Rapper Time noun
An extended period of time in which an event or activity is delayed due to the tardiness of a rapper.
Rapper Time is the worst.
In case you’ve never been in a situation where you’ve dealt with Rapper Time, imagine this scenario: you have a job to do, everyone is there except one person, you call the person and ask where they are, and they tell you they are on their way but they need to buy some weed and smoke it before they meet you.
Keep in mind that while you are having the conversation, this person is already late, and they understand this, but it doesn’t prevent them from postponing your schedule even further than they already have.
Rapper Time is something people learn to work around, but it is also annoying.
Why does it happen?
Some rappers look at their shows more as a time to party than as a step forward in their careers. Drinking and smoking at a friend’s house is a lot more fun than showing up for sound check and making sure the performance runs smoothly.
A lot of times rappers end up behind schedule due to a lack of planning ahead.
So what can be done differently?
If you take your craft seriously, take yourself seriously. Be a leader and set a good example.
You will be amazed by how much more efficient you can be with your time if you take one hour on Sunday to create a schedule for your week. Set aside time for your family, time for yourself, time for the studio, time to reply to e-mails, and times you need to be places.
Having a professional schedule should be part of what you do.
An added benefit of having a schedule is being able to hold yourself accountable for missing out on writing sessions or meetings with producers. If you are talented and have a good work ethic, your schedule will become busier, and you will be able to literally see your success in the form of a busier weekly schedule.
If you fill out your schedule and have hours or days of the week completely empty, think about what you can be doing to efficiently use that time.
Don’t get caught in the cycle of making things up on the fly. Create a plan and schedule for yourself and stick to it.