What DaBaby’s Success Can Teach Other Artists [Video]
Following DaBaby’s two straight years of radio and streaming success, other artists have a lot to learn from the rapper about effective marketing and consumer engagement.
Guest post by James Shotwell of Haulix
After two straight years of radio and streaming success, DaBaby has created a blueprint for artists that everyone should follow.
It’s hard to find a more public figure in music than DaBaby. With almost half a dozen releases in a two-year span, not including guest verses and high-profile appearances, the North Carolina rapper turned superstar is a staple of pop culture conversation. He’s achieved a level of success where every single makes an immediate chart appearance, and every artist looking for attention asks for his help. In essence, he is the go-to creative for anyone trying to capture the pop and hip-hop spotlight.
But DaBaby did not reach his current level of success overnight. There was no singular event or track that catapulted the rapper from underground sensation to platinum-selling star. DaBaby’s achievements were earned over time, and it took years of scattershot marketing efforts to find an approach that could create a lasting impact. His tireless work ethic and constant fan engagement are now ushering in a new standard for artists in all genres that may seem insurmountable at first but is entirely within reach.
In the latest MusicBiz update, host James Shotwell breaks down the four key elements of the DaBaby’s success and what other musicians can learn from each. He examines how transparency, storytelling, and thinking strategically about the streaming era of consumption make a difference in an artist’s career trajectory. He also touches on experimentation and how constant reinvention can hold the attention of increasingly distracted consumers.
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James Shotwell is the Director of Customer Engagement at Haulix and host of the company’s podcast, Inside Music. He is also a public speaker known for promoting careers in the entertainment industry, as well as an entertainment journalist with over a decade of experience. His bylines include Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Substream Magazine, Nu Sound, and Under The Gun Review, among other popular outlets.
