Is Chance the Rapper Actually Independent? | Everyday Struggle

[@babadunes6962]

this is acually a really entertaining show. good job complex.

[@IplayTRASH]

pitufo karate lol what the fuck you even talking about 😂😂

[@babadunes6962]

yeah i fw dj but yeah more guests wud be dope af

[@nebiyudawit5768]

THEY FUCKED IT UP DAMN IT COMPLEX Wayno is cool tho I guess...

[@pastaman1091]

Rip

[@geauxroyal8945]

Lots of people helped him, it's not about being by yourself it's about having freedom

[@samguy7654]

GeauxRoyal Exactly, artistic freedom (and freedom in general) is the key. Bino is one of those people, shouts out to Donald.

[@Pistolscity]

Dj Akademiks the type of nigga to ask the waiter how to pronounce something on the menu

[@NAVI-xz2io]

themoderat this one is so accurate to his personality lmao

[@wwefan4mylife]

Shibster faxxxxx this nigga prolly can't even count to 3

[@datboycotvdotcom9593]

3:30 - 12:04

[@ryandavis858]

let's not act like chance doesn't have a team of record industry veterans guiding his career. he doing his thing but your average rapper don't have his type of team. but yeah fuck the labels come to the digital side

[@pw8834]

DJ AKADEMIKS THE TYPE OF NIGGA TO TAKE A BUBBLE BATH WITH CANDLES AND A PICTURE OF DRAKE SINGING LOVE SONGS

[@pw8834]

L

[@kmasutra787]

DJ Akademiks ClassMate From HighSchool , W

[@kevinmcconnell8047]

W

[@PerplexedSeth27]

W

[@ballinlikecp3883]

DJ Akademiks ClassMate From HighSchool W

[@thuggathuggababy]

swear this nigga akademiks switch teams every video bro was wearing a yankees hat last vid

[@swaggyg5841]

in a day & time when it's "provocative" for a man to wear a dress... shit like baseball caps is not a big deal.

[@KeezusKhristC4]

Swaggy G Yeaa, you don't always wear a hat cause you are fan, people wear hats that match their clothes so the person need to fuck off

[@egyptiangod0102]

Caps are mainly used for style

[@drejones926]

I feel like only a white nigga a say some shit like that lmao

[@swaggyg5841]

+Dre Jones word up. nigga can't be in the struggle worrying about loyalty to a damn sports team

[@r2richburg]

i feel like chance is trying to make soundcloud the wave, not apple, he has closer ties with soundcloud than apple, promotes them more too

[@Keesha_Hardy]

r2richburg This is very true.

[@lilbpack1]

U are important joe - Lil B

[@LeGabruRJN]

The analysis and commentary by Joe was so God damn articulated, interesting perspective

[@dazza818]

Don't agree with Apple needing to be a record label. The business structure doesn't work on trying to exploit artist. It's more beneficial for apple to get their product. As long as Chance can direct traffic towards apple. Apple doesn't need a 5 album deal. What for? That'll be like youtube or Facebook giving out record contracts. Makes no sense. Just post your video and music here so people can click and stream.

[@RastaHenkie]

I don't think you understand what Joe meant. #1 KZbin does give out a type of "record deal" where content creators sign deals to exclusively create for KZbin and in exchange get better cut of commercials. Or a other KZbin example is Nintendo. You can't monetize vids on KZbin about there games without singing a deal with them first. Apple want to do something similar. #2 Apple has a huge store and streaming service where they can distributive and promote any album they just need (exclusive) content. What traditionally labels job; distribute and promote. So instead of splitting they money 3 ways between Apple, Artists and Label. They could cut out the middle man aka the Label and split the labels cut between Apple and the Artist. What for? Bigger cut means more money. Apple gave Chance half a mil for 2 weeks of exclusive content. They would love 5 exclusive albums. The store/streaming service with the best/most content will win the digital war. All the video streaming services like Netflix and Amazon video are already doing these type of deals and creating there on content.

