In Episode 119, Adam sits down with Washington Heights rapper LIFEOFTHOM to break down his journey through New York City’s rap scene and how he’s building a career in today’s independent music landscape.
Thom talks about the viral Washington Square Park freestyle moment where he ended up rapping in front of the NYC mayor, how moments like that can translate into real fans, and why artists need to learn how to leverage attention in the modern music industry.
He also shares the story behind connecting with legendary producer Plain Pat (Kid Cudi, Kanye West) and what he learned from working with someone who has helped shape some of hip-hop’s most iconic records.
Throughout the conversation, Thom gives insight into building a team, opening for artists like Conway the Machine and IDK, life on tour, and how independent rappers are navigating tech, direct-to-fan models, and the changing business of music. Whether you’re a hip-hop fan or someone interested in the music industry, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build a rap career today.
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00:00:50 Washington Heights Rapper “LifeofThom” on His Rise + New Plain Pat Project
00:02:50 La Russell’s packed calendar as an indie artist
00:05:51 Inside NYC’s New Rap Scene: Building Community Like Pro Era & Brockhampton
00:11:05 Rapping for NYC’s Mayor: How a Viral Washington Square Freestyle Changed Everything
00:15:59 When Do Artists Need a Manager? Building a Real Team in the Rap Game
00:18:31 Opening for Conway, IDK & Taylor Bennett: How Rap Show Opportunities Actually Happen
00:22:11 Life on Rap Tour: The Real Experience vs. What Fans See on YouTube
00:23:41 Why Rappers Should Pay Attention to Tech, NFTs & Music Platforms
00:26:24 The Future of Rap Money: Direct-to-Fan Music, No Labels Needed
00:29:20 Working with Legendary Producer Plain Pat (Kid Cudi, Kanye)
00:33:07 How Great Rappers Write: Freestyling vs. Crafting Bars for Days
00:37:38 Rap Influences: Pro Era, ASAP Rocky, Blog Era Mixtapes & J. Cole
00:41:22 Mount Rushmore of NYC Rappers (Debate Gets Heated)
00:45:24 New Music with Kota the Friend, CJ Fly + What’s Next
