You're Doing YouTube Wrong...

It's a shame only 200 people even saw it

Alright hip hop artists, let’s talk about maximizing your YouTube channel. Forget those starry-eyed promises—they don't always easily apply to our community. With all due respect, we're not trying to become the next YouTube sensation by following the same blueprint as pop bands. Nope, our game is a bit different. We’re looking for credibility, cultural influence, and a loyal fanbase that gets what we’re cooking.

So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how a rapper can actually succeed on the platform without all that jazz.

Level Up Your Visual Storytelling

First off, hip hop is nothing if not visual. From the art that adorned the subway cars to the blinged-out music videos, visuals have always been part of the equation. Yet, a lot of content on YouTube looks like it's shot on your mom's old Nokia. Keep it real, but keep it professional. Your visual should complement your bars, not distract from them.

• Invest in a decent camera and lighting—no excuses, half-stepping is dead.

• Outsource editing if you’re not a wiz; Fiverr is your friend.

• Use your environment—those gritty streets tell a better story than any green screen.

Create Content That Speaks To Everything

Here's where most fall off: creating a YouTube channel isn’t just about dropping music videos. You need to build a multi-faceted content strategy.

• BTS Footage: Show the making of your tracks. Let us in the studio with you.

• Vlogs: Share your journey, your highs and lows, and what's next.

• Q&A sessions: Engage with your fans—get real with them. Answer questions and break down your lyrics.

• Freestyles and Battle Clips: Prove that you don't just need a beat; you are the beat.

Collaborate, Don’t Compete

Time for some real talk: stop thinking of every other artist as your enemy. YouTube is the land of collaboration. Those collabs are fueled with equal parts hustle and respect. The dream features don’t just happen by sliding into a DM. Seek features that complement your style—together, you can reach a larger audience.

• Reach out to producers for remix opportunities. Let’s get those beats flipping!

• Spotlight your own crew members—it’s all about community support.

• Feature other YouTubers, from fashion vloggers to tech reviewers, who get your vibe.

Master the Art of Clickbait (Without Losing Your Soul)

In the visual jungle of YouTube, your title and thumbnail are your spear and shield. It’s an unforgiving world where mediocrity fades to black. You need something that slaps harder than a well-timed bar.

• Don’t bait without substance—let your title entice but be legit.

• Thumbnails need to stop the scroll; use bold imagery and colors.

• Leverage trending topics—tie them in with what you’re already doing.

Analytics Are Your New Fam

Ah, the numbers. Listen, staying in the know isn’t selling out, it's leveling up. You don’t have to become data-driven overnight, but understanding analytics is key.

• Watch Time: Are they vibing or bouncing? Dive deep.

• Demographics: Know your audience’s age, location, and gender. Tailor your content accordingly.

• Traffic Sources: Identify what’s driving views—tweak strategies to amplify.

Refine Your Channel for SEO Supremacy

YouTube is basically Google for videos, meaning SEO isn’t optional, folks. Yet, this isn’t just about shoving keywords into your descriptions. Understand the game, and you’ll thrive.

Your Studio Doesn't Suck. But You Might... Time To Learn Your Software.

Bring The Ruckus

Alright hip hop heads, listen up. You’ve seen those articles floating around about recording your music at home. Sweet, right? But here’s the thing—most of that advice screams rock band. It's like trying to sell you drumsticks when all you need is a beat machine. But fear not, because we’re gonna break it down, hip hop style, right here. Let's strip away the fluff and get real about setting up your personal beat lab. 

The Hustle of Home Recording 

When it comes to capturing your sound, recording at home can either be a game-changer or a recipe for frustration. A lot of guides throw around terms and concepts that aim for expert-level producers eager to capture their indie-folk quartet. That’s cool, but in the world of hip hop, you’ve got different needs and tools.

The Digital Shift 

Here’s the deal: Hip hop has always been about innovation and flipping the game. Whether you're flying solo or rolling with a crew, the goal remains the same—make something that bangs. While band-centric recording guides wax poetic about mics, amps, and cables, your focus is likely on beat creation, sampling, and that killer vocal chain. So let's get into the essentials.

Gear That Actually Matters 

Forget about lavish studio setups with mixing boards that look like something out of Star Trek. You don’t need that noise. We're in the age of laptop beats and producers spinning magic from their bedrooms. Here’s what you actually need. 

Your Basics 

Laptop/Computer: Let's be honest. A halfway decent laptop is your best friend, primarily because digital audio workstations (DAWs) are the real MVPs in your setup. Gone are the days of fiddling with garage band tapes and stitched-together four-track boards.

Audio Interface: You need an audio interface—you know, the box that helps your computer talk to your mic and speakers. Think of it like a translator fluent in both beat and rhyme. 

Microphone: A solid mic isn’t just for singing pop choruses. A quality condenser microphone helps capture your bars with clarity. Those acapella tracks need to slap, after all.

Headphones/Monitors: Cheap earbuds aren’t cutting it when you’re crafting the mixtape of the year. Closed-back headphones for tracking and studio monitors for mixing are your ears' new best friends. 

Setting Up Your Spot

Sure, there’s a lot to buy, but that doesn’t mean you have to tear down your house to build a studio. Here’s some practical advice to make a pro-sounding setup with the space you’ve got.

