Avoid Doing These Common EQ Screw-Ups If You Can

Let's get real: 

In the world of hip hop, audio engineering is all about innovation and breaking rules, not adhering to some rigid guidelines drawn up for generic rock bands.

So, when you dive deep into the vast universe of EQ, understand that the rules are different for our hip hop artists. 

Below, we’ll sift through the conventional "do nots," give them a critical side-eye, and then dissect what truly matters when you’re on the verge of birthing the next hip hop anthem. 

Forgetting the Unique Flavor of Hip Hop 

Before even touching that EQ knob, meditate on the baseline truism: Hip hop is not rock, jazz, or R&B. It's its own powerful entity. Therefore, treating your tracks to the EQ advice that doesn't align with the genre-specific requirements is like putting pineapple on pizza—not cool. 

Recognizing the Importance of Bass

Bass is king in hip hop. Period. Given its powerful presence, neglecting it would be a cardinal sin.

• Boost with Caution: While it's tempting to boost those lower frequencies for a speaker-rattling experience, overdoing it can turn your track into murky waters.

• Clear Separation: Give the bass its distinct space to breathe without overlapping the kick drum. Ensure they harmonize rather than compete.

The Sin of Overcorrection 

Too many engineers obsess with over-correction, resulting in sound that's cleaner than a sanitized hospital ward. Let the Rawness Breathe Hip hop thrives on raw beats, grittiness, and energy.

• Let Imperfections Shine: Sometimes, a little messiness adds character to a track. Not every frequency needs sterilizing.

• Save the Soul: Don't cut so much that you strip your track of its essence. The essence of hip hop is its authenticity, not plastic perfection.

Not Listening in Context 

Ever been guilty of EQ-ing in isolation? I hear it all the time when I'm mixing vocals, "turn the beat off". Thank you for the advice, but fuck you for the advice, that's my answer.

Here's my advice. Context is everything, especially in hip hop, where layers pile on like verses in a diss track. You must mix with any layers involved. Period.

Comprehensive Listening

Before you commit to a frequency adjustment, understand its role in the bigger picture.

• Whole Track Perspective: Adjust the EQ while the whole track is playing, so you understand the interplay of various elements.

• Vibe Check: Does your EQ adjustment vibe with the track's feel and message? If it doesn't, rethink it.

No Two Tracks are the Same 

One size doesn’t fit all, especially in hip hop. Preconceived EQ notions can make your track sound washed.

Every Track Tells Its Own Story

Every track has its own narrative, atmosphere, and artistic intent. An EQ approach that works for one might fall flat for another.

• Customize Your Approach: Use EQ to enhance the unique narrative of each track. Cookie-cutter EQ strategies won't cut it in hip hop.

• Trial and Error: Sometimes, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. Experiment! Try a variety of EQ settings and listen closely to the results.

  
  

Underestimating the Power of Mid-Range Frequencies

Sure, bass is the backbone, but underestimating the mid-range is like ignoring the heart of your track. 

Crafting the Mid-Range Magic

This is where the vocals predominantly reside.

• Highlight the Emotion: Strengthen the mids to ensure the vocals have a compelling presence.

• Clarity and Balance: Strike a balance to integrate the vocals well without overshadowing the rhythmic elements.

Conclusion: EQ as a Creative Tool in Hip Hop 

Re-evaluating these EQ considerations is more than just a technical tweak; it's an artistic revision. In a domain as expressive and transformative as hip hop, using EQ is akin to wielding a brush on a sonic canvas. Remember, the genre thrives on originality, pushing boundaries, and embracing imperfections. 

Use EQ creatively to capture the essence and power only hip hop can deliver. 

Get in the studio, push those limits, and channel your inner sonic rebel.

Keep these guidelines in mind, but don't let them shackle your creativity. 

After all, the best tracks often break the rules just right.

I Know You Want An International Tour... Consider This, First.

Veni Vidi Vici

If you’re out here grinding as a hip hop artist, you may have stumbled upon some wisdom from unexpected sources. Perhaps an article like “What I Learned from International Touring” caught your eye. But before you start booking world tours expecting enlightenment to shower down, let’s pause. Touring internationally isn’t just planes, trains, automobiles, and sold-out arenas—it’s a whole ass trek.

For hip hop heads, the question is: Are these lessons even applicable to our scene? Let’s dive in.

Understanding the International Stage

For bands, hitting the international scene may mean dragging guitars, drum kits, and more across borders. For hip hop artists, though, it’s about a laptop (or your DJ), a mic, and landing that tight live set. But what does international touring mean in the digital age where your follower count dwarfs your hometown populations, and your fans live in another country?

• The rise of digital performances

• Growing your brand across continents

• Navigating cultural differences

Sure, international touring sounds like a dream. But we should question how much being 'big overseas' matters when your voice can already be global through digital platforms. You can rock the world without ever leaving your studio! Yet, those intriguing tales from the road shouldn’t be dismissed outright. There's something we can glean from them.

The Challenges & Realities of International Touring

Cultural Connections

One touted lesson from international touring is the power of connecting with diverse audiences. But let’s be real. How many hip hop cats fully adapt their style and flow to fit overseas venues? Probably not many. Instead, it’s key to maintain authenticity while embracing new experiences.

