The ones who diss artist who have low numbers are the same ones who say artist are overrated when they have a bunch of sales. There is no pleasing those kind of people.
The last 3 Freddie Gibbs albums are classics. And I’m sure the sales are not high. Let’s get back to when it’s all about the quality of the music and not the clout around the artists.
I’ve watched interviews with Cordae and this dude comes across so down to earth and humble (esp for an artist in this genre)~folks need to leave him alone
Lmao that's funny cus literally every Kendrick fan is the EXACT same way. Whenever kendrick breaks a record like nunber 1 hit song or most streamed his fans run to social media to post about it. But whenever someone does the same for drake they use that same lame excuse "who cares about the numbers its about quality not quantity" 😭 Both sides are so insufferable.
@ it’s really not the same. One guy sings and is a pop star, uses ghost writers, uses reference tracks, screws up and coming artist left and right, is insufferable and plays industry games as well as back stabs every other rapper whilst also not being that great of a rapper and making fake stories and raps about being some hood gangster when he grew up in a nice Toronto suburb(drake) The other being Kendrick is the exact opposite. So yeah I’ll take some heat as a Kendrick Stan I definitely am biased and he’s been my favorite since 2013 (I’m a lyrics guy before that it was Nas) but I can whole heartedly say with out a single lie in my body that I’ve disliked drake longer. I never liked him since he first started just seemed very industry plant like got off of a tv show and got hitched to lil Wayne in his prime right out the gate. Also I can fully say drake Stan’s are a billion times worse only swifties can come close to the croadie nation!
Little brother minstrel show is a classic album Regardless of sales. We are in a spot where people can’t think or listen for themselves n draw their own opinion which is a pathetic state of affairs
@@CurtissKingTVJust saw your video culture united 4. 50 cent didn't purposely put kendrick as a crack head in an interview 50 said kendrick wanted a role to push his acting abilities just thought I would let you know.
Sales do matter in some regard, but the public is obsessed with them. I never thought about why we know those metrics until this video. Trashing artists because of low album sales (in the streaming era) not only serves as a weapon for labels to use against artists but can also dissuade artists from making creative music and/or branching into other genres.
Sales only matter to labels. It’s a lot of things behind the scene that determines how big someone will be. And most of the time it’s about if you’re willing to play the game or not.
Labels release sales numbers because labels care about numbers and their investors are paying attention to the numbers. Fans are free to derive whatever opinions from that… but most music fans don’t rank their playlists based on songs that have the highest numbers but rather the best quality, and overtime the numbers will reflect that.
I'm glad he brought up how ppl only focus on the 1st week sales too. I hate that, as well. When an album's sales are so-called weak for its 1st week sales but, eventually winds up going gold or platinum, you never hear about that - unless you're a hardcore fan of that artist & you're checking for that. *An artist's value should *NEVER* be judged on what his/her 1st week album sales are* . And, they only do this in hip hop. That's another reason I don't like hip hop in general (except for literally one artist). @5:19-5:39 This is so true.🎯
12:30 Once Elliott Wilson started a podcast with DJ Head and Jeremy Hecht, The Bigger Picture, we learned that Akademiks is not the only one who judges everything by numbers. I was appalled that Elliott was the same way. Before GNX dropped he said that if Kendrick dropped two more classics albums he would officially ranked him as better than Drake and the GOAT. WTF! “Sing About Me” alone makes him better than Drake! Duckworth, Mother I Sober, Reincarnated, Drake can’t do this period! To not judge based off of lyricism is insane to me, especially at his age. That’s what the Pulitzer was for! Elliott is a business man who chose Hip Hop as the genre of journalism to specialize in. He doesn’t love Hip Hop. Jay-Z and Drake are his goats because of record sales and commercial success. 13:36 Akademiks applauds rappers based off of record sales, never mentions their music. So I think you are on to something. I think we should eventually be allowed to know the sales numbers. Elliot also couldn’t tell if sexy Red or Latto was the better rapper without knowing their sales records. DJ Hed said “it’s not based on numbers.” And Elliott said “ How do you judge success?” Laughing. You don’t you judge skill and creativity!
The reality is people care about numbers and they very much do matter. Put it like this Kendrick wouldn't be considered a possible GOAT and cultural Icon if he got Lupe and Ab-Soul numbers. Are numbers the only thing that matters? No of course not, but people only hate numbers talk when its not in their favor. If Cordae did 100k first week we'd be talking about how its obvious people want to hear him. We wouldn't be discussing why people aren't giving him a chance despite his skill.
YOU LIKE KENDRICK MORE thsts fine, but thats you. People dont need to reflect your thoughts. Ak is strange he is a numbers guy, but he does not rate things based on that. The man actually knows hiphop listens to a wide range of things. He just rarly talks about it which is boring.
If it was a mainstream record it would put the artist in the hole I'm sure but the lane cordae is in that's actually impressive and profitable for him and his team
Im so sick of these teenie bopper hip hop channels Cordae is talking about. They dont care about the music, or the culture, just "being relevant". It's goofy af. And like you said its not just wy folks.
