THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY - Is your game up to date!?
A ton of musicians are trapped in an early 2000’s state of mind when it comes to releasing their music. I have some very important breaking news for these musicians…The music industry has changed drastically and it’s time to run an update on your game. CD’s are dyeing a slow and painful death, competition is on the rise, and music is reaching the ears of the mainstream in all new ways. I apologize if you just printed up 1000 copies of your new album, maybe you can sell them on the street and at shows to make money, but that’s not going to help you get ahead in the music industry these days. As I write this blog from my computer I can't help but notice that it has no CD drive. A big part of my career in music revolves around talent scouting and any artist who submits music to me via CD will not be heard. Don’t be depressed though, this epic flip in how music is consumed is actually amazing for musicians. If you successfully update to version 2018 of the music game, you will quickly realize that the artist holds more power than ever before. You don’t want to be selling CDs in the streets and hoping a music executive hears it. Take the power back.
SPOTIFY IS KING
There is a million places online to put your music but one thing you should know is that in 2018, Spotify has become the king. This is the platform that record labels are watching. This is the platform that can launch you from zero to hero overnight. If you get a track on the Hip Hop Central playlist (with it’s 537,000 followers) your career will be forever changed. Not only will you be getting fat royalties, you will be getting calls, emails, and DM’s from record labels. A general rule that our company has noticed with launching musicians is that if you can get 100,000 streams within 7 days record labels will be knocking at your door, and you will have the power. Spotify can’t be faked. Spotify costs money to put your music up so it weeds out the artists who are not serious. They can all go have fun on soundcloud where nothing ever happens any more. No this is not a plug for spotify, this is a reality check for out of date musicians.
STATS ARE EVERYTHING
Record labels are not sending reps to stand in the back of the bar like the olden days. Nobody is going to hear you sing and give you a record deal. It doesn’t work like that anymore. Music is a business and labels need to see momentum before putting any effort into you. In the age of analytics and the internet, labels can sit back and watch the stats. When an artist has created their own serious movement from the ground up, that’s when they will come knocking.
WE’RE IN THE AGE OF SINGLE RELEASES
Music is not being listened to in albums any more. It’s in playlists and on the radio beside other popular music. Focus on SINGLES and not albums. Should you drop an album if you have an epic fan base that wants one? Hell Ya! Release that shit digitally though and don’t let it get in the way of your singles. Each album should have 1-2 singles that lead the way and you need to invest in these singles. My suggestion, instead of spending money on studio time for +10 songs, album art, tour, release party, etc. just put that focus on 1 or 2 singles. Take that money you were going to spend in the studio and put it towards a publicist who can help you get your music in blogs, news, and most importantly on popular playlists.
YOU HAVE TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE
A true FOCUS ON THE MUSIC is the most important advice I can give. There’s a lot of music and a lot of competition these days and if you’re going to sing or rap like everybody else, you better be the best in the world at that style or you will be left behind. Originality is the best form of longevity in music. I learned that when I got into the studio with one of my musical idols and the advice has never left my side. If the music does not cut through the noise it does not matter if you have a $100,000 marketing budget, it will fall flat.
If you release music the 2018 way… If you focus on the right areas and get your stats up…. Record labels will come knocking and when that conversation happens your stats and your momentum will become your negotiating power.
Musicians - Take the power back!