WHY I HATE UPCOMING ARTISTES

With a mixtape and his second album done bearing in mind his UK and Yankee tours, Wizkid is the epitome of a young man who works hard. 
Nothing in this world is free. This is a statement that should be hammered into the skulls of upcoming artistes. A lot of them piss me off. Why? They think it's all easy. They think it's all a game. They think its a walk in the park, all fun and cotton candy.What irks my soul the most is that they think they can get all the fame and fortune in less than a year they become professional recording artistes. This is a stupid notion, a childish dream. Yeah I know we are in the 'microwave generation' where things happen fast but there are some things in life that have no shortcuts. Some point at Davido's achievements within a year. Please if your father is not even a billionaire in Kobo, wake up.

There are no two ways about it. You have to walk that long, dirty road to get to the promise land. Left to many of these starry eyed-half baked artistes, they would rather cruise this road in a Lamborghini. I keep telling them it takes hard work, dedication, patience and understanding. The stupid ones (majority of them are) scuff and say "bros abeg forget. Look Wizkid na. He dropped 'Holla Boy' two years ago and he blew from there'. At this point I don't know if I should slap them or kick them where it hurts. This has to be the most stupid statement of all time (in Kanye West's voice). Wizkid was practically living in studio for years before he made it. He was in OJB's studio when 2Face recorded his debut and sophomore albums, please know this. 

 
So you wan hammer like Wizkid abi? Let me break it down for you proper. Let me school you freshmen  You gon get that work! 
 
Talent- As cliche as this sounds you really need talent. Yes we know that your mother says you can sing and the neighbourhood slut has listened to your song over 500 times, that doesn't mean a thing. You must have the potential to sing or rap well. And we are not talking monkey bars or singing in the shower- this is the real deal. You must have raw talent that must be ready to go through fire before you can be a gold rated artiste. Most of you patch a few rhymes together and think you are better than Mode 9 or M.I- pathetic. Before you enter a recording booth, seriously ask yourself if you are talented in music. The reason why there is a lot of trash out now is because a lot of upcoming artistes don't have talent. Simple.
Talent isn't about having the best voice, you just need a voice that can be worked upon. And work you must 'cos talent is just 10% of it. Hard Work is the remaining 90%.

Riri continues to defy critics as she gets set to drop her 7th album in 7 years. The little teen from Barbados has now be crowned the most digitially successful artiste of all time. 
 
Hard work- You are lazy. Yes you can sing. Yes you can rhyme but how hard have you practiced at it? There are 24 hours in the day. If you cannot devote yourself to practicing your craft at least 8 hours a day, trust me you will fail. You might have a hit or two but you can't be great. Truth! You should be consumed with burning passion of how to attain perfection. Adele didn't get that voice by eating cookies. Beyonce isn't up there just by breastfeeding Ivy Blue. Kanye isn't a global pop phenomenon by slapping Kim's ass. The people on top have gotten there because they have sacrificed their time and energy for the attainment of perfection. Most upcoming artistes spend their time buying clothes that will make them look more 'artsy' and hangout at events such as Industry Nite than at the studio. Greatness can't be achieved this way. Wizkid with all that he has achieved is still a studio rat. The Universe will have no option than to bless all the hard work he has put in. Yes you might have a better voice than him but if you don't work as hard as him, sorry he will nack your girlfriend. Rihanna isn't the greatest of singers but you can't deny that she puts in work. 7 albums in 7 years is not ewa agoyin. 
 
While it is necessary to imbibe the work ethics of some of today's biggest stars, you also must take time to be a student. Buy all the classic albums in your genre and digest them. Know what made these albums great and how they were made. If you are not a good student of your genre, you can never be a great artiste in your genre. You cannot be a master or a leader.
 
Ace Hood is a dead man walking in the music industry. 
 
Ability to Sell Records- So what if you can sing and work hard day night? Yes talent will get you into the industry but if you do not have the uncanny ability to sell records then you won't last long in this game. I have heard people with good voices sing but when they push a song out, its bland. Their songs do not have the ability to draw people to them and their works. They are ordinary. A lot of these people end up as back-up singers and songwriters. Ace Hood should go down in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rapper with the most opportunities to blow but hasn't. Think of all the mad songs he has released. It doesn't make sense that he isn't up there with the Meek Mills of this world. The answer isn't far fetched, he doesn't have the ability to sell records. It's plain to see. How can you sell records? Read the next two pointers below.
 
