A lot has been said about the artists who’ve made it. And by made it, we mean, those who’ve gained national and worldwide exposure, and / or made millions of dollars.

The problem that so many up and coming artists have, is, how a lot of these artists have gotten exposure and made some money, then act like.....I don’t owe yall shit. That may be true to a certain degree. But somebody’s puttin’ money in that artist’s pockets. Who’s buying your music and coming out to ya
shows ?

Of course, one artist can’t help everyone. Everyone has to make an effort. But one artist can be the first link in the chain. He or she can cause a chain reaction.

Here’s the best example I can give u. Because there is no other greater than this one. I’ll use Prince. Prince is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He got his foot in the door in 1978. After being in the business only two years, he helped his former drummer and childhood friend, Morris Day, put a band together. That band was called The Time. The Time consisted of : Morris Day, Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jellybean Johnson, Monte Moir, & Jerome Benton. Morris & Jesse went on to record solo albums. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis went on to become the most successful production team in the world, while jump starting the careers of many area artists (Alexander O’ Neal, Cherrelle, Sounds Of Blackness, etc). Jellybean & Monte produced many artists (Janet Jackson, Mint Condition, etc.). Prince’s band, The Revolution, launched the careers of bassist Andre Cymone (went on to produce platinum material for Jody Watley), Wendy & Lisa (produced their own albums, as well as, soundtracks...Soul Food), Eric Leeds, Bobby Z., the solo career of Shelia E., Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, Rosie Gaines, etc. Prince is also responsible for launching the careers of actress, Carmen Electra (thru his production of her first album), Vanity, and Appollonia. The list goes on and on. Thru Prince, these other artists have been able to do what they’ve always dreamed of doing, and they all reached back to help someone else in the process.

You’re probably saying, what does that have to do with hip - hop and rap ? Well, it’s not just relevant to r&b and pop. It’s relevant to all music. Just think, if at least one artist from every state reaches back like Prince did, and helps at least one artist, then that artist helps another and so on. Would the end result be positive or negative for that state? What if 5 or 10 artists were reaching back like that ?

Minneapolis is known for the Minneapolis Sound. Yes, in part, because of Prince. And because those that he helped, carried on that sound. Now, that’s a city with a rich musical heritage.

The closest hip hop example I can give u would be Dr. Dre. From Dr. Dre came Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Nate Dogg, Daz, & Karupt. Plus everyone they’ve helped. Also from Dre, comes Eminem & everyone he’s helped. Then there’s 50 Cent and everyone coming outta his camp. U can even go all the way back to Easy E., and say he really helped put Dre on. Yes, I know Dre did “Turn Out The Lights” before N.W.A., But he didn’t receive worldwide recognition until he hooked up with Easy.

If those who have been blessed would pass their blessings on, the cycle would never end. And everyone would eat.

U may not be able to help everyone, but u may be able to help someone who can help someone help someone. U dig ?

In order for your state’s rap community to MOVE FORWARD, somebody’s gotta REACH BACK !!