Why "Quality Over Quantity" Is (Usually) A Dumb Idea When You Write Raps

[@easyicesack]

Basically to ask the question, "Quality or quantity?" is to present a false dichotomy, which is a logical fallacy. The unstated answer is that quality and quantity go hand in hand, and that to dwell on the aforementioned question merely distracts from the task at hand- making music. If you write consistently with an open and determined mind, then both the quality and the quantity will come with time. Thanks for speading the wisdom, Drew, you're the man. ;) Keep doing what your doing.

[@alexxthelost]

i thought he was shedding the light more on the actual production quality and the mixing

[@easyicesack]

lol that's funny, it definitely wasn't purposeful.

[@Lone_Rocket]

Kangruv Deffinetly had a better flow.

[@mrcammyp1]

Isaac Early wow ur a genius

[@catastrophetopnotchhooliga4231]

my boy drews head aint big, its just filled with lyrics

[@WhateverLex]

Quantity gives you quality. You keep writing music and your writing quality will get better. You keep releasing music and you will get better.

[@xxxtheasian9753]

I'm cool with that 😎

[@kwekudennis6664]

writing the music is not the same as releasing it

[@renesupersonic]

Usually an artist (someone like Dre) writes 100 songs and will release 5. Now with today’s artist they release about every Single songs they release.

[@deepaparakkal4241]

Nah, you make a 100. You don't release it unless it's got quality.

[@SauceCurryTV]

I fuck with you drew but you look just like megamind in this video lol.

[@ZTYsora520]

hahaha

[@seanwattsmoore8507]

SauceCurryGaming yea lol

[@thejaygoon6]

lmfaooooo

[@lordxauce007]

those perfectionist are those guys that be at the corner store selling there mixtape for 5-10$- going on 40 and still havent made a video- Drew's right -you build that library of songs your gonna have some hits and some misses. but if you whack as fuck its gonna show. if your good your gonna have some good hits , potentially. stay consistent in production. Hell thats how you become a pro in general

[@blueburger4]

The biggest question is how to find the balance. I'm JUST starting out following my rap passion and I'm hungry....starving, and I'm trynna make sure I stay on that grind so I'm writing at least 3 times a day but instead of just free flowing (I'm better at going off the top) a whole verse or song I work a whole verse or song from start to finish for like 2 hours tweaking, revising, re-imagining the lyrics to stay on topic and deliver quality content but so far because of this I have about 10 really good first halves to different concepts after a month with a very clear vision on where it's going as a whole, I just find it hard to stay on topic since I'm used to freestyling and changing frequently to generate ideas. Sorry for the wall of text but if someone comes across this and has advice, it's very welcome.

[@IamShaktiMusic]

Before this video I was the Quality over Quantity dude, Thats it I'm shutting Chrome and making a 100 tracks!! XD

[@luminousb9272]

Ma nigga, It's been one year and I'm hoping you made those 100 tracks.

[@mrcheckhammmer]

Luminous B lmfao

[@mrcheckhammmer]

Luminous B he prolly made 1 or 2 and gave up. Most of us rappers are like that. 1 in 500 actually make it.. others either grow up and find a job or succumb in the disease and become a no lifer promoting their "mixtape" all their life

[@ANDSUMMUSIC]

His last video was from 3 Years ago. He a perfectionist.

[@R3troGangEnt]

Its easy to say do quantity over quality when big artists in the game have top producers. Most rappers on the come up do everything their self so quantity is even harder when you aint got the equipment or skills to even get a certain quality

[@CRXSH]

i feel like u explained how quality is still the most important but it takes making a lot of quantity in the process

[@TheSpeechless17]

every writer knows you have to write shit before you can make it a hit.

[@nothanniballecktor9633]

Hidden quantity begets quality. A world famous violinist has probably practiced upwards of 15,000 hours (estimate based off of the 10,000 hour Outliers measurement). Shakespeare undoubtedly didn't release everything he wrote.

[@justanotherentertaineroffi722]

I've been told by my mentors to hold on to my music but now my music I had 5 years ago is the sound of today, fml.

[@lauras.2032]

Just Another Entertainer Official Account It would have been great if you had released it 2 years ago with alot of promotion and a buzz because you would be the first who has the new sound.

