In the age of Google, it was only a matter of time before someone like The SEO Rapper made his debut. The SEO Rapper, or Chuck Lewis as he’s known to his friends, started rapping about search engine optimization as a way to stand out at industry events. But little did he know that his raps would transform him into a YouTube sensation that would get the attention of everyone from Videogum to The New York Times. Despite his sudden stardom though, The SEO Rapper took a little time out to talk to us about his influences and why hip hop is the most sensible medium to discuss the intricacies of internet marketing.
Who have been your early influences that got you into hip hop and rap?
I grew up listening to all kinds of rap music. Early influencers would have to be artist like Scarface, Jay-Z and 2Pac. Now, I’m also that guy who you’ll hear jamming everything from UGK and Z-RO to Eminem and Nicki Minaj. I love hip hop.
Why did you start rapping about SEO?
I started rapping about SEO to do something different at an internal marketing conference. To be honest, I didn’t plan on doing anymore.
Why is that niche so appealing?
Rapping about internet marketing became appealing to me mainly because it is something I do every day. I write raps frequently. Combining the two was easy to me.
Were you expecting your SEO rap to be embraced so well by the tech community?
Not at first. It wasn’t until the third one, “Paid Search 101″, that I realized the tech community needed this. The raps are entertaining and educational, which makes it fun.
How did you come up with the idea?
I jokingly came up with the idea to rap about link-building. A coworker of mine at the time challenged me to do it. The rest is history.
What’s it like to be a viral tech-rap star?
A viral tech rap star…I didn’t know that’s what I was! It’s pretty cool. I get to go all over the country to different conferences, usually for free, to perform and network. It raises my credibility when dealing with potential clients–because its likely they’ve seen at least one of the videos. It also makes good conversation.
What are your plans for future songs?
I thought about doing one on blogging. I actually started it and didn’t finish it. I think I’m gonna combine it with CMS’s and do one on publishing content.
Raised in Missouri City, Texas–just outside of Houston–The SEO Rapper, born Charles Lewis has always been a fan of hip hop. Once he learned how to build websites, internet marketing became his passion. He then merged his two loves and began rapping about internet marketing. This launched The SEO Rapper persona and a series of internet marketing raps.