Rapsody Exposes HARSH REALITY of Music Industry Success

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[@rayantenna]

I could not agree more! I recently moved to Pittsburgh to make a massive independent push. I’m working with Mac Millers right hand man Big Jerm and this is a perfect example of the 9th wonder/Rapsody situation. Jerm really likes my sound and he can’t promise anything but he’s done to help me build my music catalog so I can at least eat from this music. The industry is designed this way so the powers that be get to keep control. For example if we thought it was normal for artist to start popping in their 40s instead of 20s we wouldn’t even question it. We would dream in that fashion because that’s what we see happening and I think that’s what’s going on with this notion “you have to make it in your 20s”. Of course the labels wants to push this notion. Because it means they have extra leverage when signing these young artist. And it means they have more control over who makes it and who falls off. The entire industry is superficial and has nothing to do with talent that’s been developed. It’s a psy op at this point.

[@CurtissKingTV]

I love this. Thank you for sharing your story with us fam. If this was the agreed upon mindset so many indie musicians would play the long game and not the desperation game. Keep killing it!

[@rayantenna]

@@CurtissKingTV 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️ thanks bro! It’s cool to see you killing it on KZbin! ⭐️

[@artuvwar]

I'm sunzoo and I approve this message

[@stringer2295]

I didn’t think we would be at a point where rap talent was the last thing that was desired in an artist

[@przmatic_]

We are here. Welcome.

[@saintkevinofficial]

Yeah, all across the board. Extremely demoralising.

[@ocleadinlady]

I think the disconnect is …talent is 1000% Desired from ARTIST…but it takes something different to be a celebrity or even a superstar

[@donshifty]

what do you mean by that @@ocleadinlady

[@8thirteenthelabel]

@@donshiftybeing a great artist has nothing to do with commercial success at any level. Talent is talent. To be a celebrity/star you need a lot more than that

[@kwanli_beats]

There Is A Specific Feeling Of Disillusionment When Truly Special Talented People Get In The Industry And Realize How Much Corporate Interest Ruined The Art

[@melthecre8tor]

Theres so many female rappers like Rapsody, that get overlooked because they dont push sex appeal. There needs to be balance.

[@robertprince2651]

Yet we got the ratchets Sukihana and Sexy Redd; makes my stomach curl...

[@KiamKweli]

Indeed Che Noir is another.

[@derrickzorns6506]

Yeah like sa-roc, little simz and Che noir

[@tonychopper9142]

And now you can add 7xvethegenius (peace queen i hope i didn't butcher your name), Boog Brown to that list. Jean Grae is one of my all time favorite emcees, male or female. Never made it big from what i could tell. I remember when there was a time when lady emcees got all the respectfor their craft, and had bars that actually made you think. I know they're still out here nowadays, the fellas too. But we all know the industry doesn't want that for the people out here.....

[@mitchiegotmovesy7635]

It’s partly the male rap space’s fault cuz the lyrical cats ain’t giving the ladies enough space on records

[@warpath504]

I'm not even a rapper and I feel this.

[@Prod-by-Z]

After about 7 years, I finally have had the opportunity to be in sessions with a lot of the top artists. As I’ve gotten in touch with producers who’ve executive produced for many of the top artists, I learned that most of them these days have a second job to pay the bills. I know it’s not about the money, but the fact that you can chart top 5 on iTunes and not even make the equivalent of a minimum wage is insane.

[@imyungtankk]

7-10 years That sound worse than a court sentence. That's some rigamaroo 😭😭😭

[@jonathan8963]

rigamaroo 🤣

[@traezaX1]

​@@jonathan8963read the translate ...even KZbin doesn't understand😂😂😂

[@saintkevinofficial]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣rigamaroo. But I feel you for sure

[@CurtissKingTV]

Rigamaroo is INSANE 😂

[@ladybre888]

Facts 😂 love but rigamaroo is wild

[@BKLYN_TZU]

