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Best Rap City Freestyle?

Chris Franco — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:30:39 +0000

I love how Chamillionaire kicks off his verse (I never take a hiatus, debate if the kid’s the greatest…all of my friends can get a F you, friendship is overrated). I remember watching when it first played on BET, and still think what Cham does at the 1:12 point is one of the best Rap City Freestyle moments. It would have been even better if Big Tigger kicked things off with one of his signature off-the-top freestyles.

18 Tips for Aspiring Rappers

Chris Franco — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:16:38 +0000

1. Don’t depend on anyone. If you are going to succeed in the music business, you cannot depend on your connections. Any relationships that you build in this game should be viewed as icing on the cake, not as essential ingredients. Be strong on your own and you will go farther than the artist that depends on co-signs.

2. Stay in the studio. If you want to sound better than the millions of other aspiring rappers, then you need to rap as much as humanly possible. Your voice is your instrument. If you played violin and wanted to be the best violinist alive, you would need to play all day every day. Ever heard of the 10,000 hour rule? Read about it in Outliersand start clocking.

3. Take your sunglasses off indoors. I’m not suggesting that you kiss up to everyone you encounter, but be a human being. Make an effort to be courteous. One rude interaction with a fan will make your music never sound the same to them again. And seriously, take your sunglasses off indoors. If the cameras aren’t flashing everywhere you go then you’ll just look like a tool bag.

4. Get familiar with Donald Passman! After reading his book, I determined that he is the man. Order All You Need to Know About the Music Business RIGHT NOW! Don’t put it off. Do it NOW. You NEED to read this book. If you do not read Donald Passman’s book then you may very well be another artist on Behind The Music talking about how you got robbed of your royalties.

5. Spend money to make more money. This is especially for all of you who didn’t click the link above to buy Donald Passman’s book. Sometimes up-and-coming artists are put-off when they learn that consulting services (like mine) cost money. If you are serious about your career, you need to be willing to invest money. If you’re not willing to spend money on yourself, then why should anyone else?

6. Write a great biography. So often I come across biographies that are filled with spelling errors, grammar errors, and irrelevant information. Writing a biography is like an art. It helps if you have someone to write it for you. There’s not too many activities that are as awkward as writing about yourself in the third person. Send me an email if you need help (iamchrisfranco@gmail.com).

7. Don’t get drunk before performances. Got the nervous jitters? Get over it. Do not, by any means, start guzzling your favorite alcoholic beverage. Sure, you’ll feel like the man on stage, but to the rest of the crowd, you’ll just look like a drunk. Oh, and you’ll be sweating a lot more. The groupies dont’ want to hug up on a sweaty, drunk guy that just put on a mediocre show.

8. Kick your drug habit. It’s really cool how Snoop Dogg can break stereotypes about stoners being unmotivated, but can you imagine how much more money Snoop would have if he never started smoking weed in the first place? Whatever your drug of choice, you need to kick the habit. It costs you excess money. It hinders your decision making. It’s bad for your health.

9. Book a photo shoot. If you want to stand out on the blog sites, having a professional photo to accompany your music is a big help. Plus, you should be setting up a media/press kit. A good media/press kit includes photos taken by professionals.

10. Be realistic in your presentation. Let’s get something straight. If you’re sending me Twitter messages about how you are the hottest rapper in the street, you’re not the hottest rapper in the streets. I don’t remember Jeezy having to do that. You’re reputation should proceed you, not be tweeted…by you.

11. Avoid samples like the plague. If you’ve read Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business then you already know that rapping over instrumentals with samples will make you very little, if any money. If a producer presents you a dope beat that features samples, just say no.

12. Set up a Twitter account. If you are not on Twitter, then you are missing out. There’s lots of networking opportunities and it allows you to directly communicate with your supporters. Make sure you use Twitter the right way, though.

13. Set up a Facebook Fan Page. Everyone is on Facebook. MySpace just isn’t what it used to be. Set up a Fan Page as soon as possible.

14. Be yourself and nothing but yourself. If you rap about a lifestyle that you do not lead or have never lived, it will eventually come to the surface. That would be very bad for your business.

15. Stop promoting yourself in comment sections. You’re wasting your time. Name one rapper that got signed because the label exec was reading AllHipHop and noticed that they left their MySpace profile with a comment like this: YO CHECK ME OUT. HOTTEST SHIT IN THE STREETS. MYSPACE/JTMUNNY239.

16. Read Billboard magazine every week. If you intend on making a career out of selling music, you ought to read the magazine that covers the business of selling music. Get a subscription now!

17. Learn about marketing. One of the keys to a successful music career is being able to market yourself as an artist and, of course, your ability to market your music. Need help learning about marketing? Read Seth’s Blogs and related sites. This type of content might not directly apply to your situation, but it will get you thinking like a marketing pro.

18. Understand your fans. Even if you only have twelve fans, it is still important that you are aware about what exactly it is about YOU that appeals to them. More often that not it is more than just the music you produce. Remember: being aware of the needs/wants of your core audience will benefit your career.

