Hip hop music was huge in the United States just a few years ago. At one point in 2000, sales even hit a record high of over 1.8 billion USD. That was when Hip Hop R&B had over taken all other genres of music in terms of record sales. To find out why Hip Hop music sales are slumping currently, one has to rewind a little and understand how Hip Hop all started out.

Before Hip Hop got accepted into the mainstream, many Hip Hop artists pretty much stayed underground to practise their art form. No one knew Hip Hop was going to become the titan that it would develop into. When Hip Hop first began, it started out in the streets. It was a movement by people who were disadvantaged, or were ostracized by the community – they were looking for a way to express themselves and their plight. And express themselves they did.

Hip Hop music is spontaneous and witty. For example, when a battle takes place between two artists, the lyrics are never pre-written. Each competitor will be given the opportunity to rap for a certain period of time. The audience is the judge. The culture of rap is that the judging audience is never biased making it a truly democratic art form. Whoever comes up with the most original and creative lyrics will win the battle. Of course, there is an element of like and dislike. So the lyrics have to connect with the audiences as well. The final results of the battle is based on the cheers of the audience. Whoever receive the loudest cheer, wins the battle.

As you can see, Hip Hop arises out of a need for talented artists to be heard. And the artists became really good from years of practising. As they practise, the world remains largely unaware of what is happening. It wasn’t until the artists become more entrepreneurial that Hip Hop starts to take off.

Unlike other type of music, the Hip Hop community accepts was far reaching in content and profanity in the lyrics. The market finds it refreshing to hear such profanity in the records. And soon, Hip Hop music took off like a bullet with as much variety in tone as there were people. From the angry rebellious rap, to the happy its a party time songs.

The market soaked it all in mainly because they believed that the artists were just doing their thing – they were voicing repressed feelings, from lack of opportunity or showing you how to enjoy yourself and life. So record sales continued to soar. Recording artists like Eminem, 50 Cent Lil Wayne, Jay Z, T.I and Gucci Mane all did very well in the industry.

Unfortunately, the success of the Hip Hop industry has hit a turning point. In a few short years, sales for Hip Hop music begin to decline, and it continued to decline year after year. Some recording labels, once worth millions of dollars, are now near bankruptcy.

It is clear that the market has taken the time to learn about Hip Hop music and culture and have fully embraced it. After earning billions of dollars in the industry, and being widely accepted in the mainstream, what is the source of the decline in sales?

Many will argue, its all due to the Internet. The new Internet age has brought about many new opportunities along with many new threats to the old industries. Now its easier then ever to commit piracy and unfortunately the record industry has been resistant to change. Too stuck in the old mind frame and old distribution channels to fully embrace what the Internet could really mean for them.

Hip Hop artists are now being heard all over the world. There is no longer the element of distribution channels or lag from the artist to the market. Why? Because the Internet makes it instantaneous. As such old walls have been broken down where people had to wait for months or search relentlessly to be able to acquire all of an artists past works.

As such artists must continue to evolve in order to continue thriving. Perhaps it’s still back to basics. No more focusing on big marketing budgets and record label driving initiatives. Maybe what the Internet has done is take Hip Hop out of the corporate boardrooms and back to the streets where all that counts is just great rap music lyrics from the heart.



By: Gen Wright

About the Author:

Hip hop is a cultural movement which originated from New York in the 1970s. Rapping, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti art are considered the main components of hip hop culture. Hip-hop music style consists of a rhytmic style of speaking (rap) over backing beats which are played by a DJ. Although rap is often confused with hip hop, it is not quite the same thing. Rapping is a vocal style which implies a performer speaking rhythmically to a beat and it is usually a component of hip-hop. Hip hop music was inspired from funk or disco songs, from which it borrowed the beats. Since 1979, it has entered the American mainstream and became a popular genre. In 1990s, a form called “gangsta rap” evolved. Today, hip-hop is in vogue not only in the USA, but also in the entire world.

