So, as an independent artist and even more specifically as an independent “rapper” I’ve tried every avenue to create a reliable system of me dropping some dope ass music and receiving some type of compensation for it.
I’ve tried the streaming route, youtube, cd’s, shows, radio, package deals, etc. You name it I’ve probably done it and like many musical artist I have come to conclusion that trying to get some type of reasonable monetary appreciation for your music as an indie artist is ridiculous.
I love my fans, or followers, or supporters, or whatever you want to call them, I love them. They got my back, but in a time when all music is really kind of free I can’t be mad at them if they don’t want to cough up 99 cents for my latest single or 5 to 10 bucks for my newest album. It’s just not the way things are anymore.
So, unless you’re booking shows with enough people to cover all expenditures and leave you with enough cash left over to keep your lights on then you fall into the category of starving artist or in my case just another dude trying to be a rapper.
Don’t get me wrong I LOVE music and I love making music even more. I stay up late thinking about verses, listening to beats, or practicing my delivery for when I step in the booth. But, when it cost about 500 dollars to make a quality track, your passion starts to slap you in the face with a financial reality check real quick.
Yes, I would make music even if I didn’t get paid for it and in a sense I still do, but after a while your bank account starts to ask what’s going on and you eventually have to stop until your funds hit the reset button.
Honestly, I don’t mind being broke for a little while for my music or almost anything that makes me happy. Especially now when being musically independent is very doable. The day of really being your own boss in the music industry is here.
I have my music on iTunes, I have a video on YouTube, I have music on Spotify, I can book shows, I can create merch and sell it, I have social media platforms all connecting to me and I’ve done this all by myself and can continue to do it all by myself if I choose to.
There has never been more freedom and power given to artist than now and the Steem blockchain has taken this to an even higher degree.
Oh how lucky am I to have dove into the crypto world and with great serendipity swam into a little website called steemit.com
Here’s why.
I’ve never asked my audience for money and I don’t plan to. 🤞🏾
I have however, told them where they can find my music, or encouraged them to follow me, or click a button and with steemit this translates into my passion finally generating a noticble return.
I fear my truth may be taken the wrong way but shit, it’s my truth and isn’t that what this site is for?
You’re telling me that if I have a following, and can catch the eyes of the whales, and if I’m consistent, and continue to produce genuinely good content, and if people like it, and upvote it, then I can actually make some coin off my sound? 🤔
Yes, sign me up please.
I’ll do that because to me this seems like one of the best things to happen to social media and blockchain technology.
- PRoPR Lee