Artists such as Killer Mike, El-P, and Lyrics Born have put their albums up for free streaming, and Big K.R.I.T. has joined them.
In a recent interview with SOHH.com, the Mississippi emcee explained why he allowed fans to get a free listen of his album Live from the Underground.
“Still being the kind of person that didn’t mind [letting] people hear the album, I built up the confidence [that] they’re still going to purchase it,” said K.R.I.T. “With Krit Wuz Here, Return of 4Eva and 4Eva N A Day, even when we were giving them away, people were actually looking for ways to buy and support the [projects].”
K.R.I.T. continued, addressing specifically the choice to stream on NPR. “Even by streaming it to NPR [National Public Radio] — which is still a great look because a lot of people that didn’t know about my music might visit NPR — it was still a great way for people who didn’t know it.”
The emcee explained that the stream was not exactly the same as the studio release. “They might like ‘Porch Light,’ they might like the ‘Praying Man’ record, you never know. It just shows them the album is going to be what they wanted, and at the same time, I explained to them it’s still going to be a lo-fi stream so in order to really hear it, you had to hear it in your car or you had to buy it on iTunes because it has so many sounds you’re still missing.”
“I think people still wanted to support, and that was beautiful, man. But they know how I am, man. I just want people to hear the music above everything.”
Looking for something different, a distinctive sound? Kaotik AKA Bruce Reignn got his hip hop album/mixtape out now!!!
http://kaotik.bandcamp.com/album/off-da-meter-freestyles
Streaming an album before release is a very risky practice. People might have high expectations for the album, and if they’re underwhelm they might not purchase your music. It can also work in the favor of the artist also. But honestly the only people buying artist albums like K.R.I.T are his die hard riders. Your average listener will most likely just illegally download it.
I dont buy many albums, last few I bought was KRIT, before that The Roots.
Im starting to think that artists should have a ‘donate’ button on a website somewhere. Something lets say, if you had downloaded the album elsewhere (without admitting to it officially) but just wanted to contribute ‘something’ to the artist in appreciation to their music.
Lots of people arent about to stop file sharing anytime soon, but I know a lot of people would probably make use of making a donation. Even if its just $1-2, if lots of people donate it still adds up.
I agree particulary for those artists i like on major labels. I want to pay currensy direct for his great new album but warner brothers can suck my d!ck
Oh, and I bought KRITS because I like the way he interacts with his fans. The free music was worth good money, he wanted to give it away to build trust with his fan base and then he let people stream his whole album which he hopes people will buy.
These days for some people, they have to like an artist as a person to buy their music. Otherwise they will just download it for free, its good to see artists starting to recognize this. Being a fan I hope a lot of people buy KRITS album.
Poor nigga. Because of that dumb shit nobody bought his album LMAO
except for 50000 peoplein the first week… Its incredible considering that he got no atlanta air play on radio which often dictates a lot of southern radio
thats real good for a new artist…and he makes his own beats so it probably didnt cost much to make
KRIT isa real nigga.. real recognize real.. I have his album.. its worth the itunes purchase. Risky to stream it free though… guess he confident in his art.. Real nigga #LiveFromTheUnderground
I ain’t bought an Album in 4 yearz, till yesterday whn I swoop’t thru best buy & picked up K.r.i.t.’s Live from the Underground.
Worth Evry Cent
luv krit but people just dont buy music no more like they use to, unless your a pop act.
I bought this album and support any artists that drop dope albums. If you don’t then you ain’t a fan and you can expect more watered down hip-pop. Being a fan is more then listening to music, its about supporting the artists. You can make any argument you want about not supporting record labels, but at the end of the day these dudes don’t do their numbers then you aren’t getting anymore of their albums.
Especially for new and upcoming artists, purchasing albums is absolutely essential for their survival. They put a lot of their own money into this. As an independent filmmaker I know what it is and hopefully this doesn’t fall onto too many deaf ears.
Download to peep it, purchase if you support it.
I had to support. He put in work dropping mixtapes better than a lot of artist albums. That $10 I spent didn’t hurt me. Rich Dad Poor Dad is my shit btw.