What she is talking about is the late '80s to the mid '90s that Era is gone and I think she realized that having self respect and integrity is not what's in style anymore and as someone that grew up in the era she's representing it's sad That's not celebrated in today's hip-hop climate

[@dbmajormusictx]

I dealt with those frustrations of giving up I’ve had a little success but I’ve learned a lot since then as far as as long as I’m creating quality music im good. Id rather focus on being a husband and a father music will be there the art of music is still important to me thats how ima last no big audience needed and i do it for myself first

[@vincenzogiambanco4390]

It's about the artwork more than anything else it's not about the money it's about the love for art and making music that touches and reaches out to people

[@boysoul2075]

But if you do this for a living it is about making enough money to live with dignity

[@justmikaliah]

Yes🙌🏾💯

[@musicproductiontips3121]

I remember the 1st time I ever saw Rapsody was in a 9th Wonder beat making video. Definitely one of the top lyricists today.

[@robertprince2651]

9th Wonder was grinding with Little Brother: he eventually got his foot in the door and it doing it up.

[@Barney-ii1no]

she's cookie cutter

[@BluEx22329]

​@@Barney-ii1nono

[@fluffybaroqueomnimedia4485]

Okay, this may be the video that discourages me from even trying to rap/make beats. I for one do not have 7-10 years to figure any of this out BECAUSE I'M 45! I just wanna share my art and help cut through all this profound wackness and reckless ratcheteering, ugh 😢.

[@ralphdelgado8232]

Make sure then beats are tight and the hooks out catchy. Keep it Super diverse never 1 dimensional. And always ghost write outside your genre. That truly will increase your chances and set you free✊🏾

[@welcometothefamily_us]

Let me hear some of them beats 😭

[@robertprince2651]

Aye, I'm 39 about to be 40 this month. Been writing since 2002 and beat making since 2007, gotta be persistent. It'll pay off.

[@redd9009]

Please don't stop. Forget age ..do you. Stay true to what you love.

[@boysoul2075]

Really crazy how this channel came back into my life after all these years. Respect the consistency - keep posting heat 🙏

[@3dnatee]

Whoa, this spoke to me sooo much. Shout out to my sister Rapsody too...

[@devantewinston4865]

You killing it yourself never sacrificed your pen

[@taylorstep8135]

"over night success" takes at least ten years to it make happen. even harder if youre independent.

[@CurtissKingTV]

There’s no argument that the independent journey is hard. But I think the message in this video from Rapsody is that we also have to clearly define what success looks like. Maybe perhaps it won’t be as hard or unattainable as we view it.

[@lensflare336]

Like seeing her succeed. I was listening to her music since she was at NC State in a rap group name Cooley High. Definitely a well respected MC.

[@ConSCious843]

All facts. As a lyricist i been at it for 15 years. Just a matter of time tho. The world will know who i am soon.

[@LifeIsPrettyUgly]

Bruuuuuuuuuh everything you said starting at 9:40 to the end of the video with your bars brought tears to my eyes!!! You speak for people like me & I speak for people like you... thank you

[@CurtissKingTV]

Thank you fam 🙏🏽🛠️ #Diyers

[@efdartworld]

The battle I’m facing at the moment. Thank you for highlighting this 👊🏾👑

[@Lonersquare]

Truth that a person's views of Success have to change at some point. And that's because of both reality, and whatever they are willing to give up and compromise to get whatever their view of Success is. But with the way things are now the primary level of Success is to get and maintain a legit Fanbase with your Talent. It doesn't matter if it's only in the hundreds or thousands. Nice topic, and your Music Video at the end is a good down-home approach too, Brother.💯💯💯💯

[@CurtissKingTV]

Lonersquare, it’s been such an honor having your thoughts and viewership on this channel for all these years. Grateful for you

[@Ultimatum_MLE]

Keep dropping brother, learning alot from you 🙏🙏

[@RFJSTYLE0522]

Yup he do

[@CurtissKingTV]

I appreciate you brother. Thank you 🙏🏽🛠️

[@hayaglamazonluxe]

