Best hip hop albums of 2010 so far...

rap related
2. Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers

4. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Colt45fool

huh?

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

rap related
2. Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers

4. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Constrobuz

huh?

It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Black-Demon

a few of the tracks on flying lotus's album, maybe, but not the mount kimbie lp.Constrobuz

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Colt45fool

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Apocalypse33

Rappers can have that too,but most of them nowadays are more worried with street cred than building up a fanbase that reaches more than the streets.

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Apocalypse33

Also, you wanna tell me Nas doesn't have an established fanbase? Every album dude has dropped has gone Gold.

[QUOTE="Apocalypse33"][QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Colt45fool

Also, you wanna tell me Nas doesn't have an established fanbase? Every album dude has dropped has gone Gold.

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"][QUOTE="Apocalypse33"][QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Apocalypse33

Also, you wanna tell me Nas doesn't have an established fanbase? Every album dude has dropped has gone Gold.

[QUOTE="Apocalypse33"][QUOTE="Colt45fool"][QUOTE="Apocalypse33"][QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]It would be interesting for there to be a day where artists release their musack for free and make their income doing different things. Only thing is when you have artists without an education (actually scratch that,because Jay and Diddy don't have a degree) when you have artists who who aren't open-minded when it comes to expanding yourself in different ways of making money they find themselves stuck in music only and thinking like Waka Flaka;not using lyrics because it doesn't make money. I think the lack of creativity and imagination keeps them from getting to the point that Orlando mentioned. Colt45fool

Also, you wanna tell me Nas doesn't have an established fanbase? Every album dude has dropped has gone Gold.

our ideas of good are completely different. a lot of the stuff you and others here find good, i find boring...and the mainstream isn't going to buy albums from a boring artist.Colt45fool

the profit scheme for selling sans a label and a huge distribution company will mean 30,000 records might be considered a financial success . . . depending on price of production. Tours will help too. Don't need a HUGE fanbase to make guap. 

 

 

the profit scheme for selling sans a label and a huge distribution company will mean 30,000 records might be considered a financial success . . . depending on price of production. Tours will help too. Don't need a HUGE fanbase to make guap. 

fat_rob

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]our ideas of good are completely different. a lot of the stuff you and others here find good, i find boring...and the mainstream isn't going to buy albums from a boring artist.Apocalypse33

[QUOTE="fat_rob"]

 

 

the profit scheme for selling sans a label and a huge distribution company will mean 30,000 records might be considered a financial success . . . depending on price of production. Tours will help too. Don't need a HUGE fanbase to make guap. 

Apocalypse33

Look at the rise and fall of 50 Cent for proof. Dude has one relevant album this decade. His last album couldn't even go Gold. Nas has put out maybe 3-4 relevant tapes this decade (Stillmatic, God's Son, Lost Tapes) and Jay has put out 3 (Blueprint, Blueprint 2, Black Album) also. 

Now you may just bring up new rappers, but new rappers can win off free LPs so long as they don't make a habit of it (see: Charles Hamilton.) Thing is, new rappers are already putting out tons of free mixtapes in preparation for their albums. As Black Demon already pointed out, some free mixtapes are better than albums [as a result of ****y record execs, clearance issues with production, and original production on mixtapes.) Some rappers get stupid, retarded buzz from mixtapes (see: Kid Cudi, Wale, etc.) and then put out awful albums (see: Wale) killing their buzz, and any interest in their future releases. Really, it's career suicide. Cudi would fit in this category if he didn't appeal to a completely different audience with his LP outside of hip hop fans (see: Suburban kids who like to smoke.)

^^^ lol, that suburban kids line is hilariousApocalypse33

it's the truth though. Hipsters are Kid Cudi's biggest fan base. My hipster sister loves Kid Cudi and she doesn't even listen to a lot of hip hop music

[QUOTE="Apocalypse33"]^^^ lol, that suburban kids line is hilariousandyboiii

it's the truth though. Hipsters are Kid Cudi's biggest fan base. My hipster sister loves Kid Cudi and she doesn't even listen to a lot of hip hop music

Maybe if rappers, and executives weren't so focussed on a quick buck, and ringtones, they'd have established fanbases also. Colt45fool

That's where the problem is. Everyone blames the rapper, but it's also the record company/radio companies fault that mainstream hip hop is the joke it is. It is so evident that its not even about the music anymore, its all about money, I do not understand how people are so blind to that. I pray for a second golden age but I doubt that happens, my generations (I am 22) memory span is to short and most of them are morons (basing this on irl experiences). They would rather listen to something like Soulja or Wayne because its "fun" and the words are easy to remember. But you play them something like Madvillainy "OMGZ THIS SUCKS THIS DUDE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RAP THESE BEATS ARE WACK"...no your brain is just to weak to handle the complexity that is MF Doom + Madlib.

