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Best Albums of 2012 (So Far)
Best Songs of 2012 (So Far)
Best Videos of 2012 (So Far)
Worst Hip-Hop Jobs
Hip-Hop Quiz
R&B Quiz
Annoying Things About Hip-Hop
Annoying Things About R&B
2012 Anticipated Albums
2012 Artists to Watch
25 Best Collaboration Videos
20 Feel-Good Songs
Top Hip-Hop Albums Ever
Top Rock Covers of Hip-Hop Songs
Sexy R&B Songs

6. Invest in the Brand

Sharief Ziyadat

Rap crews used to mean everything in hip-hop. From Native Tongues to Flipmode Squad, Terror Squad to Wu-Tang Clan, the crew consisted of at least five official members and countless affiliates who possessed the ability to spit fiery bars at any given moment. With the maturation of hip-hop, crews have become more business-minded, building their brand through increased visibility and consistency. Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group provides a great example of this strategy. The MMG team drop a new mixtape, vlog or project every week it seems. The downside? Potential oversaturation.