The 90′s. For most they call it the golden era, me, I saw how many Hip Hop related start-ups became overnight if not cultural sensations…oh and did I mention it made millionaires?
You had the launch of The Source magazine, FUBU’s Magic show explosion, Roc-A-Fella, So So Def, Bad Boy, Phat Farm, Baby Fat, Hip Hop related radio shows, Triple 5, Ecko, Akademics, etc everything that is idolized now, started off of the budding potential of the 90′s Hip Hop economy. Master P became the first mega mogul, while Russell Simmons, general comfortably rich before in the 80′s, became ultimately wealthy in the 90′s. Producers charged top dollars and rappers made record sales and concert earnings. Music Video producers became filming sensations, everything was for the taking and no one blocked the chance of an aspiring Hip Hop inspired (fill in blank).
But, now days with the struggling economy, it has created a strong competitive mindset to be the “only one.” Only a few can be successful in the once flourishing Hip Hop economy. Being a Hip Hop startup is no longer a novelty. With the exceptions of the Hip Hop blogs and social networking, the South scene and 50 Cent, now, starting a rap label or clothing line is pretty common. You’re likely to have less support to start a something that seemed for the taking back then, why? Cause someone down the street would rather start their own than team up.
It could be said when Jay-Z and Dame Dash split, it was the start of the new age and extreme “versus” mentality. You were supremely pro or con for an artist, a brand, a style of Hip Hop, a magazine. Before crews teamed up to make it but now, the exclusive resources are limited, yet general resources are available to do in a few hours. Things that once took a few months, if not years to create. Now days, “Why support them, when I can do my own?”
The concept of being a mogul resonated but, the principle of building a legacy, (the vital part) has flown over most heads. The recent artists absolutely lack the mindset to become successful moguls, (let’s not lie). Selling albums, concert tickets (that recoup), no longer a level of mogul status. Not even buying a lot junk makes you a mogul…baller yeah but, most ballers now days got jacked up credit. It was that process that took place in the 90′s that helped make the heavyweights who they were today. Not savvy marketing but…one thing…love of the culture and most importantly support.
For the most part, support is what fueled the Hip Hop economy, not the money that followed it. Without support, the next FUBU or Ecko could never become the branding powerhouse’s in the next 10 years. I mean, everyone now gets t-shirts made up and in 5 minutes, and boom becomes a clothing designer. The time and effort to create a brand..nope, no longer needed.
You listen to a Hip Hop business forum, you”ll hear this: You shoot music videos? so do I; you got a clothing line, yeah I’m selling across the country; you got a magazine? I got so and so on the cover; you rap? yeah i’m working with so and so.
Too many of the same thing vying to be the only one winning. There is nothing is wrong with that but, at who’s expense? Quality? Legacy? Quality? There could possible never be another Source, or Vibe or even XXL? Saturation of the market because we are no longer built to support everything. Its either this or that. And now days the quality of choices make mine, neither
Popularity: 10% [?]
Stock News & Economy Updates
What’s The Neo Hip Hop Mogul To Do?
2 Jul2008
You had the launch of The Source magazine, FUBU’s Magic show explosion, Roc-A-Fella, So So Def, Bad Boy, Phat Farm, Baby Fat, Hip Hop related radio shows, Triple 5, Ecko, Akademics, etc everything that is idolized now, started off of the budding potential of the 90′s Hip Hop economy. Master P became the first mega mogul, while Russell Simmons, general comfortably rich before in the 80′s, became ultimately wealthy in the 90′s. Producers charged top dollars and rappers made record sales and concert earnings. Music Video producers became filming sensations, everything was for the taking and no one blocked the chance of an aspiring Hip Hop inspired (fill in blank).
But, now days with the struggling economy, it has created a strong competitive mindset to be the “only one.” Only a few can be successful in the once flourishing Hip Hop economy. Being a Hip Hop startup is no longer a novelty. With the exceptions of the Hip Hop blogs and social networking, the South scene and 50 Cent, now, starting a rap label or clothing line is pretty common. You’re likely to have less support to start a something that seemed for the taking back then, why? Cause someone down the street would rather start their own than team up.
It could be said when Jay-Z and Dame Dash split, it was the start of the new age and extreme “versus” mentality. You were supremely pro or con for an artist, a brand, a style of Hip Hop, a magazine. Before crews teamed up to make it but now, the exclusive resources are limited, yet general resources are available to do in a few hours. Things that once took a few months, if not years to create. Now days, “Why support them, when I can do my own?”
The concept of being a mogul resonated but, the principle of building a legacy, (the vital part) has flown over most heads. The recent artists absolutely lack the mindset to become successful moguls, (let’s not lie). Selling albums, concert tickets (that recoup), no longer a level of mogul status. Not even buying a lot junk makes you a mogul…baller yeah but, most ballers now days got jacked up credit. It was that process that took place in the 90′s that helped make the heavyweights who they were today. Not savvy marketing but…one thing…love of the culture and most importantly support.
For the most part, support is what fueled the Hip Hop economy, not the money that followed it. Without support, the next FUBU or Ecko could never become the branding powerhouse’s in the next 10 years. I mean, everyone now gets t-shirts made up and in 5 minutes, and boom becomes a clothing designer. The time and effort to create a brand..nope, no longer needed.
You listen to a Hip Hop business forum, you”ll hear this: You shoot music videos? so do I; you got a clothing line, yeah I’m selling across the country; you got a magazine? I got so and so on the cover; you rap? yeah i’m working with so and so.
Too many of the same thing vying to be the only one winning. There is nothing is wrong with that but, at who’s expense? Quality? Legacy? Quality? There could possible never be another Source, or Vibe or even XXL? Saturation of the market because we are no longer built to support everything. Its either this or that. And now days the quality of choices make mine, neither
Popularity: 10% [?]