G Herbo: No Spotify, just 13M direct to fan streams via MySeat
Indie rapper G Herbo is bypassing streaming-first releases to bring his music directly to fans with impressive results.
G Herbo released his two most recent mixtapes, Welcome to Fazoland 2 and Greatest Rapper Alive, exclusively through his superfan “G Herbo” app powered by MySeat Media.
No Spotify. No Apple Music. No YouTube. Just new music direct to his superfans.
His app was downloaded 100,000 times pushing it to #3 in all music apps, behind only Spotify and YouTube. The result: 13 million direct-to-fan streams.
G Herbo says his success is 100% organic, with no paid campaigns. He built it entirely by engaging with his superfans. Then he used the data to learn and drive results.
When his music was later released on streaming, Greatest Rapper Alive and Welcome to Fazoland 2 peaked at #5 and #6 respectively on Apple Music. “Went Legit” landed in the Top 50 on the songs chart.
“What G Herbo and his team are doing is the blueprint,” said Dave Cool, President of MySeat
Media. “We’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how artists can directly engage, mobilize and
monetize their superfans, without sacrificing success on the DSPs.”
G Herbo: Driving Revenue
Instead of chasing fraction-of-a-penny per stream revenue, G Herbo built a digital superfan hub powered by MySeat.
His most supporters pay a monthly subscription in exchange for exclusive content. They also have access exclusive prizes ranging from backstage passes to autographed merch.
The rapper used MySeat Media’s in-app auction feature to generate additional revenue by auctioning memorabilia, like signed Nike Air Force 1’s affectionately renamed “GFazos” by fans.
“I’m grateful for how the app has been taking off. Shoutout to my fans for rocking with me so heavy these last few months,” said G Herbo. “As an independent artist, it’s major to have my own platform, own my data, and build with the people who support me. Every stream and every move matter. We’re just getting started.”
Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of the Skyline Artists Agency
