What's the difference between "Mainstream" and "Commercial"?

There is a difference. It comes down to content and intention.

Those who are "commercial" and for those who have crossed-over (EPMD reference!) into the commercial realm are tagged with this label because of what they choose to rap about. It actually comes down to capitalism and riding the wave of trends....Commercial artists are primarily concerned with satisfying the masses, and when one is talking about the largest set of people that these guys are targeting, it's prospective buyers between the ages of 10-20 years old. They don't produce anything that is avant garde...It's the same 'ol same 'ol...As they say on Wall Street when you're looking to make a quick dollar "The trend is your friend." This is why commerical rappers' careers are so brief...Trends change and the targeted group of listeners eventually mature and move on to greener pasture.

Mainstream rappers write lyrics that can get air time because they minimize swearing or extremely racey/controversial material. Yeah, they're capitalists as well, but their primary concern is to put out great radio-friendly music that will satisfy a larger set of listeners yet highlight their talent. Mainstream rappers also evolve...Two that come to mind are LL Cool J and Jay Z. No, they're not my favorites of all time, but you gotta respect their longevity and ability to shift gears as times change. LL Cool J and Jay set out to do two things during the hay days of their careers. First, they looked to make good music and $$$ came as a result of their efforts. The Commercial cats couldn't care less about the first, it's all about the money.

Hope this helps!

Check this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC1psGZXZlw

EPMD explains this best!

Yeah, it's pretty much the content. Mainstream just means you're signed to a major label, but you can still be a credible, original artist. For example, The Roots, Ghostface Killah, Common, etc. are all mainstream, but content wise isn't commercial -- they're not gonna get much airplay compared to Young Money, Soulja Boy, 50 Cent, etc., you know? Commercial artists are usually industry made or sell outs that follow trends, rip off underground/creative less-popular/indie artists styles, and just doing it for the money.

edit:

I wouldn't say Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Gucci Mane are commercial. None of them rappers are being told what to do as an artist. All three of those rappers have 100% creative control over their music. Sure they get i put from their associates, i.e. Wayne got Cash Money and Young Money, but Wayne is the boss. Same w/ Jay-Z, he had Biggs and Dash, but that was it, Def Jam wasn't telling Jay how to make The Blueprint or The Black Album. Commercial rappers are Ludacris, Kanye West, Wale, etc. Why? For doing songs w/ Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. They sold out! You don't sell Wayne making songs w/ Gaga and Bieber. He's collaborating w/ Eminem now and his biggest song to date "Lollipop" featured Static Major -- who the **** is he, again? Wayne also works w/ Robin Thicke -- who's dope.

And since we're throwing around the word avant-garde, "Shooter" is a more "experimental" song than anything in Nas' discography. ****, Jay-Z is, more or less, the Radiohead of hip-hop.

great question madhavi:) yOU know though these words sound synonimous but still there lies a "deep" difference !! Happiness can be found of things which may not even be beneficial to our spiritual or psychological aspect like we may go out & have our favourite dish & clothes etc., we would feel happy. But satisfaction comes from a kind of achievent, if we get good grades in studies we would get a positive feeling that says "hard word paid off" now thats more beneficial isn't it ;p[ Now peace.... I think it depends on what attitude we adopt towads the "activities" we do for "happiness" or either "satisfaction", peace actually exist in our self, it just has to be found by us. A person of ignorance might feel peace while a hard worker could be strresed. It can be even oposite to that . So peace needs to found by us.

yes, ive answered a question similar to this in Rock and Pop

Commercial: The rappers you see featured in tv shows, commercial advertising, usually the ones mostly played on MTV.

examples- Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, T-Pain ect..

Mainstream: The same concept but not advertised for business and marketing

examples- Mos Def, Wu-Tang, Pac, (cant really think of any modern atm)

Commercial Rap buys into the ideals of Commercialisim and Capitalisim. Commercial Rappers generally talk about how much money they have, how many cars and houses they own, and how much money they drop on superficial gold-diggers. Mainstream rappers gain mainstream notoriety but they rap about things other than money.

Commercial Rappers: Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, Jay Z, Ludacris

Mainstream Rappers: Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Lupe Fiasco

to me commercail kinda means you sold out and you write music that is geared toward earning you the most money you can and just getting radio play instead of writing about the stuff you want to

ex. Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Birdman, Soulja Boy(eventhough i feel terrible calling him a rapper)

mainstream just means alot of people like you

ex. Wu - Tang, Eminem, 2pac, Common

my understanding:

One who is commercial also can be called a sellout. They make material with the the main soul intent to sell. Just because you are commercial does not mean that you sell well, it means you are trying to sell well.

Some who are commercial can also be mainstream. Mainstream artists may not necessarily have made material with the intent of being famous and selling but are. If you are well known and famous, you are mainstream.

Commercial - What is everybody listening to right now? Lady Gaga, commercial rap is more pop-orientated, Flo-Rida is commercial. If you can even call him a rapper.

Commercial is whatever is popular at the time, I wouldn't call Pac commercial right now cus that kinda rap isnt what gets played on the radio. It's just dancing music.

Commercial = Anyone who's had a lot of airplay (past, present)

Mainstream = Signed to a major label.

LAWLZ @ Pac not being commercial.

There really isn't a difference