[@dazza818]

Rasta Henkie​​​​ I hear that. What wrong with the artist owning their own publishing and letting the highest bidder lease your work? How else was chance going to push a high amount of records without a label and politics of the industry. It's like Sony owning spiderman for set amount of time. Only thing is, Chance had a better starting point to negotiate a deal. If Roc Nation offered $1 million more then it may have been there.

[@acharich]

Rasta Henkie 🔥💣🔥💣🔥

[@devotheambivert9875]

I feel that Chance is a dope artist for real. I remember meeting him in person back in my hometown of Chicago more than one time. It was a great feeling. He is the man. I went to Lolla in 2014 in Chicago. I saw Chance's performance there. This was the summer of the year I graduated high school. Great 3 day weekend yo.

[@zulu2615]

Now that Joe has stopped having 12 double shot espresso's before an ep and winning arguments by screaming, this is actually a great show

[@longfeet14]

This might be the calmest I've seen Joe on this show, entertaining to watch

[@kidcudi908]

flatbush zombies need some love, they are independent and have a huge audience,, they are touring with snoop dog right now and they're doing big things

[@Northsyde21]

Professor X isn't Joey badass independent too?

[@MODERNDAYGRIOT]

The difference between Chance and the others is that....he's willing to actually do the fucking work. He'll put his own money up and build partnerships and complete deals with him and his team. You can take your car to the mechanic or you can fix it yourself. He's fixing his own car. You can pay for a private P.O. Box and go check it on the daily, or you can use your "free" mailbox. He's got his own PO Box. Other artists are used to convenience. That's why independent works for him...because he WORKS.

[@gg_v2]

*ALSO* ALSO He has former president on his side and his father's a politician. Not everybody got that shit, yall hyping him up a lil too much

[@MODERNDAYGRIOT]

I'm from Chicago. I watched his rise, fam. 1.He rented out spots, printed free mix tapes and drove to high schools one by one, gave free music and sold tickets to his show and sold merch. Wash, rinse, repeat... 2. Childish Gambino put him on his first tour and gave him a lot of game regarding the entertainment business. 3. He kept creating opportunities for people to support him. He didn't split his "fan traffic" and kept putting out free quality product. 4. Then he captured all of the fan base data and now essentially sells limited access to companies. Hence his temporary partnerships with The Chicago White Sox, Dockers, Apple, Netflix, Kit-Kat... Most people use the merch to sell music, he used music to sell the merch. The power is always in the people. Chance has the people. And he's dope. That's why he's winning and independent and can do what he wants when he wants.

[@thafinessekidd1850]

Well said

[@blackestboy6871]

12:16 you cant unsee the amount of blanks my boy akademiks is doing.

[@Max25670]

Well Chance definitely has connections, his family has political and famous connections.

[@chimillr.6487]

Bob Spike Lee's his Uncle

[@stormzfront1611]

Chance is a fraud. He's definitely and industry puppet. They're trying to position him as being other than an industry puppet and thus the over the top "fuck the industry" nonsense. The Grammy's are voted on by industry folks. Chance couldn't get one if the industry were truly against him.

[@hakeemsesay15]

But he never used his connections to get where he was. Making no sense

[@devotheambivert9875]

Bob I met him and his brother in person multiple times.

[@valid3383]

Snitch

[@vibereds]

"I'm obsessive and I dive very deep" = "I overthink"

[@AngelicaBreanne]

Switching to joes podcast cause his opinions are all I care about lol

[@danielchirwa2389]

Easy to say fuck the label when you're middle class and educated with a good family behind you. Street dudes can't say that.

[@IplayTRASH]

Daniel Chirwa but the point is if street dudes did if would benefit them. 21 never should have signed his deal. Sosa trying to sue for the 5 mill interscope told he he'd get. It's all "smoke and mirrors" in 2 years 21 going to be out of money and owe the label 3 albums.

[@danielchirwa2389]

IplayTRASH But this is my point. Chance's dad worked for the senator and he went to a good school. He full of shit. these kids from the street don't have the same knowledge or a solid family unit and team behind them to know not to sign. They are gutger kids looking for any help. Chance is basically signed to Apple anyway if we're honest, it ain't a label but it might as well be.

