An Open Letter To Hip-Hop Artists

Artists:

I write this not for attention, but to give some perspective I think many folks involved in don't consider.

We are in an era where to be a "rapper" or "artist" is a status symbol. It's a very cool thing to do, and it should be. Rappers have been pushing the creative boundaries of music since the inception of the genre.  Hip-hop began as a way to express the views of the oppressed, and to this day is used to speak for a large portion of our generation. Consequentially, there are a huge number of individuals looking to get their music out, and to be heard. People are "chasing the dream," and who am I to look down upon that? I'm doing the same with my writing, as a matter of fact.

What I would like to address is the attitude I see amongst the majority of artists who I interact with.

So many artists who are still struggling to be heard feel that it is appropriate to develop a "celebrity complex" and act as though as a writer, I should be down on my knees kissing their Air Max 95's.  As if it's an honor to be in their presence, and that we have an obligation to be their number one supporter. Far from the case. You see, writers are also people. We have work. We might have school. We have social lives. Things we have to do. Lives to live.

As a writer and manager of my own brand surrounding music coverage, I put in work. I balance school, work, and my site. Sure, my work as a writer might not be as glamorous as what you do as an artist but shame on you if you begin to act or think as thought we are beneath you as people. Shame on you if you seek to come to us under the guise of friendship, and cut us off entirely right after we post your latest project or single.

We're not stupid.

We know that your videos and singles can help us bring traffic to our site, but we are not blind to false gestures of friendship. So, if you're approaching things from a business standpoint, which is almost always the best approach, do so. Expect us to do the same. Realize that many of us receive upwards of 50 e-mails about singles or videos per day.  We're not here to hate on your craft, at least we shouldn't be.  If a writer does that, it's an entirely different issue.

That being said, understand that as an artist in this era, you are in an amazingly over-saturated market. If you're not getting the attention that you know you deserve, go out there, continue to improve, and get it. Make your lane. Don't harass us for a post.  And please don't tweet or facebook message accounts with your music unless you know us, personally.  We get on social media largely for fun, just like the rest of the world. 

We're not hating if we don't post your music. We don't even have to necessarily dislike it. But we're responsible for our brands. We are not blind followers. We have to only share what we think is the absolute best music for the image we're seeking to cultivate.

We need to all get back to the reason that (I hope) drew us into our respective paths: love of music. All the extra stuff is far from guaranteed, but if we keep our passions and integrity close to us, we really can't lose.

Sincerely,

Michell C. Clark

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