I stay away from getting involved in these types of threads because they are petty, but I felt compelled to drop a note-because I feel that this is part of a larger issue beyond FAB. Many of the people on here work supporting Bay Area music, many are dedicated fans of the Bay movement and others are losers that live vicariously through these forum's making commentary on things they cannot grasp (aiming for shock value to rouse folks).
The truth is the Bay Area has struggled over decades to get National shine and for so many reasons than can really be summed up here. It’s a complicated subject-but there are some obvious factors that often hold the Bay back. A major one is the Bay Area music scene is very insulated-artists can be self-sustaining and make a little money out here & so they become complacent to remain "hood stars". FAB has steadily built bases of support across the Country-via fans and networking with other artists. He has a different level of support now than he did when Son of a Pimp came out. Artists from other regions know who he is before they meet, and he is able to be a bridge connecting with areas that have more shine than the Bay does. New York is a major hub of all the major media outlets and they are in tune to the artists that are here. They are tangible and they put themselves out there-hustling at events and doing VIDEO blogs-CONSTANTLY. This feeds the media and they can support the artists by constantly having new content. You may be tired of FAB but there is still a world of opportunity for FAB to get exposure and reach new fans. With each hit he gets it opens another door. He started out with the Murder Dogs & Xplosives and then moved to XXL & VIBE & then he received exposure in the Washington Post and Fox News, his placements get more mainstream with each year and that is a major accomplishment.
So knowing the Bay’s track record, he needs as much name recognition and familiarity as he can before his National release is out (is he supposed to remain silent because he is in purgatory via the tediousness that is releasing on a major label). On top of everything he has to work twice as hard without the support of his regional radio station. He has the street support as well as the support of the new era of music—the internet. This is the formula of success at the moment.
On top of all this his heart is with his community from performing at high school rallies to giving money out of his pocket for thanksgiving turkeys and clothing for young people that look up to him—he has given back to his community and not just Oakland but all of the Bay Area. For that alone he deserves respect-he does it when there are cameras and when there are not. He is a true ambassador for our region speaking with intelligence and passion on the richness of our music/cultural scene and social injustices that fester there.
So I suppose when people stop talking about FAB that’s when he should be worried, but the Bay needs to support its own and understand that new ideas and openness could bring new success and THAT doesn’t just help FAB, it helps everyone. If anyone is carrying the Bay on his back—its him.
The truth is the Bay Area has struggled over decades to get National shine and for so many reasons than can really be summed up here. It’s a complicated subject-but there are some obvious factors that often hold the Bay back. A major one is the Bay Area music scene is very insulated-artists can be self-sustaining and make a little money out here & so they become complacent to remain "hood stars". FAB has steadily built bases of support across the Country-via fans and networking with other artists. He has a different level of support now than he did when Son of a Pimp came out. Artists from other regions know who he is before they meet, and he is able to be a bridge connecting with areas that have more shine than the Bay does. New York is a major hub of all the major media outlets and they are in tune to the artists that are here. They are tangible and they put themselves out there-hustling at events and doing VIDEO blogs-CONSTANTLY. This feeds the media and they can support the artists by constantly having new content. You may be tired of FAB but there is still a world of opportunity for FAB to get exposure and reach new fans. With each hit he gets it opens another door. He started out with the Murder Dogs & Xplosives and then moved to XXL & VIBE & then he received exposure in the Washington Post and Fox News, his placements get more mainstream with each year and that is a major accomplishment.
So knowing the Bay’s track record, he needs as much name recognition and familiarity as he can before his National release is out (is he supposed to remain silent because he is in purgatory via the tediousness that is releasing on a major label). On top of everything he has to work twice as hard without the support of his regional radio station. He has the street support as well as the support of the new era of music—the internet. This is the formula of success at the moment.
On top of all this his heart is with his community from performing at high school rallies to giving money out of his pocket for thanksgiving turkeys and clothing for young people that look up to him—he has given back to his community and not just Oakland but all of the Bay Area. For that alone he deserves respect-he does it when there are cameras and when there are not. He is a true ambassador for our region speaking with intelligence and passion on the richness of our music/cultural scene and social injustices that fester there.
So I suppose when people stop talking about FAB that’s when he should be worried, but the Bay needs to support its own and understand that new ideas and openness could bring new success and THAT doesn’t just help FAB, it helps everyone. If anyone is carrying the Bay on his back—its him.