Even with a wack album and a huge drop in form, Lil Wayne is still moving mad units because he is a strong brand. 
 
You are Not An Artiste, You Are A Brand- In 2012 you have to know that you are a brand. People don't buy albums from mere artistes anymore. Rihanna will continue to outsell the likes of Chrisette Michelle because she has successfully transformed herself into a brand. People feel that when they buy her album, they buy a piece of her, her love life, her wild image, her pain, her hurt, her triumph and her sexuality. Why should I buy your album? Create a cult personality for yourself and you will succeed. Rick Ross and Lil Wayne are not gangstas but they have created huge empires for themselves by creating that outlaw persona. People don't buy music anymore, they buy lifestyles. If you can build yourself into a brand, you will 'blow' as they say on the streets.
One of the ways to become a brand is by being consistent. Wizkid dropped his debut album in 2011. He followed it up with his huge input in the EME compilation album this year. He is most likely to drop his mixtape in 2013. Definitely by 2014, Wizkid's second solo album will be ready. From his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z dropped an average of one album annually till The Black Album. If you are not consistent in the game, no one is going to know you. Drop songs online, do covers, jump on beats, drop as many mixtapes/EPs possible in a year till they know your fxcking name. It's your life! This isn't Walt Disney park. Stop playing games.

DMX's gravel voice and dark imagery took Hip Hop back to the hood when other rappers were following Diddy's shiny suit formula. 
 
Ability To Spot Future Trends- To be relevant for 5 years in the music biz can't be achieved by luck. You have to be calculative. Sounds and trends come and go. Today its Azonto and Etighi, do you know what the next thing is going to be next year? The ability to spot future trends will make you go far in this industry. Know the next sound, pounce on the next trend before it becomes cliche. If you are planning on dropping an Azonto song, forget it and look for something else. Chances are you can't do a bigger song than Olamide's, Wizkid's orSarkodie's Azonto anthems. These dudes spotted this early. Put your ear to the ground and find out what's bubbling. Sometimes when the music scene gets too saturated with a sound or trend do the opposite.
In late 1998, DMX changed the Hip Hop scene in America. Prior to his emergence, rap music was dominated by Diddy's shiny suit music. DMX took it back to the hood and made rap very gritty. Sometimes that is what is needed- the opposite. Pop music in Nigeria in 2012 has been so fast and pacy but Burna Boy is doing the opposite- he is slowing it down and that is getting him the spotlight. Be different. Spot that trend and ride it till it becomes regular.

Having a manager, a business manager, an international booking agency and two stylists + Chocolate City behind him, Ice Prince is now the most relevant rapper outside the shores of the country. 
Have A Solid Team- You can't get to the mountain top all by yourself. You need a dedicated team whose sole aim is to make you number one. You can be the best rapper or best singer out there but if you do not have a team dedicated in making you an A level artiste, you will continue to feed on crumbs.

Building a team isn't cheap that has to be said. People have to earn salaries. My suggestion is to start small. Hire a manager (not your guy who you smoke weed with or an industry groupie). The manager might be new or might be a seasoned hand. What is paramount is that both of you are on the same page and have clearly established goals that must be attained. What do you want to achieve in your first year as a professional recording artiste? What do you have to do to make this happen? What does your manager have to do make this happen? After a year re-evaluate. As time goes on, you can begin to hire a PA, business manager, publicist, stylist etc.

Because creating a solid team doesn't come cheap, always have it at the back of your mind that you must be a successful recording artiste to maintain a successful team. Without hits, no money, without any money you can't afford the services of professionals. Ice Prince will continue to receive more awards than your favourite rapper because he understands this concept. No one is saying that you should sell out (WTF does that even mean?) but having a couple of hits under your belt will help to finance your team or army. The beginning of your career is not the best time to go all 'Lauryn Hill' especially when you don't have a label backing you. Be artistic but remember the business side which helps run your brand.

These are a few pointers if applied will help you blow. Most of you are running around like headless chickens expecting to be the next Davido. Calm down, work hard, perfect you art, create a personality that works for you and build a successful team. Then maybe you go hammer like Wizkid.