[@JUSPRNCE]

Nipsey is not signed & hes a street dude. nipsey has his own label

[@robbioe]

You are right about Nipsey hussle. man and I feel as though you get it. Anyone can do their own thing now, If they don't make an excuse such as, chance had help, I got school blah blah blah. If you truly wanted something you would grind for it 24/7 with no excuse

[@sthomas730]

very good point

[@jobromo123]

Dj akedemics is such a damn woman 9:52

[@KeezusKhristC4]

BYE😂😂😂

[@MiguelLopez-fs3ll]

reyian451 how do y'all live when your masculinity is that fragile? He made a damn gesture, jesus fucking christ

[@thetruth1221ful]

Erykah Badu 😂😂😂😂

[@thygreatmark]

@@MiguelLopez-fs3ll no lie, that was kinda soft for him to do that 😭

[@Its.melvin]

Pump it up

[@AK-me5gi]

Brand new #musicbusiness book for indie artists! Check it out @ www.askmpublishing.com/product/mogul-learning-music-business-independent-artist/

[@dazza818]

Agreed with Joe Jonah Jameson. Been saying this for a while. There a shift in the culture. Hip hop can go back to its roots and become more independent and dictated by the artist and not the labels pushing products/merch. Gotta get the snakes out. It's making us sick. Hip hop needs to find its core. Some people have to go/not be allowed in. Membership needs to be managed. No connection. No entry. Vultures need culling.

[@navoyvincentfitness]

MKUltra Rex He's not independent bro. I know people in the industry, a lot of the rappers that say they are are not. It's a marketing ploy.

[@dazza818]

Navoy Vincent​​ lol. So you can't be an independent musician (who happens to know barrack personally through family) Can't know or associate with other people related to music? Are you saying an independent artist cannot broker big deals for themselves. Whether it be a small shop or Mcdonalds / Coca-Cola? Independent artist can't have a team marketing them similar to how a major label does? How is he not independent? (this is me asking you)

[@tommiegarrett55]

Chance exposing them like they need to be!

[@elijahstiles3012]

The streaming services (Tidal, Apple, etc.) are gonna replace the labels

[@mrcannongg]

Not Tidal. That shit sucks. KZbin Spotify and Apple will be the labels.

[@bigmeatyclawzz]

TFOG Studios totally. Tidal isn’t good at all, idk why celebs put their music video on that shit.

[@jaeyoooung]

DJ Akademiks says not many people following him but Chance's brother, and a whole lot of other rappers are going independent and are starting to get noticed.

[@vinniechocha]

this show is on point

[@Marvilloso]

I want to comment on a positive note, I am a artist and producer and doing music for 20 years. I acknowledge this interview💯 I knew how this business and how This business is heading. artists been warning us for the longest on how this business work. the record label can control you yet could own your life

[@d-c7174]

in terms of a record label helping him? i believe he is. but he has the media giant apple which is pretty much the future of music and better than an label at this point so i mean he not really independent

[@noeldimaggiojr101]

D C no he don't.. he gave Apple a exclusive for 2 weeks only and they paid him 500K and that was it

[@d-c7174]

if you really believe thats the only business they doing with each other you blind af bruh

[@d-c7174]

Robert Enos that's the thing. apple distributes, markets, & reaches more people better than a label can because of how in tune they are with digital streaming & sales. yea they technically not a label...but they can be the "label" of the future

[@fishycuz2782]

he def signed, ppl r dumb & believe anything they told

[@hakeemsesay15]

Georgia Guidestones were is your evidence then??

[@Jaron]

chance is the future of hip hop, not his rapping style (even though it is great) but his style of buisness, i can tell you right now, for a man of god, someone like chance, who made an entire album about being that man! the thought of him lying for this long and creating a huge facade about independancy, wouldnt make sense. He is great, and if he is lying, Joe said it best, it doesnt matter, he is doing this to encourage artists to stop and not sign! good luck chance

[@dizzysleepers5005]

Your actual words are influencing a lot of minds at the moment

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

There's maybe 3 labels that own the industry. Even rappers who have 'their own label' are underneath them, pyramid like. They dictate radio, Vevo, MTV (if anyone still watches music videos on TV). I respect chance but he has to watch his back because the suits at those labels will try and block him out of the industry if they're not getting their cut.

