continued on siteIn the music industry what sounds like a great story is often just great fiction.
Indie, defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary: Indie is one that is independent; especially: an unaffiliated record or motion-picture production company.
For decades, indie artists have had little to no success at securing Top 40 or Rhythmic radio airplay. The secret marriage that co-exists between radio and the major labels, for decades has stifled independent artists. The case for Macklemore is no exception.
This article’s is to clear up misconceptions about Macklemore recent so called “independent” success: The single “Thrift Shop (Featuring Wanz)” has been certified platinum and viewed 82 million times on YouTube, the album The Heist, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts after selling 78,000 copies in October, has been accompanied by sold out tours and by all means is a great project.
The long Macklemore career growth and stragtegies are more than admirable. It’s what every artist strives to attain. But it’s almost impossible for anyone trying to get into the business especially when numerous outlets are reporting Macklemore’s “independent success.” Outsiders think it’s easy. But you do not have commercial success without spending major dollars. Period.There are a ton of articles written about Macklemore being independent.
“Thrift Shop” is seemingly a hit everywhere – except radio stations that specialize in rap, that is, writes Gary Trust for Billboard.
A Hip Hop record without Urban radio airplay? The truth is and will always be majors will always put money into the hands of radio programmers. The unique difference is the case of Macklemore is “Thrift Shop” went Pop not Urban. Payola, continues to be the music industries little secret. Without it Indie artists have no chance to rise up the charts to prominence. History is living proof and Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” is no exception.
Only promotional dollars can give you access to a radio audience of over 200 million people like Macklemore has received. That’s the only way you sell 2.7 million singles and 312,000 albums. Being white in Hip Hop makes it easier than being black in Hip Hop, these days. There’s a reason why ADA, Alternative Distribution Alliance signed them up. A talented white Hip Hop artist is hard to find these days. Eminem, Mac Miller, Yelawolf and Machine Gun Kelly, are in a rare class of a watered down genre of commercially mainstream artists. White people love Hip Hop and are the bulk of the purchasers in the digital download era. Macklemore, is a sonically pure to the art form and a familiar face to white people who love Hip Hop.
[youtube]gdVRlM-kSx8&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdVRlM-k ... r_embedded
I will NEVER like a Macklemore song more than I like and respect this one. (trying to embed, sorry)
White people in hip hop will always need to do a LOT of studying and learning and be very self-aware of what they are contributing and creating. Sorry, not my fault or yours. Hip hop can't go the way of rock and roll in the next few decades. Rock and Roll had lots of Black people in the 50's... but now?
rap is outta control.