What Should I Do?

[Nickisabi]

So, I'm in this rap group that me and two others formed called "IDK." I've recorded with them and hung with them for about 5 months now. They talk a lot about getting into the game and being famous. I also share these aspirations with them but I don't see it happening with their work ethic.

It's very possible to become a successful Hip Hop artist, but that doesn't mean it's easy and doesn't take hard work. So, naturally, I drive and push myself nonstop to get better at it every single day. However, these guys don't have a clue how hard it's going to be to get there. They're two years younger than me, and just started high school. Lately, I've been starting rap battles with other kids around the school trying to improve my battle schools and performance in public. I've asked them multiple times to come in and join the fun, but they are persistent in staying away from it. It pisses me off, really. They talk so much shit about being famous but don't even want to kick a freestyle.

Getting them to just freestyle when we're chilling is even more of a chore. Every time, they come up with excuses like "I can't freestyle" or "I can't freestyle unless I'm angry." It's starting to get on my nerves how they can say that and expect to get anywhere. What pisses me off the most is that sometimes these guys tell me I'm "working too hard" and that I need to take a break. I'm not sure if they're just ignorant or stupid. Nobody gets into the rap game wanting to be average. The only ones who make it are the ones who want to be the best rapper alive. Frankly, I don't think they give a shit enough to continue.

Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just an asshole who needs to chill out, but when I say I'm going to get to where I want to be, I'm going to get there, and if you're coming along, you need to be on my level because I'm not stopping. I feel like telling them off and just leaving the group to join somebody else or go solo, but I don't know if I should be patient or not. Maybe they'll snap out of their bullshit and get serious, who knows. Right now though, they're just holding me back.

But I don't know... What do you think NG?

Here's a little clip of us in the basement studio. The kid with the camera and the kid with the afro behind him are the other two members. I'm not visible, but I'm the one who pauses the beat and goes "Oh, sorry" at the end. Here it is.

[Satan]

Grow the fuck up OP. You're never going to make it as a famous rapper, you're a bunch of stupid kids who're having fun.

No harm in that, I'm not trying to be a dick, but you're taking a bit of fun way too fucking seriously.

[generalwinter]

Maybe setup a meeting with some rap artists who have made some legitimate success, they may be able to give your friends the motivation they need.

[Foustus]

Pure and simple, you guys either get your shit together, do some shows, record some albums, and work your ass off for your musical career, or forget about it. I've seen so many wannabe artists, you either work as an artist or you don't, since you made this thread then you're probably the latter.

Your goal should be performing at shows first, once you do that and get your reputation up try recording and getting your music out there until a record label picks you up. I know the entertainment business and you really have to get your name out there until you can find connections that will back you up.

[Maltos]

At 3/13/14 09:15 PM, SpankyG wrote: . What do you think NG?

SpankyG. . . I suggest either finding some real people or going solo. Never ever be in any sort of group with kids from high school. They won't take it seriously, I know this from experience. He can't freestyle unless he is angry. . Drop that fool no question about it. You need to find people who are hungry and ready to be fed.

[kazumazkan]

At 3/13/14 09:27 PM, Satan wrote: Grow the fuck up OP. You're never going to make it as a famous rapper, you're a bunch of stupid kids who're having fun.

No harm in that, I'm not trying to be a dick, but you're taking a bit of fun way too fucking seriously.

this

[DeftonesFan665]

At 3/13/14 09:15 PM, SpankyG wrote:

Frankly, I don't think they give a shit enough to continue.

I don't think so either. They don't sound serious at all and I couldn't find any sort of talent in that video. Try going your own way maybe and actually rap about real shit, not raping someone in the ass or whatever your friend said.

[Entice]

Stop aiming for your dreams and bore yourself to death with a job you hate like a normal person

[Zhon]

At 3/13/14 09:27 PM, Satan wrote: No harm in that, I'm not trying to be a dick, but you're taking a bit of fun way too fucking seriously.

