Breaking And Entering: Atlanta feat. Ferrari Simmons and Branden Criss

Before the term “Atlanta Hip-Hop” filled your Google search engine with clips from the VH1’s reality show, it filled your results with references of men who are now considered legends. From Andre 3000 to T.I. it doesn’t matter where you turn, sometime over the past ten years your favorite artist has somehow been influenced by the epicenter of the South that is Atlanta.  Whether you’re playing an old Outkast verse, rapping along to new 2 Chainz, studying a beat by Zaytoven, or indulging in some of the raunchiest or righteous that film and television have to offer, Atlanta has made it possible for us to bask in Black excellence. #WakandaForever.

But many will tell you it’s only the beginning for the peach state. Kronenbourg Brewery sponsored a sit down withBaller Alert’s Ferrari Simmons who also happens to be the newly minted Music Director of Atlanta based hip-hop radio station Streetz 94.5. Joined by Branden Crisis tech entrepreneur and founder of hip hop’s answer to LinkedIn, Rap Plug, together we break down what a new artist needs to do to succeed in the Atlanta market.

The first thing you need to do…know Atlanta.

Watch as Ferrari breaks down the landscape of Atlanta with precision and rapper references.

The second thing you need to do…come with an open mind.

If you’re not from here, you should definitely come with an open mind! Business meetings in the strip clubs complete with a five-star chef or the recording studio are a common occurrence. And it is important that you remember to look the part. Meaning...ditch the formal business attire. The great thing about the Atlanta music scene and hip hop industry as a whole is that they embrace all casualwear and langugae. Meaning: bring on the Nike tech-suit. And if you can't do that then find someone who can because you will make everyone else hot and uncomfortable with all those layers and buttons!

But seriously, whether it is tech or yoour favorite Fortune 500 company, corporations are very interested in the hip hop and by extension African American community. So much so that they are willing to hire people (be it through contracts or otherwise) to go into the studios and strip clubs to advocate and act on their behalfs. Hip hop is somewhere that you need to be if you are trying to impact or profit from the culture and that is just the reality of capitalism right now.

With hip hop being the biggest genre of music and our number one export that is a lot of money to leave on the table if you do not throw your hat in the ring. Big corporations know that so they are asking young black professionals to throw on something casual and close a deal. 

PRO TIP:

If you need a boost of confidence while grinding to be discovered, know that the big corporations are ready to spend money on you. All you have to do is cultivate your audience, and if you plan to get plugged in, you can make it happen — no cap.

With that being said, the support for small business is still here. Atlanta shows love to all things black-owned and hip hop. If you are an artist looking to make moves around the city as long as you show love in return, you will be alright!

One of the last things you need to do…stay ready!

In the past, prominent artists like Nicki Minaj and French Montana were able to come down to Atlanta and get on. With the help of Deb Antney, mother of Waka Flocka, these two New York Artists got it poppin and ten years later are still maintaining their space in the genre. But the point is they came to Atlanta to break through.

This is still the case today with artists embracing Atlanta as their second home and respecting the sound that the city cultivates. While Branden has managed to plug in with Think It’s A Game, Music Director and DJ Ferrari Simmons talks about the artists whose careers he has personally helped to craft, (Alexa play Yes Indeed by Lil Baby) proving that you can come down to Atlanta and Break into the hip hop scene successfully.

Watch the full interview here complete with solo interviews from both Rari and Branden!