Lookin 4 A Handout

*This is not a review, this is an account of what I witnessed and how I feel about it*
So I went to the Industry Influence last night at the Hangar and if your someone who's bout their business you would've enjoyed it, but if you were there looking for a way to get into the rap game quick, then it would have been a waist of your time. They had 2 panels; one on digital media and the other on the importance of a manager, and they both had a lot of good information to give.

The digital media panel stressed the importance of promoting yourself on the web via twitter, facebook, myspace etc. and also spoke on how to get your music on itunes and other music distrobution sites for cheap. They also touched on why as an artist you NEED to have your own website to drive your audience or potential audience to so they can view your music, videos, bio, pictures, and other information about you as an artist. The thing about the web is you gotta touch any and everyone you can in attempts to build your fan base and get them to your site or page to view what you have to offer so they get to know you and spread the work about you to their friends. Self promotion on the web can in some instances be a full or part time job depending on how much work and dedication you put into promotion your product & depending on the people you choose to target on the web.

The panel featuring the managers had 3 individuals who are in the game right now. 1 entry level, 1 middle level & 1 top level manager spoke to the audience about what a manager can and cant do for you and what you can and cant do for yourself without manager representation. If your trying to do your thing on a local level and really dont have ambitions to touch a major or national market, then you really dont need a manager. On the other hand if your serious about your music career and your trying to get that major deal, then you will need to invest in a manager to help get your career off the ground, but a manager can only invest in you as much as you invest in yourself.

As I was listening to these speakers and looking at the audience it occured to me that they were only in there looking for a quick way to get into the rap game. When the panels started speaking about the work and money that needed to be invested to get your rap career started the audience didn't want to hear it, they got upset at the sound of "you NEED to do this if your truely serious about a career and longevity in this industry". They were there wanting to hear "do this and you'll have a record deal tomorrow." How dare they speak about hard work and dedication to make some real money in the music industry.

Their's probably over a thousand rappers in New Orleans but less then 100 of those rappers are truely serious about their craft and career as an artist, the rest are just looking to get rich quick and wanna rape the game for what they can, then be out. Too many rappers, not enough passion and thats why those major labels dont look to New Orleans when scouting talent. In my opinion TRUE New Orleans rappers need to come together and show one another love because the passionate are scarce, a last of a dying breed if you will. Stop downing and dissing one another like you the hottest rapper to touch down in city because honestly I dont see ANY new rappers from New Orleans with millions in they pocket and signed to a major label. And from the looks of what saw last night, and from what I see daily with the few passionate rappers the city has to offer, no one will be getting a major deal any time soon.

Just my opinion, could be wrong, but Im probably right.