How do mixtape rappers make money

Hip-hop artists, too, along with pretty much everyone in the music industry, are now setting up and running monetized YouTube channels.

Clearly, YouTube monetization can generate excellent side income. So, if you are an amateur, beginner, or lesser-known rapper, you should definitely consider YouTube as a potential revenue stream and a great way to reach a wider audience.

The low barrier to entry and the largely merit-based system make YouTube a real springboard to success. But how does YouTube monetization work? There are three types of ads that can be embedded on a video:. These are placed right before the start of the video and typically run for about 30 seconds. Channel owners get paid per click, which means that brands will pay for the number of times people clicked on the ad, rather than the sheer number of views.

In-stream ads also show up before the video starts, but viewers have the option to skip them after the first five seconds. For this type of ad, advertisers pay per view. These are short, non-skippable ads that are usually only six seconds long. They also run before the video, and you will be paid per view.

YouTube ad payout rates vary greatly depending on the state of the market, the country you are in, the size of your channel, and the advertisers themselves. In addition, different types of ads pay differently: skippable in-stream ads tend to be the most lucrative, followed by pre-roll ads. Note that the number of impressions does not equal the view count: on average, only about 30 to 40 percent of the views qualify as impressions.

Sponsorships are another great way to make money on YouTube. Brands will often reach out to popular creators asking them to promote their products or services. You will get paid for product placement or endorsing the brand on your channel.

Alternatively, you can also contact brands yourself, which might be a good idea if you are still looking to establish your name as a rapper but have a decent online following. Rappers can also make money by making their music available on online streaming services. Unfortunately, however, it can be difficult for artists to get decent earnings. The way the system is set up means that the most popular artists can make millions in payouts while the small ones are left with rather meager sums — a winner-takes-all-situation if ever there was one.

Another reason for the modest profits to be made on streaming platforms is the large number of middlemen in the industry. Due to various obscure technical reasons such as server miscommunication and faulty metadata, the number of streams is severely under-reported. The good news is that experts believe that the industry is eventually going to regulate itself via legislative changes, better-negotiated contractual terms, and technological innovation.

While no one can predict when that will happen, if you are a little-known hip-hop artist, it is still worth your while to make your music available for streaming. Not only will this generate some cash at least, but you will also get exposure to a potentially wider audience. So far, we have only focused on how rappers can make money through their songs. However, hip-hop artists can also monetize their music and fame indirectly via advertising.

Traditionally, rock stars and even some pop singers have been reluctant to advertise or endorse brands. The presumption was that this would make them come across as sellouts.

Things could not be more different in hip-hop, where the vast majority of rappers have been more than willing to accept brand partnerships. One explanation for this might be the money-oriented, hustling mindset that is such a substantial part of hip-hop culture. The drive to succeed and make the big bucks just comes with the territory. Brands have been quick to capitalize on the opportunity.

For the most part, traditional direct advertising has been eschewed in exchange for more subtle techniques such as name-dropping brand names in rap lyrics. To take a well-known example, the word Gucci appears over 6, times in English-language song lyrics. Others, like Gucci Mane, have even made it a part of their artistic pseudonyms.

Of course, not everyone can land a sweet Gucci deal. Still, there are countless other smaller and mid-sized brands that are keen on partnering with rappers, which range from traditional industries like fashion, travel, and food and beverage to entirely new niches such as e-sports.

You just have to put yourself out there and be persistent. Once you make a name for yourself as a rapper, you can branch out into selling your branded merchandise. Many successful hip-hop artists have their own perfume and clothing lines, but there are many other potentially lucrative types of merch to consider.

You could also sell digital products such as limited song and album releases, email subscriptions, or other premium online content. Best of all, in this day and age, you do not need to be a chart-topping performer to sell merch: if you build a relatively popular YouTube channel, you can use it to promote your products to your followers.

Crowdfunding campaigns on popular platforms such as Kickstarter or GoFundMe can be a great way for independent rappers to get their foot in the door. If you have a small but dedicated fanbase and an original creative project in mind, crowdfunding can help you raise the money you need to finance your idea. Furthermore, while it might take a while to collect the funds, crowdfunding comes with no strings attached.

You have pretty much unlimited creative license to follow your vision. This is something you may not get when working with a producer or a music label; they tend to have their own ideas of how your music should sound.

They let you upload your music and promote it to followers. Releasing you mixes for free online is actually one of the best and most effective ways of generating money out of your mixtapes. That said, if you want to do a longer mixtape, then go for it. The choice is essentially up to you. A well rounded mixtape will have all kinds of tracks that also still flow together very well as one cohesive project.

For an example, look back at some of your favorite albums from rappers you like. Look at what their albums have and what your album might not have yet. Go to the beginning of side A on your tape. Cue up your Spotify or other playlist on the computer. Wait about 1. Users questions. Do rappers get paid for mixtapes?

While music may seem to be the obvious answer, they are likely to already own the albums they love. Here are some great products that budding rappers are sure to appreciate. This hardcover book takes readers on a journey from the origins of rap in the s to the present day.

Studying the careers of different rappers is a good way for new rappers to pick up tips for success. Learning how famous rappers made their way can also provide the motivation to shoot for the stars.

They always say you should fake it until you make it, and this rapper costume allows you to do just that. The costume consists of a faux gold necklace chain, a faux gold chain bracelet, and a pair of flat top sunglasses.

This is a great way to create a lasting impression when turning up to a gig or on Halloween. This detailed book is available in both paperback and Kindle versions and is illustrated with colorful artwork. The book deconstructs the most popular rap song of every year from to the present. This provides rappers with an interesting insight into how songs are written, produced, and marketed.

You may also be interested in our reviews of the Best Microphone Preamps currently on the market. In order to hit the big time, new rappers need to spend time building a fan base and a collection of songs. As a result, their salary may be rather low for the first few years.

Many new rappers start out part-time until they make enough to turn their passion into a full-time job. Even those who do not become international stars can still make good money as a rapper. These days, there are several different money streams that can be taken advantage of. These include social media platforms, while talented songwriters can make money selling songs to established rappers and working with them.

So get to it and start your rap career today! Your email address will not be published. Jennifer is a freelance writer from Montana.

Her passions include guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano, as well as a range of classical instruments she has been playing since at school.