It's Okay... you can take notes.

Step by Step Booklet
written by JusHH

I know, I know, we are living in some challenging times. We’re still fighting two wars, the economy is in the toilet and it’s hard for a rapper to do anything. But it’s a New Year and we’re not going to look in the past. I know all you rappers are trying to figure out how you can get that paper in ’09 but look no further – JusHH is here to give you a guide on how to get your game on track and not your wig pushed back.

First and foremost, focus on making good music. If the Kanye/ 50 battle and Lil’ Wayne proved anything, it’s that good music can still sell (despite what you think, one hit wonders don’t see either). If your fans believe they will get quality product, then they will support you.

Do more shows. Even when the market was good, rappers never really made their money off of albums. Get on the road and hit every college, club, bar and lounge from NY to LA. The Roots have built their entire career on live performances and they are no where near the unemployment line. They built a solid fan base that will go see the Roots whenever they are in town so they always have a check waiting ($10,000 adds up).

Stop spending money on videos. Seriously. Videos used to serve the purpose of putting a face to the name, getting your fans to be more familiar with who you are. But with the internet, that’s no longer necessary. Why spend $150,000 of your budget to pay Hype Williams when you’ll never make that back with album sales. Instead get more creative with your videos (see any rock video) and cut your costs (see YouTube).

Go corporate. No really, step your suit and tie game up. TI said on his album how profitable it was to partner up with corporate America. Even though he probably still has a nice bank account, I’m sure is pockets are significantly thinner after losing all his endorsements. (50 made $100 million of Vitamin Water, Jay-Z had Budweiser pay for his music video and it seems Boost Mobile can’t wait to give a rapper some money for a commercial.) Think about what products are out there and use your name to help that company sell it!

Stay out of the news for stupid s**t. (see Young Berg) This includes but not limited to, committing felonies, committing misdemeanors, cheating on your wife (if you have one), not paying child support, getting caught with weed, getting caught with a firearm, or anything else that isn’t positive. The maintaining your gangster image thing is no good if you end up in prison or can’t get any legitimate company to back you (see corporate rule). Ask Shyne, Remy or Prodigy how their news articles are helping their careers.

Work with T-Pain.

Stay on top of your own money. Learn how to invest and make that money grow. (Real Estate and even Stocks) Even if you do have a successful rap career, it will only last but so long. Its your fault if you can’t let $100,000 last longer than a trip to Vegas.

Movie/ TV money is REAL. Get acting classes, buy a production company. (see Ice Cube, Snoop, Will Smith and Queen Latifah.) You get in that game and you’ll be able to start making music for fun.

Lastly, stay who you are. No one ever sells more trying to make a brand of music that doesn’t fit them. Fans see through that and will bail on you in a heartbeat. (Lupe didn’t change and he went Gold on his sophomore effort.) If your music is good, people will catch on. Just make the dopest s**t that you know how to make and let it do what it do. Everyone has the chance to win in ‘2009. And if you don’t ever blow up…

Don’t be mad, UPS is hirin’

**Best of ’08 list next week!**