Its crazy work to say Nas Illmatic doing 59k in 1995 is the equivalent of Cordea doing 10k in 2024. Rap was no where near as mainstream in 1995 as it is today, its clear this guy doesnt really know hip hop history. Just look at a revenue chart of hip hop from the 90s to today. Today is multiples higher as Rap is global today and was regional in 1995.
@@thearkhightek I have listened to himself and he's painfully mid. Hence I made the comment from experience, I've never told any1 to put Cordae on as well.
Lyor Cohen said the record sales can be purchased. He said payolla is a big business. The labels buy radio slots. Also the labels partner with streaming services and fake the streams. That's what Drake was talking about. Because he has been part of the payolla.
People need to stop going to CTG in the first place. They're here to break artists that aren't on their "side" of the industry. Some celebrities fall for their line of questioning, and some don't. As you said, this shouldn't have been a question in the first place. I'm routing for Cordae because they offed quite a few of the young guys that came in with him.
Great video! I’ve been asking myself the same thing, why do labels/platforms tell the public about album sales? It feels like a tactic to sway public opinion and condition people to care more about the numbers than the music itself.
At 2min you answered your own question. I was thinking along the lines to keep an artist insecure, control public perception as you said for future negotiations. I'm a consumer not a maker so I'm just thinking of somewhat basic psychological manipulation tactics #musicindustry=modernslavery
I see a lot of things recently like the chicken and the egg question…there’s multiple perceptions from different angles of hip hop that sometimes limit the whole idea of musics power ..
Yup it's pretty pointless, especially after he went after the most hated Pop artist of the past decade. People never cared about any rappers beside Kendrick before, but they damn sure dont care as of right now.
@@popetaytv Praise?? Headz need more than praise when they up against the SonyUMG-niliatti with all that payola stuck in them thongs all over the media bruh. And look if Drake is complaining about the same thing that made him Hot, then it's obvious the buck starts and stops somewhere. And I'm pointing at these "pod-gods". I hate to admit it. They are the newest element in hip hop.
@@DomeStik-he2gn all they can do is big up who they like. Charlamagne and Ebro via The Breakfast Club and Hot 97 have given a lot of air time and interviews to rappers that the general public just really doesn't care about in a major way. The reality is a lot of rappers that are praised for their intricate bars or having substance simply aren't making music most folk want to hear. Cordae I like, but he's not making music most folk care about. Lupe is the 🐐 to me but he falls in the same category
They only grow they're platforms when there's negativity in the culture to milk whilst someone like an signifier will always be there with the same principles seeing gradual growth
@Curtiss, I totally agree with your take on the sales game. I have never cared about any numbers. If I like the music I like the music and I'm sure lots of people would agree. The numbers and the one who care about that can absolutely cause the band wagoners to jump out there and bash the artistry that comes from anyone in any capacity.
Focusing so much energy on first-week sales is just silly to me. Promotion doesn't stop after the first week. Sales and streams definitely don't stop after the first week. First week sales should just be a measurement to the label for how effective their pre-release marketing was. They should look at at those numbers and adjust accordingly. Other than that, first week sales mean very little.
The public is so obsessed with numbers that it robs artists of their originality in order to make microwave music. For me, in a much as an artist is doing okay with their life. All good.
I'm glad he said this. I'm tired of the industry media putting unnecessary pressure on artists. It dsicredits their talent, which isn't quantified or determined by first week sales. Let the consumers digest the product and sit with it.
@@Woktoharlem I swear even of he did... He still wouldn't get the point He's too lost in stats and be doesn't care about the quality and longevity of a project
Comparing shop and nas when nas was coming up and snoop was one of the biggest artist in the country at the time is apples to oranges. To conflating these metrics like it has weight as a point when you actually know better from your own works in the industry is mental.
actually it's pretty simple, cordae is just corny, he wanna be this j. cole triple entendre 300 bars wannabe clone so bad, it's just not hittin with the youth and with the old heads... plain and simple...
Sales matter a lot, if Kendrick didn't do numbers he would be essentially irrelevant like Lupe (who's my goat). If Cordae did numbers he wouldn't be avoiding the topic. We saw folk big up Tyler's numbers.
What makes it a "flop"? The first week of sales or how the album sounds? This is the whole point of the video is showing that numbers doesn't necessarily make an album a "flop" and yet, you didnt get the message.
@@TheEmbessyNetworknumbers definitely do make a project a flop. Go look at his TH-cam numbers. Less than maybe 40k checkin out his project. That number for artists used to be millions. People not listening to your sht definitely is a flop. Most people do not listen to cordae. He’s written of as a sleepy jcole clone. N he flopped. Simple. Get out ya feelings.
We don't need to have a lot of things but in the age of information. Numbers help. Statistics help to analyze trends and judge performance. I don't NEED to know how well a movie does at the box office, but it helps inform me of whats selling. I dont Need to know next-gen stats to enjoy a game. But I like knowing for a host of other reasons. He shouldn't be judged by his sales numbers, but for indie artists who try to replicate his success, it's a good way to stay grounded and informed on market trends.