Crafting Your Space

You don’t need Jay-Z's capital to keep it professional. Acoustic treatment might sound fancy, but at its core, it’s about reducing echoes and noise. Here’s a cheat code: throw up some blankets, get some foam pads. Do your neighbors a favor and absorb those sounds. 

Your mic setup: You don’t have to go all out with the stand and shock mount. Just ensure it’s secure and picking up your flow without any distortion. Remember, position is everything. Experiment and find where you can spit without compromise.

The Efficient Workflow 

Let’s put the dreamy idea of “studio magic” aside. Create a workflow that allows you to jump in and nail those tracks without losing steam over technicalities.

DAWs That Make A Difference 

Many in hip hop have carved their niche using software that makes the process intuitive, quick, and powerful. Here are some names that matter:

• FL Studio: Known for its fluid design and user-friendly interface. A favorite for crafting beats.

• Ableton Live: This gives you complete freedom to manipulate samples and record on-the-fly takes.

• Logic Pro X: If you've got a Mac, this powerhouse is proven amongst the hip hop elite. 

Capturing Your Authentic Sound 

Recording at home opens a world of possibilities for adding personal flair. Embrace the technology while preserving your own unique vibes.

Mixing & Mastering: 

After recording, the craft gets heated. Sound engineering isn’t just for the nerdy tech heads. You’re shaping the final product, so focus on balancing those tracks. Get your vocals leveled out, and make sure those beats knock like they should.

DIY Mastering: 

You might not be able to afford a professional engineer, and that’s fine. Use plugins and tools within your DAW to get close to that polished edge. Tweak, listen, and learn—your ear is your greatest tool here. 

Sharing Your Craft 

Once you've got that fire track, don't sit on it like some hipster with a secret Starbucks. Upload. Upload. Upload.

Press, Can We Have Some?

So, how did I get into music? No, that's not a tired question at all, holmes.

Let's get real for a minute, rap enthusiasts. You're not here for a run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter listicle about musician publicity. You're here because you're trying to break into an industry where doing things "by the book" often means flopping harder than that one summer single nobody liked. Welcome to the skeptics club, where we don't just sip the Kool-Aid of mainstream strategies without giving them a side-eye. Let's dig into what the original indie rock-centric articles spew and break down what a hip-hop artist actually needs.

1. Building a 'Brand' that Actually Slaps

All the music sites say the brand is' what everyone talks about when you're not in the room.' 

Noble words, but here in the hip-hop game, if the talk ain't viral, it ain't real. 

Here's the tea, fam: Create a Fingerprint, Not a Footprint - You're told to build some 'universal brand' that everyone can relate to, but hip-hop is personal and raw.

- Personal Stories: Spit those bars that paint your story. Raw authenticity beats generic vibes every time. 

- Social Proof: Collaboration in the hip-hop community isn't just encouraged, it's almost a rite of passage. Co-signs, featuring verses, and video cameos are your shortcuts to credibility.

Beware of Becoming a Brand Robot

Don't let some suit turn you into a sanitized, generic version of yourself. Authenticity is your currency. If Kanye can make Yeezy out of the controversy, you can do wonders with your truth.

2. Digital Dominance or Social Overload?

While those other articles broach "online presence," let's not pretend that throwing up content like shoppable ads is the only way to win here. Your buzz needs more than a digital farm of over-stylized IG shots. 

Tap Into Digital Tools Used by the Greats 

-Data Analytics: Study your engagement rates like you’d dissect a beat. Know where your audience thrives and give them more.

-Live Streams: Use platforms like Twitch or IG live to showcase your hustle and interact with fans. No expensive studio needed; just your narrative and a good Wi-Fi connection.

Kill the Cookie Cutter Campaigns

Avoid getting lost in content-drip plans that kill organic growth. Instinct matters—run with genuine interaction, not fabricated 'likes' and 'views.' You're a creator, not a sellout.

3. Publicity Stunts: A Necessary Evil?

Now, let's tackle the idea of 'publicity stunts.' The original advises relying on special events to create buzz. Sure, label execs love that idea, but does it resonate with hip-hop's soul? 

When It's Right, Go All Out. When It's Wrong, Stay Low Key:

Do have spotlight moments like surprise album drops that keep fans' ears thirsty. Don’t get involved in fake beefs or staged drama for attention.

Remember: Whatever is done under the sun eventually comes to light...

No Noisy, Noisy Move

The world hasn't forgotten about the Fyre Festival mess, and it won’t forget yours if your stunt turns into a joke. If it ain’t authentic, it’ll fade as quickly as it came.

4. Media Relations or Activism?

Here’s what was neatly wrapped as 'media gain': talking to the press like it's 1995. When's the last time a press release got a hot track to #1? Forge Real Relationships, Not Just PR Ties 

- Collaborate with hip hop-focused publications and journalists.

Embrace activism and social causes you’re genuinely passionate about.

People vibe with those they relate to, not those selling soap.

The Hype Machine Ain't Just a Machine

Press is not a one-size-fits-all; so while you shouldn't ignore them, always seek outlets that match your voice, especially independent ones who get the culture, who seek to uplift hip-hop narratives as much as they uplift you.