Underground Rappers Should Use Ringtones for Promotion

After a week of reading the rigorously updated Prohiphop, I'm seeing how big the ringtone market is. It's gi-normous. And hip-hop music is dominating it.

This got me thinking. Wouldn't it be great promotion for indie artists to release their best beats as ringtones? I've already said before that I would love to have El-P's Deep Space 9mm banging out my cell everytime I get a call. So why doesn't he give it to me for free and keep me as a loyal fan?

It would be easy. Mr. Producto could use Xingtone to magically turn his music into ringtone compatible files. Then he could upload the files to a special part of his website that's WAP, WNL, or something wireless web friendly.

The files are small enough so that bandwidth shouldn't be much of a problem. And what's a little extra server costs compared to having your songs play every time the cool kids get a cell phone call?

If you have a favorite underground artist, don't hesitate to forward them this post (just use the "email this" link at the bottom, doggy- that's what it's there for). If they decide to go for it, I'll promote their effort on this site.

Comments

[G]

I'm not sure I completely understand the hype surrounding midi-type ringtones. Especially the hype from businesses that think it's a long-term money-maker or a major component of a marketing-campaign. It seems to me they could be obsolete in a short period of time. I say this because a lot of new cellphones play mp3s and you can use any mp3 as your ringer. Which means you can have practically any audio encoded as mp3 blasting from your cell.

[Earle]

"The files are small enough so that bandwidth shouldn't be much of a problem. And what's a little extra server costs compared to having your songs play every time the cool kids get a cell phone call?"

Sure, ringtones for an indi artist are a great marketing idea. Even if other people do not recognize the tone at first like a 50 cent ringtone for instance it still provides exposure.

Although, converting a wav or mp3 file to the proper format, its different for various phones, and then storing it on a website for download does seem like a lot of technical steps a non-tech artist would need to take to present their ringtone. Overall good concept though.

[Jonathan Schreiber]

Thank you for the plug! It really is that easy. 95% of ringtones sold is hip hop. Anyone who wants to work with us, that is what we do; help indies sell or give away ringtones to their fans.

[TJ]

I think midi ringtones are going to be here for a while. Even if mp3 ringtones become available to the masses, it requires that people actually learn how to cut a small segment out of the song to create a ringtone.. A lot of ringtones are even re-mastered. The ringtone business seems to be here to stay for a while.

[mc(anon)fs]

wat da fugg is dis site fo.i suggest da man on da helm stick up a gat up 'is ass n bust tha cap BEEATCH!!!

[KeeN]

yeah, ringtones will be here for a while but really only major artist will benefit financially from their sales. Might just be my opinion.

[Sweet-P]

I am still trying to find the best site/software for uploading your own ringtone & selling for greatest percentage of Profit? Help would be highly appreciated