[@justanotherentertaineroffi722]

Miss Golden yea we live and learn

[@justanotherentertaineroffi722]

Just Another Entertainer (Jae) by Just Another Entertainer itun.es/us/Jhzcjb

[@crazyeyes2431]

i got lyrics and beats enough for 4 mixtapes but the promotion is what's holding me back from releasing them cause u can have the best product in the world if nobody sees it is it really worth the time and effort you spent?

[@BenCobainn301]

True, and I kept thinking like that at one point. But if it's not out no one will know about it regardless. I think there's a balance between quality and quantity and I don't think there's any "right" answer because everyone's style, delivery, flow, energy, and overall presence in their music is different. Too many factors... but I've made endless music over the years and I do agree now that I have the QUANTITY... I do analyze which songs have better QUALITY. But this may work for me because I'm more of a radio-friendly artist.

[@246bbmog]

@crazyeyes @bencobain I felt the same way and i can see eye to eye with both you guys. Thats why at the end of the day you just gotta do you and fuck the rest! Whats for you no man can stop you from getting!

[@BenCobainn301]

OMGTV6 FACTS

[@therealone4991]

Crazy Eyes true same prob here man

[@ANDSUMMUSIC]

I'm a Quantity person. But its to get to the quality quicker. Thats why I release a song a week.

[@Yohska]

THANK YOU!! i wish more people understood this! you cant make quality without making alot of quanity. you learn buy doing things over again with a fresh ear for each one. dont be the person just beating a dead horse over and over to get something good from one song. move on.

[@nicholasconklin9586]

so, what i get that your saying, is that us rappers should find the line of perfection between quality and quantity?

[@storyspice974]

Mike Monday says Quality through quantity. Which means you make quality music, by making a lot of music. Master is a process and a product. Each song is a lesson.

[@slicric9800]

Damn yo helped me alot i been doin quantity over quality since i was 16 . And i wrote so much over the years and still been correcting and changing my old work never released shit . Uv earned my suscribe man shit this video was made fo me now im 23 and its TIME

[@_equalo]

Agree 100% I've made probably 200+ beats over the period of a year and all that work has paid off. I'm a savage when it comes to producing. My real challenge now is getting better at writing hooks and controlling my voice

[@WhiteKeys007]

My man... I hear you... All the way from Africa. Peace and love!

[@holywaterandgreenteamusic]

Thought of This...Smart... heard Diddy talk about... heard Tupac Did it... Im recording a thousand songs in a few months... Peace My Brother Thanks For Reminding Me...

[@juancruz2337]

K-rino got about 40 albums.

[@juancruz2337]

Roman Vega K-rino, a rapper from Texas, you should check him out, he's dope

[@spinningbackkick6021]

So when does Lil Wayne get to the quality..

[@highwayTY]

MAKE LOTS OF MATERIAL(for practice purposes), BUT DONT RELEASE IT ALL.. thats how you taint your discography.. for example, 2pac and eminem have entirely too many wack songs

[@yungkash-topic6062]

So Basically what im getting from this is,Example: Put forth the time to record as much as you can maybe like 35-45 tracks and from that take however many tracks to complete your project from that 35-45 lets say 13 for regular and 15 for deluxe version??

[@xonowitzki]

Honestly I was debating with myself a lot about this topic, this was much needed thx a lot bro

[@SoJesusChristMusic]

Makes Sense. I have so much music sittin on my computer since 2008...but I wont release what I don't belive is good enough. I might have liked the idea or felt it was going somewhere at one point but later made something better. Often times we can come back to old songs and recontruct them and add the perfect ingredient to make it publishable

[@Bonytushar]

why are you always that good... straight to the point.. thanks man, love ya

[@fantaboytoph]

The best Option is quantity WITH the quality. Better 50 great songs for 5 tapes|albums than 1000 whack songs. Imagine 1000 great songs

[@bradyestes435]

This was enlightening. I am definetly going to sign up for that membership.