Ay the right business model paired with a strong fan base could make album sales more irrelevant than they already are and I say that because imo sales haven't mattered since we stopped paying for music and only serve industry titans outside of the up and coming artists promoting thru social media for analytics but rarely a stream of serious revenue
Everyone in these comments denying the fact that he flopped, have watched this video more than they’ve listened to the Damm album! I understand that yall like certain artists and that’s ok….. but coping doesn’t change reality! The album could be amazing and ALSO flop! They don’t have to have anything to do with each other! It could be a flop Artistically, it could be a flop sales wise….. either way, a flop is a flop! Drake’s “Honestly Nevermind” probably did a lot of numbers, artistically tho, MAJOR FLOP! Cordae’s album is probably awesome, numbers wise tho, It went 5 x Certified Cement! That’s ok…. Stop taking these things personally! And then the “if you haven’t gone through an album roll out , you wouldn’t understand what is a flop or what isn’t”… or whatever you said…. Buddy, Business is business is business! No matter the industry, business is simple….. get MORE out of the money invested ! I don’t need to be a lemonade stand expert to know that If a lemonade stand only sold 3 out of 100 cups of lemonade, they flopped! It ain’t rocket science! It’s ok if an artist you love doesn’t sell $h!+! I love little brother, I ain’t ever once in my life given a fvck about how much they sold….. JDilla, Common, MadLib….. who gives a $h!+! But if I spent my days counting stats, none of these artists I mentioned have made a dent in sales in the context of what a “flop” is or not! Since YA’LL are counting stats tho, Cordae Flopped…… that’s the reality! Live with it
As an artist myself, I feel like album sales don’t matter anymore because nowadays if you have the need to know how popular an artist is to determine if you like the music then you really shouldn’t even have the ability to listen to music. Like genuinely cut your ears off 😂
Fair..but its many successful artist and media who arent backing him. As talented and relatable as he is. It just doesnt slap. It doesnt hit. It doesnt make you groove vibe nutin. You dont wanna play that u less maybe youre cleaning the crib
I just listened to it. And this is after seeing him demolish cyphas and freestyles. I must say he went too safe. He rapping like his parents are in the room with him. I mean I think most people listened to mumble rap repeatedly because they really wanted to make sure if these kids were rapping in English. Hence the high streams. Cordae is warm milk on this one. Even Mr Paak couldn't spice it up a Lil.
No def not co signs. Just atleast some bangers. Or something thatll make you bop your head atleast. It sounds like a Disney kid trying to be street. But if you talking co signs. Then yes Everytime he features someone we know like Wayne, it makes the views larger@@robertgoodsell5549
the stated things do not work because of todays already established market and consumers that got used to the music that is being generated and consumed, what would really change the game is a platform that focuses solely on creating a new agenda for the music as it was intended to be.
I just listened to it. And this is after seeing him demolish cyphas and freestyles. I must say he went too safe. He rapping like his parents are in the room with him. I mean I think most people listened to mumble rap repeatedly because they really wanted to make sure if these kids were rapping in English. Hence the high streams. Cordae is warm milk on this one. Even Mr Paak couldn't spice it up a Lil.
Its been plenty albums i slept on and my homies had to put me on weeks or even months later. Its also albums thats had good 1st week sales that i didnt care for
A lot of people who talk about music don't even understand how the business works. Artist don't make money off album sells. They make money off touring, appearances and merch. Every album isn't a hit or instant success. People's entire view of music is fake.
FWIW, I really enjoyed Cordae’s latest, but I wasn’t surprised there wasn’t a lot of noise/engagement, streaming etc. For me, as long as you can attract folks to your shows, especially after the album hoopla dies down? That’s the true metric for me bc otherwise, we get into numbers (that lie, if we’re being 💯) and subjective discussions about what appeals to you. Look how many newer artists ran up streaming numbers, but can’t sell out even smaller venues & definitely can’t put on a good show (yet). Plus, look J Cole - people were CLOWNING him this year and look at what he just did - selling out Madison Square Garden isn’t for lames. Cordae just needs to KIM and let his work speak for itself. Also, as an aside? Maybe not the move to be lashing out at ⚪️ commentators bc ⚪️ folks are big part of his fanbase & like Curtiss mentioned, they’re not the only ones talking 💩 for engagement 🤷🏽♀️
I disagree with the labels outting out the first week numbers... That's Billboard, that's literally what their business is based around. The labels aren't making Billboard do this, that's just what Billboard does. Streaming apps as well, they tell you how many times somgs were played and where the songs and artists rank. If labels could get Billboard to suppress these embarrassing numbers im sure they would, problem is they can't Billboard will track and release those numbers every week.
It's more impressive doing numbers from selling CDs or vinyls. It proves folks actually care, they want a physical copy. streaming is questionable especially when major labels are invested in them. first or 2cd week sales validates nothing cause unless you're a reactor listening to album within first week helps your algorithm. If you're just consumers might hear an album 3+ weeks after it drops. not everyone is obsessed with hearing an album the minute it drops. let's not forget about surprise drops
I think Ryan Reynolds kills it in absolutely every role. I think what people don't like is that not every song is their best work. That's like saying Michael Jordans first championship sucks against his 98 crossover nudge. Clearly his best, I hear that. I hear that. You definitely said it loudly. I think if we treat music like movies we'd be more fair as a society.
