Venice Beach Rappers Taught Me a Lesson on What Not to Do

Hey! Given how ubiquitous free music is there days, we have decided to start posting free mp3 on the blog in addition to our newsletter. Why? Why not… The ultimate goal is to get these heard, not to squeeze out every dime from your pockets.

When I was in California last week, while walking on Venice Beach, I was accosted by 4 or 5 guys that were “pimping” out their music. They were a ragtag bunch from Atlanta and their wares were burned CD-R with sharpie markings on them. The pitch was simple: 1) ask you to stop and listen, 2) you would listen or ignore them (I listened), 3) they tell you that on this CD-R in their hand there were 18-42 amazing songs that I could buy for whatever you could spare.

After listening to a generic drrty South style track, I said “How’s a buck?” He got pissed, yanked the headphones away from me and moved on to the next person. I said “What the fuck? That’s it? You said to offer something and I did. Plus, how do I know that on that ratty ass CD there are actual mp3s?”

He came back and he explained to me how they had sold thousands of tracks through this sales tactic and I should trust him. I then said, “How come I have never heard of you. I am in ‘the biz’ you know. Also, I don’t trust my grandmother when it comes to money, even if it is a buck.” As we conversed, hundreds of other tourists were accosted in the same fashion, but none were as willing to engage these hustlas in conversation. The dude proceed to lecture me on how bands have it wrong to giveaway music. I said “people are going to get it anyway. Isn’t it better to give them something?” His retort was brief “if you wanna be poor, then give it away.”

I disagree. I agree that I am losing money on the front end, but the pay off is in the 1 person out of 20 that likes the track enough to ask for more and to actually pay for the rest. People still buy music. Not as much, but they still do. Sure the economy sucks, so why not spread the love when we are down? There is no ulterior motive, we just want to share our music with the hopes that we hear back from you.

So it is with this hope that I offer you 2 free Soulfound tracks below. Enjoy. Share.

Soulfound – Insides

Soulfound – By Myself

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