As a budding hip-hop artist, the streaming industry is your playground. SoundCloud, one of the main online streaming services, is known to provide more platforms for hip-hop sounds than ever. If you look at the success stories on SoundCloud, you will find that most artists are from this genre, gaining international popularity overnight.
Although rising above the noise, especially in such a competitive music genre like hip-hop where everyone seems to be finding their game is tough, tags can be your secret weapon. Using clever and relevant SoundCloud tags on your music is definitely the key to getting noticed on platforms like Instagram, and TikTok, giving you a solid chance to get viral. Some of the popular tags work well in getting your music the well-deserved attention. So, let's get into it.
What are the most effective hashtags for hip-hop on SoundCloud?
If you want people to take your music seriously, you need to be more visible. It all starts with promoting yourself on SoundCloud with these tags.
• #rapperswanted
Using this hashtag is an intriguing way to connect to the other players in the hip-hop scene. This hashtag will help you seek important collaborative opportunities and using it properly will lead you to build a network, build a solid fan base, find new talent, and shine brighter in the competitive music world. If you are serious about promoting your music on SoundCloud, this hashtag is a must-use, and combined with other effective tags like #hiphop and #rap, you can increase your chances of being found by both ardent listeners and big labels.
Read More: Top 10 SoundCloud Rappers Who Changed the New-Age Hip-Hop Scene
• #soundcloudartist
When in a competitive industry like the music industry, being a #soundcloudartist helps you stand out from the crowd. This tag encourages you to be more creative, connect with other artists in the same league, and share your goals with the rest of the hip-hop community.
• #unsignedtalent
One of the primary goals of an artist of any genre and style is to find stability in the music industry and that can happen when she or he gets signed by a big and reputed record label. This hashtag, #unsignedtalent is for people who are still looking for their label. This hashtag helps budding artists to belong in a community with the hope of finding a more appreciative audience and the potentiality to catch the attention of labels, music managers, and record producers. But there are certain rules that you need to follow while using the hashtag #unsignedtalent. They are -
• You can post clips from live performances.
• The song must be a demo.
• You can also have promotional items with the upload, like videos, or album covers.
The rule is to stick to something that is raw and reflects your potential as a big artist.
What are the best SoundCloud hip-hop tags by genre?
Focusing on the genres, here are some of the most effective ones.
#OldSchoolHipHop #GoldenEra
These hashtags indicate the first hip-hop examples that came in the late '70s and early '80s, from the very own New York City. The sounds are now categorized into different sub-genres, however, most tunes back from this era are called old-school rap and hip-hop. Some of the most popular artists back from this era are Slick Rick, The Sugar Hill Gang, and Grandmaster Flash. If you are an old-school rapper or make old-school hip-hop, this is the perfect hashtag to use.
#GoldenAge #BoomBap
These hashtags are named after the drum production style of snare bap and drum boom. Boom Bap is known as a famous rap and hip-hop style from the 90s. The genre features influences of funk and soul along with a moderate tempo and usually rhymes with hard-hitting drums. It is still one of the most loved and nostalgic hip-hop styles, even though it has inspired other subgenres as well. So, you know what to use the next time you upload any rap song that falls into the category of Boom Bap.
#GangstaRap #StreetLife
The entire music genre of Rap and Hip-hop is shaped by the gangster lifestyle which started to gain popularity in pop culture simultaneous to hip-hop’s rise. Gangsta Rap is inspired by street and gangsta life with the base of Boom Bap. It is still one of the most significant rap genres out there. So, if your music has honest documents of everyday life and your street game, then you know which hashtags will bring you the most attention.
Read More: Top 10 Most Popular Music Genres Around the World
#Trap #ModernHipHop
In 2010, the entire music industry had a cultural shift, so hip-hop and rap music had one too. Trap started to be considered as one of the most popular hip-hop styles from this era and it still continues. This is the style that inspired almost all mainstream hip-hop genres with its unique beats and composition. The punchy bass sound, combined with the fast hi-hat use and triplets began in Atlanta, and with artists like Zaytoven and Metro Boomin, making it mainstream, you will get a fair chance by using this hashtag in your next release on SoundCloud.
#JazzRap #HipHopJazz
Stepping forward from Boom Bap, we have Jazz Rap, a combination between two of the most extreme poles. This music genre uses jazz samples and samples from soul music and put verses to make a unique listening experience. This started in the 2000s, when artists pushed the limits of production styles and samples, creating complex rhythmic schemes, a fusion between jazz and rap music. If your music falls in the same category, this would be the perfect hashtag for your next release.
Some rules and tips for using hashtags on SoundCloud:
1. Use relevant hashtags that go with your music style. This will help you establish your credibility as a hip-hop artist in the digital space. Using hashtags that are not related to your music or brand would make you look off-brand. Remember, listeners might not be as forgiving for newer artists as they are for their favorites, so, you might not get that second chance.
2. Use trending tags for your music upload on SoundCloud. This could help listeners discover your music.
3. Find other platforms that can contribute to your discoverability. You can tailor your hashtags according to those platforms. Remember, different tactics work on different platforms.
To maximize your chances at fame and recognition, cross-put your SoundCloud hashtags that can lead to generating more buzz on other social media platforms. Make sure the tags are relevant and be fresh.