The rise of hip hop was not arbitrary. It happened in the 1970s, when people were tired of dance and rock and needed a change. But that was not the only reason. There were also some social and political causes. Hip-hop’s popularity grew in the same time with the power of black and Latino gangs. Hip hop became a protest against middle-class white community from the poor black community living in “ghettos”. The lyrics spoke about the reality in ghettos which wasn’t exactly peachy. Consequently, hip-hopers used their music to express their feelings and frustrations. Of course, what begun as a poor class’s protest transformed into a million dollars industry, but that is another story.

Today, hip hop is listened to not only by Afro Americans, but also by white people. In fact, many successful hip hopers are white, an example being the notorious rapper Eminem. Hip-hop fans have their own way of dressing (with large clothes usually, baggie pants, bandanas, tattoos, sportswear and gold or platinum chains) and speaking. Consequently, we can say that hip-hop is more than just music and has turned into a life style for many. However, given the popularity of rap music, there are very many artists and the competition between them is fierce. The question is how can a young artist, at the beginning of his career, become popular and make himself a name? How can he obtain the attention of a producer who can help him to get into show business? The first step would be to record a hip hop mixtape and send it to several important music studios. The problem is that these studios receive thousands of records everyday. Many young artists, charmed by the mirage of easy success and fame, knock at the doors of music studios with a hip hop mixtape in their hands.

What every aspiring hip hoper must know is that there are web sites where you can post your songs in order for thousands of interested listeners to hear them. If you are lucky, you will receive an offer from one of the music studios and get to record your first album. The most important thing is to believe in your talent and not to give up easily. Send your hip hop mixtape to all the producers that you have heard of. Even if you don’t get any feedback at first, don’t lose hope. If you are talented, your hip hop mixtape will eventually be listened to by someone who realizes your potential. The road to success is not as easy as it may seem; it requires hard work, talent and maybe a bit of good luck, but in the end it will be all worth it.



By: Ken Wilson

About the Author:

Trend of wearing Jewellery is one of the most volatile trends in fashion streets. Recently Hip Hop Jewellery items gained momentum worldwide due to its attractive design, unique looks and low prices. Elder women, office going and even college going girls are mad these days because of the fever of this hip-hop jewellery.

When we look at the place of origin for new jewellery fashion trends we observe that film stars, models, and celebrities are the most important cause. The large fan following behind celebrities always want to look like them, they are not only eager to follow hair styles, and clothing but also their jewellery and personal gadgets. But it’s not possible for every fashion carving people, due to their different income range and economic status.

However, to solve this problem of common man, jewellery designer and manufacturers come up with option of hip hop jewellery. These jewellery products are generally made of low cost metal with several replica stones set on a single item. People who are mad behind fashion and show off are going with such kind of jewellery that results a boom in hip-hop jewellery market segment.

Quality conscious people or real jewellery lovers are still with original hallmarked jewellery items instead of hip-hop jewellery which are a favorite of fashion mad people. There is a very simple reason behind this. Most of the jewellery sales are dependent on either wedding and other celebration or special festivals or occasions throughout the year, when people buy jewellery for them of their loved ones. On such occasions people never go behind hip-hop jewellery because of the importance of situation as well as the sentiments which are being carried out with their jewellery products. For example, a couple who is getting engaged will never think of a replica engagement ring for the occasion, or a wife looking for an exclusive gift for her husband to present on their anniversary will never think of buying a hip hop style studded watch.

Therefore, the temporary fashion enthusiasm or blindness for hip hop jewellery cannot compete with original jewellery products. Although we cannot ignore the utility of hip-hop jewellery products for daily use, so the demand for such products will be there always. So, we can conclude that both the segments of jewellery products are different, their utility, and customers are different.

After all, “A Diamond is forever” and nothing can challenge the glow and beauty of diamond and diamond jewellery. It’ll be glowing like always, and day by day its glitter will attract more and more people.

