So last night I performed at Brooklyn College at a showcase
that mainly featured poets. I was able to do my thing and rap along with 2
other hip hop acts that followed after. During intermission I approached each
act, one of them a solo artist and congratulated him on his performance, and
seconds later exchanged numbers. I later went to congratulate the other act, a
group complied of 3 members, and when I requested a phone number I was told that
I could speak to their manager…seriously?
I just don’t understand this statement when it comes from
someone who is unknown. Its pretty much the equivalent of verifying a twitter
account with 100 or less followers. I find it sad that many artists are letting
friends or relatives take on that managerial role, doing more harm than good.
If your “manager” is unknown in the industry how in the world can they get you to
be known?
Hip Hop has always been known for the struggle and whether
you’re the artist with the typical rags to riches struggle or the middle class artist
struggling to be heard by the masses why deem it necessary to have the same
things that an established artist has whose made it, when you haven’t even gotten
your foot in the door.
Its time for artists to stop with this B.S. Hollywood
persona and just be real. Other artists want to get to know you, work with you,
and make music with you, not your manger.
Alano
I completely agree with you. Sometimes the "fake it till you make it saying" is totally misunderstood and expressed wrongly. When you're an underground artist, it's best to take hold of the opportunity of meeting other artists and people in general. Don't try to get act as if you're at point B when you're still trying to establish point A.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first commenter. I think it's in an artist's best interest to establish contacts early in his/her career. Discriminate when necessary, but don't complicate connections with people who have the potential to be important resources.
ReplyDelete