Why most rappers don't make it.....
1) You avoid all official documents. If you are an artist this means that you do not maintain split sheets for the songs you write with other artists, you do not register your music with performance rights organizations (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, etc) and you avoid any contractual agreements with your music.
2) You do not have a budget for music. Being an artist requires you to acknowledge the overhead necessary to put out your music. Some of the operating expenses as an artist include: renting studio time, hiring musicians and producers, buying music equipment, photo shoots, graphic design services and music conferences. Additionally many artists overlook the expenses required to stay in touch with their fans, which may include: a laptop, webcam, website, etc.
3) You do not have an understanding of how the music business works. As an artist it is essential that you have a clear understanding of the means to successfully market, promote and distribute your music. You should study material pertaining to how to be an artist, publish music and start a record label, in order to operate in the industry. You should spend just as much time as you do thinking of the business side of your craft as you do the creative; your talent alone will not be enough to get you a million dollar record deal.
4) You think the industry is the same as it was 15 years ago. The music industry is saturated with many talented artists that have dreams of becoming an overnight sensation. Record labels are no longer basing their deals solely on talent; they are now looking for a talented business person to partner with for the long term. Having a record deal in today’s industry often means that you will be putting in a lot of your time and money to complete your album, so do not expect a large advance with your deal.
5) You do not take your music seriously. In order for anyone to take your music serious, you must take it serious first by writing a complete plan for your music projects. The plan should clearly communicate: what you intend to accomplish, how you intend to accomplish it and the resources that will be used. You should not base your level of commitment to your music on how successful your projects are upon their release. You want your fans to take your music seriously as well, so pay attention to the quality and marketing of your projects. Artists that consistently release original music as a “demo” or “mixtape” compromise their fan’s perception of their music.
2) You do not have a budget for music. Being an artist requires you to acknowledge the overhead necessary to put out your music. Some of the operating expenses as an artist include: renting studio time, hiring musicians and producers, buying music equipment, photo shoots, graphic design services and music conferences. Additionally many artists overlook the expenses required to stay in touch with their fans, which may include: a laptop, webcam, website, etc.
3) You do not have an understanding of how the music business works. As an artist it is essential that you have a clear understanding of the means to successfully market, promote and distribute your music. You should study material pertaining to how to be an artist, publish music and start a record label, in order to operate in the industry. You should spend just as much time as you do thinking of the business side of your craft as you do the creative; your talent alone will not be enough to get you a million dollar record deal.
4) You think the industry is the same as it was 15 years ago. The music industry is saturated with many talented artists that have dreams of becoming an overnight sensation. Record labels are no longer basing their deals solely on talent; they are now looking for a talented business person to partner with for the long term. Having a record deal in today’s industry often means that you will be putting in a lot of your time and money to complete your album, so do not expect a large advance with your deal.
5) You do not take your music seriously. In order for anyone to take your music serious, you must take it serious first by writing a complete plan for your music projects. The plan should clearly communicate: what you intend to accomplish, how you intend to accomplish it and the resources that will be used. You should not base your level of commitment to your music on how successful your projects are upon their release. You want your fans to take your music seriously as well, so pay attention to the quality and marketing of your projects. Artists that consistently release original music as a “demo” or “mixtape” compromise their fan’s perception of their music.
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