How do you become popular if you're not from USA?

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 03-08-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnas

Are you saying that people who are not from USA (even if they rap in english pretty good) can't get into the market that USA MCs are in?

Nope.

arnas · 03-08-2016, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwertyy

Nope.

Nope as in "that's not what you meant" or nope as in "nope, they can't"?

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 03-08-2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnas

Nope as in "that's not what you meant" or nope as in "nope, they can't"?

I never said they couldn't break into a mainstream audience. I just said that chances are it will be a bit harder. I think most are better of rapping in their first language personally, unless they're really set on being a part of the American market, which might require enough dedication to relocate to the US.

DwnWthVwls · 03-08-2016, 09:28 AM

I don't think it matters where you're from. It's just a matter of putting yourself out there and getting lucky enough to be discovered (proving your marketability). America (and probably Eu, but I can't speak to that) is definitely the place to be if you want the $.

**Frownland** · 03-08-2016, 09:50 AM

Make a goofy music video that's memeable and has a silly dance and people will buy your ****ty record in droves.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 03-08-2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Make a goofy music video that's memeable and has a silly dance and people will buy your ****ty record in droves.

I hope doing the "Frownland" will be the next big internet dance rap craze.

Paul Smeenus · 03-08-2016, 12:31 PM

I'm from the US and I'm spectacularly unpopular

grindy · 03-08-2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

I'm from the US and I'm spectacularly unpopular

You're pretty popular in Europe.
Basically you're David Hasselhoff.

**Janszoon** · 03-08-2016, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnas

Well, yes, my native language isn't english, but I was talking from my point of view i.e. I wouldn't listen to something I can't understand. And if we talk about rappers like Tyga, Gucci Mane etc. then yes, their lyrics probably don't have any deep meaning. But if we take someone like Tyler the Creator, Eminem, R.A. The Rugged Man - most of their lyrics have a really deep meaning.

Anyways, if one knows english really well, why do you think his lyrics will be bad? It's just a matter of how well your dictionary and overall english skills are.

Because good lyrics are hard to write and they're even harder to write when you aren't using the language you're most comfortable with. Even if you speak a language well, you still will often miss out on the nuances if you're not a native speaker. This is an even bigger issue in hip hop than in other types of music because there's such an emphasis on using slang, something that's very tricky to pull off if it isn't your slang.

arnas · 03-09-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Because good lyrics are hard to write and they're even harder to write when you aren't using the language you're most comfortable with. Even if you speak a language well, you still will often miss out on the nuances if you're not a native speaker. This is an even bigger issue in hip hop than in other types of music because there's such an emphasis on using slang, something that's very tricky to pull off if it isn't your slang.

Slangs, just like words, can be learned. Or am I wrong? I mean come on, it's 2016 right now, it's not that hard to find american slangs on the net and learn them. Look at the Dope D.O.D. for example. I had totally forgotten that they were from Netherlands. They are known world wide and probably just a few know that they are not from USA, because when you listen to them, you can't tell that.

03-08-2016, 09:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Make a goofy music video that's memeable and has a silly dance and people will buy your ***ty record in droves. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.* d e a f b o x