Who Has More Mainstream Potential?

[0R0]

Out of Nio Tha Gift and Erk Tha Jerk? Erk has actually had a radio smash hit on local airwaves when no bay artist could get on the radio. Although I felt he dropped the ball by not releasing an album for that single within 3 months of the radio hype, he would have moved a lot more units if he did. Also I didn't hear anything else that had that same "big record" feeling on his album, so was it a fluke?

Nio hasn't had the same luck with any particular song, but his music as a whole has the approachability to garner a lot of fans. It's usually backed by a very positive message or vibe, he can make that "feel good" music when he wants. Not only that but he can sing his own hooks and do them pretty well for a rapper. The only thing I see holding him back is his choice of beats sometimes and how he will also try to keep his street image.

So out of the two, who do you think has a better shot at breaking the mainstream barrier?

 

[Count_Slapula]

Erk could be huge easily, all he needs is to redo his image by throwing on some skinny jeans and the labels would scoop up his talent without thinking twice. His songs definitely have a marketable and enjoyable approach I think anyone can like..

Nio is mad nice droppin those smooth lines, he keeps it too real and the mainstream no longer markets those type of artists. He could be big but the question is will any major label sign him without saturating his music?

With that said Erk has a better chance to be marketed but if Nio could find a way to get in by some miracle he could be bigger. Big ups to both artists

 

[john_jay]

Nio has more mainstream potential but he needs to change his name so he is not confused with ne-yo & soften up his image a little bit.....He seems to be a little more street than the mainstream is looking for right now in a R&B rapper......

 

[YUNG $PIDER]

Both are very talented. I voted for Erk only because I don't know who Nio is. I like that song Angels and demons though, I need to check him out.

 

[JackArtist510]

Erk had a good buzz with "Love/Fuck You Right Here.." heard that shit in hella clubs. i bet he will put out some more shit like that this year.

 

[0R0]

I wish Erk would do one of these Get Back sessions to be able to get a better sense of how he does live.

 

[Shaniac]

after given this much thought id say INF GANG!

 

[radiostationrep]

The Bay Area and its fans should get behind both these gentlemen. Both have what it takes, imo. In order to be a mainstream artist, I would think a certain level of intelligence is required. Both seem to be just fine in that department based on their content and lyrics.

 

[Infantry Elite]

sadly, which ever artist does a better job at separating themselves from the bay area will get bigger than the other.


i'd go with Erk, since Nio talks about richmond a lot

 

[MOESES SOULRIGHT THE 2nd]

both dope

 

[MOESES SOULRIGHT THE 2nd]

sadly, which ever artist does a better job at separating themselves from the bay area will get bigger than the other.


i'd go with Erk, since Nio talks about richmond a lot

needs less inf gang on it

 

[macdrebaby]

Both dope as fuck, but I gotta go with Nio. That HIPHOP album was just crazy, alot of differnt kidns of people who I played that for loved it. Weither it was fans of Jazz, Rock or rap.

 

[0R0]

Nio just dropped Rebel With A Cause, very high quality and consistent. He just needs that radio hit and he'd be going places.

 

[Doc Truth]

I'm a fan of both these cats. The funny thing is I heard some cats hating on them because they claim they sounds too "East Coast". I guess good beats and rhymes = too east coast for some idiots. They'd rather have those wack ass synth polluted played out rave synth beats with 808s all over it.

 

[sfgiants2001]

Both make really great music, and have put out excellent albums. But I don't think there's a lane anymore in the "mainstream" for the type of music they put out. The "mainstream" demo is radio/bet teenies who are not listening to this kind of music. I think both artists have the ability to build a loyal international fan base and tour after putting out high quality albums i.e. Zion I, Hiero, etc.

If the industry changes and radio/tv goes back to playing music with substance (sort of a shift going on..see Big K.R.I.T. / J. Cole), then both of these guys have a great chance.

If I had to vote for one I'd choose Nio over Erk simply because Nio has 2 amazing albums (Blood, Sweat, & Triumph and H.I.P. H.O.P.) while I believe Erk only has one (correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[510hustlin510]

You can't go wrong with either one. But if I had to choose I would say Erk. Both have lyrics and flow but I think Erks vocal tone sets him apart.

 

[Phred Beatz]

dam that ha ha beat was the biggest kanye west bite i've ever heard. might don't got it tho

 

[KirbyDaAlmighty]

Erk.

Mainly because I've never heard of Nio.

Also, Erk is fucking dope.

 

[BASEDVATO]

Nio is better, but Erk has that non-gangsta image, and makes songs for bitches

I say Erk, w/o saying he better

 

[midtownboi650]

I'm a fan of both these cats. The funny thing is I heard some cats hating on them because they claim they sounds too "East Coast". I guess good beats and rhymes = too east coast for some idiots. They'd rather have those wack ass synth polluted played out rave synth beats with 808s all over it.

They do sound a lil east coast to me too...but it's not based on good lyrics it's mostly the beat selection and how they emphasize they words...most west cost rappers pronounce "here" the way its spelled but nio and erk pronounce it like "hea" (like dey do on the east coast)...west coast has always had more up tempo high energy type music (not necessarily hyphy soundin), and tha east coast is more known for the laid back type of feel