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How to Get Major Exposure As a Rap Artist

To be a successful rap artist, you must get the necessary exposure to further your career. Through the connections of others and lots of hard work, you can make the necessary moves to get signed, receive airplay and connect with potential fans. Be proactive to gain this exposure, but also be smart when making decisions. Having the right people on your side can be crucial to your overall success.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hire a professional manager to boost your exposure and help take your rap career to the next level. Managers are often responsible for getting endorsement deals, record deals and setting up interviews at radios stations. Find a manager who loves your material and thinks you have star potential. Negotiate a fair percentage of earnings, somewhere between 10 and 15 percent.

    • 2

      Hire a publicist or public relations professional to jump start your career and get the exposure you'll need to get a record deal. A publicist will get you into the media and expose you through the many available media outlets. Hire someone who has good connections and can introduce you and your music to influential people in the rap industry.

    • 3

      Get your music played on the radio. Radio exposure is important to rap artists as this is one of the few ways to get heard. Rap artists do not tour as much as rock bands, so they rely on underground credibility and radio play to catch the ears of the major labels. Many local stations want to be the one to break an artist, so speak to local radio personalities as well as programming directors to see if they would be willing to play your song.

    • 4

      Film a video and upload it to YouTube. Create an interesting concept for a video for your song. Upload it and make sure to promote it. If your video goes viral, you will get the exposure you will need. Many recent signings have been due to exposure from viral videos. You want your video to stand out, but you must have a solid song first.

    • 5

      Use social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook to gain exposure as a rap artist. Connecting with fans and adding that personal touch can help you gain more fans over time. Artists such as Kanye West and 50 Cent stay in contact with their fan base to increase their exposure. Promote your video and announce upcoming shows to get your fans excited about the event or promotional material you are releasing.

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