The topic seems a bit heavy but those cats who really wants to sell their CDs should not take the economic downturn as impending doom. Well, not if you keep on working at it. Here is my point of view on what exactly is the rational of selling Malaysian Hip Hop especially during the world economic slowdown and people having lesser buying power but ever increasing thirst.

Competition from Kanye will be less during a recession. All that platinum selling rappers will suffer a hard time in international markets as they have to keep on increasing their prices to keep their margin. However their gross revenue will be dwindling. What would that mean? Expect lesser spending on their marketing and promotions. This will be a local Hip Hop advantage and besides, Hip Hop is not a rich man’s music to start off anyway.

Focus on street teams and forget the trying to place your CDs in Tower Records. Why? Point number one…design wise we are definitely beat on design covers and marketing materials. So why even bother and waste the limited resources? Get online and make friends through every social web account you have. All the investing time on MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, Hi5 and others will be paid off if you start doing mail orders. Plus fans love that little bit of personal attention you give them online.

No large shows or concerts. You and I know they cost a bomb just to bring that blinged-up rapper let alone marketing the son…so the ticket prices will not attract much during such a depressing financial period. Cop little venues and plan it with a few crews…have the events earlier in the day so kids can come. Ditch the booze and chikas you be normally targeting to shine on….coz you know they will be a waste of hard earned money. Pay attention to the guys….they are the ones who be buying your CDs for RM10 a pop.

Hard to cut a demo? Do a collaborative EP or mixtape and split the cost square in the middle for both parties. You be getting his clients and like wise for him….the better sounding ones will obviously get a bigger share at the end of business day. Theres no harm in love right?

You think roadside baskers are just for sad romantic heard broken rockers? Well, you are mighty wrong there son. Try doing the same as them baskers but instead asking for spare change as them to buy that EP of yours. Perhaps the whole curbside cypher culture of Brooklyn would rub on a bit here. You’ll sell, practice and increase your exposure all at the same time.

Burger stalls, yeap your friendly brother Ramly goes down well during an economic crisis. Cheap, delicious and attracts people from all walks of life. You can start your own burger stall and sell your CDs there and blast your music on the side while your customers wait from their “Double Daging Cheese Special” gets done. They might just get home with just more than a full stomach if you get what I mean.

There are endless more ways to market your tracks in a recession. You’ll just have to think out of the boombox a little bit. Keep rock rockin’ it. Peace.