New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Nashville Publicity Group) - Independent rap pioneer Lyrycyst has announced a partnership with the newly launched Gimmesound.com, where a large portion of the artist's music catalog is available for download. The groundbreaking music website has developed a system that allows artists to give away their music for free, while creating income for the artist through a share of the site's monthly advertising revenue.
When you write music to make a difference in people, you want the people to have it at any cost
The partnership with Gimmesound allows me to give away a chunk of my music to anyone I come across, and still get some of the income I need to keep making the music and progressing forward. For the first time in my career, money won't be the determining factor in whether or not someone is impacted by the message of love in my songs!
People see this as an opportunity to get behind a rapper who builds people up rather than tearing them down
Even though I'm giving away free music, and making less money from the music itself, my fans have supported me above and beyond. Whether it's buying out my merchandise, selling out shows or going as far as giving me donations to allow me to keep the music free. They support it because it's bigger than music!
"When you write music to make a difference in people, you want the people to have it at any cost," Lyrycyst states about his new campaign to give away free music to all of his fans. "The partnership with Gimmesound allows me to give away a chunk of my music to anyone I come across, and still get some of the income I need to keep making the music and progressing forward. For the first time in my career, money won't be the determining factor in whether or not someone is impacted by the message of love in my songs!"
At a time when rap music has become predictable and full of violent messages, many see Lyrycyst as a breath of fresh air and a promising new face among rap, pop and rock circles alike. But Lyrycyst (aka Steven Cooper) is no stranger to the music industry. In 2007, Lyrycyst stormed into the mainstream with his remarkable debut album Masquerade (Kikstart Records). The album was raved about by media outlets and even coined in its own genre - "Alternative Rap." With the success of his debut single and music video for "Showbiz" (also featured on the Gotee Records' compilation Hip Hope 2008), the Midwest rap-rocker had set the foundation for a long-term career. Extensive touring and collaborations with some of the biggest names in the business (American Idol winner David Cook, Tech N9ne, Pillar, TobyMac) would soon follow and build on that foundation.
In early 2009, Lyrycyst returned with his much-anticipated follow-up album entitled Revolution. Based around the core concept of overcoming obstacles and pursuing destiny, the album became a staple in the definitive sound of the eclectic artist and broadened the spectrum of what popular rap music should sound like. Songs such as "Blink" and "You Can Be" offered fresh arrangements and instrumentation, while getting to the root of Lyrycyst's storytelling abilities and reminding listeners why he was originally nicknamed "The Lyricist" when he first started penning rhymes in high school.
The songwriter has already seen an overwhelming response to his decision to give away Revolution for free, from both fans and the media, who see this as an opportunity to get positive hip-hop music to the masses. Radio stations, magazines and bloggers have united in a flurry of activity surrounding the campaign and helped the artist find an audience anxious to receive the album for free.
The campaign, cleverly titled "FREE THE MUSIC," couldn't have been conceived at a more awkward time. While the music industry is still trying to adapt to the declining state of the business, Lyrycyst seems to be seeing the exact opposite of what most would expect.
"People see this as an opportunity to get behind a rapper who builds people up rather than tearing them down," explains Lyrycyst. "Even though I'm giving away free music, and making less money from the music itself, my fans have supported me above and beyond. Whether it's buying out my merchandise, selling out shows or going as far as giving me donations to allow me to keep the music free. They support it because it's bigger than music!"
A great cause coupled with great music is a formula that many people can get behind. Whether a fan of rap music or not, thousands across the U.S. are supporting Lyrycyst by downloading free music simply because they want to see a change in the messages portrayed in popular rap culture. While Lyrycyst doesn't claim to know what's in store for this mission, he's determined to see it through as long as people are standing behind it.
Download your FREE copy of Lyrycyst's new album Revolution at www.gimmesound.com/lyrycyst.
