Why you wont make it in the music industry - 99.9% Fail 

The hardest lesson in life I had to learn is that the music industry isn’t about music…It’s about politics, secret handshakes, under table and back room deals and cleaning dirty drug money…I saw this up close and personal first hand…A sad reality…

You’re right. And it took me long enough to learn this. I’ve been going off of passion and hard work and nothing. Unfortunately, MONEY is key 😢🙏🏾

the new wave of musicians are using social media to market instead of lables/contracts. At the end of the day a contract is a LOAN its not free money, you have to pay it back and keep what ever percent you agree on. It's tough, most labels won't sign you unless you have a big following nowadays. In that case why do you need a label? unless you already have money to pay the loan back or have another gig to pay it back. i think everyone should go for the "if you build it they will come" type of mentality

You’ve made a lot of good points. It’s all about who you know, not talent. Conscious emcees for example never make it. It isn’t because people don’t fine them “entertaining”, it’s simply because the elites at the top don’t want the truth out there and they want to keep people dumbed down.

Is dude tryna hypnotize us by playing music inbetween his speech

Great advice!!!!! :) A fav' quote of mine; “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” - Hunter S Thompson

All the people who say money can't buy happiness are broke, hopeless and angry.

Hi just dropping by and wanted to say you right. But i feel and learned you have to build it yourself. Be your our label and build yourself up. I’m doing that now, not making millions like some people want but make a good amount. Definitely keep doing you and tell people the hard trust cause as long as they wait for someone to save them. They will not make it

Finally, someone's telling the truth. Great story too. Subscibed!

I'm going to disagree with 95% of what you said, but your thoughts are valid. All the best!

HA this is so brutal but true! It's real survivorship bias and the zipf law. The money issue is huge but also in order to be a drake or taylor swift you literally have to displace them with millions and millions in marketing not to account for the fact that there's hundreds of thousands trying to do that at the same time. It's basically impossible and you only hear from the survivors who, since they survived, think you just need to hustle to get there. But it's not reality.

Here’s the perfect answer- 1. Really good skills and music (top priority if don’t have it don’t even bother following next steps ) 2. Great work ethic , being very consistent 3. Great personality, being really good at talking to people and having a good energy. 4. Having good and honest people around you ( no yes man , friends that push you to make best music , friends that tell you when you make bad music ) 5. Treating music like a business ( Let’s say you have $5000 to spend , would you spend it on clothes and shoes or your investing in good music video or promoting your music . If you chose clothes and shoes then sorry to say you’re not gonna make it ) 5. Taking risks - You should be fearless when it comes to taking a risk , don’t be afraid to approach people that might help you to get to your goal 6. Never giving up - This is where most of the people f up . They give up on music when they are seeing no return and choose to live a simple life . 7. Being emotionally intelligent- Your GF ghosted you , are you gon be depressed or gon be motivated to find a better one ? You better make more music instead of being depressed. Being emotionally intelligent will help you a lot . Being single will help you a lot too , if you’re in relationship you’re emotionally unstable because you’re emotionally attached to your girlfriend. 8. Having luck - Pray god and thank him everyday for everything you’ve been blessed with . Help others without expecting anything in return . If you do right things you will get right things your way , if you help people , people will help you . These are some points i see why people don’t make it , they miss some points or they are not just good enough to pass the first step which is having great music. Not everybody is made for making great music just like not everybody is made for being like Michael Jordan .

'it takes money to make money' ... very old saying and true for every business ... but really it takes more than money ... don't forget about luck as in being at the right place at the right time with the right thing ... btw some groovy sounds in the background my friend

Amen Brother finally!! Somebody that's telling the absolute TRUTH, all this BS about do this do that 🤣😭

Very insightful. Eye-opening. Facts.

I always said if I had more money, I’d be more known, and I believe I actually have the talent but it ain’t about that 😩

people that "succeed" will tell you to never give up and always believe you can do anything. people that "fail" will tell you to be reasonable and practical. but in reality, neither of these really apply to you and your own life. neither is right or wrong.

