Thedewsperspective

DJ Vlad said, since 2020 he has spent $1,029,150.00 in appearance fees to people he interviewed.  That amounts to approximately $17,152.50 per month over a five-year span.  Now I’m not pocket watching, but his X post caused me to start thinking. 

I wondered how many views Vlad interviews generated since 2020.  That number was rather difficult to find.  However, I did discover that since the inception of VladTV in 2006, his channel has accumulated more than 6 billion views.  If those numbers are anywhere close to accurate, put this into perspective.  DJ Vlad channel averages 300 million views annually! 

Do the math:  Numbers like that could potentially earn Vlad a $3 million annual salary from YouTube alone.  For doing faceless interviews!

Initially I was going to write an editorial from a slightly skewed perspective antagonizing Vlad.  You know, doing what people in Hip Hop do.  Call him a “culture vulture.”  Question his sincerity.  Throw a few jabs.  Attempt to berate him.  But then I looked at his numbers.  And my fake disdain turned into something else.

It turned into intrigue. 

Then into admiration.

Then into respect for his business acumen. 

Vlad gets his product for the extreme low and profit millions.  He owns the content.  He controls its distribution.  He can license it or even sell it outright if he chooses.  If there’s ever a market to sell media catalogs like musicians sell their catalogs.  DJ Vlad is going to be in the hundreds of millions!

This is truly an example of the American Dream. 

DJ Vlad may be one of the best stories in Hip Hop.  He’s made himself the “go to” guy in our culture.  Throughout the years, damn near everyone has sought his platform.  He’s made relationships with some of the most prominent people in black culture.  He references a lot of these guys as friends.  He has the influence to help propel, grow or derail a person’s career.  He’s powerful.

He’s always included in the top half of the most influential Hip Hop media outlets.  I’m sure he has a team.  But the brand is him.  A visionary.  An entrepreneur’s entrepreneur.  One who wasn’t afraid to create a lane for himself.

You’ve done well for yourself Vladamir.

Of course, not everyone benefits equally from his platform — some of our “GOATs” catch unnecessary strays. That’s undeniable. But this isn’t that type of editorial. This is simply a tip of the hat from someone who aspires to do what you’ve done for yourself. Someone who wants to create his own successful lane.  One that will afford me the life and opportunities that my heart desire.

A true American Dream.