French Montana EXPOSES How Streaming Is BRAINWASHING Rappers?

French Montana EXPOSES How Streaming Is BRAINWASHING Rappers?
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[@Harry_11]

💯 They should be called free agents, because that’s what they are. I come from the punk rock world and that is literally where D.I.Y. originated way back in the 1970s. Bands silk screened their own T-Shirts, did their vinyl and cassette tape artwork at Kinkos, booked AND hosted their own shows at independent VFW halls and clubs. By the late ‘80s and early ‘90s there were tons of true independent labels, record stores, and clubs. An entire ecosystem separate from the major labels. A lot of bands didn’t want to get signed because it was about independence from the system and above all else, art and music. It was a lifestyle. Then the Grunge feeding frenzy happened and bands realized they could get big advances and be on MTV, so they sold out. The major labels bought up most of the once-independent labels and made them subsidiaries at best or imprints at worst. Curtis, I would love for you to discuss the fact that we long ago shifted away from the punk rock DIY mentality of building your own community and instead for the past 15-20 years have been chasing “making it” as defined by the major labels and now the tech companies. I grew up playing in local rock bands and I saw the shift around the time Spotify came to the US. No one cared about their local scene or building a community - they just wanted to get signed or go viral and leave the great unwashed as they saw their peers, behind. There was no community building or friendliness or networking. The irony is a lot of the bands from the late ‘90s and early 2000s that went on to define to pop punk/emo/screamo scenes of my youth came from a DIY East Coast independent scene. Bands like Thursday and Taking Back Sunday - both on small independent labels - were responsible for bands like My Chemical Romance getting any exposure at the local level and ultimately they became one of the biggest bands of that era. But their success was paved by bands from the mid and late ‘90s that built the very communities and networks that enabled a band like MCR to even exist. What I’m saying, I guess, is that this is as much about the tech companies and the labels as it is the mentality of artists the past 20 years. Artists are so afraid of leaving clout and (perceived) money on the table that they will undercut each other and do what those in the major label system tell them if it means they’ll be “famous.” There is no long term thinking occurring. Cynically, perhaps, I feel like artists like French Montana are just ticked off that they aren’t making the $$$ or achieving the same level of relevance they once had under the major label model and during an older era that was less fragmented than it is now in 2024. You see it a lot with artists that have been around for decades. I think it really reveals who is actually doing this for the art and for the journey versus who really just wants fame, clout, and money.

[@Harry_11]

@@bipol4rr Not my fault you lack reading comprehension skills.

[@kdnkits]

All facts

[@DeeMaxum]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯💯💯💯

[@nomanejane5766]

Yup, selling out was considered a bad thing. Now everyone wants to sell out, be on a major label, have a McDonald's collab, fashion nova sponsorship etc

[@Harry_11]

@@nomanejane5766 Exactly. And people wonder why no one looks up to musicians and respects them anymore. Everyone is just hawking trinkets with no message, unwilling to leave any money on the table. Same as everyone else in America.

[@donnytheflow]

Usher, French, Meek, and Ye are all independent majors. They've been in the industry and benefited from that (still will to an extent). You can be independent now (welcome!) but we won't overlook nor forget the fact that you had a massive boost in your careers

[@poppinc8145]

French Montana started out independent though. He built a large movement on the east coast just off DVDs and mixtapes between the 2000s and early-2010s before eventually signing with Bad Boy.

[@HamsquadBeast]

If an artist went through the machine and becomes “independent” later in their career I usually refer to them as Legacy artist

[@Marcustrh]

We gotta hold chance the rapper accountable for claiming independence when he had major management and major label distribution and access to there level of marketing. Megan the stallion as well being signed to roc nation management but she’s indie now too 😂

[@Forgianomarkets]

That’s like blaming tsrget for hiring a manufacture in china to make their clothing lol.

[@BIGOBAMA1]

So what about master p is he indie ?? Or no cause he got a major distro deal or cash money or bad boy or death row

[@Marcustrh]

@@BIGOBAMA1 they all have distribution deals with majors, no limit and cash money funded there own artist marketing until they were able to work out a deal as they had leverage. Bad boy had Andre Herell, who was involved with bad boy from the beginning ? The dude who had a distribution deal with MCA! Totally independent 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@N3yo100]

A distrubution deal is just to get your music out there on platforms or direct sales etc You need management to handle bookings etc if you sign to a label as their artist your not indipendent

[@jetovercast]

Usher Indy 😂 that's like Mike Tyson knocking the shit out of a civilian claiming he boxes for hobby 😂

[@SteveAdamsChannel]

Actually well said! LOL!