She is so talented. I wonder if she didn't consider making some radio friendly records to broaden her base so she can introduce them to her wonderful lyrical ability? I listen to many female rappers and Nicki is my favourite. I just think it's so hard for female rappers without turn up music. The interview was fascinating when she commented on how she has more black male fans vs women, and why doesn't she resonate with women. I think its the lack of turn up music. Wish her the best, she's very talented

[@BEMEiTY]

I watched this interview, it had me questioning what I write.(the 40 words of less) I needed this ty

[@traezaX1]

What a beautiful person ...both inside and out ...speaking truth man 🎉🎉🎉

[@neilraphael707]

Such interesting insights and truths here. Thx so much for highlighting this interview and for ur commentary- it’s deep. Bless up Rapsody 💯

[@am_ess]

Love this Curtiss... Much Love Always, My G!!!!

[@vexamillion69]

Some spaces aren’t for all of us. Just take Doja Cat as an example, I wonder if deep down she wants to be portrayed the way she is now. Glad to see the integrity here.

[@6lackcomedy]

I love you my brother. Its a million things I've gone through that makes me...me...but there is one that overshadows it all and that's the passing of my 5 month old daughter. When SHE passed I lost my hunger for being a DIY CREATOR and I hunger to get it back and you're one of the muses I have that recharges that energy. I have fans all over the world and I wish to live up to what they remember me and my team for. Thank You for this channel. Fan since day UNO. PEACE 100

[@CurtissKingTV]

I love you too fam. My condolences family on the lost of your young one. As a father myself I can only imagine how crushing of an experience that could be. Grateful to hear that these videos are providing a source of positivity and affirmation. Looking forward to hearing about the amazing things you have planned.

[@tyturner5870]

Always had a Crush on her smh she too fine but I love her soul and her raps. It hits on a different level

[@extendedplay8830]

I love your channel fam - Love the rap at the end of this video 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Rhapsody is a class act Her debut album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I support all things Rapsody!

[@CurtissKingTV]

🙏🏽🛠️ thank you fam

[@Osiris-wm2kj]

Dopppppee glad you dropped right now

[@ThisIsDeth]

love your work Curtiss, the track goes hard

[@greghampton5214]

Sexxy Red can be mainstream yet Rhapsody is still not ...make it make sense...😢😮😢😮

[@ANGELMAN.]

aye you got me charged up with that outro time to get it in and create

[@GenuineRSA]

There is a ton of talent and the labels know it, but there is a lack of star power. U could say the labels are responsible for building up and creating stars but would u spend money on a possibility or a guaranteed sale? And in most cases the people who are popular enough to become stars are good for business but lack talent for the most part

[@kingdaveiv05]

I wonder how many artists glamorize all the wrong things. Like do they care more about the music, or the bag or something else? But the music industry is like most other industries. To many people care more about the bottom line and material wealth than the actual artwork.

[@DuellegionNetwork]

Bro na f dat my big brother! thank you for u doing what you doing man. i cant even put it into words! but the vibe is real. maybe one day in a song cuz im learning a lot from u. keep doing what u do King the game needs you.

[@FATBOTB4life]

first time watching your stuff, I subscribed, dope rhyme at the end also!

[@CaptianBlackSwagger]

Outro really drives the theme home. Fye 🔥

[@shonyeezy5672]

5:44 that’s the exact approach. I’ve always wanted to take not to sound corny, but as much as I love the Migos, I don’t necessarily want to be at that ridiculous level of fame I just want to say some of the illest shit and make exactly what I want to hear and my core has always been J. Cole tribe called quest J Dilla, MF DOOM like sound, and appreciation of this art form that for me personally, I just want to be mentioned with these dope people I see as hero’s even if it’s on the level of “if you know, you know, type artist” that’s backstage with your favorite artist and you don’t even realize it.

[@_galaxxyy_]

Love the vid 🌌👏🏽

[@1RichPark]

Strong team and good supporters is all u need to keep going 💯🚀🚀🚀

[@spatemediaNYC]

The bottom line is that if you're doing conscious or radical rap, it has to be very creative, like Kendrick or J. Cole. Latifah and Lauren made conscious music, but it was entertaining. We don't have a ton of conscious rappers anymore, but there is a lane if it's done right.