Rivazge.com is an U.K. based Diamond jewellery manufacturer, engaged in production of high quality diamond jewellery. Diamond jewellery manufactured by Rivazge contains 100% certified diamonds. To know more about our products, visit: http://www.rivazge.com



By: Aadil Bandukwala

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Many music podcasts are available online for downloading; if one wanted to find, for instance, a hip hop mix podcast, there are a few sites available to help. The first possibility would be to go directly to a site which creates one and subscribe to it using a podcast client which automatically checks the feed for new episodes and downloads them for the user. If, however, one did not know of any hip hop mix podcast sites, or simply wanted to find new podcast sites, the best possibility would be to check a podcast directory, a list of podcasts that can be browsed.

Hip hop mix podcasts could easily be found at one of these podcast directories. A podcast directory stores lists of podcasts which have been submitted to the site, and categorizes them by genre, type of podcast, region, and other meta data. To find a hip hop mix podcast, visiting a podcast directory and checking under music podcasts, and then under hip hop music would find many podcasts which play that type of music.

The hip hop mix podcast could then be subscribed to by inputting the feed address listed into one of the many podcast clients. The music will come in episodes, the name for each downloadable portion of a podcast. Some of these podcasts may feature independent artists, musicians trying to break into the music industry who have chosen podcasting as a way of sharing their music and gaining a following. Others may be remixes of popular songs that have been changed in some way to give a different feel to the music. Often, the artists may already be established, though, and they still see podcasting as a way to introduce themselves to a larger audience. They may grant rights to pay certain hip hip songs to a podcaster, letting them play the music as part of their mix distribution while requesting a link to a site where more information can be learned about the artists and music can be purchased. Artists that have done this include alias, edan, outerspace, RA the rugged man, roots manuva, and outer space.

A large number of podcasts featuring hip hop mix podcasts are actually radio stations, however. These broadcasters have found that podcasting their shows and selections is an easy way to reach more listeners and gain a greater audience. These podcasters can reach more people easier and cheaper than they can by playing hip hop mix music over the airwaves in their local areas. Playing hip hop music over the internet is probably the way many future artists will do their work, and there are many ways available even now that they can do so and make a profit. For instance, some podcasts are designed to work on a payment basis. A hip hop artist who wished to share his music could charge for addition to the feed list, then issue a unique feed address to the user, allowing them to hear new pieces of hip hop music released. The hip hop music file could even be designed so it could not be copied and used by another user at a different computer, to ensure that the artist could maintain control over his work.



By: Andrew Manifield

About the Author:

There are many different styles of jewelry that can be worn. All of these can range from the understated and elegant, to outrageous and gleaming. From these various styles of jewelry Hip Hop jewelry is now being worn by many young men and women who want to emulate their favorite singers who are known to wear these styles of jewelry. Hip Hop jewelry has been given other names due to the flashy look that is apparent with them.

Unlike normal jewelry Hip Hop jewelry is meant to be seen and admired. For this reason you will see Hip Hop jewelry that is bold and in your face. The jewelry itself will be made from silver or gold. These jewelry pieces will not be discreet looking. Instead you can expect to see thick ropes of gold or silver chains that sport crosses or other icons.

Hip Hop jewelry has been given names that emphasize its bold look. These names are ones like Bling Bling jewelry and iced out jewelry. These names were given with the rap connection that these Hip Hop jewelry had. The name of Hip Hop jewelry does not stop at chains or gem studded crosses though. You can find watches that have the same in-your-face quality that the Hip Hop jewelry does.

Today you can find Hip Hop jewelry being sold in stores where artistic fashion accessories can be found. You will also be able to buy these Hip Hop jewelry styles from other jewelry stores that cater to the Hip Hop music crowd who wants to live that style of life without having to worry about the lack of that type of money.

You will also find a large selection of Hip Hop jewelry available on the internet. Here you can preview the wide selection from the comfort of your home and imagine if the piece of Hip Hop jewelry that you wan to buy will look good on you.

You will find these Hip Hop jewelry being sold under the names of Bling Bling jewelry and iced out jewelry. There is also a selection of Hip Hop jewelry that goes by the name of Grillz. These heavily gemstone pieces if jewelry loudly proclaim that they belong in the Hip Hop class of jewelry.

