So what we've learned this year is that mainstream bullshyt isn't lucrative

[tremonthustler1]

What kills your argument is that

1. It's 2 artists, artists that still are scraping to get to plat (it took Kendrick nearly a year to do what Hov's doing in a fraction of that time)

2. It's not changing how artists approach how they promote and sell. Fact is, only a handful of artists will maintain string numbers because we as fans are preconditioned to thinking the best shyt will be free

 

[ThaRealness]

Who has sold the most this year?

J Cole

 

[obarth]

J Cole

 

[ThaRealness]

There's no promotion any more artists cant help but flop. Record companies want the artist to flop. There isn't enough money. Even if the artist sells a million copies it means what exactly? not a damn thing.

So you're saying the record companies are just trying to get a single out of the artist & then move on?

Thats plausible, but theres something to be said for artists that will consistently provide $$$ over a longer time frame.

For example, Kendrick is probably interscope's most valuable asset right now.

Even if going platinum doesn't mean much initial revenue, it means Kendrick will have a solid fan base for years. Which equals some serious touring money.


If you really think the record companies are STILL thinking about the next 2Chainz, rather then the next Kendrick, or J Cole... thats just cynicism

 

[SpacelySprockets]

Who has sold the most this year?

album prolly aint even finished yet and he already sold the most

 

[Wild self]

At this point, record companies are figuring out that the typical one hit wonder or the typical trend-hopping rapper will not pay their bills anymore. DEF Jam is definitely in the red with all them flops they gotten over the last few months from commercial artists making commercial music. Either you have more J. Coles and more Kendricks that will sell 500k + with ease, or you will close your doors funding the likes of Future, 2 Chainz, Keef, and others.

At this point, everyone knows how to use the net and they know what to buy and what not to buy. The public is demanding more talent these days, and even heads on here refuse to acknowledge that. If only R & B can do the same of what Hip Hop is doing now...

 

[The_Sheff]

Ya but they dont pander to mainstream audiences is what Im saying.

How is J Cole not tailored to the mainstream when his hits are a ballad with the most "on" R&B singer at the time, another with TLC, and a third with the hottest rapper going? Those songs are aimed right at the mainstream, 2 going directly for black women.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

Do y'all really have to reach to such extents to validate why you like rappers?

This why people hate you "real hip hop" fans.

apparently "mainstream bullshyt isn't lucrative".... but when it comes to mainstream rappers you like, it's this long excuse for why they aren't mainstream despite them being mainstream.

 

[Rominati]

Do y'all really have to reach to such extents to validate why you like rappers?

This why people hate you "real hip hop" fans.

apparently "mainstream bullshyt isn't lucrative".... but when it comes to mainstream rappers you like, it's this long excuse for why they aren't mainstream despite them being mainstream.

Exactly,

These goofy nikkas dont even know what the fukk they are talking about. Someone explain to me what is the difference between Big Sean n J.Cole content wise? Do they not rap about the same shyt? Women,Fame,Inner Struggles, etc.

Only difference is, one is packaged as a modern day swag rapper, while the other is packaged as some down trodden underground, "Real" hip hop connoisseur

Labels be playing ya chumps like some fiddles.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

At this point, record companies are figuring out that the typical one hit wonder or the typical trend-hopping rapper will not pay their bills anymore. DEF Jam is definitely in the red with all them flops they gotten over the last few months from commercial artists making commercial music. Either you have more J. Coles and more Kendricks that will sell 500k + with ease, or you will close your doors funding the likes of Future, 2 Chainz, Keef, and others.

At this point, everyone knows how to use the net and they know what to buy and what not to buy. The public is demanding more talent these days, and even heads on here refuse to acknowledge that. If only R & B can do the same of what Hip Hop is doing now...

This issue with this is that the Futures,2Chainz and Chief Keefs of rap.... don't need the major labels to get their music heard or to make money.

a J Cole type rapper isn't gonna be able to pull a Gucci Mane, and make great money just from touring in the south and at hood ass clubs, with next to no radio play.... he needs that major label push to sell his shyt.

