How Social media changed the hip hop world
When OutKast released ATLiens in 1996, nobody in their wildest dreams could have imagined the impact social media would have on the world today.
Twenty-two years later, social media has completely changed the way we live our daily lives. It is next to impossible to log on to a social network without coming across something that will subconsciously change your perception of a presented subject or art form.
Most people today do not properly appreciate what social media has done to the hip hop culture and how it’s given people who never really had a chance, a chance. Hip hop was popular with some audiences but now because of social media, it is the most popular genre in today’s music catalogue. Almost everyone listens to it and there are so many different styles to it and a huge amount of artists. Also there are several sub-genres in hip hop which I think is pretty cool. I think most people who listen to music, who are not over 39, would agree with.
Yes, people of course still love their 2pac’s and jay z’s, but I find most people love one and hate the other. I admit I do find that pretty confusing. Why people take the time to hate on what other people like I’ll never understand. Why older rappers diss young rappers just because they came up a different way or have a different sound baffles me. The people being dissed are using the dissing as inspiration. People like Joe Budden, who is one of the most notorious social media old heads is always saying something about how the new school is lame. He is disrespecting rappers who at one point looked up to him. I just think it makes no sense as to why they can’t just expand on what they listen to. They were the originators so really, I guess they should be dissing themselves!
Social media has allowed the public to support artists easier than ever before. It has also given rise to the viral sensation . The result is that an artist like DJ Khaled, has the ability to fully utilize and harness the power of social media to build an entire empire in under 140 characters.
I remember the first time I ever heard a DJ Khaled track, I was at my friend’s house back in fifth grade. I think, it was called “IM so Hood remix” and DJ Khaled was actually one of the first guys I started to listen to. This was my initiation into rap. I own his first five albums he came out with. Meanwhile, I was always finding new artists to listen to and actually kind of forgot he even existed.
Then an app by the name of “snapchat” was released. In my opinion snapchat is the 2nd most important application to have ever been released that benefitted the hip hop world. Snapchat has been able to kick start people’s careers. For example, the rapper NAV who is now signed to the XO label, and who is from Rexdale, was only popular in his hometown. One day Kylie Jenner played one of his tracks on her Snap Story, and all of a sudden everyone was talking about NAV’s song. Without that occurrence he may never have made it out of the Rex. In DJ Khaled’s case, Snapchat truly resurrected his career. He starting posting funny stories about his life on Snapchat. I still remember the first time he did as everyone in my school and around social media was talking about it the next day. It was a remarkable reaction. I think it’s safe to say that if that app didn’t exist he would not be as close to how popular he is now. The same can be said about many others. If you are an up and coming artist and someone famous plays your track on their story, be ready because your career is probably about to take off!
While main apps like Instagram and Twitter are all very important, without a doubt the most important app for the hip hop world today has to be Soundcloud. Post Malone, NAV, Smokepurpp, Lil Skies, XXXTentacion are just a few of the “Soundcloud” rappers to make it big. There is no way we would know any of these guys if it wasn’t for Soundcloud. There are endless examples of artists who have made millions that you’ve probably would have never heard of, all because of this app. Today Soundcloud is the key to unlocking the door to the celebrity life most people dream of.
Some of my musical friends have been grinding it out for years on the app hoping that one day will be their day. Really there are no extra special skills involved. Instead it is more about getting lucky and hoping the right people hear your track.
People say that rappers are not very intelligent but I disagree. The way the rappers of today have used social media to their advantage is amazing. It seems that all the old heads who are grumpy about it are that way because the platform was not around during their time.
Shane Lee Lindstrom, who also goes by the name Murda Beatz is a producer and he produced Drake’s new single titled “Nice for what”. It debuted at number 1 on the Top 100 Billboards Chart. For those who don’t know him, this is Murda Beatz
This greasy looking guy is one of the top producers in the game and has multiple platinum plaques for songs he has produced. He is also from the town of Fort Erie, Ontario. There is no way he would achieved the success he has found, without any of these social media apps. He connected with a rap group by the name of Migos when they were completely unknown. Social media brought them together. They came up together making music and now they’re still climbing together except now they make music and make bank. This was all possible because of how today’s rappers use social media to their advantage.
In the present day world, truly anyone can become a rapper. I am serious. So, if you are ever bored, with nothing to do, just google the top Soundcloud rappers and see what’s up with them. I’m serious, if these guys can do it, practically anyone can. You just have to be smart and a bit lucky.