How to Become a Rap Star
Becoming a star anywhere in the music business is difficult, but it takes a special edge to get to the top of the rap game. There are countless rappers out there, and many think they've got what it takes to be an internationally-renowned star. Given this level of competition, it takes more than talent to become a top-selling artist like Ludacris, T.I., Jay Z or Eminem. You've got to have tireless dedication, marketing savvy and something special that separates you from the herd.
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Instructions
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Determine what kind of rapper you are. The commercial success of rap over the last twenty years has spawned numerous sub-genres like East Coast rap, West Coast rap and Dirty South rap, along with crossovers into other musical fields like soul, R&B, rock and even country. Before you worry about becoming a star, discover your own voice and perfect your talent. Rap, like much of the music business, has produced numerous one-hit wonders in its time, but the really durable emcees all have serious lyrical and performance talent. Be really self-critical, and solicit as much feedback as you can from friends, family and neutral observers to see how you can improve your lyrics, flow and presentation before worrying about marketing yourself.
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Record some tracks and get yourself heard by performing at local concerts and rap battles. Talent managers and label executives are not going to approach you unless you give them a good reason to. You've got to get yourself noticed. Consider purchasing relatively inexpensive home recording equipment and mixing software like Apple Logic to lend professional sound to your songs. Eventually you'll probably want to use a recording studio operated by professional sound engineers, but when starting out, off-the-shelf software can go a long way for relatively little cash.
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Set up a personal website and establish accounts at free social networking sites like MySpace and YouTube. These websites are an excellent way for emcees to both exhibit their talent with song clips and concert footage, as well as cultivating a fan base (see Resources below). Network with and cross-promote other up-and-coming rappers who you admire, particularly if they're in the same genre as you. It may seem counter-intuitive to promote potential rivals, but when starting out, the name of the game is exposure. You want to be seen and heard by as many people as possible. It's only later, once you've acquired significant clout in the rap game, that you can become very choosy about who you work with.
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Approach a major record label, either by yourself or through the services of a qualified, proven talent manager. Despite the reach of the Internet, there's only so far you can go without the massive advertising and distribution capability of a mainline label. To become a bona fide rap star, you need somebody willing to shell out millions of dollars producing your CDs, hyping you on all channels of old and new media, and sending you around the world on global concert tours. Figure out which label would be most likely to sign you--look at the artists they presently produce, put together a sampling of your best work and a press kit listing biographical details and a summation of concerts you've performed at, and ship it to a representative of their Artists and Repertoire Department.
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If you're offered a record deal, don't get taken advantage of. It's not uncommon for labels to sign up-and-coming rappers to long-term contracts at a pittance of what they'll eventually earn for the company. It's important to be humble and not demand too much right off the bat, but be weary of long-term contracts at fixed rates. If you're confident in your work and your chance for success years down the line, accept a little bit less money up front in exchange for commitments from the label that you'll be aggressively promoted and that your share of the spoils will rise with the success you generate. Even if you employ a manager to handle these negotiations, stay involved and make sure you understand everything about your contract. Consider commissioning the input of an entertainment lawyer before signing on the dotted line. If your manager and the label are professionals, they should have no problem with you taking prudent measures to safeguard your interests.
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Tips & Warnings
To become a rap star, you've got to become a brand. As much as some emcees dislike the commercialization of their heartfelt rhymes, there's no separating smart and consistent marketing from success.
Competition in the rap world is fierce and can be nasty at all levels. You've got to stay smart, sharp and hungry, or else risk becoming content, lazy and irrelevant.
