Learn to be a Hip Hop Honey
The coolest thing about hip hop modeling is that rap video vixens come in all shapes and sizes. In the vast majority of the modeling world, they're really only looking for a very specific type of girl, they all want someone who's impossibly tall and stick thin. Hip hop honeys, on the other hand, can have a shapely figure, they can be tall or short, thick or thin and everything in between. One rap video might feature a thick black model, a petite Asian model and a tall white model, it really takes all types.
Another great thing about this aspect of modeling is that there's always going to be some work to be had. Say what you will about the rapper who wants to be filmed with a half dozen hip hop honeys in his hot tub, but hey, that's six video vixens that might not have had a high paying modeling gig otherwise.
Everything you already know about modeling, keep it in mind, and then add to it these five tips on finding work in hip hop videos...
Know How To Dance
Don't just know how to dance, know all the latest dance moves and know how to perform them as if they belong to you. Your job in a rap video is essentially to get everyone copying you, your style, your moves, your look. It wasn't just Sir Mixalot that made full figured women fly again, it was the full figured women he had in the video to prove the point. In hip hop, emulating style all starts with dancing.
Know How to Act
The "narrative video" is a big component of hip hop. You always see the rap videos with their own opening credits, where there's a story to follow. Obviously, the leads are going to be the performers and people who were booked through acting agencies, but if you're asked to fill out a background scene, if you have the opportunity to get a speaking part in a video, you need to know what you're doing.
Love Hip Hop
When you walk into the audition, you should already be dressed the part. If you're a part time hip hop fan or haven't really been keeping up with the styles, get caught up. A lot of casting directors need to see you in full hip hop gear before they can imagine you in a rap video.
Draw Your Boundaries
Decide right up front what you will and won't do in a video. If you're okay with, say, sliding down a stripper pole in a thong, go for it, but don't sign on for something you're not sure of. Draw your boundaries early on and stick to them.
Get an Agent
Sign up with an agency as soon as possible, and look for someone who specializes in rap video casting. Some of these agencies will take unsolicited queries if your demo reel is really hot, while others won't bother until you have a credit or two to your name. If you can get a good agent, though, they're going to be your best friend throughout your career.
Another great thing about this aspect of modeling is that there's always going to be some work to be had. Say what you will about the rapper who wants to be filmed with a half dozen hip hop honeys in his hot tub, but hey, that's six video vixens that might not have had a high paying modeling gig otherwise.
Everything you already know about modeling, keep it in mind, and then add to it these five tips on finding work in hip hop videos...
Know How To Dance
Don't just know how to dance, know all the latest dance moves and know how to perform them as if they belong to you. Your job in a rap video is essentially to get everyone copying you, your style, your moves, your look. It wasn't just Sir Mixalot that made full figured women fly again, it was the full figured women he had in the video to prove the point. In hip hop, emulating style all starts with dancing.
Know How to Act
The "narrative video" is a big component of hip hop. You always see the rap videos with their own opening credits, where there's a story to follow. Obviously, the leads are going to be the performers and people who were booked through acting agencies, but if you're asked to fill out a background scene, if you have the opportunity to get a speaking part in a video, you need to know what you're doing.
Love Hip Hop
When you walk into the audition, you should already be dressed the part. If you're a part time hip hop fan or haven't really been keeping up with the styles, get caught up. A lot of casting directors need to see you in full hip hop gear before they can imagine you in a rap video.
Draw Your Boundaries
Decide right up front what you will and won't do in a video. If you're okay with, say, sliding down a stripper pole in a thong, go for it, but don't sign on for something you're not sure of. Draw your boundaries early on and stick to them.
Get an Agent
Sign up with an agency as soon as possible, and look for someone who specializes in rap video casting. Some of these agencies will take unsolicited queries if your demo reel is really hot, while others won't bother until you have a credit or two to your name. If you can get a good agent, though, they're going to be your best friend throughout your career.
