Wednesday, May 10, 2017

The Rapper's Business Model

 Kobe's signature shoe - $105.
 Alonso Ball's signature shoe - $495.
Designer sneaker from Neiman Marcus - $695.

Maybe Lavar Ball understands what many others don't.
Maybe Mr Ball would rather own his brand instead of being owned by a brand.
Maybe Mr Ball is to basketball what J Prince or Master P is to Rap.

Even artists as prolific as The Beatles had their publishing rights owned by Michael Jackson. Prince had battled Warner Bros. for decades to gain ultimate ownership of what he produced.
These days, record labels are perplexed that an unproven artist like Chance the Rapper could turn down lucrative record deals and bonuses and instead release his albums for free.

But with the advent of the internet - there is no need for an artist to be owned by a record label.
These days Chance the Rapper can put out his own mix tape for free on streaming services, make money from touring and win three Grammy's.
These days an artist can own his work and distribute it as he pleases.
This is a new generation.


2 comments:

CNu said...

I'm guessing that his margins are pretty thin on production and other costs that are sky high. It's why comic books aren't ubiquitous in convenience stores anymore - though any talented artist plus a storyboarding hack can churn them out.

Your mileage may vary. https://youtu.be/f7inSDN_sAg

brohammas said...

I'm still not spending that much money for a pair of those shoes.