[@zachstolpa6521]

What three labels do you think

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

I forget the other two but Universal is one.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

Warner comes to mind as well

[@thomashester2]

Harpy Eagle and Sony is the other one

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

Thomas Hester​ Yeah that's it. So when a rapper/artist says they have their own label, they're a boss etc, they're still under one of those three real bosses

[@LoneWolf-nx6wq]

he's actually a genius for that

[@FrankDracula_]

Im impressed. Best video yet. Keep exposing them guys

[@Object1ve]

Bruh I can only listen to this. I can't watch it. The way Akademiks talks with his hands the entire time bothers the shit out of me.

[@FireMadeFleshII]

I'm totally with Joe on the "reconditioning" line. Chance has earned that right & that's actually been going on far longer than a lot of people realize. The labels had people for the longest time believing that you needed them, but if you check the roots of Hip Hop (like most popular forms of music), independence is what the name of the game was all about. Aside from Chance, Frank Ocean, Joey Bada$$, Janelle Monae, & many others caught wind of importance of owning your own years ago. I guess there's been enough biopics, Behind the Music & UnSung episodes to hip everyone to the horror show that is the music industry. In the mid-to-late 2000's we fortunately saw a resurgence of independent artists via the Internet & thankfully that remains the labels' biggest threat. Realistically speaking though, is everyone equipped to go independent? I'm not a fan of Lil' Yachty by any means, but could an act like him make it to the heights of popularity without the machine of the industry? Chance has range in terms of his musical style; it's not one specific niche sound---he can go from a track like "No Problems" to a sophisticated tribute like what he did at the ESPYS for Muhammad Ali. Lil' Yachty talent/sound is limited to say the least..so uhh..yeah.

[@youssifwague1867]

Complex is trying to create their own breakfast club

[@umarari4395]

DJ Akademiks eyes been having seizures.

[@BILLIAMBRICK]

"And you love Passionfruit" 😂

[@RawCultureReport]

This show is great

[@elijahmcelroy]

It always peeves me to hear joe say "I love Drake" but homie dropped like 6 diss songs in night at homie head 😂😂

[@aubry980]

wait if u make a deal with apple how would you get your music on spotify i feel like it's like apple would kill it streaming service but for spotify i heard u can only get music on by a label or something

[@rachit]

THANKS CHANCE AND YE, THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPS, FOR GIVING INSPIRATION TO KIDS LIKE ME WHO ARE ON THE STREETS RAPPING FOR THE PEOPLE.

[@rachit]

I'm just a kid being myself. my music is true. my videos are just for fun and to make people laugh but my music is for real.

[@joshuahemphill3824]

This was actually a good conversation for once lol

[@masquetv8917]

I don't believe that Chance is 100% independent.. he stills depends on distribution outlets and streaming for his albums and songs to go through, and he is not doing it himself. The only thing he is doing is writing lyrics, singing and advertising on his own, but when it comes to sales, he is not alone. That's just my opinion.

[@travisbarzey]

Masque TV I see what your saying but when your dad was and is still an very successful campaign manager you learn how to run your empire completely independent from the big corporations. and besides with Amazon and other streaming services who needs a distributor

[@Lorenzokings023]

Masque TV good point 💯

[@joshbiederstadt9894]

This show is the fucking realest

[@TheGr80ne]

Complex! You don't have to give me credit for your new short videos based on the topics, but I appreciate the fact that you actually read the comments.

[@RithMic]

I feel Chance is Independent, but like Chance's squad is not just Chance. I think Pat his manager is like crazy talented in business and marketing, and working deals. While Chance happened to be the perfect talent to blow up stylistically and like morally/ethically. Chance got amazing song arrangers and composer in peter cottontale, like they got an all star squad, that wouldve been the type of talent to build a record label before there was record labels, but instead want to show people you can be independent as long as everyone pulls their weight.