The next time that someone mentions Hip Hop jewelry or Bling Bling jewelry or if they ask you about iced out jewelry you will know what they are talking about. While many of today’s fashion trends come and go in the blink of an eye Hip Hop jewelry seem set to stay.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

About the Author:

Blinginice and HIP HOP Jewelry

The hip hop jewelry industry has always been known for its innovation in jewelry specially Men although the bling bling iced out jewelry also available in Women as well, sometimes good and other times bad. However, the newest fashion trend is starting to catch on and that trend is the custom belt buckle, iced out watches and some other new hip hop cloths.Blinginice.com is not the only store selling the Hip Hop Jewelry and other hip hop rapper stuffs like clothing’s, earrings, bracelets and belt buckles, but Blinginice.com is different due to its extra ordinary special features and customer services.

Blinginice is not only an online virtual store selling Hip Hop Fashion jewelry but we also have our outlet in Georgia USA so that people come to us if they need the demo of anything. We have the state -of-the-art online shop for the convenience of out customers all around the world.

Low Price High Quality:

Low Prices and High Quality Hip Hop Jewelry and iced out fashion, it’s very hard to find both the things at one stop. Blinginice.com provides you the lowest prices and the highest quality products available in the market under one roof.

FREE Shipping:

Blinginice.com is unique due to its unbelievable offer to ship free world wide. So where ever you are and you need to buy or gift any hip hop jewelry to any of your friend, relative or anyone else you can simply place the order and shipping address and your ordered product will be delivered to your doorstep with in few working days.

Customer Services:

Buy a product is a 1st step but where most of the people lack is the customer services. Blinginice have the dedicated people whose work is to support the customers in case of any problem and satisfy them from the product completely.

Business may means selling a product or services but for blinginice.com Business means a long term relationship, Blinginice love to build the long term relationship so once a person buy a product next time he /she do not look around anywhere for the HIP HOP Jewelry. http://www.blinginice.com

 



By: moosa hemani

About the Author:

The last few years were not a good time for the music industry in terms of album sales. No genre has taken this harder than hip hop, which dropped 44 percent in sales since 2000 and accounted for a mere 10 percent of the total music sales. Despite this, the cash still kept coming in for the hip hop moguls who went beyond being rappers and became big-time entrepreneurs.

In the Forbes’ list of hip hop cash kings, the top earners were artists who didn’t just produce albums and go on concert tours; they were head honchos of multi-million empires which were banked on the entire hip hop and pop culture. These personalities put their stamp on everything, from sneakers to vitamin water, so much so that were already brands in themselves.

The current top earner in the hip hop industry is Def Jam Recordings CEO Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z. After a supposed retirement in 2003, the rapper staged a recording comeback three years later with his 11th studio album Kingdom Come. The album fared well with 680,000 copies sold on its first week, topping the US Billboard chart.

Album sales are nothing but a small fraction of Jay-Z’s wealth though. In March 2007, the rapper earned $204 million, before taxes, in the sale of his clothing brand Rocawear to the Iconix Brand Group. He will still manage the marketing, licensing, and product development of the label and will pocket another $35 million if the brand performs well for the next three to five years.

The business-savvy rapper also co-owns the franchise of 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar, as well as a small stake in the NBA team New Jersey Nets. In October 2006, he was named co-brand director for Budweiser Select after his single was featured in an Anheuser Busch ad. He also earns about $13 million annually for the distribution of the Scottish vodka Armadale. His income for 2006 was estimated at $34 million. All in all, Jay-Z’s wealth as of 2007 amounted to $547 million dollars.

Sean Combs, now known simply as Diddy after a series of name changes, is the second wealthiest hip hop entertainer although he placed third in the Forbes list of top hip hop earners for 2006. With an estimated net worth of $358 million, Diddy rules over an empire consisting of the record label Bad Boy Records, the Sean John clothing line, the Unforgivable cologne, and two restaurants called Justin’s. Forbes placed his earnings for 2006 at $28 million.

