Da Block 365 & 520 Promotions Tag An Artist Scam Or Bad Business Practice
Finally, 2020 has come and gone, but we are continuing to follow one of the most underrated stories of the pandemic, the infamous "Tag A Dope Artist Scam." The purpose of this article is not to determine the legality of Da Block 365 or 520 Promotions but to further the discussion of what is precisely going on surrounding this matter. We intend to point out the highly questionable and misleading predatory business practices in which they operate. Da Block 365 is owned and used by Jonathan M. Soroush, aka The Real Big Trill, in conjunction with Lawrence Leal of 520 Promotions. The two have worked in promotions for years, using their prospective companies to help unsigned artists get noticed.
A quick google search of Da Block 365 and under services states, "The artist we are currently working with major artists. If you are interested in one of these artists to host your next single or your next project or want your current material you have shouted out on their social media platforms, use the contact form or hit us up on Instagram @dablock365." Here the offer doesn't seem odd or even shady; it looks like an excellent opportunity to gain some notoriety as an up-and-coming rapper. The website would lead you to believe that this is just hip-hop take on the popular video-sharing site "Cameo," co-founded by Steven Galanis and Martin Blencowe, launched on March 15, 2017. Celebrities with more than 20,000 Instagram followers are eligible to set up an account with Cameo. Most prices range from $5 to $2,500, or higher according to demand, and the highest-paid is Caitlyn Jenner.
The site grew during the coronavirus pandemic as it accommodates social distance restrictions. In July 2020, the site launched Promotional Cameos, a premium-priced service for businesses to buy celebrity endorsements. The difference is that Cameo does not solicit customers directly or make promises of bigger and better things to come. No one pressures who to spend your hard-earned money with Doug E Fresh, who is going for $100 shout-outs on the site. Nor does Caitlyn Jenner hitting up the Transgender community saying things like I saw your Drag Show. It was terrific; I'm putting together a virtual Drag Show. Send me $5000 for a slot, and then we can talk bigger and better. However, unlike Cameo, often, the young rapper walks away feeling cheated. Da Block 365 has amassed a network of "major rap artists" who have peaked or declining careers. Many of the artists claimed that they sent money and received nothing. Few ever receive a refund, others only partial. SyThaRapper from South Central Los Angeles was solicited by Bow Wow for $2000 and promised Instagram promotion and a mixtape slot. Then nothing months rolled past text messages, emails, and a string of direct messages and nothing.
The young rapper, only 19 years old, had to dispute the charge with his bank and was only able to receive $1000 back, and to this day, Bow Wow has refused to refund money for a service not rendered. As we investigated deeper, we noticed that all of these rappers had one thing in familiar Da Block 365 and 520 promotions. We found @rap.ponzischeme, an Instagram page dedicated to exposing the truth about this scam. We have to credit @rap.ponzischeme and @theminxradio for spearheading the effort. Other media outlets have carried and suddenly dropped the story, and to be fair, some have touted it as a "Great and unique opportunity," according to HipHopOverload.com. Who wrote two different opinions, one condemning and the other praising the program. Adam22 podcast No Jumper slammed it as well but did an about-face when he came face to face with one of the more relevant rappers involved with the scheme Benny The Butcher.
The music business has always been a cruel, dirty, and risky business, and just like in other get rich quick schemes, there are no shortcuts. You have to do your homework. Some obvious red flags copied and pasted messages claiming to love your music, no contract or an exact list of services you will be receiving, and offering a discount to take whatever you got right now to help you out. Also, an influential rapper you don't know contacts you out of the blue, you've never met in person asks for money. Asks you to pay for something or give them money through unusual payment methods such as cash app, PayPal friends and family, not goods and services, wire transfers and asks you to pay for something in advance — primarily through an unusual payment method.
According to people's reports to the FTC and a new Data Spotlight, scammers hideout on social media, using ads and offers to market their scams. In the first six months of 2020, people reported losing a record high of almost $117 million to scams that started on social media. Internet fraud is not considered a single, distinctive crime but covers many illegal and illicit actions committed in cyberspace. However, it is differentiated from theft since, in this case, the victim voluntarily and knowingly provides the information, money, or property to the perpetrators. All scams are not illegal but are highly unethical, and there may not be any legal recourse in some cases. Since Da Block 365 and 520 promotions started their Tag a Dope Artist business, they have raked in at least 3 million dollars. As an unsigned dope artist, you have to ask yourself not is this illegal or even a scam but is it worth it.
Below we have attached some links to the references we used to explore this topic and always.
By: Peter Ross Editor & Chief
https://medium.com/@heyyybonita/promo-company-da-block-365-accused-of-using-social-media-accounts-of-dmx-game-fat-joe-more-to-9c5092e2cb94
https://medium.com/@heyyybonita/hundreds-of-independent-hip-hop-artists-are-accusing-a-promo-company-of-fraud-93577b4c5443
https://twitter.com/djbootheic/status/1277683788152258560?lang=en
https://www.minxradio.com/2020/10/hip-hop-scam-part-2-are-they-deleting.html