BONUS TIP: Never get complacent. Your career will have highs, but do not expect to have a lot of highs if your work ethic decreases once you get a taste of success. Always work like you have nothing because someone with nothing is working their face off to take your spot.

I don’t think I’m cooler than you, but I just want you to know why I can write a post like this with a straight face. I spent four years hosting a weekly hip-hop program on one of America’s Top 20 Most Popular College Radio Stations. I served as the Public Relations Chairman, Program Director, and Webmaster for the same station. I have succeeded at organizing and promoting concerts, notably a show that was headlined by Wiz Khalifa (check the photo at the top of the post). Big name music promoters have called me to find out if I think a record will be a hit or not. I have interviewed rap legends, influential DJs, and industry execs. I learned a lot from those conversations. I was a go-to DJ on my college campus for a variety of events. I know how to rap better than plenty of career-rappers. I have won rap battles. I have written/produced music and had success doing so. I have red hair. Follow me on Twitter.

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Wiz Khalifa Signs Deal with Atlantic Records – Good or Bad?

Chris Franco — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:40:44 +0000

Wiz Khalifa has become a symbol of independent success. After splitting from Warner Bros. Records this time last year, Wiz has become a mixtape superstar and an in-demand touring artist. Watch the video above to hear Wiz Khalifa talk to directly to the Hiptics.com audience about being an independent artist.

Today Khalifa announced that he signed a new record deal with a major label: Atlantic Records. Was this a smart move for Wiz, or should he have stayed independent?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Freddie Gibbs, “Slangin Rocks” MP3

Chris Franco — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:43:33 +0000

“Slangin Rocks” is the last track on Str8 Killa No Filla. I imagine the studio session for this track included a lot of laughing. Don’t get me wrong, Gibbs is keeping it 100 on the track, but there’s definitely some humor in the 80’s beat and singing. Download link after the jump!

Download: Freddie Gibbs, “Slangin Rocks”

Rewind: Freddie Gibbs, “Serve or Get Served”

On iTunes: National Anthem (F*ck the World) – EP – Freddie Gibbs

Graph: Top Digital Hip-Hop Albums of 2010 (First Week Sales)

Chris Franco — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:11:31 +0000

Rappers with albums that sold less than 10,000 digital copies the first week were not included. As you can see, there’s very few rappers that are making solid money from album sales. If you’re an aspiring artist, make sure you read this book to understand other ways to make money from your music.

Rick Ross Wants Wiz Khalifa on Maybach Music

Chris Franco — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:20:09 +0000

If Wiz Khalifa has any artistic integrity, he will not get down with Rick Ross and Maybach Music. Shouts to YHTN for the video.

Complex: Switching topics: One of the hottest rappers right now is Rick Ross. One of your recent tweets read: “Who are you? Rick Ross, Big Meech or Larry Hoover? the rap game is like halloween every day?”

Freddie Gibbs: [Laughs.] That’s real, man. That dude makes good records, but I just can’t support no bold-faced lying on records. I guess he’s entertaining people. It’s like a movie, like Scarface. He can have that fake lane. I’ll stay in the real lane. We got a non-fiction lane of rap, that’s how I’m looking at it now. So you got that fiction lane over there where they’re doing all them. I do the non-fiction, the autobiography, the real shit. It’s all good. Shit like that just make it easier for me to stand out, and easier for me to put my work in to be highly respected. I’ll never ever fabricate nothing or act like I’m something that I’m not or try to be another nigga. I can’t do that. I just think you gotta respect the streets and respect this Midwest culture. I mean you can’t really trip on him yelling names out. This the same dude that told you he knew Noriega when he first came out, so…

Complex: On the flip side of that, does it make it harder for you because it seems like these days if you make good music, people don’t really care whether or not you’re being genuine?

Freddie Gibbs: Rap’s so fucking watered down right now, you can be a motherfucking C.O., you can kiss a nigga, and as long as you making good music, these niggas don’t give a fuck. With me I’ma make good music, be a man of my word, and live how I’m rapping. It’s a fine line between artistry and authenticity, and I just think that I just combine all of that, and everybody can’t do that. It definitely makes it difficult from a mainstream-radio standpoint, but I can care less. That’s only because these dudes have those machines behind them and those marketing dollars behind them to dress their fake shit up. But I’m not trying to fabricate nothing or dress nothing up to be something that it’s not. I ain’t a nigga with no furs, but I’ve sold a lot of crack. A lot of pills. But I wasn’t that nigga like that. It seem like all these niggas in the rap game trying to tell the boss story when 90% of these niggas was never the boss. I was never no coke boss of my neighborhood. I was a shooter, a corner boy. So that’s the perspective I gotta tell you from. I can’t tell you that perspective with no nigga that live in those million-dollar houses, I ain’t never had that. (Full Interview via Complex)

Bun B f. Drake, “Been A Pleasure” MP3

Drew White — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:01:02 +0000

Some more freshness from Bun B’s August 3rd release, Trill OG, featuring Drake. Download “Been A Pleasure” after the jump!