You saying the labels put the numbers out when the labels don’t collate the metrics that are publicly accessible is disingenuous. Also first week sales have always been a metric used to see how popular the album could be.
More people prefer streaming over purchasing music. In some cases, streaming music is free while you have to spend real money to buy music. Why would you buy something if you can listen for free? In fact, why spend $20 on one album if you can spend $20 on a Spotify subscription to listen to millions of albums. So using first week sales or sales in general is outdated.
Remember his start as a member of a group and he may have not had that solo appeal ad we may have thought because he was the better rapper of his clique.so no dont try to gaslight the fans to think you deserve more than you have at the moment
Frfr...... if signed artist are selling 9k-15k....... why not go solo and just put your own money in? If you can get 2k followers.... you can get 2k units sold.... if you can get 9k followers.... you can get 9k units sold... without a label and literally pocket 100% of all profit
Nas is one of the only ones to figure out the formula. He dropped six great albums by doing what he does with a new producer from the west coast. Common and Pete Rock proved that they can still do it too. I don’t know…🤔
Maybe I’m wrong but don’t all brands have to make their sales public? The music industry is an interesting platform as these are human beings but they are also a brand. Is there someone who can educate me on this?
It seems. crazy that 1,500 streams equals one album sale tho right? Like not. one person has streamed an album half that many times another way to look at is if Cordae. dropped the album on TH-cam and got 15Million. streams in one week would call that a flop? Cause. that's how many streams he gained for just 10k sales.
The ones who diss artist who have low numbers are the same ones who say artist are overrated when they have a bunch of sales. There is no pleasing those kind of people.
Exactly
@@thearkhightek 💯
Idk about that
Facts
Those kinds of people shouldn't work in the industry they should live in a van down by the river
The last 3 Freddie Gibbs albums are classics. And I’m sure the sales are not high. Let’s get back to when it’s all about the quality of the music and not the clout around the artists.
@@alexmcfarlane9792 classics? Relax.
😂😂 classic is a strong word
Agree all the way with you
Classics?
Chill bro
I’ve watched interviews with Cordae and this dude comes across so down to earth and humble (esp for an artist in this genre)~folks need to leave him alone
It’s dudes like Akademics lol
Lmao that's funny cus literally every Kendrick fan is the EXACT same way. Whenever kendrick breaks a record like nunber 1 hit song or most streamed his fans run to social media to post about it. But whenever someone does the same for drake they use that same lame excuse "who cares about the numbers its about quality not quantity" 😭 Both sides are so insufferable.
@ it’s really not the same. One guy sings and is a pop star, uses ghost writers, uses reference tracks, screws up and coming artist left and right, is insufferable and plays industry games as well as back stabs every other rapper whilst also not being that great of a rapper and making fake stories and raps about being some hood gangster when he grew up in a nice Toronto suburb(drake)
The other being Kendrick is the exact opposite. So yeah I’ll take some heat as a Kendrick Stan I definitely am biased and he’s been my favorite since 2013 (I’m a lyrics guy before that it was Nas) but I can whole heartedly say with out a single lie in my body that I’ve disliked drake longer. I never liked him since he first started just seemed very industry plant like got off of a tv show and got hitched to lil Wayne in his prime right out the gate. Also I can fully say drake Stan’s are a billion times worse only swifties can come close to the croadie nation!
@@Chicago311zero I stopped liking Drake when I grew up and became a man.
Little brother minstrel show is a classic album Regardless of sales. We are in a spot where people can’t think or listen for themselves n draw their own opinion which is a pathetic state of affairs
Facts. That album aged like fine wine.
@@CurtissKingTVJust saw your video culture united 4. 50 cent didn't purposely put kendrick as a crack head in an interview 50 said kendrick wanted a role to push his acting abilities just thought I would let you know.
We the public don't need to know. It's not my business. Just like we don't need contract numbers.
Sales do matter in some regard, but the public is obsessed with them. I never thought about why we know those metrics until this video. Trashing artists because of low album sales (in the streaming era) not only serves as a weapon for labels to use against artists but can also dissuade artists from making creative music and/or branching into other genres.
@@jmbeats3308 exactly 💯
Sales only matter to labels. It’s a lot of things behind the scene that determines how big someone will be. And most of the time it’s about if you’re willing to play the game or not.
Sales are like social media comments lol it's inaccurate but also accurate on an analytics level I guess it depends on the artists team
Labels release sales numbers because labels care about numbers and their investors are paying attention to the numbers. Fans are free to derive whatever opinions from that… but most music fans don’t rank their playlists based on songs that have the highest numbers but rather the best quality, and overtime the numbers will reflect that.
Someone called the poor guy 'Diet Cole' and I feel guilty about how hard I laughed.
