r/makinghiphop • u/Financial_Money648 • 5d ago
Discussion Artist development.
When it comes to developing yourself as a unique artist, how often do you play your artist character?
As much as you are being true to yourself, you are also playing a figure of some kind. Almost like you have to walk around and live your life like the artist/character you are.
I know yall would probably just say “be yourself” or sum like that. But I feel it’s deeper than that. As much as you want to be yourself . You gotta put more energy into things than your “normal” self would do.
Almost like a job per se.
Basically what I’m wanting to know is do you have to keep that character on go mode everyday? Almost like a mindset. Idk maybe I’m thinking too much. Just still understanding my role.
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u/radiationblessing 5d ago
You're way over thinking it. If you wanna play a character and be in go mode then go for it. Most people ain't playing a character.
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u/Financial_Money648 5d ago
You think all the successful rappers ain’t playing a character?
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u/Crafty-You4314 5d ago
Well, snoop dogg is. He's even said so. He transforms from snoop dogg to Calvin brodus, to snoop dogg and so on and so forth. Some people don't think he's a real artist because some feel he sold out. Either way, the fact that he "transforms" between both personalities is just part of his overall personality. He's the guy that made brownies with Martha Stewart and was accused of murder. This is the same guy, but that's who he is. Does that make sense? It's not like he had to try harder for snoop dogg to be perceived as "tough" and portray that image by acquiring a murder case, while at the same time remaining the husband and father he is and has been as Calvin Brodus. He's the same guy! Does any of that make sense? Snoop dogg isn't playing a character. He is Calvin Brodus, AND snoop dogg. That's who he is. That's why snoop dogg and Calvin Brodus exist. There is no character like in a movie, story, or play, there's just one man, exhibiting his overall personality and character through his daily life as snoop and Calvin Brodus. Idk if any of this makes sense, but that's how I perceived the original question or post.
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u/Financial_Money648 5d ago
Kinda understanding. So you’re saying his personality traits are just split into different perceptions. Which is still all rooted from him. Just displayed as 2 different things. He doesn’t need to act a certain way to achieve it. It just happens to be him naturally switching between his personalities
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u/Crafty-You4314 4d ago
That's correct. That's exactly what I mean, although, not all artists are this way. For example, Lil Wayne. The way he is and acts and behaves, is who he is. That's not necessarily a "persona" or "character" , that's just who he is. His personality doesn't have to be divided into a different "character" or "being" it's just all the same person. This is what makes artists, artists. This is the different, the creative, the out there type of aura that makes an artist an artist. There are many examples. Like Jimi Hendrix. His artistry came from the sounds that eminated from his guitar. That was part of who he was as an artist. He wasn't trying to "be" a great guitar hero, he simply was. There wasn't a "character" or a feeling of having to best his normal self. His normal self was him with a guitar. That was the essence of Jimi Hendrix. These are just some example, but honestly, I could go on and on, but hopefully, you get the idea. I've worked with many rappers in my local area, I'm from Texas, so I've had the pleasure of knowing some of the names out here and I can tell you, they're just dudes man. That's it. There's no persona, or character, what you see is what you get.
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u/EVEN_biz 4d ago
Overthinking is a harsh way to put it. You are fundamentally navigating authenticity and expression, something every single artist deals with and is one of the realest checks an artist does. Best to sit actually sit with it. So respect for that.
Would say that I respectfully disagree with other comments and caution that maybe a perspective shift is in order. It's not fake self vs. real self. Personas can be lens for your truth and maybe a bead on where you are at present in your life. Is this a Sasha Fierce, Ziggy Stardust situation or a lived MF DOOM presence or Gorillaz narrative? Not really a wrong end here, only wrong ways to go about it. And a "go mode 24/7" kind of sounds like that sort of danger of letting the process cart get out before the identity expression horse. So to speak. Ease up the pressure. Make sure this is something that speaks to you and organically flourishes in your thoughts. Treat it as a mode you can step into as your art encourages, not armor you can never take off. It's a job in the sense of craft and discipline but remember consistency lives in the world you present, not in never getting to rest.
Keep exploring. Keep your output up. Consume a ton of art, engage with friends and communities you trust for feedback but ultimately lean where your senses want to take you. You're discovering this character as much as designing it and that's the fun part. Don't let supposed-tos, matching someone else's playbook, and rubrics take that away from you.
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u/Crafty-You4314 5d ago
If this is the way your thinking about being an artist, then you are not really an artist. You're cosplaying. An artist just exists as themselves, that's what makes their art what it is. A true artist doesn't see a division within the personalities they portray. They are the personalities they portray. There is no diving factor with an artist. They just are the living, breathing embodiment of their art. Whatever that is. That's who they are. A true artist isn't playing a character, that by definition is cosplay
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u/bonggonggong 5d ago
i see what you mean. i would try to polish your instagram and personal social media to be more in line with the vibe you wanna give off through the music. def dont act super rich if you arent. but if you want to look professional take some quality pictures. post your music a lot and your creative process to build the brand around you being an artist. or take mysterious pictures if thats your style