Read deeply-researched essays full of lessons to apply to your own business. It’s a fresh perspective on some of the biggest hip-hop business trends of yesterday and today. I write at least one essay every month.
If you’re new to Trapital, start with these two essays featured below. I love them both, and readers do too. You can also dig through the archives.
Got a topic in mind? I've probably covered it. Search for it here:
What Spotify and YouTube’s Billions Playlists Tell Us About Streaming
Building a Fanbase for the Residencies of the Future
How Quinta Brunson Found Her Audience With Abbott Elementary
Why Artists Need to Collaborate to Stay Relevant
How Newer Artists Should Price Their Concerts
How Lil Baby Found Artist-Market Fit and Took Off
Why Artists Shouldn’t Rely Solely on Music Festivals
How Pusha T Positioned Himself for Longevity
Kendrick Lamar Succeeded In Spite of the Music Industry
Spotify’s Quest to Own Your Ear
The Overlooked Levels of the Creator Economy
How Hip-Hop Artists Become Billionaires
How More TikTok Stars Can Succeed in the Music Industry
How Ringtone Rap Influenced Modern Hip-Hop
How Apple Music Fell Behind in Digital Streaming
Netflix’s Strong Black Lead Strategy, Explained
Why Hip-Hop’s Indie Economy Has Taken Off
How Tyler, The Creator Built a Cult-Like Following
The Hip-Hop Touring Business is Broken, Part II
What Hip-Hop Gets Wrong About Young Thug
Why Kanye West’s Gap Deal is a Risk to Yeezy
Why Ownership Matters More in Hip-Hop
Why Hip-Hop Fans Miss the Blog Era
Why Hip-Hop Philanthropy is Hard to Get Right
Why Hip-Hop and Gaming are Still Scratching the Surface
How Issa Rae Became the Modern Mogul
Why Instagram is Hip-Hop’s Quarantine Destination
Beyoncé’s Streaming Strategy, Revisited
How The Weeknd Mastered his Brand
How Hip-Hop Helped Cash App Grow Faster
What Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuit Won’t Solve
How ‘Watch The Throne’ Still Impacts Hip-Hop
How Kendrick Lamar Plays the Long Game
How Travis Scott Growth Hacked Hip-Hop
Why Hamilton Partnered with Disney
One Year Full-Time on Trapital!
Why Apple Should Spinoff Beats by Dre
A Complicated Legacy: How Drake’s OVO Sound Will Influence Hip-Hop
Want more Trapital?