The other guys...

I Put On…
written by Just K

Record deal? Check

Album in stores? Check

Iced out Chain? Check

Rims that cost more than the average blogger’s car? Check

So, what’s stopping this guy from being a rap superstar?

The fact that he was put on by a rap superstar. You know the put ons I’m talking about. The USDAs, St. Lunatics, Bravehearts, and Byrd Gangs of the hip-hop community. Ah, the gift and curse of being a crewmember that got put on by a star.

Well, let’s look at the positives. First, and most importantly, you’ve got the groupies. Nothing’s better for a crewmember than a groupie that can’t quite get to the superstar, but is willing to settle for one of his homeboys. I mean, when you read Confessions of a Video Vixen and saw all the names of all the stars homegirl slept with, just think of how many crewmembers got taken care of along the way.

Then there’s the random record deal and album release regardless of skill level. When you think top 10, top 100 – hell, even top 1,000 MCs that ever touched a microphone, does the name Blood Raw pop into your head? Not so much, huh? Doesn’t matter. Guess who dropped an album in June ’08 on Def Jam Records? You guessed it. MC 1,001 on the greatest MC list, Blood Raw. Never mind that his flow is about as smooth as a wooden roller coaster ride. And don’t even trip off him sounding a lot like the guy that put him on, minus the charisma. Forget about the fact that his buzz was weaker than a retarded bee’s. Homeboy is a crewmember. Go cop the album.

And, of course, there’s opportunity to do and see things you never would have. You can pop bottles of overpriced champagne that you’re overcharged for in random locations throughout the world. You can go to places like Amsterdam and smoke the best weed legally. Every time you hop on stage with your put on, you’re probably getting a check. And every check you get is one check you wouldn’t have had without getting put on. You got an album, you got fans, you got money…you got put on.

And now for the drawbacks.

Don’t have dreams of getting out of pocket. It doesn’t matter how many videos you drop, how many tours you’re on, and how many records you sell. You’ll always be viewed as (Insert star’s name here) homeboy. You can be the best rapper ever. You’re still (Insert star’s name here) homeboy. And usually you don’t get to rise any higher than “star” if you even make it that far. The term “superstar” is reserved for the ones that do the putting on.

And speaking of record sales, especially in this climate, going platinum ain’t too likely. Going gold ain’t looking so good either. Matter of fact, I’ll just go ahead and predict your CD will go double linoleum. Hope they make a plaque for that. See, as a crewmember, you’re definitely not getting top promotion. They might even drop your CD the same day as the guy that put you on (see: Big Kuntry and T.I.). I’ll let you speculate as to who will have more posters in the street, more money spent on their video, and more publicity in general.

A huge danger surfaces when you come out as a member of a big crew. When it’s just one or two of you, that’s cool. But as soon as you start talking four members or more, it’s easy to become a what’s-his-name. When what’s-his-name’s song hits the radio, a lot of times the masses are just waiting for the guest appearance from (Insert…you know).

Now this is the doozy. When Superstar’s career fades, crewmembers’ careers take the same turn. No more random releases and no more world tours. You still get groupies, but the dimes start looking like rusty copper coins. Nelly’s last CD didn’t sell so well even though it was an alright disc. When do you think the St. Lunatics will drop again? February 30th is right around the corner.

Crew Love. It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. If you manage to flip a put on and establish your own identity a la Juelz Santana – sweet. If not, there’s nothing wrong with staying down with the crew. Just be careful that you don’t go down with it, too.