Another entirely different argument: what makes complex music any more better than fun (simple) music? People have different preferences. If we were all really into complex music we'd be listening to cIassical almost exclusively.

"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - Baatin

And since you said that it's your friends who enjoy catchy simple music, is it really even the business side that is at fault? Your friend's taste is what dictates the market, and the record labels are just meeting those demands. If people weren't so obsessed over new ringtones, record labels wouldn't even try to make ringtone rap. The fans are who you should be blaming.

"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - J DillaOrlando_Magic

[QUOTE="Orlando_Magic"]"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - J DillaBalimi

I really wanted to laugh at this,but didn't want to be getting bathwater ready for Spawn:lol:

[QUOTE="Orlando_Magic"]"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - J DillaBalimi

whatever lol. I just know its off a SV song.

[QUOTE="Orlando_Magic"]"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - J DillaBalimi

Another entirely different argument: what makes complex music any more better than fun (simple) music? People have different preferences. If we were all really into complex music we'd be listening to cIassical almost exclusively.

"**** this rap ****, I listen to cIassical" - Baatin

And since you said that it's your friends who enjoy catchy simple music, is it really even the business side that is at fault? Your friend's taste is what dictates the market, and the record labels are just meeting those demands. If people weren't so obsessed over new ringtones, record labels wouldn't even try to make ringtone rap. The fans are who you should be blaming.

Orlando_Magic

thing is, record execs push bad songs onto the radio. drones will buy the bad songs, but if good songs were on the radio, drones would cop those also. most people search for good music though..at least in the north. that music would sell more if it was getting a mainstream push imo.

Orlando_Bot glitch? Mark the day.Foolz3h

orlando you're slacking brah 

What independent albums are going Gold and Platinum? Orlando_Magic

Something like that is understandable. It had a huge single and Dipset has an established fanbase... and it was like 5 years ago.

The Arcade Fire's new album, which is an independent release, debuted at #1 on the charts (mainly because they sold digital downloads for $3.99) and even that isn't going Gold.

I'm just really used to seeing independent releases like Black Milk's new album charting on the lower half of Billboard charts, which I guess is an accomplishment. But it only sold 3000-4000 copies this past week.

It's super tough to go Gold nowadays. Major label artists like Rick Ross and B.o.B, whose last albums both debuted at #1 on the charts, are struggling to even go Gold.

I was just typing up a big thread about Travis Porter but then I realized that pretty much all their good songs aren't on Youtube, and there didn't seem to be much of a point of making a thread if I couldn't provide the audio.

Anyways, "Differenter Gang" and "Proud to Be a Problem" are two of my favorite releases so far this year ... "Hotel" is easily one of my most played tracks this year, "Be Free" could easily be a Billboard-crushing hit, and there is just a ridiculous amount of good music floating around those two mixtapes.

IsThisIt_basic

What are your thoughts on MGK? Hes a CLE native and I've met him a few times and seen him perform. He may not be the best lyrically, but watch some live performances and damn this dude has a way with the crowd up there.

Something like that is understandable. It had a huge single and Dipset has an established fanbase... and it was like 5 years ago.

The Arcade Fire's new album, which is an independent release, debuted at #1 on the charts (mainly because they sold digital downloads for $3.99) and even that isn't going Gold.

I'm just really used to seeing independent releases like Black Milk's new album charting on the lower half of Billboard charts, which I guess is an accomplishment. But it only sold 3000-4000 copies this past week.

It's super tough to go Gold nowadays. Major label artists like Rick Ross and B.o.B, whose last albums both debuted at #1 on the charts, are struggling to even go Gold.

