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SOHH Gyant Randomness: Is Your Mixtape Just Somebody Else's Jewel Case?

Written by Gyant

Posted on February 19, 2009 2:00 PM



Someone who goes by the name "Retail Chick" is circulating an email around that's one of the realest emails I've seen in a minute. For all you independent artists, and well established ones; y'all need to take in her take on the mixtape. She's definitely taken the words right out of my mouth. Check it out below.

Question: Is your mixtape just somebody else's jewel case?

I get so many free mixtapes I could open a stand and sell the jewel cases. LOL But really, let's get serious about our methods of promoting new artist because this mixtape thing is getting out of hand. The worst part is, pretty much every new artist that has a mixtape makes the same mistake. They never tell you what the hit single is on the cover. I see more cars, expensive bags, and jewelery on the cover, when all they should really be trying to do is break a song. ONE SONG!!!!! NOT 7 SONGS, 5 FREESTYLES, AND 4 INTERLUDES.

To sum it up...if your name isn't Wanye, Jeezy, or Gucci...right now customers are not that interested in "free mixtapes."

As a music retailer in ATL, you know what would help me out, giving me one song to pass to customers. It's so much easier for me to say check out a new single than to say here's a free mixtape. Most customers are leery about "new artist mixtapes" anyway. People have been passed so many bad ones that the thrill is pretty much gone.

Don't get me wrong I love a good mixtape. Jeezy's Streetz is Watching still gets airplay in my car, Dedication 2 was dope as hell. Locke High is THE most slept on mixtape of last year. But if you are an artist, ask someone other than your crew is your mixtape that hot? If it is...cool. But to be safe let me check one out with my customers, tell you what WE think, and get back to you.

Until then, just give me the hottest song you've got and let's work with that.

I have been saying this for a minute. Everybody has a mixtape these days, which makes it all that more harder for bloggers, DJ's, etc to wanna listen to ya project. It's not impossible, but it is more difficult.

Just something to think about.

Talk to y'all lata,

--SOHH Gyant

Email: sohhgyant@gmail.com

7 Comments

By BEAR da Budha Junkie of BMC on February 19, 2009 11:03 AM

i understand exactly what ya'll are talking about...it makes it even more difficult to be taken serious as an artist when everybody & they momma pushing a mixtape when 4 out of 5 times they shyt is hott garbage....that's 1 pointer that we've taken into consideration from our last mixtape is to highlight the most important track(s) that we're trying to push...but, if you need something to listen to for free you can download da Boycott off of datpiff.com....all feedback is accepted...check out BlackMarket Connectionz in Geechee One mag....
CAROLINA PRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By aniston22 on February 19, 2009 1:00 PM

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someday I found a HOT place for u guys, ____T allmingle Co M____ , if you want­ know more big fri-ends,even l-over, please have a try .

By Clo-freshAuthor Profile Page on February 19, 2009 1:23 PM

I remember when mixtapes use to be the shit, and if a mixtape was released, that means that it was hot..Now-a-days, er'body and dey momma are releasing mixtapes...You don't get the same feeling anymore like you use too...I remember when I would get a Dj. Clue or Dj. Jelly mixtape and couldn't fucking wait to pop that shit in the deck and bang my eardrums out...Now, I get so many handed to me,that I just drop that shit down on the ground, in front of the dude that just handed it to me...Real Talk dawg!!! It may sound fucked up, by I have wated more then enought time just skimming through the songs on the mixtape trying to find the hottest songs, then get mad as fuck that I wasted my time doing it cause I could not find more than 2....

By Pam Oliver on February 19, 2009 2:30 PM

REAL mixtapes are simply preludes to greater things coming, designed to create a buzz not break a single. rewards for the buyer. singles are pushed alot of times based OFF of mixtape buzz...."404ink.com for real hip hop discussion"

By Clo-freshAuthor Profile Page on February 19, 2009 2:33 PM

@ Pam Oliver.....Are you really THE Pam Oliver????? You know what I'm talking bout!!!

By GrowingOnMe on February 19, 2009 4:01 PM

Mixtapes are a great way for new artists to get something into the hands of their potential fans, quickly. The thing is, which as already been eluded to, is that EVERYONE thinks their mixtape is "The hottest shit" and lots of times, it's not. So you begin to not want to give it a chance and support said artist. Maybe the suggestion of doing not just one song but only have about 2-3 songs on the cd will still give you a chance to promote yourself (cuz real talk, it's hard with just ONE song) but not overwhelm the potential buyer. You give your hottest and leave the salavating for what you have up next.

By NimrodAuthor Profile Page on February 19, 2009 8:57 PM

I think the same can be said for 90% albums. Just drop a single. Most of the acts coming out of Atl are one hit wonders anyway. Every few months there's a new one. At the moment it's the Stanky Leg nonsense, before that it was OJ Da Juiceman and DJ Unk and Maceo and D4L and you get the drift... Why waste even an album when they usually just good for one regional song anyway?

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