Download: Bun B f. Drake, “Been A Pleasure”

Freddie Gibbs Tells DJ Khaled to Stick to His Day Job

Chris Franco — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:23:50 +0000

Our homie Freddie Gibbs recently sounded off about DJ Khaled’s desire to rap. This is a prime example of why I support Gibbs–he keeps it 100, unlike a lot of these rappers and bloggers. Notice how I’ve never posted any of DJ Khaled’s freestyles? That’s because it’s garbage music. Still, these bloggers put it up like it’s cool. SMH.

Complex: Another tweet you had recently was, “much love to all the real DJs in the game. To all the ones that be tryin to rap and be diddy eat a dick.” Were you angry at someone or was that just a general blanket statement?

Freddie Gibbs: I mean it was just a general thing. I wasn’t angry at nobody. Specifically I was talking about DJ Khaled, if people wanna know. I don’t like what he’s doing rapping on records and shit like that, but you know, to each his own. I’m not taking away nothing that he did in the game or the success that he’s had, ’cause he’s done his thing and made bread, but I just think that so many niggas are making a mockery of this rap game right now. It’s like, real MCs doing they thang, putting this real shit down, real lyrics, and can’t get breathing room ’cause you got fuck shit like that. I think that shit is garbage. I don’t like what that shit stand for.

Complex: Would it have made a difference if you thought his verse was good?

Freddie Gibbs: He got his position, though. DJ Khaled ain’t a rapper. Don’t matter if you nice or not. Play your role, play your position. No way that nigga can be nice, listen to his fucking voice. [Laughs.] He a DJ. He do his thing. Scream on your records. Say “nigga” and all that shit you like to say. I’m surprised motherfuckers ain’t check him for that. Clowns like that in the game I don’t really pay attention to. I respect his success, and the way he did what he did to make his paper, but I don’t respect his art none whatsoever.

Complex: You don’t like any of his records?

Freddie Gibbs: I like some of them records. I like the shit with Plies and T-Pain, “I’m So Hood.” That’s really it. I liked a couple of the early records. I’m not saying they don’t make good records. They just do clown-ass shit. A lot of these rappers in the game be scared to say something about that shit because they wanna get they next check, or they wanna ride dick, ’cause these niggas is making a little bread. Nigga make your own lane and make your own money. Niggas wouldn’t be able to do no shit like that in ‘96, ‘98. In the ’90s. Kid Capri wasn’t busting no verse. You don’t see Funkmaster Flex busting no verses, my nigga. DJ Premier ain’t busting no verses. It’s all about respect. Much success to them and I hope they keep doing they thing, but I just think these niggas disrespecting the game because they got the power to do it. The fucking president of A&R of Def Jam, who gon’ tell them no? (Full Interview via Complex)

5 Signs that Your Rap Career is Almost Over

Chris Franco — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:05:59 +0000

In hip-hop history, we see a handful of examples of rappers who bounced back from terrible circumstances. 50 Cent was blackballed from the music industry at one point. He ended up selling more records than pretty much everybody who has ever picked up a microphone. Lloyd Banks was dropped from Interscope Records. Many said his career was over. However, as an independent artist, Banks’ career is thriving thanks to “Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley” and “Any Girl.” Finally, Rick Ross was exposed as the biggest fraud in hip-hop, and even he is still moving big units. However, there are 5 signs that a rapper is at the point of no return; the point where their career is almost over.

1. You change your rap voice. Shyne did this. No one likes it. He refuses to go back to the voice that allowed him to sell records. How can Shyne ensure that his career does not end for good? It’s simple. Go back to his natural rap voice! And stop making songs that are this bad.

2. You challenge rappers to boxing matches. I recently saw a video of Cassidy challenging any rapper to put up their money and get in the ring with him for a boxing match. Your career is almost over if you result to antics like this. Go make a hit without putting on a boxing glove.

3. You accept a rappers challenge to a boxing match. A gang-banger turned rapper named Cam-Capone accepted Cassidy’s challenge to box for money. Not a good sign for his career especially considering I never heard of Cam-Capone’s music until his response to Cassidy.

4. You bite the hand that feeds you. Rapper Game decided to go against 50 Cent after 50 wrote him the hit songs that turned him into a rap star. Bad move on Game’s part because 50 Cent has ensured that Game will never be in control of his own destiny.

I get paid more money off [Game's] records than [Game] does. So I’ve accomplished what is virtually impossible for you to accomplish in hip-hop. I’ve become my own competition. It’s great, ain’t it?…The actual phrase G-Unot, contractually I own the trademark. If you like 50 Cent, it’s G-Unit. If you don’t like 50 Cent, it’s G-Unot. And I’ll get paid either way.
- 50 Cent (Sub 0 DVD Interview)

5. You smoke crack on a regular basis. DMX was the biggest rapper in the world at one point. With the a steady stream of income, Dark Man X began to spend more and more of his funds on crack cocaine. Not only did this have detrimental effects on his health, but his decision making was altered. As a result, DMX has been in and out of jail more times than Lindsay Lohan could ever fathom.

What signs would you say indicate that a rappers career is almost over? Leave a comment…

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What is Wrong with Nicki Minaj?!

Chris Franco — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:40:24 +0000

What is wrong with Nicki Minaj? Why does she just randomly start using a British accent in this clip?

WSHH