[@wyliebees3028]

dude on the right is really intense--- making me uncomfortable

[@damionbarker6902]

soft ass.... hes just confident n passionate in his opinion

[@wyliebees3028]

K :)

[@selfishstockton6123]

wyliebees stop being sensitive

[@MeloSoundz]

chance dropped a project on new years through soundcloud im pretty sure it's not on apple music

[@crazytomo1]

T SHIRT AND BUDDENS - LIL B ... JOE STILL HASN'T RESPONDED TYBG

[@martinc8325]

Joe Budden, Joe Booty what the fuck is yo name?

[@Aquaescobar]

the thing about chance being on apple is that it isn't exclusively apple. he has it on soundcloud for free to listen

[@justmejaytee]

Apple is not a "record label" the same way uber is not a "taxi company". Fancy marketing doesn't change the fact that a shit is a shit.

[@oreoblast2012]

you can't really speak Chance without speaking on Donald Glover and his influence

[@Radiance230]

"Independent" is a misnomer here. In essence, "being signed" is being redefined for us. Essentially, now artists will "independently" assume all of the risks on the front end, and companies like apple will then assume the risks later for distribution, and to joes point, other services like marketing, in which they will get a percentage. This is actually a good thing for companies, because they won't have to do the leg work that traditional record labels historically had to do (artist development, brand development, etc.), thus will not have to assume risks that particularly occurs at the beginning of the life of an artist. There is absolutely a relationship between chance and apple. And I believe chance is being used as a tool (especially convinced now with this stunt), to further their share in the market. The music industry has struggled for years to deal with technology. This is their answer. And "they" are banking on this chance stunt to work in efforts to retain their control.

[@averageyoutube661]

Akademiks look like a koopa from Mario smh....

[@BTDMVP]

9:40 is how akademics looks at his drake posters before he goes to sleep

[@devotheambivert9875]

I salute and respect highly the independent artists. Tech N9ne is one of my favorite artists of all time. He is one of the most successful independent rappers in the history of hip-hop/rap.

[@richardbrasil8879]

these two are the only people I know that can agree and still sound like they're disagreeing.

[@prophecy9521]

Chance is the only rapper ever to have 1 hit on the charts and be so big.

[@sachdubey2203]

logic

[@sachdubey2203]

logic

[@sachdubey2203]

logic

[@juandusse335]

i don't know if y'all know but Joe Budden just exposed the music game on some illuminati level.

[@dronez9047]

Lmao shit Joe Budden just demolishes every stupid thought Akademiks comes up with, gotta love the "Well shit everybody mostly on Empire already" too fuckin true Joe !! Facts Love the show

[@jrperformance7857]

He's independent, and believe chance is popular because of his personality. #ChanceTheRapper4Life

[@jrperformance7857]

Joe got a point tho I'm not gonna lie

[@adehela13]

who thought of the Empire tv show when joe mentioned the label? which is funny because empire of the tv show is a label too. and a big one as well

[@matthewarriaga3296]

academiks constantly blinking his eyes every 2 seconds pissed me tf off idk why

[@HG22Times]

Greatest rapper of all time. He not but he's my favorite artist right now.

[@lilwhoopy345]

Wiz should come and y'all should let him smoke in the studio

[@jakeguzda547]

Btw he flashes this graphic at every show

[@jakeguzda547]

I've been to the one in buffalo

[@Jose-yp3bl]

take a shot every time akademiks blinks

[@DanielTorres-on2jv]

It's a coverup. Guarantee 💯

[@Izuhu]

DJ Akademiks look like Tito from Rocket Power with a snapback lol

[@HypedBeast]

Joe is telling the truth tho, labels don't have as much money as they used to.

[@Jsimm100]

Hyped Beast Because they not making any. So many different streams of music and technology have taken money out of labels pockets. The labels are confused and lazy when it comes to trying to fix the problem.

