DJ Akademiks Claims Maino Podcast Means No Music Money

DJ Akademiks is sounding the alarm in regards to the monetary realities of hip-hop. Throughout a September 24 livestream, the media character used the launch of Let’s Rap About It—a forthcoming podcast from Jim Jones, Fabolous, Maino, and Dave East—as proof that rappers are trying past music for survival.

“Rap sport is totally cooked,” Akademiks informed viewers. “Ain’t no cash in music.”

The outspoken commentator clarified that he wasn’t taking photographs on the 4 New York veterans, however he noticed their pivot to podcasting as an unmistakable sign of the place the trade stands. “Should you informed me they had been collectively, I’d be like, oh my God, they’re making some four-way biggest New York rapper factor,” he stated. “However bruh, there’s no more cash in music. Until you’re like YB, except you’re just like the Drakes, there’s no cash for the middle-order guys. It’s full famine.”

Akademiks cited earlier warnings from Jay-Z and Drake about solely “1%” of rappers really taking advantage of their craft, then pushed the declare even additional. “It’s not 1% anymore—it’s 0.1%,” he argued, describing music as little greater than a “cool issue” for many artists. As a substitute, he stated, rappers are monetizing their platforms via podcasts, dwell appearances, and aspect hustles.

Document labels, in Akademiks’ view, have solely deepened the issue. He pointed to TikTok’s dominance as proof that firms can manufacture hits with out investing tens of millions into artist improvement.

“They’re artists like, so that you ain’t poppin’? Why make investments?” he defined.

Solely stars on the extent of Cardi B, he added, nonetheless command main label backing even after they go years with out releasing a undertaking. The results, in line with Akademiks, are stark.

Rappers spend months recording and selling initiatives solely to see dismal gross sales and paltry streaming checks. “Rap is finished,” he declared. “Most y’all make y’all cash on tour… nowadays rappers are in a bizarre place.” He even advised that some artists have returned to avenue hustles to take care of their life.

For Akademiks, the brand new podcast period is much less about artistic exploration than survival. As he sees it, media ventures like Let’s Rap About It aren’t aspect initiatives—they’re lifelines in an trade the place solely a choose few nonetheless revenue.