Malik Ferraud is a local Baltimore rapper working hard everyday writing new songs, making new beats, and making new connects with other rappers. He puts in hard work in the studio and works months on end on one song or video. He is crafty with his lyrics and his videos. Positive vibes is his ways of life as well as his brand. How do I know this? Because Desmond (Malik Ferraud) is one of my good friends. I have supported him by going to concerts and handing out his cd's as well as taking them everywhere I go and handing them out. He has done a few shows and continues to try to book more. This link is his most recent video to his song
Around the World...Around the World by Malik Ferraud. This video was filmed in Washington Dc, Ocean City, and of course our hometown Baltimore. I use Desmond as an example because he is real example of a rapper that is trying to make his way to the top. To get famous every artist starts out with mix tapes youtube videos, and an audience The audience is what matters the most. If an artist is local, then that artist wants to expand his fan base to regional then nation. You do this by making a brand. Malik's brand is positive vibes.
Every artist gets famous by connections and the message and catchiness of the music. If you go to www.Datpiff.com, is gives you all the hottest mix tapes sponsored and unsponsored. Any artist can upload their mix tape on there. This is one way to get sponsored. As an artist you have to make yourself know and ut yourself out there. The big money comes ones you are sponsored from a label, but when you are just starting out, the money comes from shows that you perform. You want to book as many tours and shows as you possibly can. Many record labels will be at shows along with other bigger artists. You also want to make yourself known on the social media like twitter, facebook, myspace,etc. Every single picture Malik has he has a caption that advertises his twitter name and facebook page and that is how you build fans. The key to becoming famous is literally hard work.
Great post Abbey. Being so closely tied in with the local rap music scene has given you insight into a business that has changed drastically over time. The years before social media, word of mouth is all you had to promote. If a bar owner asked another bar owner if he should book a band, they will ask about the following. If there wasn't a good crowd that night, they won't get the booking. It's sad but ultimately it is a business and the cream always rises to the top.
ReplyDeleteI think that your connection with the music industry gives you a lot of different insights than a lot of people including me. You're right the key to becoming famous is hard work.
ReplyDeleteGood that your representing a local artists. But what I find is crazy is that some artist who doesn't demoralize woman or men its harder for them. Positive artist doesn't get the credit and the publicity they deserved.
ReplyDelete