So when I first proclaimed to myself that I was serious about becoming a rapper, I’ll be honest, there was only a small part of me that believed it 😐 #RealityCheck
Don’t get me wrong, I was optimistic, but the gap between actually becoming a lyrical rapper & building a fanbase seemed very VERY large. The kind of large that’s so daunting it leaves you virtually clueless as to where you should start. “Shall I do this? No – this. Wait. Hang on – what about this?? ARRRRRGHH!!“
So, before dropping my first track, I thought it’d only be right to let you in on a little secret. See, over the past year, I’ve realised something… 👀
Sounds kind of crazy I know, but trust me – it’s true.
See, when I first made this site, my knowledge of the music industry was – how do you say? – limited. The only thing I really had was a thirst for Hip Hop & writing rhymes; no business sense, no base knowledge of the industry, no connections – no nothing. I was a lone ranger… no wonder the fam thought I was off my rocker. I mean, they had a point. Who these days quits a well-paid job to pursue music – right?? 😳
However, if I hadn’t have done that, I wouldn’t have discovered what I’m about to tell you, so looking back, I guess you could say it was a savvy move. Know it sounds kinda cringe, but it really does feel like the stars have begun to align.
Last year for instance… I had a ton of songs already written & I’ll be honest with you – I thought they were sh*t hot!! The type that’d make the charts quiver. And yet, if you were to ask for my thoughts on them now, I’d tell you the exact opposite – take my word for it, they were complete & utter sh*t. 😷
And that’s my point…
In today’s ‘gimme-gimme-now’ type world, where stream count = success & social media algos are like some sort of demi-god, 99% of us are stuck playing the same game. Fighting for people’s attention by pushing out a truck-load of mediocre content, because some plastic ‘guru’ on the internet said we need to post 5 times a day in order make our stats increase – basically throw sh*t at the wall & see what sticks. 💩
And then, when nothing happens, we go on the offensive, blaming the platform, our marketing crew or worse – the fandem. Forgetting that the real attraction all comes from the content itself, which is why I don’t think – I know – that the most powerful thing you can have as an artist is creative space. 💭
That’s what this past year has taught me.
Never think you know it all… because (reality check) you don’t; there’s always another way to level-up! Instead, dedicate as much time critiquing your ideas as humanly possible, because it’s that extra depth, story, tone & individualism, which’ll make you stand out from the crowd. 🙋🏼♂️
So really, I guess what I’m saying in a roundabout way is – hold onto your hats. Because I ain’t here to be another ‘copy & paste’ MC.
F*ck the numbers – 2023 is my year. 💪🏻
To your success & beyond,
X
XtG is a Yorkshire rapper, who as you’ve probably guessed, finds it hard not to express himself when holding the pen. Hailing from Huddersfield on the West-Side of Yorkshire, he’s one of a rare breed. A rapper who’s out to be recognised for turning convention on its head.
