The music industry is a fast-moving culture with new developments coming out regularly, whether that be new artists, new songs, music videos, or events. On a mission to create an ecosystem that provides the latest in hip-hop is The Clout Cloud, a fast-growing media and events company based in Virginia.
The Clout Cloud came to life on December 11, 2017. It started as a simple Instagram account founded by Ilias Anwar in his dorm room at Virginia Commonwealth University. In a short period, the social channel’s audience grew exponentially as it delivered the latest in Gen Z news, including information on cryptocurrency, sports, entertainment, and so on. According to Ilias, New York, and Los Angeles hold the largest percentage of The Clout Cloud’s online fanbase.
Through time, Ilias noticed that the content TCC’s audience engaged with the most was music news, with a specific focus on rap music. Hip Hop is a big passion of Ilias’. He began to cover hip hop-related content and events specifically, opening up various opportunities throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. The Clout Cloud started covering events of some of the rap scene’s most prominent artists, including performers like Rick Ross, Future, Megan Thee Stallion, and many others.
When asked to describe The Clout Cloud, Ilias said, “We are a fusion of WorldStarHipHop and Rolling Loud. We take some of the funniest videos and post them online for our viewers to see, while also keeping them up to date on entertainment news, upcoming rap-related events, and future concerts/festivals we plan on throwing ourselves.” The company is run by Ilias and his partner, Joe Ranney, who serves as Chief Operating Officer. When asked about the company’s goals, Joe said, “We want to supply our diverse fan base with enjoyable hip hop experiences, big or small. Whether that be as small as an informative post to something as large as The Clout Cloud’s goal: to create a high-profile, large-scale hip hop music festival with the biggest names in rap. Making money is not our priority; it is providing worthwhile experiences.”
Today, TCC hopes to grow on the east coast and beyond, while also giving an avenue for up and coming artists to share their music with the world. They plan to make that happen in February, in a big way through their upcoming online event. The Clout Cloud recently announced a partnership on a live stream concert, streamable from the safety of your own home. This event will be broadcasted on Twitch, in partner with Heir Wave Music Group, a record label owned and operated by rap legend and CEO of G.O.O.D Music Pusha T.
Looking toward the future, Ilias Anwar and Joe Ranney hope to continue to build The Clout Cloud online and off, creating a unifying force that brings value to hip hop fans across the globe. Visit The Clout Cloud’s website and Instagram profile to learn more about the company and check out their events and offerings.