[@jazsebastian]

Very cool videos man, new sub here, trying to carve out a legacy for myself in this dystopian hellscape, great advice and insight so far!!

[@jamerv777smerf]

Love that outro man got me inspired to make a setup in my living room

[@shawnb.3080]

Bro you went in with the verse tho 🔥🔥🔥💪🏾💯

[@camwhite4015]

dat joint at the end is dope!!!

[@Xan3ddd]

Nigga, is each video of yours getting better than the last!? I fwu homie Keep doing ya thang, really enjoy these videos, great insight.

[@CurtissKingTV]

🤣🛠️ thank you for watching family

[@elijahhenderson3505]

That's crazy I love her man she is from NC so I got real love for her

[@traezaX1]

I automate it and OBS it .... never thought id hear fire bars with OBS no Bs n ... 🙌🙌👏👏👏

[@7thheaven-finalfantasy-hip717]

Love it 😍

[@efdartworld]

Ad-libs are fire bro🔥🔥🔥

[@Ankh-he3wi]

Ending was 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheStuttaboii]

I think it’s crazy cause you’d hope that she’d be exception like you said … she’s so dope not just as a woman rapping but as a lyricist in general… then she’s in my top 10 … and joe budden summed it up … what’s popular now … ain’t about talent necessarily… but just cause it’s popular… what’s discouraging about being a artist sometimes… is the fact we can hone skill and it still not click to masses …

[@GISouL]

Dope video, But the DIY bars at the end… 🔥bro!

[@fluffybaroqueomnimedia4485]

I am now on my second rewatch and...still can't help but wonder if i should even bother. I'd be starting from SCRATCH: I don't know wtf a bar is or how i'd record if i'm not in a recording booth. (I know i can watch mad videos on these and other things, but yeah.)

[@KarbonStar]

I'm still watching but just had to say i miss that time when mcees like Rhapsody, Jean Gray, Bahamadia(who still has a very successfulcareer to the DAY!), etc could exists among the other forms of rap. Rhapsody last album was a mf MASTERPIECE!

[@awesomepurpose216]

The song at the end 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Swissvmillie1]

Wow u are a youtuber and a musician 😮 you got talent and skills im very impressed no cap 🧢

[@myway420_]

Dope song at the end man 😎

[@mikejc918]

Real Knowledge 💯💎🔥

[@LiveTrax]

inspirational

[@sharronewilson4761]

I fuc with her more when she did that gza remix, I wish she get the recognition she deserves and tell her to keep going.

[@rikXsavage]

Yea I deff can believe this , I remember seeing Lecrae perform at a Christian showcase YEARS before he actually broke out

[@najeefilms]

It's all about what you want, you want clout or hardcore fans that really support your music. Me as an artist I love making music I love making videos, I will create content that's marketable but overall I'm doing music for me. I like to see these through.

[@bamnjphoto]

7-10 years can be put into marketable skills and produce long lasting success instead of a 1 in 1000 chance of creating a chart topper that might have limited success

[@saintkevinofficial]

These times are tough. That's why i don't blame the Onlyfans girls or anyone trying to make it at all costs. Not everyone has the mental fortitude or patience to NOT "sell out". Some people really have to put food on the table no matter what. And they don't have the privilege to sit around being "authentic". Even if you do, you probably aren't going to make it either way. And btw, people gravitate towards classics. Not just anything you might think is "authentic." 99% of people won't make it. But giving up isn't an option.