Another hip hop millionaire worth an estimated $200 million is 50 Cent. His G-Unit includes a clothing company, a sneakers brand, video games, and a line of fiction. He also owned 10 percent of Glaceau, a line of beverages. When Coca Cola purchased the brand for $4.1 billion, 50 Cent reportedly got $100 million (before taxes). The rapper also owns a condom line and is involved in a number of films. He landed on the number two spot of the Forbes list with a 2006 income of $32 million.

Time magazine once branded hip hop as capitalism with a beat. If so, then these rhyming millionaires are at the helm of it.



By: Kristien Wilkinson

About the Author:

From all of your favorite hip hop artists, they have come out with influential lines of clothes, perfumes and jewelry which has influenced the way people are dressing. Such hip hop moguls include Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Jay Z and Russell Simmons have all created successful hip hop lines which include hip hop jewelry and have contributed to the hip hop jewelry trends around the world and particularly in the United States.

The latest hip hop jewelry trend are custom made belt buckles. The hip hop fashion industry have seriously taken hip hop jewelry to the next level. These custom made belt buckles come in two different forms. The first is a name plate on the belt buckle and the other is the high tech belt buckle adorning a LED scrolling screen. This hip hop jewelry trend has taken off tremendously with some of the biggest hip hop names showing off their custom made hip hop jewelry belts.

This Hip Hop jewelry trend shows off the initials of the people or the entire name in celebs favorite bling which are diamonds. Custom created belt buckles can also express famous celebrity expressions such as Paris Hilton’s “That’s Hott” slogan.

The alternative custom made belt buckle is the LED Scrolling screen. The design is a rectangular shaped belt buckle with a LED screen that is placed on top of it. The person then inputs up to eight of their favorite messages to show up on the screen. This hip hop jewelry screen messenger will then display these messages one at a time by either scrolling across the screen or for added exposure they can brightly flash across the screen.

This is a popular hip hop trend that has caught on fast not only between celebrities but with the public as well. Society may not have enough money for real bling bling, but there are definitely imitation hip hop jewelry custom belt buckles that are being exhibited on people’s waists all around the United States in the hip hop communities.

Not only have these hip hop pieces been the talk of the town but an actual hip hop jewelry event has taken many people by surprise. Recently the Phillips de Pury & Co. sold huge amounts of hip hop jewelry from famous hip hop celebrities such as Sean Combs, Notorious BIG, Lil’ John Kayne West and the big seller Tupac Shakur with a large amount of the proceeds going to charity. This is not a normal hip hop jewelry trend yet it is the start to a new trend that auction houses would like to begin due to the extreme popularity of hip hop and the proceeds that it generates.

Hip hop artists are always looking in the next big thing to invest in whether it be a rising hip hop star or a rising hip hop jewelry trend. These jewelry trends occur at any given moment. For now, custom built belt buckles are in and hip hop jewelry auctions are on the rise for jewelry from big name Celebrities whose fashion trends will never be outdated.



By: Jay Withers

About the Author:

www.vmusicbook.com sells an e-book, which provides solutions for most issues that unsigned musicians experience.

VmusicBook was created for those who wish to set up and successfully run an independent music business, especially for the URBAN markets such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Drum & Bass and all other Dance genres including UK Grime.

VmusicBook is one of the first music resources of its kind. It is said to be the most comprehensive and detailed directories sold online giving you direct access to 100s of important contacts.

VmusicBook is an invaluable business tool for unsigned talent looking to turn their talents or skills into a legal business. No matter what you do if it is creative and entertaining then this is without doubt for you.

The VmusicBook was made for unsigned artists and musicians, label owners, music producers, songwriters, engineers and mangers. Get your music or songs into television, films and commercials.

Are you thinking of becoming a famous Hip Hop artist and want to your music to be featured in films and TV? Here are some tips that can help you get your hip-hop beats on film & TV. While thinking about becoming famous make sure that although fame is a wonderful thing, it is not easy to attain, however it is surely reachable through various ways. You will get famous personalities in all the fields, including politics, acting, sports or entertainment. There are several ways to become famous in every field and if you try to find out those ways, you will be able to achieve success in your filed.