Orlando_Magic

Pretty much what I always say. Unless if you're one of the hit six (Drake,Wayne,Kanye,Jeezy,Eminem,or Jay-Z),you are not going platinum. I think the only reason why bad music (well,music I find to be bad personally) sells more is because people pretty much gave up on searching for good artists that are making original and well put together albums/mixtapes. I don't see any of my friends picking up a rap magazine or going on hip hop websites to search for emcees that are looked at as slept-on or underrated unless if they've had popular guest appearances. Why is it that when I told my friends about J. Cole and his Warm Up mixtape everyone labeled him "alright" but when I played "A Star is Born" for them they all have "Who Dat?" (Just ONE single they've heard from him) as their ringtones and making facebook statuses of how he's a raw lyricist now? A lot of people I know to this day clown me for being a Joe Budden fan just because of "Pump It Up" and I've always told them to at least check out his Mood Muzik 2 mixtape and they don't even want to try it. Too many focus on popularity instead of skill.

Something like that is understandable. It had a huge single and Dipset has an established fanbase... and it was like 5 years ago.

The Arcade Fire's new album, which is an independent release, debuted at #1 on the charts (mainly because they sold digital downloads for $3.99) and even that isn't going Gold.

I'm just really used to seeing independent releases like Black Milk's new album charting on the lower half of Billboard charts, which I guess is an accomplishment. But it only sold 3000-4000 copies this past week.

It's super tough to go Gold nowadays. Major label artists like Rick Ross and B.o.B, whose last albums both debuted at #1 on the charts, are struggling to even go Gold.

Orlando_Magic

Independent music sells. Good music sells.  Not everyone is going to make it big and go Gold...but it begs the question that if these independent artists were getting major label distribution how big would they be? Look at what happened to Drake...now he would have been big with, or without Young Money signing him. He was already the biggest thing in rap before he was signed. But how much bigger is he now that he has Wayne co-signing on his albums? Well...he's the biggest thing in rap, if not the biggest thing in music.

[QUOTE="Orlando_Magic"]

Something like that is understandable. It had a huge single and Dipset has an established fanbase... and it was like 5 years ago.

The Arcade Fire's new album, which is an independent release, debuted at #1 on the charts (mainly because they sold digital downloads for $3.99) and even that isn't going Gold.

I'm just really used to seeing independent releases like Black Milk's new album charting on the lower half of Billboard charts, which I guess is an accomplishment. But it only sold 3000-4000 copies this past week.

It's super tough to go Gold nowadays. Major label artists like Rick Ross and B.o.B, whose last albums both debuted at #1 on the charts, are struggling to even go Gold.

Black-Demon

Pretty much what I always say. Unless if you're one of the hit six (Drake,Wayne,Kanye,Jeezy,Eminem,or Jay-Z),you are not going platinum. I think the only reason why bad music (well,music I find to be bad personally) sells more is because people pretty much gave up on searching for good artists that are making original and well put together albums/mixtapes. I don't see any of my friends picking up a rap magazine or going on hip hop websites to search for emcees that are looked at as slept-on or underrated unless if they've had popular guest appearances. Why is it that when I told my friends about J. Cole and his Warm Up mixtape everyone labeled him "alright" but when I played "A Star is Born" for them they all have "Who Dat?" (Just ONE single they've heard from him) as their ringtones and making facebook statuses of how he's a raw lyricist now? A lot of people I know to this day clown me for being a Joe Budden fan just because of "Pump It Up" and I've always told them to at least check out his Mood Muzik 2 mixtape and they don't even want to try it. Too many focus on popularity instead of skill.

and idk if you realize this or not...but "looking for original music" that isn't on the radio, or popular, hasn't been what music listeners do in any decade. In fact, looking for new and original music is a relatively new thing that started in the late 90's/early 00's.

Why limit this to just hip hop though? Vampire Weekend has one Gold album, and one album 100,000 short of going Gold. The Shins have two Gold albums. Modest Mouse has gone platnium. ICP has gone multi platnium. Drake's "So Far Gone" mixtape was so popular, and sold so many free digital releases that dude was the biggest thing in hip hop before he even had a record deal...and this was based off a free mixtape! Nicki Minaj too...and now they're household names.

Independent music sells. Good music sells.  Not everyone is going to make it big and go Gold...but it begs the question that if these independent artists were getting major label distribution how big would they be? Look at what happened to Drake...now he would have been big with, or without Young Money signing him. He was already the biggest thing in rap before he was signed. But how much bigger is he now that he has Wayne co-signing on his albums? Well...he's the biggest thing in rap, if not the biggest thing in music.