Given his size its more watered down than diet 😭
I saw that video too lmaoo
I'm glad he brought up how ppl only focus on the 1st week sales too. I hate that, as well. When an album's sales are so-called weak for its 1st week sales but, eventually winds up going gold or platinum, you never hear about that - unless you're a hardcore fan of that artist & you're checking for that. *An artist's value should *NEVER* be judged on what his/her 1st week album sales are* . And, they only do this in hip hop. That's another reason I don't like hip hop in general (except for literally one artist). @5:19-5:39 This is so true.🎯
12:30 Once Elliott Wilson started a podcast with DJ Head and Jeremy Hecht, The Bigger Picture, we learned that Akademiks is not the only one who judges everything by numbers. I was appalled that Elliott was the same way. Before GNX dropped he said that if Kendrick dropped two more classics albums he would officially ranked him as better than Drake and the GOAT. WTF! “Sing About Me” alone makes him better than Drake! Duckworth, Mother I Sober, Reincarnated, Drake can’t do this period! To not judge based off of lyricism is insane to me, especially at his age. That’s what the Pulitzer was for! Elliott is a business man who chose Hip Hop as the genre of journalism to specialize in. He doesn’t love Hip Hop. Jay-Z and Drake are his goats because of record sales and commercial success.
13:36 Akademiks applauds rappers based off of record sales, never mentions their music. So I think you are on to something. I think we should eventually be allowed to know the sales numbers. Elliot also couldn’t tell if sexy Red or Latto was the better rapper without knowing their sales records. DJ Hed said “it’s not based on numbers.” And Elliott said “ How do you judge success?” Laughing. You don’t you judge skill and creativity!
The reality is people care about numbers and they very much do matter. Put it like this Kendrick wouldn't be considered a possible GOAT and cultural Icon if he got Lupe and Ab-Soul numbers.
Are numbers the only thing that matters? No of course not, but people only hate numbers talk when its not in their favor. If Cordae did 100k first week we'd be talking about how its obvious people want to hear him. We wouldn't be discussing why people aren't giving him a chance despite his skill.
YOU LIKE KENDRICK MORE thsts fine, but thats you. People dont need to reflect your thoughts.
Ak is strange he is a numbers guy, but he does not rate things based on that. The man actually knows hiphop listens to a wide range of things. He just rarly talks about it which is boring.
@@LeonaHeart livingston "akademics" is a known clown who values artists based on commercial success. Hes a drake stan, i said everything
Oh yeah, who Eliot became is not the man who wrote those amazing XXL Editorials. Capitalism will screw your brain pan empty!!
@@CyrusIsntimagine carrying Akademiks water in late 2024, Could NEVER be me!!
How is 10k in the first week a flop? 10k people spent their hard earned money to buy his art. That's success, that's a major win.
That's $100k first week right? More than most purple make a year. But that's a flop lol
@@avery465everyone is looking at the same “thing” with different lenses and perspectives
not even 10k sales it’s a little over a million streams.
I know I did. That was the best birthday present I could have bought myself
If it was a mainstream record it would put the artist in the hole I'm sure but the lane cordae is in that's actually impressive and profitable for him and his team
Im so sick of these teenie bopper hip hop channels Cordae is talking about. They dont care about the music, or the culture, just "being relevant". It's goofy af. And like you said its not just wy folks.
FOH. Yall say this as a coping mechanism for fact that yall music ain't hittin then use the "culture" as a cheap shield against criticism.
@@AfroDevil big facts its coping
Its crazy work to say Nas Illmatic doing 59k in 1995 is the equivalent of Cordea doing 10k in 2024. Rap was no where near as mainstream in 1995 as it is today, its clear this guy doesnt really know hip hop history. Just look at a revenue chart of hip hop from the 90s to today. Today is multiples higher as Rap is global today and was regional in 1995.
Thanks!
The number of people I know that have ever said "Put that new Cordae on":
Thank you. nobody
7.5 million monthly listeners would disagree.
@PrincipalSkinner3190 doomsday is a good song.
You must have a real hard time thinking for yourself
@@thearkhightek I have listened to himself and he's painfully mid. Hence I made the comment from experience, I've never told any1 to put Cordae on as well.
Lyor Cohen said the record sales can be purchased. He said payolla is a big business. The labels buy radio slots. Also the labels partner with streaming services and fake the streams. That's what Drake was talking about. Because he has been part of the payolla.
Great work Curtis 💯👏🏿💯👏🏿💯
Cordae is weak to be completely honest.
😂😂😂 how?
How is he weak?
@@39mack23 just doesn't have the appeal he needs as a rapper. He lacks flow, cadence, voice etc.. as well.
@@GustavoSantos-gz7uj 😂😂😂
Insightful!!!
People need to stop going to CTG in the first place. They're here to break artists that aren't on their "side" of the industry. Some celebrities fall for their line of questioning, and some don't. As you said, this shouldn't have been a question in the first place. I'm routing for Cordae because they offed quite a few of the young guys that came in with him.
Charlemagne even said the video he is siting was crazy
Lol what? Charla did his job
Great take on this very true definitely eats away at the artists leverage when negotiating their next deal
Great video! I’ve been asking myself the same thing, why do labels/platforms tell the public about album sales? It feels like a tactic to sway public opinion and condition people to care more about the numbers than the music itself.
Nas most recent projects are good examples of quality art designed for the present. Sometimes, older artists sound like old ninjas 🥷 rapping 😂
At 2min you answered your own question. I was thinking along the lines to keep an artist insecure, control public perception as you said for future negotiations. I'm a consumer not a maker so I'm just thinking of somewhat basic psychological manipulation tactics #musicindustry=modernslavery
I see a lot of things recently like the chicken and the egg question…there’s multiple perceptions from different angles of hip hop that sometimes limit the whole idea of musics power ..
