About this episodeRainwater confronts Shawn Cotton about his recent public attacks on the 'New Dallas' rap scene, arguing that C…AI summary
Rainwater confronts Shawn Cotton about his recent public attacks on the 'New Dallas' rap scene, arguing that Cotton is misusing his executive influence and creating unnecessary division. The conversation reveals deep-seated tensions regarding artist management, the authenticity of the new wave of rappers, and the business strategies needed to succeed in the modern music industry.
Key takeaways 5
Rainwater asserts that as an executive, Cotton has significant power to shape narratives, and his recent public criticisms of New Dallas artists are damaging the local scene and creating a 'war' rather than constructive competition.
The discussion highlights a generational divide where older rappers (like Mo3) are viewed as having 'thick skin' and real street credibility, while newer rappers are criticized for being insecure about their suburban origins and lacking genuine gangster backgrounds.
Successful artist development requires a specific niche and personality (like Finesse's 'Suge' persona or Sauce Walker's anime/karate angle) rather than just musical talent; artists must embrace their character fully.
Club promotion remains a vital, albeit expensive, strategy for breaking artists in Texas, with specific costs mentioned ($100/night at clubs like Lil B Man or Excessy) to ensure tracks are played twice a night.
Rainwater is pivoting towards country rap, citing its commercial success over hip-hop and noting that country artists like Post Malone do not face the same regional stigma as Dallas rappers do.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“You are an executive now and you're powerful. Right. When I go to Corpus, when I anywhere I go, your opinion on Dallas means a lot to people... But I just feel like you underestimate your power and you're too big for the things that you do now.”
▶ 0:45Rainwater warning Cotton about the impact of his public statements on the Dallas rap community.
“I'm team Mo3 to the day. Everything that's what kept me get here. I wouldn't be [__] without the situation. So if you sit here and tell me 20,000 then we got a problem.”
▶ 1:24Rainwater explaining his loyalty to Mo3 and his refusal to pay high fees for features from artists he feels owe him opportunities.
“Most Dallas gangster rappers, they're their family are and their moms are praying women, churchgoing women... These rappers in Dallas, they mas on prayer lines... That's the problem.”
▶ 17:36Rainwater's critique of the authenticity of New Dallas rappers compared to previous generations.
“If you don't have a personality in this rap [__] you got to have a niche. You got to have something. Like even Sauce Walker, he got the anime [__] and the karate [__]... You got to have a mark. You got to have something to sell.”
▶ 39:17Rainwater's advice on how modern rappers must differentiate themselves beyond just music.
“Country sold more than hip hop last year... I have this this this beautiful country artist 22 years old and I'mma get a huge deal with her. I'm I don't care about the [__] [__] no more cuz the [__] [__] they too much in their feelings.”
▶ 40:28Rainwater explaining his strategic shift from hip-hop to country music due to market trends and artist drama.
Chapters & Sections (65)▼
0:00Disagreement Over New Dallas Business Venturechapter3
0:00Disagreement Over New Dallas Business Venture
2:12New Dallas Music Project Criticism and Narrative Control
3:36The Importance of Thick Skin in Adversity
5:36Criticizing Online Posts and Personal Attackschapter3
5:36Defending Online Posts and Personal Attacks
7:03Consequences of Spreading Rumors and Hate Speech
8:28Conflict Over New Dallas Brand Reputation
9:54Manipulation and Power Dynamics in Dallaschapter3
9:54Manipulation and Power Dynamics in Dallas
11:52Dallas Neighborhood Tensions and Business Relationships
13:21Music Industry Relationships and Reputation Management
14:55Dallas Rappers and the City's Influencechapter4
14:55Dallas Nightlife and Rapper Culture Dynamics
16:42Dallas Rappers' Backgrounds and Authenticity
18:24Criticism of Rap Music and Dallas Music Scene
19:58Dallas Music Industry Competition and Criticism
21:50Dallas Rappers' Support and Accountabilitychapter3
21:50Dallas Rappers' Support and Accountability
23:41Zillionaire Doe's Life and Death Circumstances
25:05Rappers' Ego and Corruption in the Music Industry
26:21Dallas Shooting Incident and Aftermath Discussionchapter4
26:21Dallas City Shooting Incident and Aftermath
27:44Importance of Life Insurance for Rappers
29:06Criticizing New Dallas and the Trapping Culture
31:22Criticism of Dallas' Treatment of Local Artists
33:12The Dangers of Fame and Clout Culturechapter2
33:12The Dangers of Fame and Clout Culture
35:45Building a Music Career through Authenticity
37:55Importance of Unique Personality in Rap Musicchapter2
37:55Importance of Unique Personality in Rap Music
40:16Dallas County vs City Governance Debate
42:28Rapper Big X's Career and Personal Issueschapter2
42:28Dallas Music Industry Drama and Business
45:07Dallas Rap Scene and Success Controversy
46:39Criticism and Personal Relationships in Memphischapter2
46:39Dallas Music Industry Drama and Personal Criticism
48:30Sympathy for Yellow Bezy and Family Tragedy
51:49Dallas Murder Case Evidence and Testimonychapter3
51:49Dallas New Development Controversy and Testimony
53:38Multiple Suspects Involved in Murder Charges
55:08Accountability in Online Communities and Social Responsibility
56:53Finesse's Career and Personal Life Crisischapter3
56:53Rapper Finesse's Career and Deal Negotiations
58:31Finesse's Personal Life and Career Choices
59:47Artist's Career and Personal Relationships Struggles
1:01:03Criticism of Music Artists and Industry Practiceschapter2
1:01:03Criticism of Music Artists and Industry Practices
1:03:32Pimping and Managing Sex Workers in Dallas
1:05:17Promoting Music in Nightclubs and Strip Clubschapter2
1:05:17Promoting Music in Nightclubs and Strip Clubs
1:07:17The Power of Independent Music Distribution
1:09:17Music Industry Management and Financial Transparencychapter4
1:09:17Dallas Music Industry and Management Critique
1:11:14Evaluating an Artist's Financial Success Online
1:12:39Celebrity Friendships and Personal Growth Challenges
1:14:04Dallas Hip-Hop Scene and Industry Critique
1:16:31Ranking Texas Rappers for a Top 25 Listchapter2
1:16:31Ranking Texas Rappers for a Top 25 List
1:18:17Ranking Dallas Rappers and Houston Legacy
1:20:33Dallas Hip-Hop Scene and Legacy Comparisonchapter4
1:20:33Dallas Hip-Hop Scene and Legacy Debated
1:22:27Dallas Rivalry Between Young Nation and DSR
1:23:53Comparing Hip-Hop Artists' Success and Legacy
1h 28m
1h 49m
1h 26m
1h 30m
1h 4m
1h 47m
1h 14m
1h 5m
19m
1h 13m⏭ 1
1h 35m
36m
1h 32m⏭ 2
2h 5m⏭ 1
1h 14m
1h 36m⏭ 3
1h 40m⏭ 1
1h 14m
2h 30m⏭ 1
1h 32m
1h 42m
1h 49m⏭ 2
1h 7m
1h 6m
1h 43m⏭ 4
11h 54m
11h 54m⏭ 8
1h 0m⏭ 1
33m
6h 26m
9h 11m
3h 54m⏭ 7
46m
3h 59m⏭ 5
54m⏭ 1
1h 16m⏭ 2