[@Project.09]

i think he is tho....

[@JEFFMAN90]

lmaooo

[@BarkingForBroccoliBG]

He's saying rappers went from getting Type Beats to making type songs

[@user-vt5tw9gx2j]

Facts

[@Weonlyknewoneway]

Just heard a new Carti song that sounds like a future song... 🤦‍♀️

[@poppinc8145]

When it comes to SINGLES, physical singles (cassette, CD, LP, EP records) always had multiple songs, whether that be a separate song entirely or acapella, instrumental and remixed versions of the commercial single.

[@beatsbyarketekt]

French is out here making a song a day for a year then release it all in a day 😅

[@aishine8184]

Smart

[@Brandonruffin]

Regardless tha man’s has been apart of some hits fasho

[@scoot3rjohnson]

😶🙃😆🤣😂😭😂🤣😆🙃😶

[@9Mountains9]

Nobody is going to be listening to a French Montana song 10 years from now and everyone knows it.

[@9Mountains9]

If they dont have the power to resurrect Tupac or biggie this question they should’ve left this question alone lol

[@AceeSoul]

Rogan's deal brought a lot of light to the situation and woke musicians up, as well as the new 1000 stream minimum.

[@BLOXKAFELLARECORDS]

Everybody worried about streams.... - French Montana Dropped 126 songs on Spotify last night. 😅😅 - Also French Montana Bruh I'm not listening to these famous cappers no more.

[@poppinc8145]

That was his whole point, breh! He doesn't want to chase streams but he has to. He's just giving game on what's going on.

[@skullnotes918]

This isn't new. People just stopped doing it when physical lost it's allure. Music used to come in multiple versions all the time, especially in the 80s and 90s.

[@christopherlewis2194]

Exactly it’s called maxi singles

[@tylermaine]

*cough* Prince played the halftime show and was truly independent of the industry *cough*

[@SteveAdamsChannel]

Yes, but to be fair, his career was boosted by ML (Major Label) involvement for years before! It created heaven and hell for him!

[@oleeshanorris5343]

They didn't listen

[@xzaviertariq5692]

I actually perfer this upload method. I feel like its better to let the artists to make their own various versions. Because those sped up versions do go viral and can be another income stream, instead of other youtubers doing it themselves with others music. Also i like the fact that it shows they are owning their music more. Because in all honesty, a song is never complete. So might as well own as much as you can. The remix industry is real. Might as well remix your own stuff. Also, the vast majority of people are not sitting and listening through an entire album, they are going to skip within the first 10-15 seconds(being generous), unless they like it. I dont think its a bad approach. I think its pretty cool. The only issue i see with this is when people are going to make 1 half decent album then remix the $h!t out of it for the rest of their lives and come up with no real new material. Also where this would suck would be the bad artists that make bad albums then you have to deal with 65 different copies of the same bad music. But I think people should own their music more and remix it, tweak it, show people how many crazy directions you can go with that one song.

[@julianmccracken7726]

The Labels are going to do it again. Over and Over. We as consumers do know about whats goin on, if some of us don't then they know now. Good looks for the info Curtiss King. 100

[@LIVESTREAM19XX]

Remember when Joey badass fooled the people to think he came out of high school with high production videos as independent while being under cinematic group.Troy ave got crucified for saying Joey wasn’t real independent while the whole time Troy was true independent.

[@TheTrueChrisA.K.]

Have been thinkin' on this topic since last Thursday... & as I did, I noticed on Friday, that the different version model was being used. The same night the regular song had been uploaded... In a couple of minutes apart, slowed down, sped up, acapella & those versions were uploaded. I think it is possibly either a scramble from the suits or somebody on their team, with that familiar line of reach. Great info as always, Curtiss 🫡🙏🏼✊🏼🛠💪🏼💯

[@kog.soundz]

Keep educating us bro 💪

[@dilligafco.official9887]

The one thing I really appreciate from this “versions” era is the resurgence of chopped n screwed, slopped n chopped and slowed and reverb beats to the mainstream. Really brings an old sound back to the new generation.

[@cruzantoine4032]

This observation is excellent Bro. I think you may be spot on about what the labels are eyeing. Reminds me of how they pitched the gig work conversation....🏆

[@poet114]

Great points King 🎥👍

[@MuchieChannel]

For me the whole established Artist through a label now being “Independent” is like a roided out gym guy saying he’s now a natural because he stopped taking steroids for a few months.