I got this same line of shit about my art and gaming when I was in high school. With my status as a professional freelancer and competitive eSports on the rise, I'd say shoot for the moon kid. Besides, some people only enjoy something when they are giving it their all - I am one such individual and I know how it feels to be surrounded by people who don't think your passion is worth putting serious effort into. Ditch the lazy fucks and put it in AWD, cuz the road ahead is rocky and full of trash but with enough passion you can amaze yourself.

Besides - even if you miss the moon, you'll land among the stars.

[Satan]

At 3/13/14 10:46 PM, Zhon wrote:

At 3/13/14 09:27 PM, Satan wrote: No harm in that, I'm not trying to be a dick, but you're taking a bit of fun way too fucking seriously.

I got this same line of shit about my art and gaming when I was in high school. With my status as a professional freelancer and competitive eSports on the rise, I'd say shoot for the moon kid.

Difference is your goals are completely realistic, and achievable. OP's goals on the other hand are completely unrealistic and will amount to nothing.

There's a big gap between a freelance artist and a famous rapper. By telling him to "shoot for the moon" you are doing nothing but setting him up for disappointment. The world is a brutal, horrible, shitty place, and the sooner he realises that the sooner he will be able to set himself realistic goals in life, and grow up.

That is what I am trying to get across to him anyway.

[Nickisabi]

At 3/13/14 11:14 PM, Satan wrote: Difference is your goals are completely realistic, and achievable. OP's goals on the other hand are completely unrealistic and will amount to nothing.

There's a big gap between a freelance artist and a famous rapper. By telling him to "shoot for the moon" you are doing nothing but setting him up for disappointment. The world is a brutal, horrible, shitty place, and the sooner he realises that the sooner he will be able to set himself realistic goals in life, and grow up.

That is what I am trying to get across to him anyway.

My goals are to be successful, not famous. If fame comes, fine, but I'm content with going to college and becoming a social worker as long as I can continue what I love to do: Hip Hop. It's possible to get to where they want to be, but what I want to be is not the exact same place. Like what he said, I'm shooting for the moon even though that's not my goal to be famous.

Me wanting to be a successful Hip Hop artist goes way beyond wanting to be famous or cool. I love the culture itself and what constitutes it. I'm in it for the right reasons, not just for fun.

[tox]

Way better song
http://youtu.be/45Ynt0mNSwo

[Zhon]

At 3/13/14 11:14 PM, Satan wrote:

At 3/13/14 10:46 PM, Zhon wrote:

At 3/13/14 09:27 PM, Satan wrote: No harm in that, I'm not trying to be a dick, but you're taking a bit of fun way too fucking seriously.

I got this same line of shit about my art and gaming when I was in high school. With my status as a professional freelancer and competitive eSports on the rise, I'd say shoot for the moon kid.

Difference is your goals are completely realistic, and achievable. OP's goals on the other hand are completely unrealistic and will amount to nothing.

There's a big gap between a freelance artist and a famous rapper. By telling him to "shoot for the moon" you are doing nothing but setting him up for disappointment. The world is a brutal, horrible, shitty place, and the sooner he realises that the sooner he will be able to set himself realistic goals in life, and grow up.

That is what I am trying to get across to him anyway.

I'm camping out on a satellite - my moon is still years away. Perhaps he may not become a famous rapper, but he may end up with some musical success, land a small label deal, and accomplish something in his life that he and his family can be proud of. Or he might become famous and achieve his dream. Thing is, you'll never know if you stay on the ground - all the famous people had to get there somehow. Trust me, I know the state of the world just as well as the next guy - but to have a self-defeatist attitude is to feed into the problem and make it worse for the next guy. Besides - he seems like a sensible kid, and if he can realize after years of effort that his work is going nowhere, he can put it on the backburner and focus on something else. As long as it doesn't consume his life and make him into a worthless oxygen waster, the only harm that can come is from NOT going for it.

Spanks, show us what you're made of.