Advertising also has something to do with it... I think he's done some good stuff in the past, yet I wasn't aware he had a new album coming out
I honestly don't believe Noone should be dropping right now because Kendrick K-Dot Kung-Fu Kenny Lamar Duckworth has us in the headlock right now.
Kendrick K-Dot Kung-Fu Crash Out Kenny Lamar Duckworth
Yup it's pretty pointless, especially after he went after the most hated Pop artist of the past decade. People never cared about any rappers beside Kendrick before, but they damn sure dont care as of right now.
Labels releasing artists sales reminds me of being in school and getting report cards.
Charlamagne, Ebro, Ak and them doomsayers in hip hop need some accountability intervention.
They are sucking the air out.
Charlamagne and Ebro definitely give out plenty of praise for good music even if it doesn't sell well.
@@popetaytv Praise?? Headz need more than praise when they up against the SonyUMG-niliatti with all that payola stuck in them thongs all over the media bruh.
And look if Drake is complaining about the same thing that made him Hot, then it's obvious the buck starts and stops somewhere. And I'm pointing at these "pod-gods". I hate to admit it. They are the newest element in hip hop.
@@DomeStik-he2gn all they can do is big up who they like. Charlamagne and Ebro via The Breakfast Club and Hot 97 have given a lot of air time and interviews to rappers that the general public just really doesn't care about in a major way.
The reality is a lot of rappers that are praised for their intricate bars or having substance simply aren't making music most folk want to hear. Cordae I like, but he's not making music most folk care about. Lupe is the 🐐 to me but he falls in the same category
They only grow they're platforms when there's negativity in the culture to milk whilst someone like an signifier will always be there with the same principles seeing gradual growth
At least ak and Budden does
@Curtiss, I totally agree with your take on the sales game. I have never cared about any numbers. If I like the music I like the music and I'm sure lots of people would agree. The numbers and the one who care about that can absolutely cause the band wagoners to jump out there and bash the artistry that comes from anyone in any capacity.
His personality hinders his success. It’s like Russ. They’re successful but I’ve never heard anyone ask to play their music.
How does his personality affect his sales? Hiw does Russ's personality affect his sales? Please explain...
@@TheEmbessyNetwork look at you asking remedial questions under all the comments😭🤣
Focusing so much energy on first-week sales is just silly to me. Promotion doesn't stop after the first week. Sales and streams definitely don't stop after the first week. First week sales should just be a measurement to the label for how effective their pre-release marketing was. They should look at at those numbers and adjust accordingly. Other than that, first week sales mean very little.
Cordae is/has always been mid to me. I wish him success though... he's a good dude. Just needs to sharpen his pen.
Great conversation @Curtiss King 🫡
The public is so obsessed with numbers that it robs artists of their originality in order to make microwave music. For me, in a much as an artist is doing okay with their life. All good.
A lot of people still don't know about The wordsmith of wizardry K-Rino(K-Reeno).
South Park coalition 🔥
I'm glad he said this. I'm tired of the industry media putting unnecessary pressure on artists. It dsicredits their talent, which isn't quantified or determined by first week sales. Let the consumers digest the product and sit with it.
I hope Ak comes across this video
Yeah he’s obsessed with numbers and pocket watching. It’s annoying tbh.
@@Woktoharlem I swear even of he did... He still wouldn't get the point
He's too lost in stats and be doesn't care about the quality and longevity of a project
His album didn’t flop because of sell it flop because it wasn’t anything inspiring
Comparing shop and nas when nas was coming up and snoop was one of the biggest artist in the country at the time is apples to oranges. To conflating these metrics like it has weight as a point when you actually know better from your own works in the industry is mental.
actually it's pretty simple, cordae is just corny, he wanna be this j. cole triple entendre 300 bars wannabe clone so bad, it's just not hittin with the youth and with the old heads... plain and simple...
Fact it’s all about how the albums make you feel. Numbers don’t me nothing.
Album sales can (I'm sure its the case) be impacted from the publicly posted album sales...
10:09 SWEAR TO GOD! WE DON’T CARE HOW YOU RAP BETTER THAN ANOTHER RAPPER, THIS RAPPER SUCKS, ETC ETC THAT SHIT GETS SO OLD!
Sales matter a lot, if Kendrick didn't do numbers he would be essentially irrelevant like Lupe (who's my goat). If Cordae did numbers he wouldn't be avoiding the topic. We saw folk big up Tyler's numbers.
Unfortunately little buddy lacks major aura and starpower. If the people don't see you as a star it ain't never gonna work and that's the truth
I agree 1st week sales just shows how many people were truly waiting for the album but it doesn’t show the people who discover the album later on 💿
Sales are calculated by streams. N have been for over a decade now.
It was a flop.
The question of WHY may be what we need to address.
What makes it a "flop"? The first week of sales or how the album sounds? This is the whole point of the video is showing that numbers doesn't necessarily make an album a "flop" and yet, you didnt get the message.