[@devantewinston4865]

Now we have the problem of over saturation of the only fan rappers it’s better to be you and try then be fake and succeed and not be happy within success is what you make it

[@Abundanc3beats]

What is “making it?” I feel like you missed the entire point of the video fam no disrespect. I believe the point of the convo is to say success is subjective. BUT if you’re eating off your art you’re successful. Some people don’t want mainstream success and that’s perfectly fine. Doing art for a job in general is a blessing. If you wanna be mainstream for a check that’s fine too but clearly authenticity and good music still builds fanbases. Also plenty of them mainstream artists that “sold out” are actually not better off. They’re enslaved to a record company. So 🤷🏽

[@txddyfarquh3916]

I luv this chick and iv never even heard her music! The way she spoke in this video makes me believe she's gonna be here for the long run, not just an "overnight celebrity" like many of today's hiphop musicians

[@user-xh5qi1se7k]

I love her accent and her voice. Her voice is so soothing 😅

[@doommega]

i Love this woman , she language she speaking how we grasped to it

[@katlegomokaila7469]

Jean Grae comes to mind when i hear these type of conversations ...

[@rbd_gh]

That rap at the end was real as hell

[@TheROCOfficial]

Real Spill💥

[@i_am_the_ember]

The pie is big enough for everyone, the problem is our idea of success.

[@unityandwealth6573]

success is what you considered in your heart you dont need to sellout

[@MinistryB4Industry]

The song she did with Remy is fire

[@big0514]

Her hoodie is everything

[@VirtualSessionsPodcast]

Dope

[@DJHubcap]

#Gems 🔥💎🔥

[@jiggaflo1]

That's cap. There is no set time any more and everything takes off in different ways. It might take you 7-10 years to be good enough that people take notice though

[@FLAVMEDIA]

REAL TALK::)

[@jimmi274]

YES!

[@mikejones3078]

FIRE BARS!!!

[@robertprince2651]

Example- Paul Wall on 85 South.. he didn't want to make songs for the ladies, just trunk bangers only. He changed his tune and skyrocketed.

[@demetriusbryson1706]

She Is 1 Of The Greatest Emcees Of Any Of The Contemporary’s….Beautiful Physically, Mentally & Artistically on The 🎙️ and Concepts….”I Love Rapsody Like I Love Real HIPHOP…!!!” Peace Queen Rapsody aka HIPHOPsody….She’s HER, Like Austin Reeves Said….”Im HIM”….!!!

[@ScopeMR1]

🔥🔥🔥

[@zdugg14]

🙏🏽👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@stretchakaguhgaming]

She is fire I like her style

[@IllmatikRebelTV]

Rapsody! Definitely a Super Top tier MC. Hands Down!

[@acedollarsign]

ohh yea I remember when he said that 40 words or less:)

[@moe_factz]

To be honest, artist want their cake and eat it too. Artist like noname doesn't have this problem because she doesn't depend on the industry.

[@dmusicaldaisy]

I love Rapsody!

[@seanthornton726]

He God MC said it best- Teach the youth and speak the truth Show em what peace can do when they'll reach for you And my reward won't be platinum or riches, it's even better I can be one of the greatest MC's ever..

[@user-ff1ez5sy5h]

"Red & meth didnt jump" ...and a few other old school rappers like em (only a few cuz what's happening now happened then too) . The artist that built a solid following by doin like curtiss is talkn bout here (being unique & puttin the harder work in) are still able to earn a good buck 20 yrs later. And, sad but true - 20 yrs from now fad jumpin, social media obsessed carbon copy rappers will feel betrayed by an industry & fanbase they miscalculated. Like i said it's happened b4 but not with this many artists. Cuz rap has nevr been bigger. Which jus means more rappers in 20 (probably really 10) yrs sayin what the f happened?

[@CurtissKingTV]

🎯🎯🎯🎯 the bags they’re handing out now are going to hit so different after inflation and society at large moves another direction.

[@darkmannc]

She's from a little city like 20 minutes from where I used to live...

[@pablo27930]

But she has good music to tour off and she has what it sounds like good people around her.

[@BluEx22329]

Shout out to her

[@dantexshelby]

😔💔

[@CDMESD]

I see that YESHUA on her shirt. Yes Lord!

[@bobbydee30g]

She is easily top 5 female lyricists and makes a great case for being in the top 20 period.