I'm willing to bet that Def Jam really did bet the house on Yeezus, and cause it flopped so damn hard they yoked up everyones promo.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

Exactly,

These goofy nikkas dont even know what the fukk they are talking about. Someone explain to me what is the difference between Big Sean n J.Cole content wise? Do they not rap about the same shyt? Women,Fame,Inner Struggles, etc.

Only difference is, one is packaged as a modern day swag rapper, while the other is packaged as some down trodden underground, "Real" hip hop connoisseur

Labels be playing ya chumps like some fiddles.

The dude said Kendrick aint a mainstream rapper.... but he the face of Interscope, Backed by Dr. Dre.... been in a fukking Chrysler commercial, had a #1 album.

 

[Ultimate Warrior]

This issue with this is that the Futures,2Chainz and Chief Keefs of rap.... don't need the major labels to get their music heard or to make money.

a J Cole type rapper isn't gonna be able to pull a Gucci Mane, and make great money just from touring in the south and at hood ass clubs, with next to no radio play.... he needs that major label push to sell his shyt.

I'm willing to bet that Def Jam really did bet the house on Yeezus, and cause it flopped so damn hard they yoked up everyones promo.

***snorts 32.9 seconds***

Whats funny about Yeezus he still dont have a single for the radio, nor had a radio single when it dropped, little promo cept random yeezus sightings, kim postin pictures of the album with shoes etc and he still went gold. Yeezus wasnt the album the bet thouse on, it was Magna Carta,

 

[ThaRealness]

Exactly,

These goofy nikkas dont even know what the fukk they are talking about. Someone explain to me what is the difference between Big Sean n J.Cole content wise? Do they not rap about the same shyt? Women,Fame,Inner Struggles, etc.

Only difference is, one is packaged as a modern day swag rapper, while the other is packaged as some down trodden underground, "Real" hip hop connoisseur

Labels be playing ya chumps like some fiddles.

Dude the whole idea behind this thread is to think from the labels perspective. Really you're just making my point. Big Sean is viewed as a mainstream swag rapper, while J Cole is the "true hip hop artist". And who sells more??? J Cole.... easily

It doesn't matter if Cole is merely packaged as such or a genuine artist (I think he's authentic though Im not a fan).... the point is, hip hop fans want music they think is real.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

"hip hop is financially driven by serious fans now"

if it weren't for the casual, "i like that song, i'm gonna go buy it on itunes" fans who make up the majority of album sales.... hip hop would've been long gone.

the serious fans do more of the following.
- crying about rappers they don't like
- not listening to the radio, cause it's controlled by major labels and payola
- getting in arguments on the internet, about people buying music that they like
- wishing 19__ would come back
- not attending shows, cause such and such rapper is in a 360 deal
- feeling better about themselves, for not liking/supporting popular rappers.

serious hip hop fans arent the ones copping $1.4 Billion in Dre Beats this year, drinking ciroc by the caseloads, or making shows like Love and Hip Hop top rated shows on Vh1.

 

[ThaRealness]

"hip hop is financially driven by serious fans now"

if it weren't for the casual, "i like that song, i'm gonna go buy it on itunes" fans who make up the majority of album sales.... hip hop would've been long gone.

the serious fans do more of the following.
- crying about rappers they don't like
- not listening to the radio, cause it's controlled by major labels and payola
- getting in arguments on the internet, about people buying music that they like
- wishing 19__ would come back
- not attending shows, cause such and such rapper is in a 360 deal
- feeling better about themselves, for not liking/supporting popular rappers.
serious hip hop fans arent the ones copping $1.4 Billion in Dre Beats this year, drinking ciroc by the caseloads, or making shows like Love and Hip Hop top rated shows on Vh1.

serious fan doesn't = 14 y/o who posts on Immortal Technique videos