[@stormbreaker9436]

Exactly bruh😂

[@goerillamusicgroup73]

Thank you for the services you give !!!

[@dragonspitch4rk]

“Alt-Independence” 😂 Great breakdown. Answered my questions as they rose.

[@ImWesHarris]

You better talk that talk Curtis! In point!

[@user-pf8zr1oo5i]

People should go back to CDs period cause streaming is destroying the music industry

[@tylermarks1769]

Yeah calling usher independent is like a calling a previously drafted player ( for any sport) unknown or hidden talent

[@graytmp]

Curtis, do you think the quantity method will end up being counterproductive? It seems kinda short sighted. If everyone starts doing it, won't it just dilute the profits even more? Since streaming services have a finite income based on subscribers, wouldn't flooding the platforms with new tracks (and/or fake streams) lead to Spotify and other streaming services reducing their payout per stream even more? This music business is so discouraging lol. Love the content tho. Thanks homie

[@Dbznation2055]

Interesting perspective.I just subscribe to your channel

[@sepsissband]

This is perfect ❤❤❤ thank you for exposing the truth

[@xcreenplay7264]

As artist myself I would never dare to make a 6 hour album for streams its kinda 304ish lol

[@clifb.3521]

15:00 you can never go wrong with a Miss Cleo reference 😂😂😂

[@CurtissKingTV]

lmfao! IYKYK!!

[@michaeldeane9014]

I Have been seeing That on A lot of Artists pages That now Have 10 Versions of The same SONG. I Think all you need is The Original and The REMIX.

[@ralphfigaro4485]

i remember when they run from the records company , spotify is the same thing...they just started to realise, yall need to talk to Kanye

[@vasinvinnesha9034]

As soon as you started talking about gamma I wondered if you were going to bring up Usher. 😅 Your impression of him is hilarious 😆

[@Slumzify]

Yeah... A DJ pack AKA Maxi Singles... LOL... When I seen packs like that now. It brings me back to the maxi single vinyl days. Side A) LP Version, Raw Uncut Version, Street Remix type ish. LOL...

[@christopherlewis2194]

Thank u exactly

[@antoniomurphy313]

French came up using direct to consumer with the mixtapes and the cocaine city dvds. his come up was crazy. he eventually teamed up with max b and blew up around the time he got locked up. but im not mad at these guys going indipendent after getting boosted up by the industry. its a solid business move.

[@poppinc8145]

Tell em! Far too many people don't understand French's come up. The industry never wanted him to blow up but he had to break down that door. Of course, he eventually got watered down in the second half of the 2010s, but can nobody take away what he achieved between the mid-2000s and mid-2010s.

[@antoniomurphy313]

im happy someone is up on this lol An other super underrated quality of French is his unique ability to network.on his come up this guy had all the biggest names and up and comers on his dvd just adding people to his rolodex shit was genius. He gets shit for the features but that's a great way to gain access to people who normally wouldn't know who he is. he even found a way to peace things up with Jim Jones. He always finds some way to maintain some sort of relevance. . the last French project isnt bad tho the production is pretty great and he seems to really put more of an effort with the bars. @@poppinc8145

[@NhcMob06511]

Damn dude was smooching wit everybody on another note Nhc Mob got that street music subscribe ya ears if not today tomorrow ya heard me listen 2 Nhc Mob independence is bliss

[@Mxneyside_milly]

💯💯

[@Otherlevel51]

Respect to French for gaming the system.

[@rastagideon8236]

Artists are so lazy today, I stay disappointed.

[@justin.johnson]

Because they are not artists. Support real ones and make the clear distinction.

[@Theonlyraybands]

I’m a hip hop violinist I’m not lazy

[@rgrsnw]

The model is changing Curtis. Labels and label adjacent companies are cutting into distribution. Seeing it was a viable option because distribution has no advance obligations get they still take a cut. Even if small

[@izzychago]

Sales are def down. The industry knows this and really doesn't care about any genre as long as it brings in the feria. Could this be why the pop industry wants to brake into County money. Let's dive in and find out. I feel a flip coming.

[@timelessmusic949]

The music industry is trying their version of inflation on the rap industry and independent artist so that we have no other choice but depend solely on them. Lets just say all artist boycott the industry at the same time what then ?

[@Otherlevel51]

I had this plan once before I quit making music was to release singles until it built up an album. That way each song gets it own push. And I would do that for every album after that.

