The balance between giving out free music and charging has become increasingly challenging, as "studio" album sales continue to slide and mixtapes continue to be a popular marketing tool.
Wale talked about that during an interview with HotNewHipHop, explaining that a couple of big names advised him not to give out Festivus free as a mixtape. But Wale said he had to for the sake of a good night's sleep.
"I feel a little uncomfortable when I don't give people [music]," Wale explains. "Jay[-Z] and [Rick] Ross, they was like, 'don't drop no free project.' I'm just like, 'I can't even sleep at night. I have to.' I'm sleeping better now. I'm sleeping 'til like 9 o'clock in the morning." "I'm blessed with the ability to make a lot quality music in a short period of time," Wale continued. "I'm just trying to feed the fans."Wale's next project in his Seinfeld series, The Album About Nothing, drops on March 31, and you will have to pay for that one.
Are you more inclined to buy an album from an artist who generously gives some of his work away for free?