Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80% • Hacker News Board

Re: Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80%

#171

Post by PhantomGremlin » Mon, Dec 30, 2013, 8:38 AM UTC

notastartup wrote: post #121

bichiliad wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that rap genius didn't / doesn't want to just be a lyrics site, they also do the whole "what do these lyrics mean" deal. I'd have no idea what 2 Chainz was going on about half the time were it not for RG.

> Don't forget that rap genius didn't / doesn't want to just be a lyrics site, they also do the whole "what do these lyrics mean" deal. Do we really want to know the true meaning behind Dr. Dre's masterpiece? Is it so important that it needs $15 million dollars? Seems to me the wheels were being reinvented and being sold as square. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/drdre/bitchesaintshit.html Bitches ain't shit but hoes…

And I hope in my ride to make a quick run...

Too bad you didn't use rap genius. The above line doesn't make sense. Rap genius has something different, and probably gets it right:

    And I hops in my ride to make a quick run...

Re: Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80%

#172

Post by sejje » Mon, Dec 30, 2013, 4:58 PM UTC

blakeley wrote: post #169

sejje wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's only the case because this company has built its model with Google as a primary player. I understand the facts of the situation--a rap lyrics website HAS to build around Google to achieve optimal success. But if you aren't willing to give away that much control, build a less-successful version or just find another business.

No, this company has built its model with search engine results as a primary player. Google just happens to be the monopolist (and, furthermore, the cartel) in search.

I disagree.

That said, the landscape was already formed when they made that decision, so I imagine it was an informed one and doesn't change the meat of my comment.

Re: Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80%

#173

Post by sprobertson » Tue, Dec 31, 2013, 10:04 AM UTC

001sky wrote: post #170

sprobertson wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the data didn't stir some emotion, it wouldn't have been updated to the front page.

If the data didn't stir some [curiosity], it wouldn't have been updated to the front page. =/= If the data didn't stir some [shit], it wouldn't have been updated to the front page.

Oops, upvoted.

But yes, those are two possible emotive situations that this piece of data might stir.

Re: Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80%

#174

Post by bichiliad » Tue, Dec 31, 2013, 3:47 PM UTC

ugexe wrote: post #89

bichiliad wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that rap genius didn't / doesn't want to just be a lyrics site, they also do the whole "what do these lyrics mean" deal. I'd have no idea what 2 Chainz was going on about half the time were it not for RG.

You'd have no idea what 2 chainz was saying, or the meaning of what he is saying? Which begs the question: if you don't know what 2 chainz is going on about half the time why do you listen to him?

It was an example. However, he uses a lot of slang (throwing 'n into the middle of words).

Don't even get me started on MF Doom. Love that guy, no idea what he's talking about. http://rapgenius.com/Danger-doom-sofa-king-lyrics

Re: Rap Genius Traffic Has Dropped By Over 80%

#175

Post by songmeanings » Tue, Dec 31, 2013, 4:01 PM UTC

devanti wrote: post #135

someguyperson wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference between RG and songmeanings, and really any other lyrics website in existence, is the quality of the annotations. My habit of listening to rap has changed quite dramatically since I have discovered RG - I don't have to speculate about what a line might mean, because now there's a whole community of people who love rap collate their collective wisdom and tell you what it means. The verified annotations…

Ok cool. So RG is way better than songmeanings. That doesn't change the size of the market. That is, unless you think the quality or features are so good that it will increase the size of the market. In that sense, I don't think RG is groundbreaking enough IMO. Songmeanings has been around for over a decade. If the market demand was really there ($15mm investment worth), they would naturally gotten some funding, or e…

We've been approached a handful of times for funding as well as potential acquisitions into larger networks/sites throughout the years. However, the logistics have never made much sense, if I am being honest, so we've always declined.

Currently we are talking to a group which is very promising. Can't say much more, but hopefully we can in the near future.