What Would Make You Special?

A lot of rappers market to their own cultures. In 2025, it barely makes sense to try to do otherwise. However, when you do make cross-over content "what makes you special" is the theme for most of it. While that question is misguided, a fun question is "what would make you special?" Before you say "nothing", give the opportunity some thought.

Enable or Filter

RapIndie has to work with what's out there. Truthfully, a lot of rappers are living very difficult lives. When we showcase the rap game in its entirety, we get accused of endorsing all of their behavior. When we solely showcase the positive rappers, we get accused of hiding their behavior. While both are valid points, which would you prefer?

Is intelligence-level tribalism our fault or is it the result of a distinction made by other cultures?

Is intelligence-level tribalism our fault or is it the result of a distinction made by other cultures?
Maybe there's a middle ground between demanding people in poverty to be magically educated and branding "authentic" black culture as "ignorant".
Maybe we're already being taught to relate to each other using metaphors. Maybe poverty based music is connecting with a majority that only has the illusion of intelligence.

Up

Have you ever noticed that when tearing people down, everyone is an expert. However, when it's time to build themselves up, they struggle on a comical level. 

Winners don't feel like winners anymore. And that's a problem because they end up over-powered trolls and life-wreckers with endless resources. Building yourself up is a skill that you have to practice. You can't put everything at the bottom.

Exclusivity Advantages?

Exclusivity is fun. It raises value. It boosts self-esteem. It preserves logical integrity. 

The problem is it's not always advantageous to compulsively exclude others. Everyone has something to contribute and there's power in numbers. Sacrificing a little ego can go a long way.

Selfless Fandom

Selfless support doesn't always come naturally, but it is the fuel of music in general. Smaller artists are perceived as less good. Bigger artists are perceived as not needing support. However, the truth is sincere support is rare and mutually beneficial. 

Why doesn't "Creator Swag" hold up in real life?

Being an internet or tv celebrity is great but cross-over markets are not dependable enough to build a lifestyle off of. The question is why?

1. One theory is the earlier generational audiences simply aren't aware of ALL of our favorite rappers.

Other theories are:

2. Facial recognition is inconvenient.

3. Kindness/acceptance in the authority vs kindness/acceptance of the community.

4. Ever-evolving criteria for acceptance.

5. Conditioning of mindless exclusion.

Maybe "Creator Swag" is working and people underestimate it based on their own experiences of exclusion, and perceived reactions. Do you make an effort to make earned exceptions to your filters?

Low Brow

Being over-estimated is just as big of a problem as being under-estimated. Well-received high brow artists may play you in better, but well-received low brow artists make the playing in unnecessary.

Self-Interest Shouldn't Be Rigid

Making money is non-negotiable. Simplicity is socially more functional. We prefer categories attainable to everyone. 
However, because life is complicated, self-interest is never rigidly hinged on intolerance.

Kendrick Lamar Superbowl

 Kendrick did a phenomenal job. All that said, we still support Drake and look forward to his future music too.