[@AGuyCalledC]

Independence is making a Mixtape/Album and saying "who wants exclusivity". Joe Budden is locked into a distribution deal with Empire. He operates independently, but cant operate without Empire.

[@Lucreative]

DJ AKADEMIKS is the type of dude to walk in bed bath and beyond and ask for DRAKE fabric towels.

[@Skill3ks]

Joe threw me off when he called 6lack "black" I just call him "six-lack"

[@adriel.4887]

he's name 6LACK, pronounced as BLACK

[@danielchsk8]

Wow, first time I see joe budden not freaking the fuck up 😂😂 Keep it chill joe 🤙🏽

[@playingbadgames4199]

im wearing the same shoes as joe lmao

[@infam0usP]

DJ Akademiks the type of nigga to order ice water with a side of lemons because he's too cheap to get the lemonade.

[@Fabiy4]

Naww u can't trust what they say. I know for a fact there a rappers who claim there independent but are in 360 deals

[@93hahayougotme]

Yall keep forgetting that Tech N9ne was the first to say Fuck the Industry and Labels and make a empire independently.

[@VatrZari]

joe burdens thumb @ 3:57 -4:01

[@boyswhopray]

Well done complex.....

[@lilfill25]

somebody count how many times akademiks blinks please

[@melodrama1401]

Did Budden just say he a Drake fan? Didn't they just had beef like 1-2 years ago or was that a publicity stunt?

[@kevali235]

Melo Drama budden been a drake fan since the beginning but he was looking for some attention cause he's album was dropping that's why he started that corny one sided beef

[@blackgod3243]

M He dissed drake because he heard drake was gonna diss him on no shopping. Drake was going to diss him on no shopping because joe said he didn't really like views on his podcast. Don't spread misinformation

[@HDCKKC]

Black God wrong fam lmao...drake dissed him on 5pm in calabasas AFTER budden reviewed views...budden shot back and drake clapped back on no shoppin

[@blackgod3243]

HDCKKC No. Budden reviewed views Drake heard and was prepping to diss him on no shopping Budden heard and fired first

[@HDCKKC]

Black God so where is 5pm in calabasas then?lmao

[@TapOnToeKnee]

Halfway through 2023 and Joe's opinion hasn't aged very well om this one. Although I don't think I would have disagreed wth him at the time

[@Sheericaw]

hip hop is so much fun.

[@kyransolar8789]

Can't Do Math Entertainment lmaoooooooooo

[@DannyDee143]

Ak look like he sells cellphone cases at a kiosk.

[@RhettReisman]

I fuck with Joe Budden

[@iamrashadfox]

He said he would never sign to a label but now he's with RCA records. Money talks and when it do everybody listens.

[@marcusjohnson7321]

I am Rashad Fox He was already signed by them. 😂😂

[@jrb1874]

these are good. i never heard a whole song from chance tho

[@tinyS0208]

fam you man need to understand that chance the rapper dont need a label to make GOOD music. other rappers want to get signed to either get out the hood or take care of the fam. deep he is taking shots at records labels cause really record labels are restricting the good music out of almost all the rappers

[@DavyCrockett446]

The Breakfast Club doesn't talk about important shit like this lol

[@chriskleinermusic]

Joe is 100% right! Lables will die over the next 10 years... If you have a good Marketing Team and a Big Online Distribution you dont need a fucking lable!

[@DannyDee143]

labels are just loan sharks akin to banks, financing will always be necessary. if labels die that means there is no scene. so labels will be around in some form even if its just selling back catalog. label death doesnt' mean everyone now succeeds. thats not how economics work.

[@nonetaken5841]

Nobody: Joe budden : your not independent

[@DavidNunezPNW]

He doesn't realize the music industry for Apple is literally just a feature for them, like 3D touch 😂

[@PopOutPaulie]

got em

[@elijahstiles3012]

notice how Interscope was left off the screen during that concert.

[@RizzyWow]

I personally believe, Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West helped Chance a lot.

[@skulltamer9]

does TDE count? technically its a label but i don't feel it's gonna disappear because all the artists are good as fuck