In about 3 years my tv/film placements are going to be converted to streaming revenue. Cable broadcasts are gradually pulling the plug on small time composers. I'm already working part time in real estate and still full-time as an inventory specialist in logistics. I'm one of those guys who made sure to not brag and live solely from my music earnings because I literally see my BMI checks becoming inconsistent.

I know you're talking about the big picture as a musician, but it's so weird now how all these musicians are making a living being what they called a medium size musician. I know people now that are making a living just by streaming from home, especially on twitch. And making a good living. They're not superstars, but they are making a living.

Amen brother!! I also love Studio One lol!! Best editing for audio ever!! ❤

💯 Great video. It's refreshing hear honest information as opposed to someone selling false hope to aspiring artists.

Why didn't you begin with people refuse to actually pay for or buy music now? It's been a 24 year sales decline ever since Napster launched June 1st 1999. That's the brutal truth. Artists can't even sell it anymore, because SM is totally flooded, AND so many continue to support Spotify.

It’s disheartening that failure outweighs success. I dream every day to be given a musical career overnight and global appreciation.

I was a professional DJ for 8 years. Recently I had the feeling that now I have a successful business why not make an online record store etc and start DJing again - spend thousands on gear etc. Started to get some mixes together... Yesterday I came to the realisation. What is the point? The monetary reward for the work needed is just absolutely off the scale in my 30's. The practice, producing, travel all just takes it out of you massively in the end. It will always be something that I love and want to persue more but the music business isn't always what's best for someone. Including myself. It's a big hole of time / money / stress to make content when you can be enjoying your life instead doing activities more grounded in reality and success rate. Stick to what makes you cash is my advice. People will thank themselves later.

Im a songwriter etc. I heard a lot about songwriters not getting paid. Therefore I NEED MY MONEY UP FRONT PER SONG🤪

Makes perfect sense.

How depressing, yet insightful. Thank you

Having a following before you begin is a good place to start. Either you have one or you will have to pay to develop one

Is 3-5k good budget for promo and advertising music

no money in the world is gonna do you any good if you don't have the songs.

Thanks for your Honesty the Creator blessed

Ozzy Osbourne was a rich kid also Lars Ulrich was a rich kid. If you have someone bank rolling your efforts and creating opportunities for you then you will never get anywhere. I was in a band for 15 years and did all the funding and advertising and wrote songs did art and went around the big cities promoting but never got anywhere. We played with a band that sucked really bad but had a big production music video because his cousin was Macklemore

Thank you for saying what I knew was true all along. Everyone wants to say "no its connections"... How do you expect to meet these connections? You still have to pay to even be on their radar... that costs money... and it aint cheap. I used to struggle getting views on soundcloud.... then I was like "ok imma put $250 into a soundcloud promo" and I immediately started getting views, comments and reposts....That was the day I realized all of this music shit is fake. It's all about illusions and who looks like their popping at the moment

True but plenty rich dudes fail at music

Some people had no money when they made it

Hey man I really need your advice. do you think I should pursue a rap career or focus on a business and making money

6:08 Soulja Boy had a drug dealer Miami Mike fund him, he said it on Teen of the South mixtape interlude

Good morning young Man. Today 12/15/23 is the very first time that I have seen one of your videos. First I want to thank you for some of your opinions about some of your past experiences. For that you have given me a few things to look out for. But, in some ways I found that you video was a little depressing and it left me with, wondering what your main point was for making this video. I did learn about some things to try to avoid but, it is now Dec. 15, 2023. I am hoping that you have found some more positive experiences in producing your music by now. If you have please let me know with a comment reply because things might have changed and improve for you by this time in 2023. I sure hope that things have improved for you. Anyway I will say a little prayer for your music endeavors and pray that things will get better for you if they haven’t already gotten better for you. I do wish you continued success with your creativity and you videos, that they will get better, and I am hoping that when I hear something else about you, I hope to hear that you have had great success financially as well. Keep thriving my brother for greatness and get better at your graft. Some day something will happen to make you feel a great accomplishment with in yourself and a great sense of worthiness. Have a wonderful day and an even greater weekend.

Why are any of us bothering ? Might as well just give up. I do not have money.

