Photo credits: “Instagram app icon on smartphone screen” (CC BY 2.0) by Yu. Samoilov
Of course, we have our Shade Rooms, Complex and Genius of the world giving us news and new music to watch. But it’s time to shine a light on a music blog that may not have the same numbers as the others but has an impact and needs to grab your guys’ attention.
@Rapalert2.0 on Instagram reports on the newest and hottest artist and music in hip hop and R&B, with a pop news twist here and there. The page started on October 16, 2018 and has since garnered nearly 19,000 followers on Instagram alone.
Although his Twitter (@rapalert6 as of now) sadly continues to be taken down for copyright claims, he still manages to get his support every time. Rapalert has been noticed by some of the biggest celebrities like Issa Rae, Kehlani and Nicki Minaj as well as up-and-coming artists like Lakeyah and Mariah the Scientist. Not only does Rapalert follow what’s hot in hip hop and R&B culture, but he also does in-depth song-by-song album reviews on the hottest album released this week and most of them can be found at her highlights on Instagram if you’re interested.
I think it’s important to shine a spotlight on music centric blogs that don’t follow a certain formula like others or perpetuate misinformation and open up their discussion and opinion platform and know what they’re up to speak, which are traits Rapalert encompasses. Blogging culture can sometimes be oversaturated, especially in the area of music, so many of them just report or say something about what will get them the most views and likes. It takes the fun and integrity out of what they offer their audience. That’s why it’s important to spotlight pages like Rapalert because it helps us direct people to better options and thank the creators by telling them that we appreciate what you’re doing and that we’re continuing because it can make someone’s day.
Now of course come to the Quad for your weekly music and entertainment news, but since we’re on the phone most of the time on social media and you always need a day-to-day music news fix , @Rapalert2.0 is your next stop. Rapalert is a one-man show with multiple social media platforms and is updating its Spotify and Apple Music playlist with new heat. As for us middle schoolers, music is sometimes the only thing that keeps us afloat. So if and when your favorite artist releases new music, we want to have a reliable source to give it to us, so heed my recommendation when you’re on Instagram and Twitter.
Also, if you make music yourself and want to get a promotion on your work, it offers pricing for that as well. Having a platform like The Quad is a very special outlet for students to bring their opinions and knowledge to a wider audience and highlight the things they love about their personal lives and think the others would also like.
Isaiah Ireland is a second-year Media and Culture major. [email protected]