@@TheEmbessyNetworknumbers definitely do make a project a flop. Go look at his TH-cam numbers. Less than maybe 40k checkin out his project.
That number for artists used to be millions. People not listening to your sht definitely is a flop.
Most people do not listen to cordae. He’s written of as a sleepy jcole clone. N he flopped. Simple. Get out ya feelings.
Moral of the story is people need to focus on the music and stop jerkin it to numbers, let the art do what it do.
Side note: I think that THE FORCE is one of LL's best albums, ever.
We don't need to have a lot of things but in the age of information. Numbers help. Statistics help to analyze trends and judge performance.
I don't NEED to know how well a movie does at the box office, but it helps inform me of whats selling. I dont Need to know next-gen stats to enjoy a game. But I like knowing for a host of other reasons.
He shouldn't be judged by his sales numbers, but for indie artists who try to replicate his success, it's a good way to stay grounded and informed on market trends.
I almost broke a nail downloading Nas Kings Disease. Loved Nas then and now and the growth is great.
Ay the right business model paired with a strong fan base could make album sales more irrelevant than they already are and I say that because imo sales haven't mattered since we stopped paying for music and only serve industry titans outside of the up and coming artists promoting thru social media for analytics but rarely a stream of serious revenue
Everyone in these comments denying the fact that he flopped, have watched this video more than they’ve listened to the Damm album! I understand that yall like certain artists and that’s ok….. but coping doesn’t change reality! The album could be amazing and ALSO flop! They don’t have to have anything to do with each other! It could be a flop Artistically, it could be a flop sales wise….. either way, a flop is a flop! Drake’s “Honestly Nevermind” probably did a lot of numbers, artistically tho, MAJOR FLOP! Cordae’s album is probably awesome, numbers wise tho, It went 5 x Certified Cement! That’s ok…. Stop taking these things personally! And then the “if you haven’t gone through an album roll out , you wouldn’t understand what is a flop or what isn’t”… or whatever you said…. Buddy, Business is business is business! No matter the industry, business is simple….. get MORE out of the money invested ! I don’t need to be a lemonade stand expert to know that If a lemonade stand only sold 3 out of 100 cups of lemonade, they flopped! It ain’t rocket science! It’s ok if an artist you love doesn’t sell $h!+! I love little brother, I ain’t ever once in my life given a fvck about how much they sold….. JDilla, Common, MadLib….. who gives a $h!+! But if I spent my days counting stats, none of these artists I mentioned have made a dent in sales in the context of what a “flop” is or not! Since YA’LL are counting stats tho, Cordae Flopped…… that’s the reality! Live with it
As an artist myself, I feel like album sales don’t matter anymore because nowadays if you have the need to know how popular an artist is to determine if you like the music then you really shouldn’t even have the ability to listen to music. Like genuinely cut your ears off 😂
Or maybe Cordae didn't put out a good album 🤷
Exactly... And now he wants to act like he wasn't trying to get them high 1st week numbers
Ab Soul album SoulBurger is a very good album
Fair..but its many successful artist and media who arent backing him. As talented and relatable as he is. It just doesnt slap. It doesnt hit. It doesnt make you groove vibe nutin. You dont wanna play that u less maybe youre cleaning the crib
I just listened to it. And this is after seeing him demolish cyphas and freestyles.
I must say he went too safe. He rapping like his parents are in the room with him. I mean I think most people listened to mumble rap repeatedly because they really wanted to make sure if these kids were rapping in English. Hence the high streams. Cordae is warm milk on this one.
Even Mr Paak couldn't spice it up a Lil.
@Loc777Marley, so u saying, Cordae needs co-signs? Maybe people are afraid of being on a track with him. Js
No def not co signs. Just atleast some bangers. Or something thatll make you bop your head atleast. It sounds like a Disney kid trying to be street. But if you talking co signs. Then yes Everytime he features someone we know like Wayne, it makes the views larger@@robertgoodsell5549
The music will always speak for itself
the stated things do not work because of todays already established market and consumers that got used to the music that is being generated and consumed, what would really change the game is a platform that focuses solely on creating a new agenda for the music as it was intended to be.
5:26 it was a critical success but even back then people knew it was a commercial flop. The reason he went the direction he did on It Was Written.
It flopped by being another mid album
I just listened to it. And this is after seeing him demolish cyphas and freestyles.
I must say he went too safe. He rapping like his parents are in the room with him. I mean I think most people listened to mumble rap repeatedly because they really wanted to make sure if these kids were rapping in English. Hence the high streams. Cordae is warm milk on this one.
Even Mr Paak couldn't spice it up a Lil.
@ paak stay being the reason i check out lames. It’s like if j cole was safer than he is now it’s crazy
Its been plenty albums i slept on and my homies had to put me on weeks or even months later. Its also albums thats had good 1st week sales that i didnt care for
A lot of people who talk about music don't even understand how the business works. Artist don't make money off album sells. They make money off touring, appearances and merch. Every album isn't a hit or instant success. People's entire view of music is fake.
