The hip hop music industry is filled with plenty of “knowns” and “unknowns” from the likes of Jay-Z to your average local hip hop band. More often than not, the big names (and lesser known) have a music manager working cooperatively with them to ink record deals, forge new strategic business partnerships and build popular brands.

As a hip hop recording artist, you may be wondering whether or not you need a hip hop music manager at this point in your music career. The following will help give you some simple tips to follow when you’re searching for a hip hop music manager.

1. Make Great Hip Hop Music

Before you dive head first into your search for a manager in the hip hop business, you must understand something. The relationship between yourself and your manager should be mutually beneficial. This means that in order for your music manager to properly execute on his/her duties, you need a product or service for him/her to market (your music).

Previously we mentioned that a music manager’s responsibilities include negotiating record deals, developing strategic business partnerships, and building brands. These responsibilities, however, are not limited to these tasks alone. There may be other tasks that the manager works on to benefit the recording artist.

Ensure that you have industry quality beats and songs prepared for your music manager to share with others.

One other thing to note is that if you are capable of accomplishing the music managers tasks on your own, then you may be incurring an unnecessary expense by bringing one onboard with your team.

2. Ask Around

In order to have longevity in the music business, you must strategically align yourself with the right people. When you’re looking for a music manager in hip hop, it’s a good idea to ask around for referrals. See if there are any reputable music managers in your area or if there are any whom you might be able to contact.

One method that you can use to find a hip hop music manager is ask your friends on facebook or followers on twitter. Someone may know a good person for you to link up with.

3. Qualify Your Candidates

The most important thing to remember when you’re trying to find a music manager in hip hop is that you should always qualify the person. Looking for music management is somewhat like an employer looking for a new hire. The employer is trying to see how the new candidate stacks up against thousands of others. They are figuring out whether this person will be a good fit for the company.

You should take the same mentality with you, when you’re searching for a music manager. Make sure that the hip hop manager will be a good fit on your team. Don’t select a person just because someone told you they are a good manager. Dig a little deeper. See if the hip hop manager has a track record of success. Search for people who are task oriented and business minded.

4. Develop An Agreement

In exchange for handling music business tasks, your hip hop manager will want to be compensated. This “price” is negotiable but is often a percentage of the music sales made by the recording artist. On average this percentage is about 15%, but can vary from artist to artist depending on the amount of work the music manager has taken on.

Work with your team to negotiate a fair compensation plan for your prospective manager. Remember the relationship between you and your manager should be mutually beneficial.