Look, I understand that the music industry is a tough place to be right now. Album sales are down, label pressure is up and every artist is expected to post Weezy numbers. In a bid to sell enough albums that their A&R still returns their calls, rappers are looking for any way to keep their name in people’s mouths and on their computer screens.
But it is starting to get ridiculous. I can’t go 2 minutes without getting a new video, song or mixtape jamming up my inbox. So, as a public service to all the other bloggers, web site owners and readers alike, here is my advice to rappers and their marketing reps. Summary: sometimes, less is more. Get me? In any event, let me serve it up:
1. Trailers for music videos
There was a time when debuting a new video on TRL or BET (when they still played videos) was a major marketing activity. It was the visual interpretation of your artist’s product and can help build buzz. But creating a trailer for your own 3+ minute video is just madness. Your director is not Francis Ford Coppola and you definitely are not Al Pacino. Let’s keep things in perspective.
2. Calling Your Album A “Classic”
The homie Guy Fawkes over at Hip Hop Head touched on this as well, but too many of your favorite rappers are putting their album title and the word “classic” in the same sentance. I realize that rap was built on bragging, but only fans can dub product worthy of such a title.
Even worse is when you’re throwing that word around and the only person who’s heard your joint is you. Its called managing expectations. And keep your label from hyping you up to fail. Who thinks Pray IV Reign fits that title besides Dame Dash? Steve Rifkind calling Asleep In The Bread Isle a Top 5 album? With a straight face? Uh, yeah. Read more…