We have the scoop from marketing & sales executive who has represented and presented notable brands such as Roc-A-Wear, Bigg Snoop Dogg, Ruff Ryders Dirty Denim, Da Link Went Wear from the Las Vegas M.A.G.I.C. show to midwest show rooms and the Chicago Niles show.

 

So if you want to work in hip hop fashion here are...

 

 

1. Exclusive Fun & Parties - 3 words... off the chains! The parties are exclusive, starstudded, open bar, invite only (you can't pay your way in) and basically in two more words they are "like that" and if you are in the upper ranks of a notable Hip Hop line's design or sales team you easily find yourself on the V.I.P. list for them.

2. Close team - clothing lines are often close knit teams working together, their staff is not as large as many other brands that have the same notoriety. Working together can feel a lot like being in a small family.

3. Realism with longevity - setting the goal of working in high level or business to business sales for a Hip Hop clothing line is a more realistic or more attainable goal than being a rapper your career can also last a lot longer than the career of most artists

4. Variety - the fashion industry is fast paced & constantly changing which leaves very little opportunity for anything like boredom.

5. Business - unlike promoting parties, tours, or many other music related venues to make money; the nature of hip hop fashion is not as heavily dependent on hard to manage artist appearances which is a great up in entertaiment

 

5 Downs:

1. Continuity - the hip hop line only lasts as long as the artists that it represents, you always have to have your eye on your next gig, and the cut throat nature of some reps & staff members can also mean that others are constantly eyeing YOUR current position

2. Smaller team, smaller resources - you might have to be your own support staff. There is no room for a "that's not my job" mentality. 

3. Hip Hop's work really is your LIFE - work days can start 4:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 a.m. so you really need to be ready to give up all your chill time to work, especially when their are fashion shows, trade shows, or artist appearances that you need to work - practice your being able to give up chillin' for your grind now, turn off the t.v. & hit those books!

4. All that glitters - no matter what your title you may need to do serious grunt work on a very regular basis. Setting up & getting ready for events starts early in the morning and requires all hands on deck to get clothes hung, boxes broken down, clothes steamed, ironed, floors swept after unpacking, etc. on time. (More proof of even less room for a "that's not my job mentality")

5. C.O.D. - if you work in sales everything is paid on delivery and the business cycle can be seasonal so even if you write a lot of orders hiccups in shipping can mean that you don't get paid for your efforts the seasonal nature of fashion can also keep your paper in a bit of flux

 

Things to keep in mind from Hip HopTruth...

We have the scoop from a bonafide tour D.J. who has performed with some of the nations most successful rappers in some of the largest venues.

 

So if you want to be a D.J. here are...

 

 

1. You are the backbone of the show - you make sure that the performance moves along the way it should

2. You sometimes get just as much play as the artist performing

3. Not only are you backstage, You are backstage VIP - nuff said.

4. You get to hype up the crowd & control the crowd (this is also a responsiblity, be up for it)

5. If the artist is big enough (i.e. national act - T.I., Luda, Kanye, etc.) you can get paid very well

 

1. You are responsible for setting up all of your equipment

2. Making sure you are at sound check to "make sure " everything sounds right & is hooked up correctly

3. Even if you are tired and the event doesn't coincide with your schedule you still have to work & be on point

4. After the performance, when everyone is going to the after party you have to tear down all of your equipment & move it to a safe secured place (unless you pay someone to do it)

5. After it's all said and done you might not get paid a lot of money or at all

 

Bonus things to think about from Hip HopTruth.com:

 

-Tours are not consistent, until you have enough money to cover bills for at least a year you should have a "day job" or back up work to make money when nobody is touring or when the people who are touring don't want to tour with you

-Being a Tour D.J. is a good opportunity to promote yourself or your mixtapes

-If the tour gets cancelled you are out of a job & need to look for new income

-Tour schedules are tight - you should start practicing being extra punctual, good at time management skills & able to work when you don't feel like it RIGHT NOW (feel free to use your current job, school, studying, housework, whatever your current responsibilities are for practice)

? Did you know...?

•  A lot of newer or smaller artists end up making about 40 G's per year, mega-stars will definitely make more than that but for many 2-3 hit phenom's a lot of that money fronted by the label gets ate up by videos, promo costs, house rentals, etc. you know, "the lifestyle" (or more accurately "the image")...artists make money on tour, its work, you have to work so don't think they get to lay around all day, if you want to be successful start practicing working hard everyday at something now - source interview: conversation with Interscope exec., reconfirmed by several other exec's/legends

• That technically even NFL stars have a 9 - 5 or more like 8 a.m. to whenever...? That's right they are up bright, early, & generally on time for daily team meetings (it sounded a lot like getting up & out on time for class) - source, interview with Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver 

• What you see on T.V. is not real life. The job of these artists is to make money...their job is to entertain you. That isn't them or their life that you see... -source, interview with Emanuel Lewis & his good friend Slick Rick

• One A & R said the path to success is to get up everyday, make a list of everything you have to do that day...(all your responsibilities...) and don't stop until it's all done. - source, interview with YoungBloodz Mgr. & V.P. of Jazzy Phe's Sho Nuff records

Did you know...>>we are always adding more about the Hip Hop Truth of life in Hip Hop & rap so check back!

Until then we leave you with, the moral of the story --> practice your tenacity, strong work ethic & willingness to do what you have to in the area of your current responsibilities now...Yup!