Hip-Hop is worse than I thought

..well for me at least.
My problems go beyond the personal this time. This is about business.

It has been more difficult than it should be to find a headliner for the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival this year. Last year we hit a home run/got lucky with BDK and Lupe. We were able to get 'A' level talent that fit our mission of positivity, family and creativity.

I think we got lucky again with Ghost this year although the kids may have to do 'earmuffs'.
We did fantastic with sponsorship this year as the BHF brand has gotten stronger and stronger. We had $ to spend!

The headliners we thought would fit our mission were outrageously expensive. And outside of that list it was slim pickings.

Common is doing two shows in NY a month before us.

Kweli - ditto

Mos wanted a down payment on a brownstone

De La was not interested in playing NY

Kanye - a king's ransom

ATCQ - four years tuition at UVA

Luckily Cons and Skillz were down.
Old school wise, sadly there aren't that many dudes with a good show, a big draw, affordable rates, and in line with the mission.

Now if we wanted to do Summer Jam Jr. our options were seemingly endless and more affordable.

I guess this is no shock to anyone but it does suck when you establish your mission, raise the money then have to work to spend it. Is it really that hard to find the Lupes, Little Brothers, Kanes, Ghost's, Brand Nubians and Mayas?

There should be a better balance.