[@TheHelloWorldz]

Quantiy and releasing stuff constantly will motivate you and you'll learn at an early stage on how to make your craft perfect

[@SnappaGames]

i used to rap alot in the past... I've never been to a studio, I don't really have the money for that but I have a mic & a basic set up at home... i stopped rapping a few years ago because I got alot of hate when all I really wanted was to do it as a hobby I want to get back into it as a hobby, if I become good then maybe I'll look at something like a career but I couldn't get to grips with flow & I have no idea how to structure songs... I've been watching alot of these videos recently & I purchased your flow boot camp thing... that helped so much! I have been writing some lyrics recently but I don't know how to write verses & identify in a beat where the chorus goes etc... Sorry for the paragraph but I wondered if I could get any help lol also when starting out is it better to release more single songs or like a mixtape with for example 15 songs? (P.S I had my music on a different channel but I took it off lol)

[@ab-lh9sx]

Though i'm a producer, your videos really motivate and help me a lot, i learn stuff and i feel that i need to work as hard as i can.

[@kingkessef6040]

It's quality and it's quantity. If you say you want to be a rapper/song writer and your not writting all day everyday then you're bullshitting. Same goes for anything else. You'll be supprised how fast a decade goes by with you thinking about what you really want to do...whether you know what that is and are fucking lazy or have an absolutely inability to decide on something and stick with it because you lack passion. Stop looking for that perfect item, that appears as an easy gift from God, to be passionate about because you'll never find anything that comes easy and that you want to do 100% of the time and never get sick of it. Just take one of the things you like most and fucking do it.

[@spreadlove7761]

Wow dude you just helped me

[@spreadlove7761]

Thank you man. Sometimes you need tough love

[@frylockjacques4899]

My most quality is accidental in a way like always effort but the less over thinking the better. Great vid

[@Beekeepergames]

no joke ive written enough random verses to make like 20 full songs without the chorus.

[@Beekeepergames]

i just have ti complete the verse yeah !!!

[@firstpersonstupidity]

unless you've only been writing for a few months, you should actually have more

[@Beekeepergames]

thats the ones on paper i have way more on my phone and i lost some of my older verses on my phone because it broke. so in total ive probably could put together 70-100ish songs with out a chours.

[@Beekeepergames]

is that still to little ?

[@firstpersonstupidity]

Beekeeper games well it depends, how long have you been writing?

[@estocinmusique1339]

It's Emgie from Botswana Dope video man I do agree with the content... though ma niggas skeptical about it...

[@apexxsavii1841]

thank you bro....I have a few of them guys in my ear buds and it really effected me and have me weighted block but in free now lmao

[@ACEofficial7]

Yo drew. I was brought up on 2pac biggie and nwa etc. Is it ok for a rapper from England to use an american accent?

[@DIESTAR2010]

Do you man your you nobody can replace that

[@CroElectroStile]

don't fake it, rap from your heart fuck whats popular, don't be a sellout

[@itdonotmatter9361]

listen 2 giggs

[@jacksonmckoy]

Wassup Drew I'm a Artist studying the game and I was wondering do you have any book recommendation videos or could you email me some good book recommendations

[@Xavier2Live]

TBH I thought i was one of those "DANGEROUS PEOPLE" but then I looked at my hard drive and song books and realized I made about 200 tracks and 30 remixes over 6 years. released 4 music projects with about 14-16 songs. dropped an album on April 20th of this year. planning on releasing bonus tracks and working on my 5th music project for next year. so yeah I understand the argument now. and I'm only 21 lol

[@danieljackson3981]

so much wisdom in this, thank you

[@LILREMAlNS]

Wacky Raps, coming soon to a hotel near you!

[@danieljackson3981]

+Nelson Mandela peace be with you if Drew knew at least the few who weren't scew but who'd never lose to find peace and choose to find keys to use peace and be kind to reece they'd soon be in tune with the radio check the moon only they-would-know I'm going soon this flow ain't hot while sitt'n that's a pitty but it's pretty good if it is not written meow kitty kitten I'm from Britain can't cope but I must say this was pretty lit 'n dope #SeanOrWhatever

[@LILREMAlNS]

From Murz stack that.

[@iiAniTy123]

What about a video on becoming a better lyricist

[@Shodowmech]

I find I write better when I rap about things I experience

[@ikenj]

He's covered that... 👍🏽

[@Kenben7414]

#KickFazeRug same here

[@DIESTAR2010]

Word of truth man!! Lol he said gung-ho

[@wolfsilverflame1044]

I got like 30 beats saved in a playlist. Might just write and record a song to each of them. Even if I ain’t feeling it. Cause someone else might.

