The Truth About Hip Hop Blog Submissions by Stereo Assault

What bothers me most about submissions is not following the submission instructions given, not working a release (project), and self-proclaiming your own accolades. Hip-hop blogs need artists/bands/musicians just as much as they need blogs but there are do's and dont's when trying to building a relationship.

Depending on the blog popularity, blogs receive up to 50-500 submissions a day and unfortunately not every email will be opened. But if a blogger does open your email, bloggers hope all of things I stated above are done appropriately. I'll explain why below.

If the blog asks for specific information, the information helps that blogger best serve you. Too many times, I've received submissions that do not follow our instructions and I won't look at the email again unless we have built a relationship of some kind prior to that email.

Some blogs may ask for social media links, website information, where you are located and etc., as that helps write up a proper feature for the artist. We don't have time to track down each and every artist and look for their information because it's time consuming. For your benefit, follow the submission instructions and there goes half the battle.

The second thing that bothers me most about submissions are not working a project. Blogs like to serve and promote artists that invest in their careers. One of the best investments as a musician will be investing and producing an album. But please do not send me (bloggers) the album when it's a day or two from its release. Blogs cannot create any buzz for you if you submit an album days before it's release.

As independent artists, you have to face labels whom have marketing departments that research and draft out plans to reach their demographic with $100,000 marketing budgets and above. Never will you see a label just pop out of no where without any publicity or public relations about a new project. There is a build up of buzz and awareness around each release, whether its a single, EP, or LP. Your best bet if you didn't get the attention of the blog before the album release date, try submitting a video (music video/documentary/short film/etc.) that promotes the project. Properly campaigning a project to bloggers gives blogs time to strategize and help artists the best way possible.

Lastly, self-proclaiming accolades in your submission are the worst thing on Earth next to seeing Miley Cyrus twerk. Seeing the "hottest", "dopest", "best coming out of....", and etc., mean nothing to a blogger honestly. I've received emails with false accolades in their description of their music and bio, and when I do some quick research, none of it's true. Bloggers and industry folks spot it out rather quickly. So please be honest, humble, and be factual. Simply explain to blogs why this submission important to you and how it can benefit both you and the blog.

These three things are some of the things that bother me most when dealing with submissions. Please don't find yourself being marked as spam when sending out submissions. Most of all when submitting music, make sure your music is dope. Making dope music saves you from the terrible submissions we get sometimes. And what I mean when I say submitting dope music, I will paraphrase Kendrick Lamar, "every verse needs to be a brick."

Julian Keaton is the Editor-In-Chief of StereoAssault.com. StereoAssault.com has become a news source for up-and-coming independent artists, clothing brands and anything dope that is could be considered urban culture. Relaunched on Labor Day 2013, Stereo Assault started off as radio show based at Webster University in St. Louis, MO and is now a blog, event promotion company, radio show and talent management firm.