Colt45fool

I wasn't limiting it to hip-hop, I just used the Arcade Fire as an example. They had a #1 album this year and won't even go Gold.

Vampire Weekend sells well but it helps that they get videos played on MTV all day, which a lot of independent artists don't have the luxury of.

Modest Mouse is on Epic.

ICP's last 3 albums have not come anywhere close to going Gold. They are like a super niche market which is why they sell anyway. You don't think they are "good" do you so its kinda pointless to bring them up...

Drake was a nobody when he put out Comeback Season. Then he got Lil Wayne all over So Far Gone and became the next big thing. Drake was basically a part of Young Money before he signed. After So Far Gone, sure, Drake would have sold no matter what label he went to. But he had major help from Weezy getting to that point, even before he was signed.

Kush and OJ is the So Far Gone of 2010, and Wiz Khalifa will put up good numbers whenever his album is released due to the following he built up (signed to Atlantic Records following the mixtape). But while there are a few success stories like this, the vast majority of "good" current independent artists are not seeing this level of success.

Groups like Fleet Foxes, TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire, and Animal Collective will probably sell a couple hundred thousand (which is successful for being on an indie label) but most likely will not go Gold. But again, these are some of the most popular and most talked about indie artists. Their success isn't really representative of all the other "good" artists who aren't selling.

Since you just mentioned it to BD, how many copies do you think albums like Masters of the Universe sold? What about Flying Lotus' albums? Dam-Funk's last album? Tear Gas? Odawas - The Blue Depths? Fruit Bats - the Ruminant Bands? 

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"][QUOTE="Orlando_Magic"]

Something like that is understandable. It had a huge single and Dipset has an established fanbase... and it was like 5 years ago.

The Arcade Fire's new album, which is an independent release, debuted at #1 on the charts (mainly because they sold digital downloads for $3.99) and even that isn't going Gold.

I'm just really used to seeing independent releases like Black Milk's new album charting on the lower half of Billboard charts, which I guess is an accomplishment. But it only sold 3000-4000 copies this past week.

It's super tough to go Gold nowadays. Major label artists like Rick Ross and B.o.B, whose last albums both debuted at #1 on the charts, are struggling to even go Gold.

Colt45fool

Pretty much what I always say. Unless if you're one of the hit six (Drake,Wayne,Kanye,Jeezy,Eminem,or Jay-Z),you are not going platinum. I think the only reason why bad music (well,music I find to be bad personally) sells more is because people pretty much gave up on searching for good artists that are making original and well put together albums/mixtapes. I don't see any of my friends picking up a rap magazine or going on hip hop websites to search for emcees that are looked at as slept-on or underrated unless if they've had popular guest appearances. Why is it that when I told my friends about J. Cole and his Warm Up mixtape everyone labeled him "alright" but when I played "A Star is Born" for them they all have "Who Dat?" (Just ONE single they've heard from him) as their ringtones and making facebook statuses of how he's a raw lyricist now? A lot of people I know to this day clown me for being a Joe Budden fan just because of "Pump It Up" and I've always told them to at least check out his Mood Muzik 2 mixtape and they don't even want to try it. Too many focus on popularity instead of skill.

and idk if you realize this or not...but "looking for original music" that isn't on the radio, or popular, hasn't been what music listeners do in any decade. In fact, looking for new and original music is a relatively new thing that started in the late 90's/early 00's.

I totally disagree with that. When Yo! MTV Raps! was alive they had everyone from Jeru,O.C.,or Group Home (non-mainstream artists) to Wu-Tang,2pac,and Biggie making appearances and talking about their albums. I'm pretty sure if the hosts or the people in charge of MTV cared about what ONLY the main audience wanted they wouldn't even think about taking time to visit with rappers who haven't even gone gold yet. 106th & Park is supposed to be a hip hop program yet many of the freshman rappers from this year and last year (even the ones who are looked at as major breakthrough rookies) have never made an appearance on the show besides J. Cole and a few others (Mind you,J. Cole was on The Blueprint 3 like I said before,so I'm pretty sure thats why they put him on there). You can easily blame people who own BET or the industry for practically forcing rappers to glamorize a gimmick to sell records but when it all comes to down it,it's because thats what people sadly want to listen to. Part of my point was discussed on the Hip Hop Vs. America special and David Banner was dead-on with what he said at 8:36;Nowadays the core people who buy albums and feed into album sales are more tuned into the materialistic/mysogynistic BS that are most of the time filling up the countdown shows and radio stations. But unfortunatly these newcomers have bills to pay so they have to milk the mainstream for what its worth. 

