Top Ten Tuesday: KRS-One/Boogie Down Productions - HipHop

Was having this discussion with my friend the other day and got really curious as to what people on this sub have to say. It could either be a track that's certified timeless or something that you think is going to age even better in the next 10-20 years. Discuss!

submitted by /u/Kinowa17
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Aminé ft. Vince Staples & Slowthai - Pressure in my Palms (great beat, Staples goes OFF)

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 09:47 PM PST

submitted by /u/DavidLobsterRubbish
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Boldy James & The Alchemist - Pinto

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 04:33 PM PST

submitted by /u/CotaMC
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JPEGMAFIA x Freaky - I Might Vote 4 Donald Trump

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:09 AM PST

submitted by /u/mnbnd
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Supa Bwe-Fool Wit It Freestyle (Ft Chance the Rapper)

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 04:51 PM PST

submitted by /u/vinceole
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Wiz Khalifa - Remember You (ft. The Weeknd)

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 12:09 PM PST

submitted by /u/shocksweg
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Vote or Die - Puff Daddy [South Park]

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:14 AM PST

submitted by /u/billym32
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Artist Case Study: Benny The Butcher

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:26 AM PST

Benny The Butcher is a rapper from Buffalo, New York. While the city is not widely known for its Hip-Hop scene, alongside his cousins Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn, they have put Buffalo on the map as Griselda Records. With their grimy, mafioso, street raps that have trickled into the mainstream of Hip-Hop. Benny's story is one of perseverance, necessity creating ingenuity, and more. His path has taken many years of trial and error at the age of 35. His experience could probably fill a whole book with lessons so let's dive in for other artists and their teams looking to study his path.

1. Invest In Yourself

Benny has been reaping the benefits of independence for the last few years. But it took a lot of time, patience and money. He was making do on a shoestring budget most of the time in the first part of his career. Griselda built leverage over time, found creative ways to finance their passion and immersed themselves in their city plus the larger east coast circuit. Griselda built themselves up to say they didn't need anyone else. Their stance is that it's an honor to work with them and not vice versa.

The only real leverage one has in their career is the ability to say no and mean it. All the group members are well into their 30's; they've seen their fair share of deal offers and have no doubt had to say no a few times. Benny who is 35 realized that he should build his rolodex in tandem with his friends and use these relationships that they would create over time to check in with people in the industry and make himself known. He did this while not trying to capitalize on those relationships until the moment was right.

He knew A&R's and managers through doing shows and collaborations but didn't constantly annoy them or ask for favors as an artist. He knew that if he made it clear over the years that he was someone who didn't BS people and if he came to them with something special they would all listen based on his reputation. A businessman knows how to walk this line and be authentic while still asking for what they want.

2. Find Mentors In Music

Your mentor may not be Jay-Z but if you can develop a relationship with someone working in music on a teaching basis its invaluable to not only your network but also for your understanding of how to navigate an industry that is notoriously perilous. People who've traversed those lines have insights that may help spur new ideas and help you avoid things like common scams. Benny used his crew in Griselda who achieved success a bit earlier than he did as a lesson on how to navigate the game. Stay close to people like this, they say the best teacher is experience, listen to those with experience.

3. Make A Signature Sound With Your Crew

Griselda is known for their signature lyrical sound. It's an evergreen sonic aesthetic that has always had a lane in Hip-Hop's underground culture. They don't focus on other styles or gimmicky marketing that aren't authentic to them. This sound took longer to develop and catch on but garnering 'sticky' fans — fans who stick around for multiple projects — over time built a base for them to build off of. Every year they trended up with extreme consistency and were able to stay in people's consciousness with constant releases. From March 2016 to Fall of 2020 between the 3 of them they've released over 30 EPs, mixtapes, and albums!

4. Sometimes The Best Deal Is The One You Don't Do

Benny's career took off a little later than his peers Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn. They were offered a deal from Shady records but the label didn't feel Benny was worthy at that time. This allowed Benny to 1. See how Shady Records worked with rappers like him in a very similar demographic and 2. to use his autonomy as an indie artist to continue building with the equity in his career intact.

He said as soon as he came into the industry that people were telling him "don't sign a deal" and that made him realize just how cautious he had to be when signing things. At this point it's an open secret that oftentimes record label deals aren't always going to benefit the artist as much as they do the label - in general. The exceptions to this rule are artists with an established sound, brand, and following. But building in that grassroots manner takes years, decades even. But on the flip side one bad deal can ruin your entire career trajectory.

5. Recognize Who Just Wants You Once You're Buzzing

Benny knows that it's a cutthroat industry in music. People who didn't acknowledge you at first now all want a piece of your success. Fat Joe once told Benny "the guy in this business who's going to rob you isn't going to be in a mask and a hood. He's got on a fancy suit with a smile on his face."

When you take the time to build yourself from the ground up recognize who has been there working alongside you, who has been rooting for you but unable to make a partnership happen for whatever reason, and then those who ignored you until they saw dollar signs. Recognize and make note of these people and treat them accordingly.

6. Constantly Reflect On How You Can Be Better

Benny knows that having regrets isn't productive. But he learned in prison that he had to take time to reflect on how he could better himself. Otherwise his time in there would have been a waste. Life is too short to waste away. He reflected on his actions and instead of wallowing in them he learned the lessons from them and logged away mentally how to approach similar scenarios moving forward. Self awareness is key as an artist because honest feedback from others can be hard to come by. Especially as you rise the ranks of music and pursue it as a business.

7. Learn The Business Even If You Want To Only Be An Artist

Benny knows how the music industry works. He knows that the life cycle of an artist is usually 4-5 years of being hot before you start to fade — and that's on the longer side of things. He understands saving is imperative to this short window of earning potential. He understood that leverage needs to come before the deal. He know's how the numbers are generated and is on top of his own finances. He knows his own merchandise strategy as well as anyone. It's easy to focus on the music, everyone does that, but professionals know how to be hands-on with their business. Every Artist is both a startup and a founder wrapped into one.

For more artist case studies check out our blog or Insta

submitted by /u/alexyxray
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Dear Diary - Ramirez (Prod. Genshin)

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 05:35 PM PST

submitted by /u/BrandonD40
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[Fresh] Vino La Mano (BSF) Ft. ElCamino - The Life

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 09:44 PM PST

submitted by /u/Akverse47
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NBA YoungBoy & Nicki Minaj announce new song 'What That Speed Bout' produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, dropping 11/6

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 07:49 AM PST

Via Instagram

submitted by /u/SigmarBergmann
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