4 Things Every Upcoming Artist Should Know

1. Be Professional

Professionalism is something all artists need to grasp if they want to be considered a professional artist. Many artists fail to realize that the people they need in order to succeed are professionals and don’t have time for improper communication, drama, and irresponsibility. When communicating with radio stations, recording studios, venues, and other artists it is important to be clear, concise and well spoken. I promise that an email along the lines of… “ay mang, we finna b murkin dem beats play r songs on yur show.” will promptly be deleted. Even if that is how you talk with your guys, you cannot talk to a professional radio station manager that way. Always be on time, leave the drama behind, and assume you are dealing with a big whig all the time. Because one day it will be the real deal, and if an opportunity is lost due to stupidity and a lack of professionalism it will hurt!

2. Be a Jack of all Trades

So you are the best rapper this side of the Mississippi. Good for you. Now you have get others to believe that too. Unfortunately, you don’t know anyone who makes beats, does great visual art work, videos, or web design. Well, get to learning son! Those people will never magically find you and decide to do all that work for free. As an upcoming artist you have to dabble in just about every aspect of the business if you want to go anywhere and actually begin to meet those people who can help you step up your game. Plus if you have 4 skills to bring to the table instead of just rapping, people will be much more likely to stay in touch and want to work with you. So get a camera and a decent computer and start learning Photoshop, Final Cut, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and so on. Anything extra you have to offer will help you network and build.

3. Don’t be a D-bag.

Yeah, just don’t suck to be around. While it may be hard to stay humble and not let everyone know how they messed up, it is worth it to keep your mouth shut. Go ahead and cuss out the sound guy for taking too long during sound check…then watch him not give a crap how bad your set sounds to the hundreds of people in the crowd who now think you suck as a result. Or, be patient with the sound guy and even buy him a drink…then watch him work up a sweat tweaking your sound the entire night until it sounds absolutely perfect to the people in the crowd who now think your set was perfect as well. This is a simple principle that will get you way farther than you might think. Like the old saying, “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.” It works!

4. Stay on the Grind

So, you are a passionate artist with mad skill who is going to change the industry. That means nothing if you never leave your basement! Like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy the Magic Grind While You Sleep Fairy isn’t real. Just because you put your music online doesn’t mean anyone will care. Just because you tell all your friends to check it out doesn’t mean anyone will. You have to grind like an ox if you want to be heard. Some of the best ways for upcoming artists to get their grind on is to hit up every open mic you find, introduce yourself to everyone and remember their names, give positive and constructive feedback online to every artist you come across, participate in online music groups and sites, and know who is who in your local music community. Now grind son!