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]Why limit this to just hip hop though? Vampire Weekend has one Gold album, and one album 100,000 short of going Gold. The Shins have two Gold albums. Modest Mouse has gone platnium. ICP has gone multi platnium. Drake's "So Far Gone" mixtape was so popular, and sold so many free digital releases that dude was the biggest thing in hip hop before he even had a record deal...and this was based off a free mixtape! Nicki Minaj too...and now they're household names.

Independent music sells. Good music sells.  Not everyone is going to make it big and go Gold...but it begs the question that if these independent artists were getting major label distribution how big would they be? Look at what happened to Drake...now he would have been big with, or without Young Money signing him. He was already the biggest thing in rap before he was signed. But how much bigger is he now that he has Wayne co-signing on his albums? Well...he's the biggest thing in rap, if not the biggest thing in music.

Orlando_Magic

I wasn't limiting it to hip-hop, I just used the Arcade Fire as an example. They had a #1 album this year and won't even go Gold.

Vampire Weekend sells well but it helps that they get videos played on MTV all day, which a lot of independent artists don't have the luxury of.

Modest Mouse is on Epic.

ICP's last 3 albums have not come anywhere close to going Gold. They are like a super niche market which is why they sell anyway. You don't think they are "good" do you so its kinda pointless to bring them up...

Drake was a nobody when he put out Comeback Season. Then he got Lil Wayne all over So Far Gone and became the next big thing. Drake was basically a part of Young Money before he signed. After So Far Gone, sure, Drake would have sold no matter what label he went to. But he had major help from Weezy getting to that point, even before he was signed.

Kush and OJ is the So Far Gone of 2010, and Wiz Khalifa will put up good numbers whenever his album is released due to the following he built up (signed to Atlantic Records following the mixtape). But while there are a few success stories like this, the vast majority of "good" current independent artists are not seeing this level of success.

Groups like Fleet Foxes, TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire, and Animal Collective will probably sell a couple hundred thousand (which is successful for being on an indie label) but most likely will not go Gold. But again, these are some of the most popular and most talked about indie artists. Their success isn't really representative of all the other "good" artists who aren't selling.

Since you just mentioned it to BD, how many copies do you think albums like Masters of the Universe sold? What about Flying Lotus' albums? Dam-Funk's last album? Tear Gas? Odawas - The Blue Depths? Fruit Bats - the Ruminant Bands? 

ICP isn't good, I was just bringing them up as a musician who has sold. Independent music sells. Good music sells. Independent =/= good, though it can be.

Good music sells because they grow established fanbases who expect a certain level of quality. If good musicians went major, they'd sell way better or just as well as the current crop of major label musicians. The ear of the listener isn't dead, the record execs are just morons. 

I totally disagree with that. When Yo! MTV Raps! was alive they had everyone from Jeru,O.C.,or Group Home (non-mainstream artists) to Wu-Tang,2pac,and Biggie making appearances and talking about their albums. I'm pretty sure if the hosts or the people in charge of MTV cared about what ONLY the main audience wanted they wouldn't even think about taking time to visit with rappers who haven't even gone gold yet. 106th & Park is supposed to be a hip hop program yet many of the freshman rappers from this year and last year (even the ones who are looked at as major breakthrough rookies) have never made an appearance on the show besides J. Cole and a few others (Mind you,J. Cole was on The Blueprint 3 like I said before,so I'm pretty sure thats why they put him on there). You can easily blame people who own BET or the industry for practically forcing rappers to glamorize a gimmick to sell records but when it all comes to down it,it's because thats what people sadly want to listen to. Part of my point was discussed on the Hip Hop Vs. America special and David Banner was dead-on with what he said at 8:36;Nowadays the core people who buy albums and feed into album sales are more tuned into the materialistic/mysogynistic BS that are most of the time filling up the countdown shows and radio stations. But unfortunatly these newcomers have bills to pay so they have to milk the mainstream for what its worth. 

