Austin Artists don’t Play Around When it Comes to Getting Paid

 

When people envision rappers, they usually form the image in their head about an individual with tons of money and jewelry. Rarely are casual rap fans hit with the stories of corrupt practices these artists encounter, not only with labels, but also with venues that put on hip hop shows. What is even worse, some of these practices happen in their own communities to some of their favorite local artists. One of the latest latest scams to hit the business of the local music industry is a technique known as ‘Paid to Play’. It is a technique in which the artist pays a fee in exchange for a performance. This was discovered by an Austin television  station and made public, noting that it was particularly rampant in the local hip hop community. Well a group of artists from around the city have decided to take a stand and make a statement against the practice itself. and what better way to do so than to organize a live hip hop show in the live music capital of the world in one of the livest downtown areas in the state of Texas.

The “Paid to Play” Showcase featured quite a few artists from around the Austin area and played to a packed, but intimate-size crowd. The venue was held at the Lucky Lounge, located on 5th street, and was not the typical local rap show as the lineup was pretty small and even showcased the DJ between the artists’ sets. But really the idea of the show came from the attempt of artists setting out to prove something to the city itself. That notion, according to Terrany Johnson, who goes by the rap name Tee Double, is that local rappers can do good live performances.

“The idea was to show that artist can get paid and put on great quality shows  while proving we can take care of our own music community without slowing it’s progression,” said Johnson, who was also very vocal about the Pay 2 Play scheme that was reported on happening in the city. As founder of the Urban Artist Alliance, he tried to get City Council to make sure artists do not succumb to these practices.

“Myself along with Jennifer Houlihan of Austin Music People partnered and went to the Austin Music Commission and spoke of the issue of artist being abused by the Pay 2 Play scheme which charges artist obscene amounts of money to perform for only a few minutes for starters,” said Johnson. “They heard our voice and the Austin City Council made it an official amendment reducing funds for future venues if they have Pay 2 Play events that hurt artist.”

Neither Johnson or the television report went into details on who was actually practicing the scheme but it seems progress was being made toward a resolution. Certainly one that could involve a scene on April 4th where artists have come together all for a common cause which is performing great music for the people who really matter: the fans.