Although I don't agree that "What Rapgenius is doing is very innocent", I do have to agree on the general (black) SEO tactics that startups do, and even blue chips do.
This is my first hand experience: I was contacted by an "SEO Consultant" who wanted to publish an article in one my sites for $40. I went along, exchanged a few emails, and managed to get the "article" this company wanted to publish.
Bottom line was that they wanted to place link's to Tesco's LED bulbs site:
Text: decorative and useful living room accessory
URL: http://www.tesco.com/direct/home-garden/lighting/cat3376614.cat
This is my first hand experience: I was contacted by an "SEO Consultant" who wanted to publish an article in one my sites for $40. I went along, exchanged a few emails, and managed to get the "article" this company wanted to publish.
Bottom line was that they wanted to place link's to Tesco's LED bulbs site: