A question that’s been circulating online recently is why rappers are painting their nails. Specifically, veteran music manager Wack 100 asked for clarity on the nail polish trend in a recent Instagram post.
Rappers like A$AP Rocky, NBA YoungBoy and Lil Uzi Vert are all known to sport fingernail polish. So, what is it about this rockstar-esque beauty trend that enraptures so many top charting artists? The old school and new school facets of hip hop have been rather perplexed at each other lately.
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What’s the deal?
Earlier this week, wack 100 questioned why some rappers choose to wear fingernail polish, asking his followers to educate him. Several artists, including Trippie Redd and NBA YoungBoy, responded to his question by saying they wear nail polish because it’s something they have always done.
Trippie Redd was one of the first signings for Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects label, which launched in 2017. Since then, he has released four studio albums, six mixtapes and eight EPs, earning 15 Platinum and 8 Gold certifications along the way.
He’s also managed to build a successful career on the road, as his “Trip At Knight” tour has so far earned him a total of $400,000 per show. Now, he’s taken it to the next level, with a $30 million deal with Grainge’s label.
Ahead of his latest ALLTY5 album, the 22-year-old rapper took to Instagram to announce that he’d signed a $30 million, three-project deal with Elliot Grainge’s label. He wrote in the caption that he had signed to Grainge’s 10K Projects for “30 million” and would begin dropping songs from his upcoming album soon.
The deal will last for three years and includes “3 albums for 3 yrs.” He went on to clarify that the $30 million figure only represents the “label bag,” which does not account for profits from touring, merch or sponsorships.
In addition, he said that the deal will help him raise his performance rate, which now reportedly runs between $250,000 and $400,000 per show. He said that this is an increase from his previous $150,000-per-show rate.
He also announced that he’ll start to drop new music from his forthcoming ALLTY5 album soon, which is expected to be out this year. He’s already shared some snippets online, with the latest track “Love” sounding unreal! It’s an abrasive, synth-punk rush that blares and pounds at you until you have to give it up.
Not a fan
Trippie redd is a rising star in hip-hop who has quickly become one of the most popular artists on social media. He’s a fan of Drake, Kiss, Nirvana and Kanye West, but he also takes inspiration from more subversive elements in hip-hop culture.
In 2016, he released the song “Love Scars” that became a hit on SoundCloud and launched his rise to fame. Today, he’s one of the most influential rappers in the country and one of the biggest names in the emo genre.
The 21-year-old Cleveland native is a big fan of pop punk and metal, but his music draws inspiration from several genres. He often collaborates with other musicians, and he’s a major player on the underground hip-hop scene in the Midwest.
While most rappers on YouTube get their music exposure through a traditional distribution model, Trippie is making the most of the platform by uploading his songs directly to his fans. This strategy is a big part of why his latest album, Tripp at Knight, has seen the most pre-adds on Apple Music in the week before its release.
He’s also a fan of creating aesthetically pleasing videos and using visualizations to keep his fans interested and excited. As a result, he’s been able to build up a large cult following.
On his latest release, Trippie Redd combines trap and hyperpop elements to create a new type of music. His album uses popular references, metaphors, and visualizers to keep his listeners engaged.
During the first week of the album’s release, animated visualizers and music videos filled up almost every Trippie Redd fan’s YouTube recommended page. This information fed into the YouTube algorithm, allowing more Trippie-related videos to appear on people’s screens.
Even with his success, Redd is a young artist who’s still trying to figure out the right balance between fame and monetization. His newest record deal with 10K Projects pays him $30 million per year, but that doesn’t include merch sales or touring fees.
In addition to his rap career, Redd has also built a thriving music career on Instagram, with over 12 million followers. He recently released a live show on Encore, Kid Cudi’s app for streaming performances, and he’s also working on his third studio album.
Not a hater
Earlier this week, veteran music manager Wack 100 asked his followers for clarity on a trend that’s been taken up by rappers like Trippie Redd and NBA Youngboy. Unlike previous generations, these new-generation Hip Hop stars are now painting their nails to show off their rockstar-esque beauty. Rather than take a stance on the trend, however, Wack asked for clarification from his fans, and has now received a response from Trippie.
Trippie Redd responded to the wack 100’s question by sharing his own view on nail polish on rappers. He doesn’t think the trend is a hater of the genre and instead believes that it represents a way for artists to express themselves. He adds that the act is a form of self-care and that it allows him to “be true to his self.”
While drill and SoundCloud rap are both notorious for their brutality, there’s a lot to love about these genres. They have created a new wave of lyricists, and they’ve also helped to turn the commercial rap culture into a more polished, inoffensive product. Mansion Musik is a great example of this: it’s not as abrasive as drill, but it still features rage beats. And if you’re looking for a good taste of what the new SoundCloud generation is all about, it’s definitely worth listening to Trippie Redd’s Zoom album.
Not a snob
One of the newest trends in hip hop is sexy nails. A bevy of rap stars including Trippie Redd, NBA YoungBoy and Kid Cudi are rocking the polish. So what’s the deal? Wack 100 has been weighing in on the trend and in his most recent Instagram post, he asked for a little clarity. And the best part is, he got it in spades. In fact, he even managed to get a response from the man himself. And it turns out the rapper in question was none other than himself. Here’s the spiel: I’m not a snob when it comes to rappers and nail polish.