[@user-jy5fv9vm9m]

Excellent 👍 excellent 👍 👏 video wow true facts hands down

[@Born_Original]

Ayeee peace king we got the same her t-shirt i love her

[@mursikstuff235]

Folks are worried about money getting away from them by remixes getting more play than the original. All you gotta do is reach out and establish a deal with whoever used your work. If it’s a global thing…we have AI to track it all down.

[@PuffinPass]

I don't think the slowed and sped up versions are organic at all, instead I think it is a way to trigger copyright infringement by Tik Tok and Shorts creators who speed up or slow down the audio to avoid a copyright hit. In the end this is a lowkey money grab that most people will miss completely and limit where they can use it without getting a strike.

[@chiefchristopherkru2676]

Leave it to Curtiss to clear up the blurred lines of what an "Independent Artist" is. Some clips from this clip needs to go viral due to other artists potentially getting demotivated from the "Independent gentrification".

[@oleeshanorris5343]

French is a smart business man love it.

[@titanyouniverse]

I Love Chopped & Screwed Music So The Idea Is Cool Bc That Would Be A Style For A Mixtapes.

[@ideedit]

The trick I use is to make multiple versions of same song in different genre categories like a remix. The song sounds different but it's the same song same lyrics therefore less writing needed.

[@thejoshytofficial]

Curtis, you and French Montana look like brothers low-key.

[@xfacta334]

They made it pretty clear what game they're playing with the dancing monkey on the homepage..... As was said before, lower the glass ceiling down a bit to create new demand. Seek to control all possible access points....

[@Blacksun205]

But haven’t artist back in the day always came out with different versions of their songs

[@Distributionofjusticephilly]

Albums like French Montana’s MAC & CHEESE 5 are going to be purchased more by DJ’s because of the individual purchasing of original a cappella versions as well as instrumentals beats Too.

[@LeonNeuton]

Curtis what's the Vinyl record manufacturer you said you used a few videos ago?

[@CurtissKingTV]

Kunaki

[@AKdaRockStarrOfficial]

Usher is an E&NI artist Established & newly independent

[@BLOXKAFELLARECORDS]

I think Usher is Diddy baby i mean artist.

[@faustostar9627]

Usher being an independent artist is as believable as Jay-Z moving back to the Marcy project building😂😂

[@gt4real377]

What Happen to Ascap and BMI ?

[@quranmujahid-jones8426]

I think the Game is finally catching up to my ideas from the 90s...

[@Reupnow]

What we do this week on Sound scan

[@thebetterbusinessbureau2106]

It would be called a professional independent artist. Compared to an amateur independent artist...simple

[@JaiOva]

11:07 ain't nobody going to listen to that long of a album 😮😮😮😮

[@KetylKornDawg]

Do you have to start on your own from the ground up to be independent? No. Independence is just a status not origin. Yes, it can be both but it's like a child being raised by parents. The child is dependent while with the parents but the parents helps the child to become independent later in life. Technically every musician starts independent. Demo tapes, coaching lessons, networking with local musicians, etc. prior to label signings.

[@user-wn7cm4qx2x]

I'm LOVING the 'whole' TRUTH and "nothing' but the TRUTH; especially regarding Kanye and Usher 😎

[@MaarkWLive]

Curtstradomous is in the building ladies and gents!

[@CurtissKingTV]

Lmfao!!

[@vexamillion69]

Hopefully this creates a new wave of music created form the love for creativity instead of corporate interests.

[@danaholland1491]

Music is booming, Rap music is dying. Hip Hop Culture is slowly becoming a dominant culture in life. Country music will be next big black wave.

[@robertbroadwayauthentic]

That’s why I kept and will continue to keep my own style.

[@High-lyMotivated]

That's Diddy's side piece 😂😂😂

[@djkameronblaze]

14:20 @Curtiss King TV I would call Usher, Kanye, and French L.A.T.E. Artists: A Label-Alumni-Transitioned & Emancipated Artist. Not Exactly Independent. Where you definitely became a superstar due to the labels but now you are officially on your own independently with no strings attached. I think that's fair enough so it doesn't confuse or merge them with the true independent artists that sold and still sell music out the trunk.

[@goreallaone4492]

Sorry you’re wrong bro! If they are not signed to a Major they are independent. Let’s keep it funky!

[@RangeWilson]

If they take "independent" then stick with DIY.

