When DDG was 17, he received a $200 check from YouTube for his vlogs. Realizing if he dedicated himself to vlogging, he could make a living from it, DDG quit his retail job. Now, DDG has millions of subscribers on his channel and is a rising recording artist. In the season finale, DDG chats with Brittany about vlogging and how YouTube helped him break into the music business. Then Brittany chats with YouTube’s Director of Black Music & Culture, Tuma Basa, who has dedicated his career to amplifying black voices. Tuma talks about how YouTube can help artists reach audiences and the expanding role the platform plays in the music industry.  Some participants have been compensated for their involvement in this series. 

KEY TOPICS & TIME STAMPS

• [4:48] DDG quits his job to vlog 
• [6:55] Growing up with music
• [8:55] Uploading “Arguments” to YouTube and landing a record deal
• [9:57] How YouTube helped his music career
• [12:43] Why visuals matter in music
• [13:24] Revisiting old vlogs
• [14:33] Momentum as a creator
• [15:30] Engaging with fans 
• [16:33] Why consistency is key to a YouTube career
• [19:54] Interview with Tuma Basa

RESOURCES

• Listen on YouTube
• Episode transcription
• 2020 Oxford Economic Impact Report

SOCIAL HANDLES

• Youtube: DDG
• Twitter: @PontiacMadeDDG
• Instagram: pontiacmadeddg
• Facebook: Pontiacmadeddg
• DDG Website: https://www.pontiacmadeddg.com
• Brittany's Twitter: @bmluse

CREDITS

The Upload is a podcast by YouTube produced in partnership with National Public Media. Our Executive Producers are Brianna LaFleur and Erica Osher. Supervising Producer Shannon Boerner. Our Lead Producer is Theresa Avila; Editing and Engineering by Alie Kilts; Production Assistance by Gurjit Kaur with support from Maddy Weinberg. Our logo was created by Jen Grottle and our music is by TimaLikesMusic. Hosted by Brittany Luse.