Can We Discuss The Poor Distribution Of Indie Hip Hop?

[Generation Next]

I'm more than aware of ordering good hip hop music online, heck I do it all the time. But it would be nice to walk into a local retail outlet and purchase the CD on release day. My frustration is not just with the typical Best Buy/Target chains but with the dying Mom & Pop stores who pretty much says it's the distributors who are not doing their jobs.

One manager actually told me some of these distributors have fallen off with one sheets. I know the economy is bad but when distributors fail the consumer who actually buys the music it makes me wonder what the hell is really going on? There has to be more to it.

Here's what I find funny, How come small Mom & Pop operations like Rasputin's in Northern California and Silver Platter in Seattle are expanding with new stores as big corporate chains are closing their stores and in some case shutting down and conloidating their brands? Will indie hip hop survive this rough adjustment period?

[The Villain]

I think Indie hip hop is going to begin thriving. Just because the average hip hop consumer now-a-days knows that you have to dig for the good stuff. So even if the mom and pops record stores are overlooking the indie stuff NOW - give it time.

[The Iconoclast]

I agree indie hip-hop is really going to be coming into its own soon but due to online distribution. Its going to get to the point (almost already is) where an indie artist can write,record,mix,press, and sell their material straight to the consumer with no middle man. I think it'll be dope when the artist will be able to do this and make a living by it. Example is I could record and mix a song today and sell it tomorrow by download. As long as the artist is consistently making new music it could be a consistent source of income.