Intro
New York City can be the most engaging place for new artists, offering abundant opportunities for professionals and enthusiasts aiming to break into their chosen industry.
So, you’ve decided to be a rapper, but where do you start? New York City is a huge place, home to some of the best rappers in history. Before you start thinking about your world tour, it’s good to begin with accessible ways to enhance your skills and establish yourself as a rising talent. Below, find our top tips on how to make it as a rapper in one of the toughest but most potentially rewarding cities on earth.
1. Establish a Sound
The first thing any rapper needs to do when starting out is establishing their sound. What is your music about, and how do you want it to feel? Are you going for an east or west coast style, or carving out something unique? What are your influences? Start by listening to as much rap as you can (although you probably already do). It’s the best way to discover how you want your own music to sound. You can also check out tutorials online, like this one: Nas teaches Hip-Hop storytelling.
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2. Write Your Own Lyrics
Probably the most important part of being a rapper is your lyrics. It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised. This doesn’t mean you have to sit alone and isolate yourself unless you’re into that. Collaboration is important, but be sure your lyrics reflect you, tell your story, and are authentic. Try writing a verse a day for a week and see where you get. It could be about anything. Challenge your friends to each write a skit about each other – keep it fun and creative.
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3. Collaborate with Artists and Producers
In music and most creative industries, they say, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Knowing the right people and collaborating with like-minded producers and rappers is a surefire way to build your career. When you collaborate, you automatically reach two audiences instead of just your one. If you can get an artist with a bigger audience than yours on-board a project, it’s a great way to grow your profile. Don’t be scared to reach out to artists you’d love to work with on social media; the worst thing they can do is say no.
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1. Book a Studio to Record a Demo:
Once your tracks start coming together, you’ll want to record a demo to send to friends for feedback and then to labels further down the line. Pirate Studios is one of the most affordable rap recording studios in NYC, starting from around $10 per hour, with multiple locations in the city. With sound-proof vocal booths and fully-equipped production desks, they’re already set up for you to record your demo.
2. Networking Events
Get involved with your local music scene by going to events you’d like to perform at one day and meeting the people already performing at them, or running them. These are the best people to help you get to where you want to be.
3. Marketing
Another tool for your toolbox – marketing as a rapper shouldn’t be ignored. The fundamental of marketing is promotion, but try to think outside the box. TikTok is an amazing platform that can bolster your music and take on a life of its own. Try to think outside the box with your marketing campaigns – and look at other artists using TikTok in new and interesting ways.
4. Distribution:
The next step on your journey is to distribute the music that you have. Once you’ve put in your practice, set out your plan, written your lyrics, produced your track, and covered all the aforementioned points, you can focus on distribution. Whether that’s through traditional streams of sending your music to A&R reps or using grassroots platforms like Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, or major streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, this is the pivotal phase. YouTube monetization is a great way to get started early on and is free to set up.
5. Gigs
Playing live shows is a crucial component of advancing your music career. After you’ve completed your preparation, including practice, planning, lyric writing, track production, and distribution strategy, it’s time to dive into the gig scene. Sign up for open mic nights in the city, and start reaching out to promoters and venues to try to level up to a full gig slot.
6. Merchandise:
It’s not easy to make a living as an emerging rapper in New York, so make sure to organize the design and selling of merchandise at your shows and through an online shop – T-shirts, hats, bottle openers, mugs, the list is endless. Selling merchandise means you won’t be reliant on just ticket sales to make money from your music and shows. Just make sure not to overorder merchandise.
7. Practice, Freestyle, Practice:
It’s an age-old adage for a reason, but practice making perfect really is true. Set a schedule and stick to it. Develop your freestyle skills too; this is a surefire way to improve your bars and flex your wordplay. Remember that the best artists never stop trying new things and learning.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of becoming a rapper, you’re in one of the best cities in the world to start. New York City has it all – from collectives, gigs for newcomers, record labels, rehearsal spaces, and performance opportunities. There’s no shortage of new opportunities for new rappers. Once you’ve got your lyrics down, your track produced, and rehearsal time booked in, the opportunities are endless.