Rhyme Pays - The Business of Hip Hop Artists

Excerpt from hiphop-elements.com of February 23, 2005 ....
Hip-hop sensation KANYE WEST has been slammed by magazine editors after demanding he be paid to pose for photoshoots.



I wanted to wade in on this article with my comments as it relates solely from a business perspective.

I read recently that Kanye West is cocky ... but we need to stop for a moment and consider the business of rap/hip hop.

Why should everyone benefit from this tremendous industry except the immediate players? When a "Brand Name Designer" manufacturers a garment for 48-cents in South America and marks that up 1000% who complains?

Kanye West having just won a Grammy is a business entity. When he's placed on the cover of any magazine after winning this prestigious award, that publication will sell in record numbers. Would Esquire have approached him if he hadn't won a grammy? Be careful, "a no-name artist" may call your bluff! Who's winning from his new found fame? Why shouldn't he be paid or negotiate his share of that pot?

Or, should the hip hop artist only always settle and be content with just what he's given and shut up? Think about it - are we begging for a lodging? Or are we equal beings in this world where we are all living on borrowed time from the Master?

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