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How do you pick your song content? Is it based off of how you feeling at the time? Something you just went through? Something you just saw?…a movie or inspiration from another song?
Inspiration and motivation come from all over the place. It is everywhere. We can easily be inspired just by walking out our front door. Even a Breaking News story can motivate us to get in front of the mic and voice our opinions. This is what makes being creative fun!
But in hip hop, especially now, it seems that being truthful is no longer accepted but REQUIRED!!!
With the recent outing of Rick Ross and others, it is very important that your song content reflects you, and only you. You are no longer allowed to get away with a fabricated persona. And the topics you rap about better be truthful. As easy as it is today to start blogging, if it is found that you are lying…the blog sites will erupt!
This is not a “Handbook on Hip Hop”…this is advice on how to keep your fans. Don’t rap about selling dope if you don’t, Don’t rap about bustin’ guns if you don’t have one, Don’t rap about 24′s if you don’t have a car…you get my point. While it may be fun and give you an escape into a fantasy world, it’s not reality. You are building an image and brand as an artist, and your music is a reflection of you. If you are not matching that image, your career will quickly suffer.
That’s why it is so important to remain true to yourself, and the realities in which you live. It would not make sense for me to speak about jail when I have never been. In my past songs I have talked about drugs. It was part of my past…a part of who I was and what I did. While it molded the way I think, it is no longer a part of my life.
I know talking about diamonds and Bentleys are cool, but for most aspiring artists it’s not a reality. Lets focus on what is…What do you do on a regular basis? Is this a part of who you are? That, to me, is what makes for good song content. It’s the fact that you live this certain life, and it fits your image. I can believe what that what you are talking about is true. Or, you put so much of you in the song that I can relate. It’s bringing you into songs that make them standout.
I am in no way saying, “Don’t be creative and tell stories”. There are songs that I have written that have nothing to do with ME. This goes back to hearing a news story and being inspired. What I am talking about is how you make yourself sound. We, as artists, can help people tell their story…but we can’t take their story and make it ours.
So remember, in picking song content…make sure it fits your brand and image you are creating.
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