority, I wanted to see my pic on 2DopeBoyz and all of the other sites but 2DopeBoyz was a mild obsession. I started getting lots of post people like Rock The Dub, East of LA and Kevin Nottingham were showing endless support. And finally I got my wish of being in 2DopeBoyz as well. What I’ve come to realize is that 90% of the people who are impressed by these things are fellow rappers and other bloggers. Just recently I was featured on The Source and Vibe Magazine’s website. I’m humbled and appreciative of these opportunities but surprised by the type of interest that alot of these looks have created.

I think a lot of rappers have this whole blog thing confused, the first thing I received when I got those post was a bunch of emails from rappers I never heard of asking for features. None paying and I’m pretty sure the motive of all these features was so that they could reach out to the same outlets that I’d been in and get a post for themselves. That is so gay to me (PSA I have nothing against gay people) it’s like this whole internet things is a big popularity contest, rappers asking other rappers who they don’t know anything about to do a feature with them just because they’ve been in Nah Right.

I don’t want to try to stand next to someone whose hot to try to get warm. I think when properly used the internet is a great tool and blogs play a very important role in the distribution of music. I just think that rappers today want to be in blogs for the wrong reason.

PSA: To All rappers if you think a couple post on Nah Right and XXL is gonna lead to people blowing up your phone to pay you thousands of dollars to come do a show your are in for a rude awakening. I’m back to focusing on the fans, I still want to be featured in blogs and promote my music through these outlets but I know what the purpose of these blogs are. When I get post in blogs now I’m attempting to drive traffic back to my website. Once someone comes to my site I want them to sign up for my RSS feed. Once I have their email I want to contact them directly about updates, shows etc. Utlizing blogs in this manner allows me to gain fans from post, I feel like if I don’t do this I’m just in the popularity contest.

I know many artists who’ve been in any and every publication and are still broke and doing free shows. It’s all about getting that email and turning people into fans. Also hand to hand is still the most effective form of promotion that I’ve ever seen. It’s nothing like someone being able to hop in there car and pop in your CD.

So my message is this hit up the blogs but make sure that the blogs are a part of your promo plan and not your whole plan. Because if you live by the blog post, you will die by the blog post. Just because they post your music now, doesn’t mean they will still do that for you 6 months from now when your trying to promote your album. What do you do when the blogger at Source who post all your music quits, now you can’t get Source as easily anymore. What you gonna do to promote once your go to blogger decides he doesn’t want to run his site anymore…….

I say that to say the Fans are what counts if you have the Fanbase then you will always be able to get your music heard and blogs are going to be more likely to post your stuff because they know that you have a fan base that is interested in what your doing. Just a lil something to think about #MESSAGE

Brando

EIC of Day & A Dream, Brando has written for such publications as About, DJ Booth, Refined Hype & the Houston Press. Wrestling enthusiast, sneaker addict, sports junkie and lover of chocolate cake. Follow him on Twitter: @_brandoc

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