How to get Your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV

Once you become familiar with the entertainment industry, you will find there is a massive number of hopeful artists but very few of them become successful. In such condition, you should try to find out why only few of the aspiring actors become successful. If you try to find out the reasons, you will realize that it requires one to be industrious, properly skilled, hard working and widely experienced to become a successful in any field. If you want to get your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV, you will have to build up the act of adopting stage names. Many successful personalities have done so to improve their fame and become memorable forever. If you see an example of Ray Charles, whose name was Ray Robinson had to accept a pen name as there was already a boxer of the same name.

Use English or anglicized names to get your Hip-Hop Beats on film & TV

So many successful personalities have used this trick to become a successful professional in their fields. For example, people, who had migrated from other parts of the world to America, adopted pen names to hide their colonizer identities. Robert Zimmerman, one of the great musicians, is famous as Bob Dylan in the industry. The second option to become famous is to adopt a single word as your stage name. Suppose your name is Gilchrist Christopher, you can make it famous as Gilly instead of using full name. You can also take some tips from celebrities who have officially changed their names to become successful artists.

Discover your voice to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV

You will have to discover your voice to become famous as well as to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV. Whether you are a comedian or a musician, you should have the capability to speak on mass level and make them involved in listening to you. You can do this by showing advertisements of your Hip Hop beats on TV and film. While talking in front of camera or on mass level, you need to use your assurance fully because if you speak in lower tone it will show your lack of confidence.

Use the Poetics of Hip Hop to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV

If you try the method of analysis of Hip Hop music and lines, people can understand it easily due to diction, beat, variety and sound of music and song. It will help the people find out common features between hip-hop beats and songs. In this way, you can use various types of tricks to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On film & TV.

Coutesy of www.vmusicbook.com ©VmusicBook, Inc. 2008



By: vmusicbook Inc

About the Author:

Hip hop music or also known as rap, is a kind of music genres which consists of rap backing beats. The rise of hip hop is because of the change in united states urban culture especially in 1970s. Most important is the low cost involved in getting started, living cost was quite cheap, and the chances for anyone to MC with popular hip hoper.

There is a difference between Rap and MC, Rap means talk to girl or speak to someone, it was used by Rappers Delight, Sugar Hill Gang, and become the title for hip hop recording, while MC, is a word to describe a hip hoper hosting a jam and rhyming on the mic or master of ceremony.

There are important volunteers of hip hop :

1. James Brown, his dancing, musical feel and his break beats, influenced the born of hip hop genres.

2. Capoeira, see how the dances, its the root of hip hop dances. As we know capoeira is from angola, it is a kind of african dance, capoeira movement and style influenced hip hop dances.

3. Salsa, latin communities who lives in New York have special dance called salsa or bombi plena, this kind of dance also give important influence on hip hop culture.

Hip hop name is comes from rapper, named Keith Cowboy, through Dj Hollywood, but the first one who create hip hop terms is from Black Spades which is a member of Afrika Bambaataa gang.

In 70s, a lot of hip hop clubs appears, there are Hevalo Club, Twilight Zone, Executive Play House, The Fever, Savoy Manor, Boys Club, Over The Dover, Bronx River Center, Penny Lounge,Celebrity Club, Black Door, Sparkle, Skate Key. The pioneers of hip hop Dj are, Charlie Chase, Whiz Kid, Grand Wizard Theodore, Kool Herc, Bug Starski, Johny Thunderbird, Eddie Cheeba, and Tony Tone.

Now, Hip-hop has globalized into a lot of cultures in the world. We can find hip-hop in every corner of the globe, especially at the South Bronx. Hip hop has emerged globally as an movement of art with the uses of technology, speech and body. Music will always continue to embrace, hip-hop’s inspiration differs depend on each culture. Although hip-hop is sometimes taken for permitted by Americans, it is not so elsewhere, especially in the developing countries where it has come to reflect the empowerment of the disenfranchised. Hip-hop music has reached the cultural corridors of the globe and has been absorbed and reinvented worldwide



By: Sayid Aksa

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