Are TRULY independant artists black-balled?

[Rembrandt]

in 2016 the term INDEPENDENT is an oxymoran in the world of music

you dont have platforms like the mom and pop stores they have all been replaced by viral outlets such as streaming sites and digital distribution networks which are either funded or OWNED by the major labels (warner...sony..universal) or phone companies (google..sprint..verizon)

thats why i just kept my mouth shut and gave the face when cats were "celebrating" the so called INDEPENDENCT SUCCESS of NIPSEY HUSSLE who is an artist with TUNECORE

TuneCore’s Universal Alliance | Pollstar

did you read the article you linked? that doesn't dispute nipsey being independent.

 

[WickedGames]

And if a truly independent artist plays the game perfectly and does it right the the OP will just call them a plant anyway

Truly independent just means not successful to you all.

@seveninthechamber

 

[Henri Christophe]

And if a truly independent artist plays the game perfectly and does it right the the OP will just call them a plant anyway

Truly independent just means not successful to you all.

@seveninthechamber

Nah bro, I respect independence.. Just wanted to know if it was still possible or if the industry tries to block blessings if you dont bow down to them...

 

[WickedGames]

Nah bro, I respect independence.. Just wanted to know if it was still possible or if the industry tries to block blessings if you dont bow down to them...

If the industry backs then you will just call the person a plant

I don't think it's possible for an artist to be independent and successful without people just calling them a plant because they get looks

 

[T.H.E. Goat]

It wouldn't matter anyway because even if someone had the money to bankroll and direct their music career people would just call them a plant

And if they're getting illegal money then it's only a matter of time before the whole team goes down


If you want to be truly independent then you have to be fine with not selling out MSG because MSG isn't putting their necks out for an artist with no trusted name to back them...no matter how talented or long their money is

 

[big bun]

Nipsey Hussle breaks it down the best in various interviews. Even he is looking for a major label to market his label...for a price NO label is willing to match (giving him equity in the major label). I can see the majors giving him the " this knee grow here," treatment and blackballing him for the audacity. He's standing tall and succeeding on his own though.

Hell, even E-40 went from independent, selling tapes out his trunk to signing a deal with Jive, finishing the terms of that deal, then going back independent. I'm sure it was for the exposure Jive could give him back then.

 

[OnlyInCalifornia]

I'd LOVE to be tech n9ne level of independent, you know he flies on private jets to go to do these juggalo shows right?

 

[Illified infinitely]

Labels will push whoever fits the agenda. Talented or not. If you want that mainstream exposure but not want to be owned by labels you are going to need to play the long game. You most likely going to have to give up millions you can make with them so you can get the Lions share of the pie later. I don't know why It works like this it just does. You gotta be just as dirty and manipulative and have cards you can use against them.

 

[daboywonder2002]

What's the resources breh? Front page on Apple Music? Breakfast club?

What do the marketing teams do?



It seems labels these days just give you a bag of money then tell you to go get yourself hot...

I think it's more than that. it's more exposure. Paying for your video, radio play, appearances on the breakfast club, sways universe, big boy neighborhood. GEtting on shows like the Real or maybe Wild n out to perform.

 

[daboywonder2002]

think about how many soundcloud artists there are. and ive heard some talented ones. but honestly, I think soundcloud has been a failure as far as artist exposure.

 

[Nigerianwonder]

Major labels are referred to as the machines for a reason. They have all the people, logistics, etc in place ready to work on the next artist shoved down the pipeline. The machine is cost effective cause its not built for just one person. Most artists pushed don't even pan out but its a numbers game cause when they hit they hit big.

Theoretically if an independent artist had the money to fund their career on the level of a top tier artist it would make more sense to partner with a major label using your funding as negotiation and take advantage of the existing structure than blow millions you will likely never get back on your own "independently". That's why nobody does it and the ones that can, partner with the majors cause it just makes business sense. Music biz is just too risky to bet all that and spend millions trying to build you own "machine" to push just 1 person. You can only do it on a small scale..

 

[Murkman]

So all these nikkas who out here claiming to do it themselves and talkin all that fly independant shyt basically just some lying ass nikkas?

Yes, you sound surprised that rappers mastered the art of lying to their own fans, as if putting $ in their stage names means they're millionaires.
If publications ain't writing about them they're not "Independent", they're closer to the comics section at the bottom of your daily newspaper.

 

[mortuus est]

think about how many soundcloud artists there are. and ive heard some talented ones. but honestly, I think soundcloud has been a failure as far as artist exposure.

a & r still lurk souncloud, far from a failure , alot of poeple are touring just off of the soundcloud stats