I was getting distracting again watching Youtube videos the other day and saw another one from Complex about Troy Ave/Joey Bada$$ little back and forth on Twitter. If you know me of course I am not going to write this about petty drama between 2 emcee’s whose work I both enjoy.
The other day I wrote a blog post called “Becoming A Legendary Emcee” where I talked about Standing Out and Not Blending In. This post is bascially to prove my case that an independent rapper like yourself can become crazy successful, build a large fanbase, and move large units.
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Joey Bada$$' Success Story
In the video Complex shared a screenshot of Joey Bada$$ album sales numbers for his first release “B4.Da.$$”. Depending on the source, he moved 53,990 units his first week. That’s $10 per sale with Joey keeping a whopping 85%. If you do the math that is close to $500,000!
Remember, this guy is independent with a major distribution deal (which does matter) but the point to keep in mind is this guy is helping bring real hip hop back! He has that 1990s Boom Bap flavor mixed with something new and people are craving that old thing back (which shows by his numbers).
The Numbers Don't Lie
People may lie, but numbers don’t – Hip Hop is making a comeback. There has been too much candy music going around and people need some subsistence. The reason why he became successful is because of the fact he is doing something that is so rare nowdays. People who are craving that immediately flock to him like flies on sh$#!
That’s half a milly he did with his first release as an independent. That is just album sales – we haven’t even begun to talk about touring, endorsements, merchandise, streaming, ect.
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This Should Prove 2 Things to You
- People are CRAVING that Real Hip Hop sound back
- These numbers are not impossible for you to do
That means you need to stop doing what everyone else is doing – that’s probably why you are being ignored. No one wants Drake #2, Big Sean #2, any other well known rapper #2. They want the real and original. The great part is all you have to do is be yourself – does that really take a lot of effort to do?
Once you do that and have a message and sound people identify with then you will start building a fanbase who will help catapult you to these types of numbers.
I am not saying this WILL happen for you and I am not saying this will be EASY. But I am saying that nothing is impossible – if this 20 year old emcee who is doing what some would consider “Old School Hip Hop” as an independent artist then you can do it yourself!
In conclusion, I ask you, what could you do with that $500,000?
