http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWmy8G5JWTU

” I know artists that made records without record labels. I don’t know too many record labels that made records without artists.”  Well said, Jeff.

This blog receives thousands of vistors per day and has over 4,000 subscribers that get post updates sent directly to their email addresses, but I feel like I know only a very small percentage of you. So once a week I’m going to open up a discussion or forum thread to change that so that I can not only get to know most of you, but you can get to know each other, and we can discuss hip hop. Networking is great, especially since most of the readers here are other artists, fans, or music business entrepreneurs.

So, introduce yourself, sound off, and or provide your links in the comment section below.

I’m Funkworm and I am a hip hop junkie. And you are?…

On June 19th,the Fuse channel will launch a scripted series called The Hustle, based on the journey of two independent hip hop artists trying to make it in the music business. The show stars some unknown actors but more recognizable names in hip hop it seems will make cameo appearances through out the series. Looks interesting. I’m gonna check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWzYIpUZCk8

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These dudes went H.A.M. on this one. R.A. and Talib both released some amazing projects this year. I got quite a bit of social media blowback and emails about my article declaring that hip hop is better today. The nature of those critiques were whiny rants about the lack of quality today. Hip hop is evolving and progressing. You can stay stuck in the past if you want. The rest of us are moving forward. #fuckouttaherewiththat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JlZRd8TSc8

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This that joint to cruise to. Madlib on the beat. It’s on IHH so I fux wit it.

I dig Joey. He’s refreshing. This joint is from  the XXL freshman ’13 mix tape. It’s on IHH so I fux wit it. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RTpN6DOXJ0

Prodigy and Havoc briefly address their feelings about the relevance of labels in this clip.

Quit your yappin about the 90s being the better era of hip hop! Nostalgia has it’s place. I’m a product of old school hip hop but these days are much better. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Variety:

There’s hip hop all over the place. All types. Sure a lot of it sucks ass, but there’s some really great hip hop out there also. You gotta take the good with the bad.

2. The music is always available:

Most artists have made their music free for you to stream or listen to before you make the decision to purchase it. Wanna hear something? Nine times out of ten, you can probably find it on Spotify or YouTube. Music piracy is becoming a thing of the past.  I remember the days when I would buy a CD because I heard a couple of singles only to discover that the rest of it sounded like ass. Now you can try before you by. This is better!

3.  Fuck the radio:

You no longer need your local radio station to put you up on new music. With the help of the internet and social networks, fans of hip hop are able to get up on new shit way before radio gets the chance to cram it down your throat by playing the same song 20 times within the hour.

4. Access to artists:

Social networks like Twitter and Instagram connect fans to artists in ways that were not possible just a few years ago. On Twitter, If you’re a big enough douche-bag you might get lucky enough to personally get cursed out by a famous hip hop artist. Now how cool is that? Before this, you’d have to send fan mail.

5. Independence:

You no longer need large sums of cash to record and distribute music. This has made it possible for a lot of very talented artists to enter into the scene. Before this, artists had to depend on labels or investors to fund the recordings because the costs were so hefty. The low costs of recording and digital distribution has allowed even old school artists the opportunity to continually release music and stay relevant.

More testimonials fromm independent hip hop artists who are actually making it happen.

spotted at: hypebot

This joint is bananas. Busta is not on enough 5 fav lists in my opinion.

“Yo, I plaster the nation, causing evacuation
My manifestation got ‘em patient from how I keeps it amazing
See, I’m the reason niggas need some training
While I’m inflicting the pain and making it suitable for any occasion”

El-P and Killer Mike have teamed up on a joint venture they called Run The Jewels. Here’s a peak at what it’s gonna be like. Sounds promising! It’s on IHH so I fux wit it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-e5vs6NeY

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This is going viral right now. This is the kinda shit people are compelled to share. I saw a couple of his other videos and dude actually got bars.

Recipe for a viral music video…

1.Be entertaining

2. Be creative

3. Be original

4. Have a catchy concept

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV0o5aUovlU

This is real talk from producer Mannie Fresh. I agree with him wholeheartedly except for that fact that I think it will happen sooner. This is nothing new to hip hop though. Heads were selling their shit out of the car trunk for years because labels thought that hip hop was a fad. Now with the help of the internet you don’t need a label unless they’re giving you some kind of tour support. And even that can’t guarantee you a fanbase. Artists are finding out that you only need to win over a few hundred loyal fans to build some momentum. No one truly knows what the future will hold, but everything is here for you to blaze a new path to success in a way that has never been done before.