Rap Media – An Immersion into the Mechanics of Visibility
Context – Creating My Own Media
When I started working with artists, I quickly realized how important media is in their development. The first instinct to promote their music was to reach out to rap-focused platforms.
But through these exchanges, I also understood that I didn’t fully grasp how a media outlet actually works from the inside. That’s what led me to launch my own media project, with a simple goal: to spotlight underground artists I loved, while learning how others managed to get featured and noticed.
The project lasted several months. I discovered how editorial decisions are made, received requests from artists (including NES, who was just starting out), and began shaping a proper editorial direction.
Eventually, I had to pause the project due to a lack of time, but it was a very rich and formative experience.
(Average post statistics could be included here as a data point)
Experience at Polémyque
Later on, I joined Polémyque, a rap media outlet from Lyon that has since expanded nationally.
I took part in post-concert artist interviews (thanks to press accreditations), and had valuable discussions with the team about content strategy, internal workflows, and what it takes to grow a niche cultural media.
It gave me real insight into how a structured media operates day to day, balancing content creation, audience logic, and cultural positioning.
What I Learned
How to define a clear and consistent editorial line
Working with diverse profiles (writers, creatives, artists)
Conducting artist interviews
Creating editorial concepts built around a theme or narrative
Contributing to an artistic direction tailored to a rap audience
Planning and publishing content regularly
Conclusion
This experience helped me better understand the expectations and limitations of music media, while also sharpening my broader perspective on the music industry.
It gave me the chance to step back and reflect on how artists are perceived, featured, and included in broader storytelling. Even today, this understanding shapes the way I support and collaborate with artists.