[@hellomyfriends9740]

Thanks bro not a rapper but a singer still great advice for musicians:)

[@SuperNikeNando]

I know SOOO many people who believe in QUALITY over quantity and I strongly disagree. I've been releasing music consistently since 2007 and every year I've noticed a strong increase in my plays & overall demand for my music. I haven't reached the level I want to but the fact that I've released music so often I can definitely agree that it has helped me in ways to become successful to a certain degree.

[@justing100jg]

u got me with that kanye thumbnail damb.

[@TheRagingMW3Player]

Great video man. Good tips, thanks!

[@JPatternsIII]

This vid really helped me wake up.. Ty

[@KhalilBurd]

great info man! keep it coming!

[@djglenn]

great video, thanks. I can see your point cause I make about five to ten songs before I got one I want to actually complete writing and record

[@lil27madeit]

make a video for how much to drop songs and mix tapes that would help me a lot

[@mavlemob1549]

Loved this! Thanks bro

[@C.Ellis_BMI]

Peace Fam! Not to start an argument but, the music business is designed to sell and promote music only! They are not in the business to have a long term relationships with their artists. What keeps Major Record Labels standing strong; hit records! Quality over Quantity is a clear argument going no where. Peace God!

[@justinbristoe]

It's people like him thats helping to degrade the quality of the music business in general. Something i'd expect dj akademiks would say.

[@PenguinAugis]

I know the third rule but pls stand in the middle

[@leothelion2593]

I think quality and quantity are important when you start a project you make a catalog of songs. Could be say 20 to 30 songs..you pick out say 10-12 of the best songs and there’s your project. But you have to make those excess songs to get the most quality project. I don’t believe tho you should put out a project every other month, because then you aren’t getting the most out of the tape you put so much hard work in. You get the project done, think of a plan to promote it, Grind that tape for 8 to 10 months before you start the cycle for your next one.

[@GetOffMyLawnRecords]

All that matters is output.

[@2000_Ro]

Depends on the fans taste. I don't want to listen to a artist that has a 100 shitty songs....

[@tinmantheducer794]

This is tru..unless you got that raw talent/formula that makes hits Biggie style. But the majority of us coming up these days rarely if ever have those gifts

[@keivencousar7879]

Thanks Drew 🙏🏽

[@CashMartin909]

Lol.. im not done watching the video, but i had to comment cause the commentary is funny "QUALITY OVER QUANTITY" haha

[@Yusukee007]

What's up Drew. I dig your point of quantity. But, you should keep in mind that the more songs you make, or anything in any art for that matter, you lose a certain mystique about your work. It feels rushed. When Kanye West said that about tlop making 40 songs, I caught myself thinking, "But I've heard more people nominate this album garbage than good if anything." What are those 40 songs worth if the album isn't up to par with your true potential? There are many other artists who didn't have to make so many tracks in order to have a quality album, feel me? I just wanted your opinion on what happens when quantity over quality doesn't really work for you? As a poet (not a rapper, but I like rapping acapella lol) I seem to struggle more when I write multiple pieces at once. It never comes out as good as when I really take my time. I get more response on pieces i've taken my time on vs. pieces I rushed through just to have a lot of pieces to perform for people when it comes to spoken word. So, I get a little confused because you still want to keep putting out a lot of stuff to keep moving up. Help me out Drew! Sincerely, Pizza Rolls

[@michaelotero4974]

Thanks Drew!

[@metronomemusicph2000]

Just lost here, I was thinking bout this whole shit because I make like 1 full song a day without releasing it. And is it okay to have quantity in music cause I feel like I'm being different than those artist who uploads in longer span of days.

[@ChristianBurrola]

Quantity doesn't give you quality. The truth is that the more material you release, the more likely you are to release a wack song. It's basic probability. This is why even if they may have some perfect albums, none of the greats in hip hop have a perfect discography.

[@StarVibration]

His head is brighter than my future 😥😥

[@spinningbackkick6021]

So basically record all the quantity and releases the quality..

