how do rappers build a local fanbase nowadays ?

666 ReVeNGe 666

TROLL IS LIFE
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Sadly Record Labels don't care about local buzz anymore like they did in the 90s and early 2000s. It's all about building your internet buzz now. That how most of these rappers you see at the top (Drake, Kendrick, Sean, Cole, Wiz) popped off. It took Dej "Try Me" getting radio play in the Bay for her song to blow up. Sean's first 3 mixtapes (FF, UknowBigSean & FF3) is what blew him up online along with the Kanye co-sign.
Wiz put in ground work at Penn state though. He would literally perform in frat houses every weekend. And the cacs were hype to see him and we all knew nothing about him.

So he did take a unique path
 

bigbadbossup2012

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Get a deal and pretend you dont have one while the company secretly pushes you behind the scenes like nicki.drake kendrick etc
 

Mr.Plan B

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the local thing can work but it depends on what type of music market your city is. Any A&R our label person will tell you that cities are either a Class A,B,C,or D market for music. If you are in a city that is a Class D Market for music, then getting a buzz locally is extra tough, because its not a new music city, class d markets are the last to get new music because the people aren't up on music and aren't fans of ALOT of music, people in class D markets usually aren't fans of a lot of artists and the same artists do shows there all the time. Local artists in a class A or B market will prolly have it easier because the people in those type cities eat up new music and WANT that Dope new music no matter who its from, a new guy, or a mainstream artist....a city like Atlanta for example....they people there want something NEW all the time, while class d market cities are always catching up to whats OLD already in other places

What would you say bmore is B or C city?
 

Art Barr

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The level of talent for the rappers is not hugh enough to build a grassroots draw.
Plus the internet is a supplement so if you don't sign away all your points when they give out wack deals you won't be coming out as a new Gen rapper.


Art Barr
 

WheresWallace

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@Raheem95

Customer Research (Phase 1)
  1. Take 1-2 years doing local shows and listening to your feedback.
  2. Give out FREE promotional material at each performance. Build a network.
  3. Look at all the feedback and tweek your music so more people like it.
Building Awareness, Your Brand (Phase 2)
  1. Build a relationship with local DJs and pay them a few dollars to play your music at their parties.
  2. Go to local high schools and colleges and give out FREE promotional material.
  3. Pay to have your content on LOCAL blogs, publications and college radio.
Monetizing your awareness (Phase 3)
  1. Create a new project with new music (that people like). Sell your new music and merch.
  2. Find other popular up-and-coming artists in your neighboring towns and collab.
  3. Pay to have your content placed on NATIONAL blogs, publications, and websites. (ie Worldstar)
By phase 3 you should have small bookings or if no one books you, you should be popular enough to host YOUR OWN mini concerts where you can start to charge a few dollars to get in and make comfortable money that way.
 
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