u/Emotional_Garlic_342

Genuine question: do record labels/media companies have bots or coordinated accounts on Reddit/social media to shape conversations around artists? or to stop or limit the success or reach of a potential artist whom might be a threat to their label or artist on label.

I’m not even saying this on conspiracy timing, but I noticed anytime somebody heavily supports certain underground artists — especially artists outside the “accepted” industry machine — people instantly try to dismiss it as cringe, self-promo, or fake engagement instead of discussing the actual music/artistry.

Meanwhile we already know labels invest heavily into marketing, narrative control, playlisting, influencer campaigns, comment sections, engagement boosting, etc. So it doesn’t seem impossible that online discourse gets influenced too.

I’ve been pushing Malibu Mitch, Dutchie Dinero, MMB Velli and Imnotarapper because I genuinely think they are talented and have real star potential, but it’s interesting seeing how aggressively people try to shut down strong support for underground artists before they become mainstream.

Do y’all think online music conversations are more manipulated than people realize?

I’ve noticed if you casually mention an underground artist nobody cares, but the second you consistently support them or try putting people onto them, suddenly you’re “marketing,” “a burner account,” or “a bot.”

Is it impossible to be an actual fan of an underground artist anymore without people assuming there’s an agenda behind it?

I was going through’s Dutchie Dinero's followers on IG to see if she actually had organic supporters and not bots… and why is a Vice President at Atlantic Records following her if she’s supposedly “not next up”?

Y’all act like industry executives randomly follow anybody. These people literally spend their careers looking for artists with identity, star power, originality, and long term potential.

She raps, directs visuals, builds concepts, understands branding, and actually feels like a REAL artist instead of another copy/paste rapper chasing trends. That’s probably why people in the industry are paying attention before the masses are.

Do y’all think the industry notices future stars before regular listeners do?

I know an underground female rapper from NY that shoots her own visuals, builds her own concepts, handles branding herself, and still manages to make her content look industry level.

At what point does work ethic become more important than industry backing?

I know an underground rapper who’s consistent, extremely lyrical, shoots high quality visuals, and actually takes music serious but still isn’t blowing up. Is talent even enough anymore?

I know an underground artist trying to build a real loyal fanbase instead of chasing trends. What makes fans become emotionally invested in an artist?

I know a couple underground artist who are genuinely talented but barely get engagement compared to people with weaker music. What actually makes people pay attention to an artist?

Every time people talk about NYC rap it’s always the same names. I checked out Dutchie Dinero after seeing clips online and she lowkey got one of the strongest female drill/hip-hop sounds coming out the city right now. Curious what other people think.

Every time people talk about NYC rap it’s always the same names. I checked out Dutchie Dinero after seeing clips online and she lowkey got one of the strongest female drill/hip-hop sounds coming out the city right now. Curious what other people think.