6 More Life And Business Lessons From The Rap Game

What has Hip hop taught you? from hiphopheads

I’ve heard that the music you listen to between the ages of 14-24 has the most profound impact on your life.

If the rap game is a microcosm of life, here’s what we can learn.

In case you missed it, here’s Part 1.

Education, class, mentorship, learning from people smarter than you.

Regerence cosmolpolis quote about age, talk about Kanye.

Kanye stepping up to Drake.

Humility.

Talk about optics of old rappers; R. Kelly, etc.

“How old are you?

22

You look younger.

I was always younger than everyone around me. Then one day that began to change.

“I don’t feel younger.”

Lesson #1 – Learn How To Move In A Room Full Of Vultures.

In Izzo (H.O.V.A.), Jay Z implores his city to learn from his blueprint. He compares the music industry to vultures — disgusting scavengers, eating the flesh of music artists; Jay is trying to show other artists how to handle the corporate world. His little brother Kanye, still hasn’t learned. Sway and Charlamagne The God dismantled him in their radio interviews. And Kanye’s excuse? Kanye West proclaims that he doesn’t know how to talk.

Lesson #2 – Assume An Empire State Of Mind.

One revenue stream simply isn’t enough. Album sales. This isn’t 1996. More importantly, save and invest your money. DMX, Loon and Bow Wow are all cautionary tales. On the other hand, you have 50 Cent and Diddy. It’s immunity. Please watch ESPN’s 30 for 30 episode, Broke. List Diddy’s, 50 Cent’s, etc.’s investments. Share a link to Forbes.

“I’m not a businessman / I’m a business, man! / Let me handle my business, damn.” – Jay Z

The subject of today’s vitriol is Bow Wow. Would you believe me if I said that last year, most us had a higher net worth than Mr. Shad Gregory Moss? At one point in his career, Bow Wow was worth $$$ and was dropping lines like “this”.

Build an empire. Career vs. Job (Chris Rock)

If riding the bus doesn’t motivate you
Talk a lot Kendrick fiddy jay

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/emjl45hfjl/floss-a-little-invest-up-in-a-mutual-fund-busta-rhymes-dangerous/

Lesson #3 – Relax, You Don’t Have To Respond. 

When Game first met Jay Z, Game asked him how he managed to stay relevant, to which Hov said “Most of you rappers won’t last, find a new lane.” *Mic Drop* Since then, Game has taken a few shots on the wax at Jay Z. But there’s never been any response. No collaboration, nothing. The Game’s been somewhat blacklisted by the upper echelons.

The Game vs. Jay-Z. Dog howls at a moon. Kanye vs. Kimmel. 50 Cent & Cam’ron beef. Diddy on a HOT97 phone call beef with Jadakiss & Styles P.

“My memories never faded / I can’t relate to these haters, my enemies never made it.” – Drake

“You don’t think that like, half of Drake’s songs was coming at me to the point where I had to show up on stage with him? And he’s like “Okay, now you see me.”

Power of the gaze. Talk about UTSC, Leonard. It’s power.

Lesson #4 – Surround Yourself With People That Challenge You.

TDE, A$AP Mob. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.” Pay homage to the pioneers, but  make your own legacy. Move on. Drake has phone calls with Jay Z. Drake needs to get out of YMCMB.Reverse mentorship; Kanye w/ Tyler, Kanye w/ Drake. Embrace new style. Learn about it. “36 year old”…”Don’t make friends with people you wouldn’t create a business with.” (Evernote slide)

Lesson # 5 – Go All In

Drake vs. Kendrick. I like Childish Gambino, but he can’t seem to excel at being an actor or a rapper.http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/gq-crowns-kendrick-lamar-the-next-king-of-rap-k-dot-speaks-on

“I got love for you all but I’m tryna murder you niggas / Trying to make sure your core fans never heard of you niggas / They don’t want to hear not one more noun or verb from you niggas.” – Kendrick Lamar

Embrace adversity
I’m from the 312, where cops don’t come through, where dreams don’t come true.

Jay interview about Kanye being the indian that runs over the hills. You might think it’s funny, but here’s someone who’s determined to get into the fashion world.

Lesson #6 – Create Music, Not Moments

“All that other bullshit is here today, gone tomorrow…” Gimmicks don’t work. Obie Trice! Real name, no gimmicks. Trinidad James has no lasting power.

Don’t be 50 Cent. And unless you’re Eminem, play it safe. You don’t have to rap anymore. There’s nothing about your reality that isn’t congruent with your music. I see the pain in these Power 105.1 interviews. Ja Rule, Nelly, Cam’ron. Man.