Biggie Lessons for Art Flippers

After reading some of the latest articles on, and interviews with art "flippers" -- some  Notorious B.I.G. wisdom comes to mind.  Seems like the art world could use some simple streets smarts,  fitting advice for anyone trying to create art markets outside of the normal model.

Haters can only hate what you put on front street, so learning to keep low is crucial to art hustle survival.

To get your game tight, allow me to recount Biggie's Ten Crack Commandments:

I been in this game for years, it made me a animal It's rules to this shit, I wrote me a manual A step by step booklet for you to get Your game on track, not your wig pushed back Rule nombre uno: never let no one know How much, dough you hold, cause you know The cheddar breed jealousy 'specially If that man fucked up, get your ass stuck up Number two: never let em know your next move Don't you know Bad Boys move in silence or violence Take it from your highness (uh-huh) I done squeezed mad clips at these cats for they bricks and chips Number three: never trust no-bo-dy Your moms'll set that ass up, properly gassed up Hoodie to mask up, shit, for that fast buck She be layin in the bushes to light that ass up Number four: know you heard this before Never get high, on your own supply Number five: never sell no crack where you rest at I don't care if they want a ounce, tell em bounce Number six: that god damn credit, dead it You think a crackhead payin you back, shit forget it Seven: this rule is so underrated Keep your family and business completely seperated Money and blood don't mix like two dicks and no bitch Find yourself in serious shit Number eight: never keep no weight on you Them cats that squeeze your guns can hold jobs too Number nine shoulda been number one to me If you ain't gettin bags stay the fuck from police (uh-huh) If niggaz think you snitchin ain't tryin listen They be sittin in your kitchen, waitin to start hittin Number ten: a strong word called consignment Strictly for live men, not for freshmen If you ain't got the clientele say hell no Cause they gon want they money rain sleet hail snow Follow these rules you'll have mad bread to break up If not, twenty-four years, on the wake up