Black-Demon

There has always been a ****y set of music that the mainstream tunes into. That's NORMAL, the record execs have been doing this for DECADES. MC Hammer went diamond, while Illmatic didn't go Gold for years during the "golden age" of hip hop...but who was getting props from hip hop heads back then? Who eventually went double platnium based off word of mouth and dope music?!?! Case and point. Nas won, and he put out good music on a major label. 

People in the 90s were still buying Vanilla Ice, Marky Mark, MC Hammer, Sir Mix-A-Lot, while great records took YEARS to go platnium (Illmatic took seven years to go platnium.) Things haven't changed that much guys...records execs have just gotten dumber. 

You're not getting it though. What if EVERY independent artist had backing like Vampire Wekeend.What if these independent musicians were backed by major labels. Look at Modest Mouse--Modest Mouse has such a cult following as an independent artist that when they go to a major their album goes platnium. Now apply that to Vampire Weekend, and Odawas...Fruit Bats, and Fleet Foxes...Black Milk and The Jacka. You think these dudes wouldn't sell? Fruit Bats, and Odawas probably not but the other musicians probably would. Way more than you're giving them credit for.

ICP isn't good, I was just bringing them up as a musician who has sold. Independent music sells. Good music sells. Independent =/= good, though it can be.

Good music sells because they grow established fanbases who expect a certain level of quality. If good musicians went major, they'd sell way better or just as well as the current crop of major label musicians. The ear of the listener isn't dead, the record execs are just morons. 

Colt45fool

Vampire Weekend is super catchy, makes funny videos, gets airplay on MTV, and is basically a pop act on an indie label. Sure, I think other bands like them would sell on a major label. Who wouldn't? They are everything a major label looks for in a new act, yet are on an indie. Not every indie band is like that.

Fleet Foxes would sell well but not on the level of Vampire Weekend.

The Jacka and Black Milk definitely would not sell on a major label. They would sell worse than Little Brother did when LB was on Atlantic.

Fruit Bats and Odawas would not sell.

I am not disagreeing with you that artists with established fanbases will sell. That's pretty obvious lol. You said earlier that good music sells no matter what, even if its on an indie. So I gave you some examples of "good" music (aka music I know you like) and showed you that they weren't selling. There's really not much more to it than that.

What's stopping someone like Freddie Gibbs from having a fanbase as large as Wiz Khalifa? Both of them are good, maybe even great artists, yet if both of them put out albums today Wiz would be the only one to put up decent numbers. Just because you are a good artist does not mean you will ever develop that core fanbase that will translate into album sales.

The fact that you already admitted earlier that "bad" music sells shows you that quality of music isn't the sole determinant of album sales. So when a good album happens to sell, you can't just sit back and say "oh it was because the music was good." Marketing and getting the right people to listen to the music is just as, if not more important.

MC Hammer went diamond, while Illmatic didn't go Gold for years during the "golden age" of hip hop...but who was getting props from hip hop heads back then? Who eventually went double platnium based off word of mouth and dope music?!?! Case and point. Nas won, and he put out good music on a major label. 

People in the 90s were still buying Vanilla Ice, Marky Mark, MC Hammer, Sir Mix-A-Lot, while great records took YEARS to go platnium (Illmatic took seven years to go platnium.) Things haven't changed that much guys...records execs have just gotten dumber. 

Colt45fool

How are albums like Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East, Black Moon - Enta Da Stage, Mic Geronimo - The Natural, Big L - LifestyIez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous, and AZ - Doe or Die doing? Guess its gonna take 50 years of word of mouth for these to go platinum.

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"]

MC Hammer went diamond, while Illmatic didn't go Gold for years during the "golden age" of hip hop...but who was getting props from hip hop heads back then? Who eventually went double platnium based off word of mouth and dope music?!?! Case and point. Nas won, and he put out good music on a major label. 

People in the 90s were still buying Vanilla Ice, Marky Mark, MC Hammer, Sir Mix-A-Lot, while great records took YEARS to go platnium (Illmatic took seven years to go platnium.) Things haven't changed that much guys...records execs have just gotten dumber. 

Orlando_Magic

How are albums like Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East, Black Moon - Enta Da Stage, Mic Geronimo - The Natural, Big L - LifestyIez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous, and AZ - Doe or Die doing? Guess its gonna take 50 years of word of mouth for these to go platinum.