Start a Rap Career
If you dream of becoming the next big hip-hop sensation, here’s a guide on how to break into the rap game.
Find Your Voice
The first step to launching a rap career is to develop your own personal style. Your lyrics, flow, vocal delivery, and identity count as much–or more–than the production quality of your music. Thats why when you’re starting off, focus on the development of who you are as a rapper before you start seeking out collaborations, studio time, and record deals.
Practice and Experiment
Once you have a sense of what kind of artist you want to be and a sense of your own rapping style, practice makes perfect. Listen to other great emcees and be open to experimenting and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to freestyle, try out different flows, and write multiple versions of one song. The more you practice, the more confidence you’ll gain in yourself and your skills.
Build Your Team
Now it’s time to build your team. This means surrounding yourself with like-minded people who can help you create your vision and steer you in the right direction. Working with a producer, engineer, or artist manager can help you get your music heard and distributed, and finding an event organizer that can book and promote live performances is also essential. At this stage, collaborate with as many artists, songwriters, and producers who share your vision as you can.
Share Your Music
Once your music is recorded, it’s time to share it. Setting up a SoundCloud and YouTube profile are essential, as well as posting to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This will allow fans and industry professionals to start hearing your music and your name. You can also reach out to independent and major labels with press kits, create internet radio campaigns, and distribute your music on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Perform Live
Make sure to get comfortable performing on stage – because it’s an important part of your career path. Hone your craft before playing shows and make sure to invest in your stage presence. For example, work on your live show and even make sure to record your gigs in order to evaluate your progress.
Finally, don’t be discouraged by criticism – it is essential for improvement. Keep practicing and eventually, you’ll create your own lane, find your audience, and become a successful artist.
Good luck!