[@ThatLife4U]

Just add "newly" in front. Then it can bring more eyes to the independent roads available. "Newly Independent" Usher has a nice ring to it #ThatMusicLife

[@NateNittii]

I think with streaming the artist actually have access to monitor earnings and receive way faster that’s why of course someone like snoop would complain who actually gets deal’s endorsements, movies and frequent payouts over an artist that can’t get anything until recoupment

[@BarkingForBroccoliBG]

Streaming would be good for Indie artists if 1 song/play 1 on demand stream cost a dime like a play on an old jukebox

[@TGDeuce]

Thing is tho. I don’t think it’s us they trying to convince that’s what Independence is… its for the next gen

[@heatherlynn2695]

it's for optics so investors won't bail that they pressure the artists this way

[@Brotha.B.M.O.G]

I agree I think that it's completely disrespectful to people who've never had access to the type of visibility usher has He's independent now sure but the entire world knows who he is so that makes it very very different most independent artists are only known in maybe 5 to 10 major cities and that's depending most independent artists only known by a small niece group of people maybe from a couple hundred to a couple thousand because they didn't have a machine pushing them If you ever had a machine pushing you in your career You can never consider yourself a true independent artist

[@TremelJackson]

126 songs and I don't plan on hearing a single one

[@Unknown12281]

I personally don't even compare myself to other artists in the first place, signed or independant. They can call themselves wtv they want, I'll still feel like Michael Jackson in the booth

[@MISSISSIPPISNOMSP]

real independent artisT right here we MOVING SOLUTHERNSTYLES AND WE COMING FOR UM

[@ReeChad.]

Famous rappers make bad songs and unrecognised rappers making hit

[@Laylu]

Spotify is like Temu , a product for promo for cash.

[@SHEAFYD]

They tweaking the system and running it up ,esp dropping all them versions 😆

[@duanenonlyac]

Just like you, I cringe at hearing the term “independent artist” for a very established artist. It absolutely waters down the meaning for a true independent artist. And to your other point, the artists like French who upload every single version like that are equally watering down the quality and integrity of the art itself. Sometimes I hate that we’re in this “gotta secure the bag” era where everyone seems to be fixated on financial gain rather than the art and the experience. But as much as I despise it all, I remind myself often “don’t hate the player - hate the game” - which I most certainly do.

[@paprvutv1054]

Physical copies = physical cash. Digital copies = imaginary money.

[@dontmindme4197]

Musicians should have been had a union imo just for some solidarity

[@tracksphantom540]

French is a smart business man.🎉

[@bshawlab]

I feel French, but I can make that many actual songs not remixes of the same songs but actual new songs. I am one of the new breed AGI creator types, I make new songs daily, but it’s about the right marketing strategy. So I’m not dropping the way it’s currently being done. I got a plan. Stay tuned for what’s coming ❤Kurtis king is the truth

[@SayDatShiii...]

The key word he emphasized was "US" which means he never excluded himself

[@blaghdad]

Is it only artists separating them selves from *iddy on Gamma?

[@bshawlab]

We all have to make our own clouds and get fans to pay to subscribe for access to our art

[@jsun7972]

I don't get all the remixes and acapella versions. Is French Montanan hoping people just let the album keep playing while they go on to do other things?

[@chrissyju]

🥴69 SAID THER SAME EXACT THING YRSSSS AGO🫣

[@QueenHartDivine]

Wow this is insane welp we gone be dropping like it’s our last Breathe since they wanna play with us 🎉

[@sleepysleepy9913]

I suspect one man with around a 250,000 subscriber count has shaken the industry with his content. And its effected some people

[@Tz-Tok-TokEN]

its simple, TALENT.. Theres alot of real talent out there and fake talent out there.. and when fake talent like 6ix9ine overshines real talented rappers. It kinda kills the want for other generations, and its just not as valuable/rare as it once was.

[@tommygunn940]

Hiphop been on the decline ever since they allowed the comedy rap. That ruined it because it allowed it to be taken as a joke. Now you have people not taking it seriously when Hiphop starting as telling a story now it's experienced different stages from autotune to mumble rap. Now you have these annoying commercials that totally ruin the autotune sound and they are making fun of the genre. They used to have the rappers do commercials, if anyone remembers the MC Hammer Taco Bell commercials. Now they are doing it on their own without the rappers and it is terrible. It is why the music released is a joke now. It is not taken seriously and only seen as a cash grab. The powers that be are the ones profiting off of it not the creators. The pioneers were pushing for the creators to profit from it now the labels are still getting all of the money. Rappers are selling their catalogs and everything. They completely sold out. It's crazy how those that stay independent end up killed.

[@d.prague5603]

Man this has got completely out of hand , I'm going to be laughing at this stupid stunt artistz are trying to pull for dayz.