FWIW, I really enjoyed Cordae’s latest, but I wasn’t surprised there wasn’t a lot of noise/engagement, streaming etc. For me, as long as you can attract folks to your shows, especially after the album hoopla dies down? That’s the true metric for me bc otherwise, we get into numbers (that lie, if we’re being 💯) and subjective discussions about what appeals to you. Look how many newer artists ran up streaming numbers, but can’t sell out even smaller venues & definitely can’t put on a good show (yet). Plus, look J Cole - people were CLOWNING him this year and look at what he just did - selling out Madison Square Garden isn’t for lames. Cordae just needs to KIM and let his work speak for itself. Also, as an aside? Maybe not the move to be lashing out at ⚪️ commentators bc ⚪️ folks are big part of his fanbase & like Curtiss mentioned, they’re not the only ones talking 💩 for engagement 🤷🏽♀️
Price tickets were $1. Any artist of Cole’s caliber can sell out the garden with ticket prices that low, Cole knows what he’s doing 😂
@@Qu3stOfD3stiny You missed the point completely, its the fact that he got booked there to begin with
Yo yo yo Wtw yall 🥶
Noooooooooo Cordae, That Album did Flop.
I disagree with the labels outting out the first week numbers... That's Billboard, that's literally what their business is based around. The labels aren't making Billboard do this, that's just what Billboard does. Streaming apps as well, they tell you how many times somgs were played and where the songs and artists rank. If labels could get Billboard to suppress these embarrassing numbers im sure they would, problem is they can't Billboard will track and release those numbers every week.
It's more impressive doing numbers from selling CDs or vinyls. It proves folks actually care, they want a physical copy. streaming is questionable especially when major labels are invested in them. first or 2cd week sales validates nothing cause unless you're a reactor listening to album within first week helps your algorithm. If you're just consumers might hear an album 3+ weeks after it drops. not everyone is obsessed with hearing an album the minute it drops. let's not forget about surprise drops
Why should we care if their labels use our opinions against the artist, that has nothing to do with us
I think Ryan Reynolds kills it in absolutely every role. I think what people don't like is that not every song is their best work. That's like saying Michael Jordans first championship sucks against his 98 crossover nudge. Clearly his best, I hear that. I hear that. You definitely said it loudly.
I think if we treat music like movies we'd be more fair as a society.
The worst part is that 10k first week is 15 million streams 😅
First week sales?! ... We got jobs I won't hear about an album till 2 weeks after release
That young man is doing well for himself.
I never once gave af or even tried to find out what Westside Gunn sold, He drops and I enjoy….Simple….
You saying the labels put the numbers out when the labels don’t collate the metrics that are publicly accessible is disingenuous.
Also first week sales have always been a metric used to see how popular the album could be.
50k for an artists first album would not be considered a flop in todays times
More people prefer streaming over purchasing music. In some cases, streaming music is free while you have to spend real money to buy music. Why would you buy something if you can listen for free?
In fact, why spend $20 on one album if you can spend $20 on a Spotify subscription to listen to millions of albums. So using first week sales or sales in general is outdated.
If I have a small company and sell 10k products in a few weeks I’m collecting my flops and spending it.
Remember his start as a member of a group and he may have not had that solo appeal ad we may have thought because he was the better rapper of his clique.so no dont try to gaslight the fans to think you deserve more than you have at the moment
tbh i didnt even kno he dropped...bro still raps ? lol
Frfr...... if signed artist are selling 9k-15k....... why not go solo and just put your own money in? If you can get 2k followers.... you can get 2k units sold.... if you can get 9k followers.... you can get 9k units sold... without a label and literally pocket 100% of all profit
Cordae is a decent rapper amongst a bad bunch... I've never listened to him and have my draw drop
Respect to Cordae💯💯💪🏾💪🏾💯💯💪🏾💪🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
10k is great to me when i consider i don't know anyone who listens to him...never had a conversation with anyone about him or his music.
I believe hip hop is going through some not all sudden changes but let’s see what happens in 2025
Haaa!! My home state caught a stray per usual crazy lmao
Even Drake, the numbers guy, finds hits among those 'flops' to remix
If illmatic dropped today it would sell 15k first week sales
Nas is one of the only ones to figure out the formula. He dropped six great albums by doing what he does with a new producer from the west coast.
Common and Pete Rock proved that they can still do it too.
I don’t know…🤔
Damn! Rosenberg be preaching 8:18
Well
Murda was the Case had various artists on it so that’s why it went well
That Ice Cube album is 🔥
🎉🎉🎉
Maybe I’m wrong but don’t all brands have to make their sales public? The music industry is an interesting platform as these are human beings but they are also a brand. Is there someone who can educate me on this?
I think if Mr. Morale. I love that album. We need to stop talking about sales and look at concert ticket sales.
But if your album is bad you cannot keep blaming these channels that talk about sales.
cordae been dropping hits this year the paak collab and lil Wayne collab still going
It seems. crazy that 1,500 streams equals one album sale tho right? Like not. one person has streamed an album half that many times another way to look at is if Cordae. dropped the album on TH-cam and got 15Million. streams in one week would call that a flop? Cause. that's how many streams he gained for just 10k sales.
Illmatic is overrated and you know it, idk one person who actually listens to Illmatic like they claim to, not even when it was out
If they can’t cancel you…