It’s about understanding foreign ears without losing your core essence.

• Maintain authenticity – keep it real

• Embrace linguistic challenges – they might not vibe with your vernacular

• Leverage social media – you're teaching and learning the culture

Logistical Labyrinths

Next up, the practical side of things. Booking flights, finding accommodations, dealing with customs—it’s a crazy web of logistics. While the grassroots bands might charter a bus or flight, hip hop artists face trickier routes. No band means no crew splitting costs except the ones you create.

• Manage solo budgeting or team strategy

• Plan meticulously and then plan some more

• Understand local laws and customs firsthand

The lesson here for hip hop artists lies in the preparation. Your tour might seem less like a series of logistics hurdles and more like a well-planned expedition, where foresight is as crucial as spitting bars.

Turning Lessons into Hip Hop Gains

Crowdsourcing Energy: Not Just a Performance, But an Experience

Hip hop thrives on energy exchange. Unlike bands that rely on instrumentals to carry part of the show, emcees rely on lyricism and audience interaction. International touring can fine-tune these skills, offering raw, unfiltered crowd feedback.

• Experiment with new sounds inspired by local beats

• Deftly weave crowd reactions into your flow

• Synthesize these elements into future projects

Merchandising and Monetizing the Tour Hustle

While selling music online pays the bills, touring offers a unique monetization opportunity: merchandising. It’s undisputed that hardcore fans from Lithuania to Lima will line up to get a piece of your brand.

• Create exclusive tour-specific merchandise

• Leverage local artists for unique designs

• Keep digital commerce open via online stores

This leads to another gold nugget for hip hop artists—cultivating personal branding. Your tour merch becomes an ambassador for your music, venturing into closets, street corners, and Instagram feeds worldwide.

The Verdict: Is International Touring the Path to Success for Hip Hop Artists?

So, back to the big question: Can you really achieve success through international touring as a hip hop artist? The answer is slippery. Touring might not catapult you to instant legend status, but it can add valuable chapters to your story, broaden your fanbase, and deepen your artistry.

If you keep your eyes open, there’s plenty to learn. However, remember, the road feels different

An Obvious Article About Link-In-Bio

Uhhh... My QRCode is up here. Thank You.

In an era where playlists rule and your local SoundCloud hero can pop off overnight, digital tools are the lifeblood of the modern hip hop scene. Enter Link-In-Bios (smart links) — a game-changer for some, or maybe just more digital noise.

While every music mogul on YouTube keeps screaming about their magic, let's dive into whether Smart Links are actually valuable for hip hop artists.

What Are Smart Links Anyway?

Before we jump into the cynicism, let's dissect what these Smart Links even are. In short, Smart Links act as a one-stop digital portal that gathers all your streaming platforms, social media, and everything else into one neat package for your fans to obsess over. Think of them as your digital hype man, sans the echoing catchphrase.

The All-Powerful Link?

While the rock and pop folks rehearse in garages, rap is built on spontaneity and raw talent. So, why should a solitary click matter? Here's what they promise:

Make Access Simple:

• These links house all your streaming services, social media, and more, cutting down on the chase to find your tracks.

• Analytics, Not Magic:

• Crunch numbers like a focused hip hop producer digs into samples. See what platform is pushing your sound the hardest.

• Audiences App Recurrence:

• Your fans land where they're most comfortable. Whether they're Spotify, Apple, or Tidal stans — the choice is theirs.

Are They a Match for the Hip Hop Scene?

For all the swagger Smart Links show, do they really hit different for hip hop artists? Let’s break it down without the fluff:

Applying Smart Links in Hip Hop

Let's cut to the chase. Dive into Smart Links with these strategies specific to the lone-wolf rapper or the rowdy crew:

Cross-Platform Presence:

You're not tethered to a single streaming service. These links help blast your track's presence across multiple arenas ensuring no fan is left behind. It's the meme template "Why not both?" on steroids—without being corny.

Promo Alchemy:

Collaborating with a producer? Setting up a feature with that viral TikTok artist? Smarten up your rollouts by linking everything in one hub. Show the world how digital innovation is a hip hop artist's creativity cranked to the max.

The Real Talk on Downsides

Here’s the bit the marketing webinars don’t emphasize. Leverage doesn’t come without potential pitfalls:

• Overreliance on Data:

Remember, numbers can give a false narrative. Those streams might not directly translate into more plays if you're not producing bangers.

• Flood of Unessential Links:

Just because you CAN house all your links doesn't mean you SHOULD. Overcrowd your fan's journey, and risk diluting the engagement they have with your most important tracks.

Bottom Line: Myth or Fact?

Is the Smart Link a stepping stone to legendary status or just another phase that’ll pass quicker than the mumble rap craze? The truth lies in how you leverage it. For hip hop artists, the real kicker lies in simplicity and direct engagement, much like your bars when you're just in the zone.

So, are Smart Links the key to unlocking music success or just digital buzzwords wrapped in neon packaging? Use them wisely and maybe — just maybe — you'll strike the right chord with your listeners.

Or not.

Because if we’re honest, in the hip hop game, the only link that ever matters is the one connecting your mind to dope bars over a sick beat. Peace.