What Independent Artists Can Learn From Joe Budden’s Spotify Podcast Partnership
After 15 years in the music industry which included a top 40 hit (“Pump It Up”), nearly 20…
Being the No. 1 Decision-Maker: Noname’s Independent Grind
When Chicago rapper Noname first appeared on “Lost” off Chance the Rapper’s second mixtape, Acid Rap, little did…
Marketing & Branding Lessons Independent Artists Can Learn From Donald Glover
Donald Glover is building his own world and everybody else is just living in it. The rapper, singer,…
Self Made Tastes Better, Episode 7 w/ Nipsey Hussle
Belaire’s “Self Made Tastes Better” video series continues with the 7th episode starring American recording artist Nipsey Hussle…
How Chance The Rapper’s Manager, Pat Corcoran, Reimagined the Music Business
Pat “The Manager” Corcoran and Chancelor “The Rapper” Bennett, two self-taught kids from Chicago, set the bar for…
7 Lessons Independent Artists Can Learn From Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap
Released last week, Nipsey Hussle’s major label debut studio album, Victory Lap, is the culmination of over a…
10 Lessons You Can Learn From Successful Independent Hip Hop Artists
We’re officially in the Golden Era for independent hip-hop music. Ever since the accessibility of the internet increased…
Contagious: The Book that Inspired Nipsey Hussle’s Crenshaw Campaign
If you’re an independent artist grinding it out, then there’s no doubt that you’ve been keeping an eye…
How Anthony Tiffith Built Top Dawg Entertainment into a Powerhouse Label
Founded in Carson, California, by Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Top Dawg Entertainment has skyrocketed from an up-and-coming West Coast label to…
Tangible Dream: How Oddisee Designs his Independent Lifestyle
Hailing from Prince George’s County, Maryland, independent producer-rapper Oddisee is fighting the good fight to live the good…
How JAY Z Went From Independent to Major Label Boss
There’s no way you can knock the hustle. These days, when you hear the name Jay Z, you think:…
What Independent Artists Can Learn From Roc-A-Fella Co-Founder Kareem ‘Biggs’ Burke
As one of the three co-founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, Kareem “Biggs” Burke is damn near a low-key legend…
How Frank Ocean Made $1 Million in Two Weeks Going Independent
There were a lot of big album releases in 2016. Straight off top you had the messy but…
How Migos Topped the Billboard Charts By Building their Fanbase
2017 has been one hell of a year for Migos so far. Not only did the trio score…
Learn from Yo Gotti about the Art of Hustling for Independence
Young bucks who only know Yo Gotti because of his recent hit single “Down in the DM” have…
Top 10 Independent Hip-Hop Artist Case Studies of the Month
Researching and writing case studies to help independent hip-hop artists on their grind is one of the most…
Big K.R.I.T. Leaves Def Jam for the Independent Grind
It’s been a big week for Big K.R.I.T. After releasing a string of very dope freestyles as part…
Successful Album Marketing Lessons from Kanye’s The Life of Pablo
One of the toughest things about being an independent hip-hop artist is getting the attention of people. In…
The Top 10 Hardest Working Independent Hip-Hop Artists Today
As we all know, being an independent artist is no joke. It takes a certain type of individual,…
Duck Down Music: 20 Years of Independent Grind and Hustle
Before there was Strange Music, Inc., before there was Top Dawg Entertainment, before there was Jet Life Recordings,…
Pusha T’s Branding Lessons for Independent Rappers
There really isn’t a rapper like Pusha T right now: a veteran spitter of the 2000s sounding just…
How Kevin Gates Built Up A Loyal Fanbase to Support his Grind
Baton Rouge representative Kevin Gates has been one of my favourite rappers for the past few years now.…