The pandemic of COVID-19 has been going on for over a year now and has changed the lives of everyone. It has also made many industries have to rethink how they will operate to continue to make money. For example, the travel industry has seen record lows in travel and has had to rethink its business with staffing, options for flights and trips, and has made serious budget cuts. The rap and music industry is no different and has had to find new ways to supplement their income since they can no longer hold tours and meet and greets. So what are the ways that rappers are continuing to make money during the pandemic? Keep reading to find out 9 of the ways that rappers can still make money.
Tik Tok
The app Tik Tok allows its users to post short videos with different content from pranks to beauty to the music. Tik Tok has blown up over the past few years and is now in a position where its stars can make some serious money. Music artists have taken to Tik Tok as a way to connect with their audience and share their music. Because the rappers already have a following they can easily share their new profile with their fans and get a great following right away. They can make money on Tik Tok by sharing products, having ads on their videos, and having a large number of views. Tik Tok has been proven to be an effective method of earning an income as long as you do it smartly.
Youtube
Youtube is a tried and true social media that lets artists express themselves in longer video format. Youtube is not only for music videos though, but it can also be a place to have a more intimate connection with fans. The pandemic has made many of us vulnerable and appreciates the simpler things in life. With more time on our hands than ever, it is a great time for artists to be creative in sharing their music and lives. Rappers can take to Youtube to do daily vlogs, challenges, music videos, sponsored content, or even a home tour. While they may rather be on the road doing a tour, Youtube can be an opportunity for their fans to have an even stronger connection and want to listen to their music even more.
Social Media
Social media in general on formats such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Clubhouse can be another place to make money. Through engagement, advertisements, and sponsorships there is an opportunity to create a space that people want to see and can also result in some revenue for you. The largest stream of revenue on social media is brand sponsorships. This is where an influencer collaborates with a brand to share their product or service on their social media page. This encourages supporters to purchase the product which warrants a big payout depending on the number of followers and engagement. However, when doing this it is important to only work with brands that you really trust and support. If fans are led astray it could result in distrust and a decrease in the fan base.
Fashion
Fashion is another great place for rappers to get some money during the pandemic. Rappers do not have to become the next Kanye West and start a fashion line like Yeezy. It could be as simple as creating merchandise such as a t-shirt, hoodie, sweatpants, or even masks. People that care about an artist are willing to support them no matter the endeavor, so merchandise is a great way to keep the audience engaged even if you are not on the stage. If we have learned anything from the hype beasts one great strategy is to have items be limited edition or limited supply. With an exclusive item, you can charge more, create a demand, and create buzz around the item, brand, and of course the music.
Featuring
Many artists have decided not to make music of their own during this time for many reasons. Featuring on other rappers tracks is another option to still make music without having to take the lead. While the money will not be as good as creating a single or album, there is still an opportunity to create revenue. Collaborating also can be seen as a great networking opportunity to connect with other artists. This can help spark inspiration, create future opportunities, and get the creative juices flowing.
Some of the best songs with features during this pandemic are “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “Rockstar” by DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, and “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce. This is proof that when some of the best artists come together to make music, art can really happen.
Performances
Performances may not be what they used to be with traveling across the world to share music. But, there are still ways to do performances and get paid while doing them. Television is a great place to share music and reach millions of people at one time. While it is not the same feeling of performing in front of thousands of people it is a great way to adapt to the changing times. Talk shows are a great place to perform since there are not many people on set and can decrease exposure. There has even been an increase in viewership on these shows since they have been revived with no live studio audience. Award shows and virtual events are other great places to perform while staying safe.
Acting
It took some time, but with the right precautions, movie and TV production has gotten back to shooting. This is a perfect opportunity for rappers to get into acting if it is something that they are interested in. This does not mean that they have to become the next big thing in acting, but there are both small and large opportunities to be had on the big screen. Also, the big and little screens have commercials that are always looking for celebrity representation. Being featured on a commercial can have large impacts on one’s career as well as just making money from the ad itself. If acting hasn’t been considered yet it is definitely something to have in the back of the rapper’s minds.
TV and Movies
As mentioned TV and movies are currently being filmed and created. This creates an opportunity not only to be in the production but to also have the music be featured in the soundtrack as well. By working with the producers of the movie or the music supervisors music can be either created for the production or already made music can be plugged into the production. This is a great way for rappers to make money because the rights to the song will be purchased for the film or the rapper can make money just for making the song for the movie. Either way, this is a great way to make money and find more fans through the people that watch the movie or show and appreciate the music and investigate further.
Finding Inspiration
Sometimes the best thing to do is to invest in yourself. The pandemic has given everyone a lot of space to sit back and reflect, this is no different for rappers. There can be pressure to put out music, especially when almost everyone is home and has little to do. Fighting this pressure can be difficult but taking the time to find inspiration in this unprecedented time can also be a great idea. With all of the time and space, there is little distraction and can be the perfect opportunity to make amazing music that can really touch the world. So, taking the time now to reflect on life and its lessons can be a wise investment for the future of music.
Conclusion
A global pandemic is a time for adaptation. Things are not as they usually are so it is necessary to get creative to find new ways to use talents to make a living. Thankfully in the world of the internet and constant entertainment, there are many ways to make money in the digital era. Social media, virtual performances, acting, working with other artists, and forging your way into the fashion world are all great ideas to make some money during this time. It is also important to acknowledge that it is perfectly okay to take some time off to seek inspiration and reflect on the world around you. Just remember that the world is always changing whether there is a pandemic or not. The beauty in life is that you never know where it will take you, so stay along for the ride to see what beautiful things will come.
Resources:
https://www.adidas.com/us/yeezy
https://www.thewrap.com/late-night-shows-ratings-grew-no-live-studio-audience/
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9495070/best-rap-songs-2020-top-20
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