[@ThaVandal]

I've got five notebooks and a binder full of verses. probably only a handful of tracks

[@mynameuly9894]

100 Official Rap Songs In A Year Challenge

[@MrTRUSTMYRECORDS]

beautiful !

[@Terre117]

I go by this plus I use quantity when I come across a hit.

[@joshuamaldonado7034]

boss man I got a question. I want to buy a mic... Buy the cheap one get my shit out or wait to get some more of quality?

[@davemusic8315]

Joshua Maldonado quality

[@SwiftDreamer]

Hey drew, can you point me to the video where you explain how you count bars on a track? I play around with flow alot and place my words in pretty weird spots so its kinda hard for me to really understand in rap terms when to stop and say "ok, this is a 16 bar rap verse."

[@davemusic8315]

SwiftDreamer count to 4 with the beat, that's a bar. Now do it 16 times.

[@MarioFlogar]

put the link to that interview on the description please

[@jollyjohn6403]

Very thought provoking.

[@RoyalNegusTV]

Quality over quantity is when you post a lot of songs that are garbage instead of quality songs. Lol but your advice is useful too.

[@FonkedUpProductions]

"A Dr. Dre vault," HAHAHAHAHA!!! Priceless

[@bbailey0625]

I learned from this video and i do appreciate what you are preaching, BUT is their more time being wasted by creating a whole bunch of throwaway tracks that your not gonna do anything with OR actually taking your time and Crafting your best tracks? Especially if you are a person paying for studio time, the idea of just making a high quantity of music could be a waste of alot of money as well.

[@davemusic8315]

Brian Bailey write a lot of songs. Pick the best out of those you've written learn them and then record them.

[@nonstopberge4555]

I write beats. I feel the same way. I'm trying to drop a song or 2 a day or every other day.

[@foreverkingmvp]

Aye is there a way that I could send you some lyrics for you to give thoughts on & tips?

[@lloydbradly307]

Write everything down, and develop your craft.

[@TaterTott16]

Personally, I am quality over quantity, but I do have a large quantity of quality verses and agree with what Drew said here. I just unfortunately don't have as many opportunities to record as I have a full time job and a wife and 4 kids. But, I do get to record. Check me out sometime, TaterTott16 on KZbin and SoundCloud.

[@DIESTAR2010]

Hey drew YOUR DOPE!!!!!

[@KingPryme21]

hes right for a 6 track ep im droppin i had to pick from 14 songs lol

[@Savage-uo2cl]

The two complement each other. The more you make the naturally the better you will get. For every track I release a have about 5 that aren't. If that helps anyone good, if not then whatever.

[@BenCobainn301]

This is actually true, well for me it was. From where I started up until now.

[@dmims2779]

2pac did that before he died. He went ham in the studio to lay a lot of tracks.

[@Malik_Hoff]

only DRAKE says hes not the type to make 72 songs for an album. you that's why he's never had a "classic" ?

[@Malik_Hoff]

*you think

[@FeelingIsHealing]

Still one of the best selling rappers ever..

[@Malik_Hoff]

+ChilledoffUK i looove him but they say he hasnt made a hit album. to me he has.

[@thereallegend4lyfe]

Kendrick Lamar made 40 songs for TPAB

[@carter7431]

that's true of most great albums/artists though

[@thereallegend4lyfe]

Carter /// Yes it is

[@mubafaw]

Thank you

[@jjjuhg]

when you're unknown...people make time to listen to 1 of your songs. Make it a hit. Nobody has time to listen to an album. I don t know how many of your friends even listened to a full Beyobce album lately, or daft punk album. 1 song, yes . Choose two or three of your songs that you think could be a potential hit. btw...2pac made a lot of songs in a short time.

[@KIDKAOSwp10]

Gotta be mixture of both that's with anything.

[@444podcast3]

Good shit

[@GTGHvndsom3]

You need both

[@compact5826]

Can u do a plan b video?

[@MikeJohnCore]

Whenever I get an idea, I got to write it. Glad I got this advice in this video before suckas try and suck you in.

[@DaeHarris]

Can I send you some music so I can get some tips from you because I do follow your tips 💯

[@18WILLS_]

good video

[@adamoakes6687]

Yooooooooooo put your hat back on boiiii!!!!