4th Post: Who's phony, who's fake..................?

So you ever been kicking it with a couple of your peoples and maybe somebody you just don't hang around that much. You notice that one of your homies is acting a little funny, like maybe this one person has changed his entire persona for the evening, or possibly brought out something that lied dormant. Or, maybe it's not even that deep, maybe one of the people you thought was on your team, is completely leading you on, and probably gonna steal from you later on (you know who you are). Regardless, realness is one of the most debated topics in music, PERIOD! Whether it be if a rappers background is actual factual, or whether a band actually wrote AND performed one of their hit songs (a lot of your favorite songs, were written by somebody in the background, NOT by the band, people make shitloads doing that, its called PUBLISHING RIGHTS!), being real is, on the surface, a very important detail in music, but a declining necessity in our society, making it a declining necessity in the music business. Now before I say anything else, I will say that A) there is a difference between a gimmick and being completely fake and B) I in no way shape or form condone being fake to make it. Now that I've said that, faking it with the right PR has done wonders for some artists (I will not mention names because, hell, I don't know those people personally, I didn't grow up with them HAHA!) That formula alone coupled with minimal talent can shoot you to where you want to go, for about a year or two. Those who have true talent also have another word that will decide whether you make money or not in the music industry................longevity. Perfect example, rapper T.I. said on his first single, "Some people wonder what my goals is, they think its goin' gold, havin hoes sweatin me, fuck that, I'm in it for the longevity.". Now this is a cat who's first album maybe went gold, and first label DROPPED him (Arista). But his talent, dedication and business savvy could not be ignored (when you sell dope, you gotta be business savvy HAHA!), and now 5 albums later (wait........6 I think) look at his empire. 8 Ball and MJG, B.o.B, Young Dro, all signed UNDER HIM!
But I'll stop ranting about the homie Tip.
Apparently, being real means just about nothing nowadays. But please believe if there is no true talent there, you will not last. And for those with true talent reading, don't be so damn ready to have YOUR sound and YOUR vision put out there at first. You gotta play the game to win, dig it?

Peace