With the rise of social media and the growing popularity of audio platforms like SoundCloud, mainstream artists no longer regulate creative expression. Indie music is making its debut and spreading like wildfire. Tampa Bay is riddled with talented individuals whose lyrical musings are right at your fingertips.
For Nick Dessasore, a fellow Tampa artist, social media has played a major role in his musical career.
“If I didn’t have social networking, I wouldn’t be where I am now. It’s crazy,” Dessasore said.
The 20-year-old originally reigns from New York and notes his style as being a product of his environment, one that is laid back, smooth and draws inspiration from Queens’ legend Nasir Jones.
Dessasore began rapping in 2010 shortly after graduating high school, but, in most recent years has made great strides to get his
voice heard. After joining a collective of local Tampa Bay artists known as RS Clique, Dessasore released his first full-length project “Life Lessons” this past November.
However, without audio platforms like SoundCloud, the promotion of Dessasore’s music would be limited.
“If people don’t have money to help with actual promotion, [social media] helps. It’s a big deal with the internet,” Dessasore said. “You never know who’s watching. Somebody important could take your career in music much further than where it is now.”
Local emcee and music producer Gatsby is one of Tampa’s best-kept secrets. Bandcamp has been an integral part of the young artist’s musical journey. Over the past three years, Gatsby has used Bandcamp as well as social media significantly to promote his latest projects and connect with other local artists.
“People can go have conversations [about my music] and promote it by posting Twitter links or SoundCloud links,” Gatsby said.
Although Gatsby was first introduced to music through his father’s love for soul, he was classically trained as a violinist during his years in middle school.
Gatsby’s current sound can be best described as a cluster of his musical history. Prior to dabbling in hip-hop, Gatsby was a member of an alternative rock band called Mammoth and Me.
“I get a lot of inspiration from alternative rock music and a little bit of jazz,” Gatsby said.
His first major project, “The Blue Tape,” helped him
gain notoriety throughout Tampa Bay. This was in part due to the framework of Bandcamp that allowed for easy accessibility to his music.
However, Gatsby does acknowledge the fact that audio platforms do have their drawbacks.
“The music is so accessible and that kind of takes away from the value,” he said. “[But] on the other hand, it’s great; you can send a quick link to someone. Things can spread like wildfire now.”
Bandcamp and SoundCloud are continually updating their platforms, which allows artists to debut their music more efficiently and with a better aesthetic quality. For instance, Bandcamp allows users to adjust their settings so that their music is free if listeners subscribe with their email or listeners can make a monetary donation if need be.
“So, having a platform where you can share your music is ultimately a great thing. It provides a lot of different ways for you to connect people over your music,” Gatsby said.
In Craig Tillman’s case, social media etiquette has been integral to the success of his music career. “One thing I love about social media is that you really have to learn how to use it as a promo tool.
Because if you don’t use it wisely, you’re wasting your time,” Tillman said.
The aspiring rapper’s passion for hip-hop first bloomed at the age of 12 when he wrote his first rhyme. Since then, the Tampa native has produced two full bodies of work that include The T.E.A.R.S. and Oddball.
His latest efforts have gained him some notoriety, partly due to his use of social media accounts like Twitter. Often times when Tillman posts links to his music on Twitter, he gets responses from listeners outside of the Tampa area.
Tillman considers this to be a major advantage of using social media as a promotional tool rather than a forum for open discussion.
“You don’t have to move anymore, or necessarily travel
anymore. Because having a Facebook or Twitter makes it easy to reach people in different outlets and in different parts of the world,” Tillman said.
The eccentric artist is also an active user of Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Tillman notes SoundCloud as being helpful in allowing people to listen and download his music for free. But he feels Bandcamp has served as a catalyst when it comes to his music being featured on blogs and websites.
“Bandcamp is way more about presentation,” Tillman said. “It helps people get into the glitz and glamour of your stuff.”
Ultimately, Tillman hopes through avid use of social media and audio platforms that the underlying message of his music, which is self-improvement, will inspire other artists.
“Don’t give up,” Tillman said. “It could be something in there that could work and will work. As long as you keep extending your craft. Find some way to keep going.”