JIG Media Blog

In an era where most artists are locked into the streaming machine, Kota the Friend is building a blueprint for independence—on his own terms. The No Rap on Sunday movement isn’t just an album title; it’s a cultural statement that centers creativity, real-life connection, and community-building.

Independent by Design

With No Rap on Sunday, Kota the Friend made a bold move as  he bypassed Spotify and Apple Music for the album’s release, opting instead to sell it directly to fans through EVEN.biz. The result? Real revenue, deeper connections, and a fan experience that doesn’t depend on algorithms. Fans who purchased the album or signed up for Kota’s Friends Inner Circle didn’t just get music—they got exclusive access to a world that Kota is curating for them, personally. He strategically dropped two songs from the album onto all streaming platforms, along the way. He released the single titled MICHIGAN, which features Big Sean, and weeks later he released Cozy Girls, featuring Liana Bank$.

Pop-Ups with Purpose: No Rap on Sunday Series

As part of the rollout, Kota is launching a series of secret No Rap on Sunday Pop-Up events, starting with a Pop Up on June 1,  “Somewhere in Brooklyn.” These events are invite-only, you can only attend if you purchased the album on EVEN or if you joined Kota’s Friends Inner Circle. The events feature live performances, open mics, networking, and creative collaboration, giveaways, embodying the spirit of real-world connection that Kota believes in.

This is more than a Tour or album, it’s a movement to reconnect creatives and entrepreneurs outside the digital noise. No Rap on Sunday isn’t about silencing music; it’s about turning down the distractions to turn up real connection.

A Marketing Team of Innovators, Not Employees

Unlike most artists, Kota doesn’t work with large corporate agencies. He only works with independent teams with people who own what they build and are willing to take creative risks.

Partners like JIG Media, EVEN.biz, Sean Healy Presents, and Forever Fan Music  are part of Kota’s core external team, and all operate with the same independent ethos. As Kota recently shared in an article:

“Working with owners and entrepreneurs has worked better for me because they understand how I move. We all move the same way. They’re truly innovative and no one is scared to lose their job. We decided that working with people who are afraid to lose their job is against what we stand for. You cannot be innovative if you’re working on fear. We made a conscious decision to work with people who are truly creative and innovative. Those are not buzzwords for us.”

That mentality is what makes No Rap on Sunday more than just another campaign—it’s a cultural shift.

Where Culture Meets Community

The marketing concept of No Rap on Sunday was co-created by Kota the Friend and JIG Media, designed as a national movement with deep local roots, based on Kota’s creation of the No Rap on Sunday album,. The marketing aims to bring independent thinkers, creatives, and community-builders together across the country—starting in the cities where Kota’s No Rap on Sunday Tour will be held.

It’s not just about music. It’s about:

• Empowering creatives to build without permission

• Giving fans ownership in the culture

• Creating offline spaces for real interaction and inspiration

The Future of Independent Artistry

Kota the Friend isn’t just building a career, he’s building a new framework for how independent artists can win. And he’s doing it with a marketing team that’s lean, local, and fearless. With No Rap on Sunday, he’s proving that you don’t need a machine—you just need a mission, a movement, and the right people beside you. He’s creating a community of innovators and creators who aren’t afraid to trust the process.