What is Success?

The industry has changed so much and in my opinion for the better. There is so much more opportunity and so much more success but the question becomes now what is success? Its so ambiguous now, back in the day it was easy, if you had a big time record deal you were obviously successful. You were getting paid, you were in the public eye and you were getting your message across but now you can do all of that without a record deal.

Look at people like Curren$y, Mack Miller, Macklamore, these people successful in the sense of those three criteria; they are making money, they are in the public eye and they are getting their message across. Or is magnitude the question? Are they not doing those three things enough? And if that is what separates them from successes what is the golden measurement?

Would you consider one hit wonder people with a deal successes? Is Chief Keef a success? Is Gucci Mane a success? Is Trinidad James a success? I’m not saying they are not but I do wonder where we are drawing the line today. Are we measuring people based on signing bonuses? Or is longevity a key factor?

This is simply a rant that came to my mind when I think of people who in my opinion have so much potential but for some reason are not in the public eye YET. I would say it is largely because of two reason; they are not selling out their sound for mainstream success and also because their management/ marketing is not putting them in a place where they can be seen. But at the end of the day, who am I and what do I know. I am just a man who loves hip hop and loves to be right. That being said, check out the artists below and give me your honest opinion of them. I don’t think for a second you can tell me they don’t deserve more shine then they are getting and if you can, please let me know your opinion.

Keep it Real - KYLE

Herb Shuttles- Underachievers

MRAZ- Flatbush Zombies

Faces- Casey Veggies

Reign- King Mez prod. King Mez

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly- Devin Miles