It appears to be widely recognized to take every approach to establish a solid fan base but unfortunately some artists don’t take advantage of it. While it’s no surprise that having a strong internet presence is very important for an independent artist, it doesn’t promise that you’ll be a hit. You have to go the extra mile to get the word out. For Kid Ink, his internet game is so impressive, with over 300 thousand Facebook followers and more than 5 million YouTube views (and counting); it gives the presumption that he is romancing major labels. However, his offline strategy is equally remarkable. Touring with other artists around the country and performing overseas also increases his exposure. Of course Kid Ink was able to leverage his start in the industry by being a producer and writer for other artists. But it was his consistency with branding himself by offering free digital downloads and complimenting that with social networking and touring that advanced his career as a rapper. Signed to his own label ‘Tha Alumni Music Group’ started by him and DJ Ill Will, this independent rapper isn’t interested in courting major labels. He’s too busy marching to his own beat. Coming up in the game, Kid Ink never thought he’d be a rapper, but he had an underlying talent and knowledge of the business that helped him stand out.
- Kid Ink was born Brian Todd Collins on April 1, 1986 in Los Angeles, California.
- As a kid, he was into art which sparked his interest for tattoos and where he came up with his name ‘Kid Ink’.
- Kid Ink started producing music at the age of 15 and in 2008 he started producing and writing music for labels.
- As a producer, he has worked with are Sean Kingston, Diddy, and Yung Berg, to name a few.
- Being a producer gave him inspiration for writing his own lyrics to his own beats.
- Between people telling him that he had the look of a rapper and writing to his own beats, Kid Ink decided to get behind the mic.
- His musical inspirations are Jay-Z, Pharrell, Mase, DMX, and Timbaland.
- To help him with his first mixtape, Kid Ink reached out to DJ Ill Will, who he met through a friend at a video shoot.
- In 2010, he released the mixtape called Crash Landings featuring Dj Ill Will.
- In only 10 days after its release, Crash Landings garnered over 50 thousand downloads and was one of the ‘Top Mixtapes of the Week’ on Datpiff.com.
- Kid Ink, DJ Ill Will, and DJ Rockstar started the independent record label called The Alumni Music Group.
- Kid Ink is signed to Tha Alumni Music Group
- His single ‘Time of Your Life’ gained a huge buzz and landed radio air play.
- He released his sophomore album in June of 2011 called Daydreamer.
- Later in 2011, he released the mixtape called Wheels Up.
- Since becoming an MC, Kid Ink has had features from Roscoe Dash, Bei Maejor, and Meek Mill, just to name a few.
- Kid Ink was featured in XXL magazine as part of the 2012 XXL Freshman Class.
- He is currently working on his second album called Up & Away which is expected to be released in June 2012.
The key to success according to Kid Ink: “The key to success is hard work, it’s like grind. I feel like people can’t ignore consistency and just grinding out. And I think another key is quality. You have to really appreciate your work and give it 100% and people not just giving it half ass.”
Post by: Rosie J – music marketer
@StudioDiva
