Rap and hip hop artists are doing a better job of utilizing social media than a lot of social media experts. There, I said it.

To preface, social media is an all-encompassing term for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and so on. As a communications advisor, I routinely check out social media gurus to stay current with what’s new and hot in social media. There are some amazing experts out there who can really supercharge your social media strategy, and I have learned so much from them.

But some social media experts treat social media like some new version of old marketing. Or, companies with products they are trying to sell will many times create their own campaigns then plop it into social media expecting a positive reaction. Surprise…that can sometimes be the quickest way to a social media complete fail.

Many companies have their campaigns or strategies created by advertising/marketing experts who are not as well versed in today’s atmosphere of cohesive, integrated social media stages. These experts, so familiar with ‘old school’ advertising, don’t get the fact that in today’s world of tweets and likes, the CUSTOMER determines your marketing strategy on social media.

Companies should instead be monitoring social media to see what their customers like and want, and then adapt their campaigns accordingly. As I work in a customer service capacity, I see how the customer now drives what companies need to provide on social media. And some rappers and hip hop artists are doing this better than a lot of Fortune 500 companies.

Rap music. Hip Hop. You probably got an immediate reaction to seeing those words. As an old school Beatles fan, I might buy a more mainstream CD before I’d buy a rap or hip hop CD but love them or hate them, the music is here to stay.

And the Rap King of Social Media is:

Waka Flocka Flame. Born Juaquin Malphurs, the name “Waka” was given to him by his cousin, after the Muppets character Fozzie Bear’s catch phrase, “Waka Waka”. This young man is not only a talented popular artist, he has taken social media by storm. Managed by his mother Debra Antney of Mizay Management, and part of Warner Brothers Records, Waka has branded himself on most of the available social media channels. AND he interacts regularly with his fans and tweets messages of support and appreciation. Take a look:

• Website: http://www.wakaflockabsm.com/tripleflife
• Twitter: @WakaFlockaBSM – 1,083,181 Followers
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/115818776649850782128/posts
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wakaflockaflame
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/wakaflocka1017 – 140,062 subscribers, 106,496,824 video views
• Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/wakaflockaflame
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wakaflocka – 6,107,233 likes
• Instagram
• Forum: http://www.wakaflockabsm.com/forum
• Mailing list
• Fan videos
• Fan photos
• Facebook list creators to find your Friends, Fans & Family on Facebook
• iTunes downloads
• Flocka Gear online store
• Become a fan and be listed on fan page: http://www.wakaflockabsm.com/member/
• Waka free live wallpaper app

Pretty amazing. How many companies have such a wide reach?

Another hip hop rtist who gets social media right is Porkchopallday. This Philly hip hop star is a very active user of Facebook and Twitter, and has a website and a smartphone app. His app provides video, photos, songs, news, show dates, band info, mailing lists and links to his social media accounts. Porkchop is very active on Twitter and actually responds to his fans personally.

• Twitter: @porkchopallday
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porkchopallday
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kiakhinas
• Smartphone app
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/porkchopallday

Some honorable mentions: Below are just a few of the artists I follow who also are active and engaged in social media and worth getting to know:
• Dj (D.D.T) DaTruth – @djdatruth100
• B-Mane – @BmaneFDUKM
• JniceAkaDeadman – @JniceakaDeadman
• Old Scholar – @casanovarud
• Suave-Spark – @SuaveSparkZZ
• Prince – @PrinceTMusic
• Dr. Salvatorious Pimp – @drpimpslab
• Real Johndough – @JohndoughLive
• Dezzy-D – @YungDezzyD
• Translee – @translee

So what is the takeaway from this? Social media experts, take a few lessons from those outside your usual range of influencers. Open your minds and check out how these artists interact with their fans…fans who are also customers.

Peace.