Does life get easier once you’ve signed to a record label? or do you instantly sign away your freedom. Is being an independent artist not worth the struggle of hustling to get your name out there ? These are some of of the questions that plaque artist in the beginning of their career, especially the ones who see the music industry as a way out to support their family. There’s pros and cons to both like any comparison but the question is which one outweighs the other. 

Signing with a record label

Being signed to a record label is a huge financial plus for an artist on the front end. The average pay that a record label invests in a new artist could be from 250k to 500k. At this point even I’m ready to fuck up a check, buying a crib, some new wheels for me and moms. Only issue is that the money that’s been given to you for an advance is used to promote you as an artist, Including things like getting your outfit, paying for getaway trips, all the fine wine and diners, cars you’re renting for shoots and more. Now even with all these in the moment benefits a lot of artist don’t sit and think about their future by asking questions like what could happen the year after your first big blow. Usually what happens is the record label will push you heavily through the industry all the radios push your music videos and get your name out there to the masses. After that first year it’s almost as if you’re on your own, the record label has probably found a new artist who they chose to make their top priority and your songs aren’t being pushed as hard.( trust me the label can become very lazy). On top of not being a priority, what most don’t understand is that when they first begun and signed a contract, they signed off rights to their brands money makers, their music royalties which are compensatory payments received by an artist in exchange for the streaming of their music. In the signing deal instead of getting 100% of your music royalties the record label gives you 10%-15%. Now if that ain’t some scamming bullcone ion know what is. From taking flights, enjoying expensive nights, updating your wardrobe. The money can fly away in the blink of an eye leaving you in debt with no real income returning to your pockets, unless you’re going on tour and selling out shows. Even at that, the record label still has an artist under their control completely from limiting the kind of music you make, the artwork for albums, distribution, marketing and more. 

Going Independent

Now twenty years ago before the media era, I’d have no say with the way things have been going. But the way the world is setup today. With true grit, an artist could save himself some money and begin his independent music journey. For starters with their music they can upload their songs to distrokid which is a platform that allows artist to upload their music to all streaming platforms. With that being a starter you automatically own all your royalties. Now also, you have Instagram, YouTube, tiktok where you can organically build your own fan base. A fan base that’s actually meant for you and cares about what you do and release. So that’s a guaranteed group of people who are investing in you and your product. You may not get a lump some of money upfront to help jumpstart your career but you’re also not having to abide to a companies rules on what type of music you have to make and what your wardrobe has to be. You can also drop however many songs you choose to release whenever you want without the say so from any authority. But there will be plenty of down days, because starting off as a independent, your connections and resources are pretty limited. You don’t know all the big radio stations and other streaming platforms to get your name out there quickly but, good things always take time.