Okay cool I give up then. Thanks

I totally disagree with this Of course you need money but it’s by the label to back you up … a lot of artists did not have money (Madonna, Nicki, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, Katy Perry, Glorilla, Whitney Houston) They either made the right connections or went viral online … you don’t need a lot of money for that lol you CONSISTENCY and CONNECTIONS … than depending on how successful you are, you can get major support from label as long as you make sure you sign a good contract and that’s what you want. Getting shelved is very true practice in the industry, but that’s not due to having no money, that’s just the poor industry practices A lot in fact a majority of musicians had very little money … it’s always connections… and now it’s going viral on internet which can be done organically

You compare yourself to the people earning millions . Bravo Otherwise, great video and thx. I had to edit the comment to not come out too rude. Wish we woupd support more of eachother musically and stop being envious at more sucessfull ppl for our lack of oppurtunities, motivation, talent, money... Because 80percent of the streams and views could be hate ones, just like you and every other person for example checking out Psy's gangnam style.

Happened to my band THE PUNK SLOBS.(2004) This underground independent label wanted to sign us but we had to come up with $10,000 for this A&R guy. Ha ha ha. How 2 homeless guys gonna come up with $10,000 payolla money? He said well there's this OTHER band as good as you and they willing to PAY TO PLAY. You never heard of the PUNK SLOBS after that

I got my song on the radio for free, So I don't know about that statement bruv

Finally the truth.

It makes sense now. That is why trap music (maybe one of tthe worst genre of music in history ever) has been on "the top of the game" for more than a decade. My theory is that non-black people are pumping lots of money into this type of genre trying to destroy the hip-hop genre because they are tired of actual hip-hop being on top of the game for many years so they have invested alot of money on untaleted rappers likeYoung Thugm Migos or Cardi B.

Maybe trying to give advice and make a beat at the same time is not such a great idea.

Copyright in Germany or France.

Nope I’m on two major radio stations doesn’t cost a thing

We should work on a record together big dog

The Music Industry 🎶 is a outdated monopoly on everything. And I mean everything!!

Im perfectly fine with that, 😂 i hate the modern music indutry

Nope that's not it! For twenty years in LA as a working musician and instructor I've wondered this question. Money is a tool and you do need it but it is just one leg of the equation. Now as an investor entrepreneur for 20 years I had to jump out of the mindset of a musician to think straight. Learning from non musicians who are extremely successful investors. The Key is the ability to persuade how to SELL. You can have the most expensive guitar but if you don't have the ability to play it then it's just an expensive piece of wood and metal. You can have all the money in the world but if you don't know how to use it wisely then you'll be broke soon.

250k to get a song on the radio? U mean 250$ right ?

Eh I would actually argue that "high level" artists actually are required to pledge their allegiance to Lucifer.

its true... its not what it used to! Pop artist have a huge budget... you constantly have to be promoting or be on Tik Tok or Instagram doing goofy as videos!!!

That's true but I'm the one I don't need money or videos I'm that good Promotion is suck that's why music sucks and everyone knows it the radio is dieing when I play everyone stops And ya for the rest of you I'm sorry But for me all I have to do is play Drake paid but soldier boy actually had a great song it wouldn't take mutch I haven't even tried to do the radio Who cares about the radio it's dead anyway that won't even try something new there done Homemade music that young people can see themselves in that thay can say hey I can do that money is important but it's killing music all music sucks to the bone because of it It's almost the end Good songs do get attention Great songs don't go ignored That's the thing eather have money or be great if your not great then you will fail Everyone can make music but only the one will succeed I donate all my money who cares about it I'm johnny b good My name is money I don't even try Failure is not in my vocabulary I'm hear for the devils crown

But wat if ur like really talented??? like if ur real gud at ur rippity rip raps n shet? I know that I'mma be a millionair sum day. FAX!

👀

So word of mouth doesn’t work?

wha? you know the music industry is a sausage factory dont you? you can only sell new sausages, you withhold your substandard new sausages until there is a lull in the market. you can only sell the new sausage once, and the musician lives much longer than he can produce sausages. you create awards for the most sales of fresh sausages, but all sausages eventually sell because of point 2. the record company is the only wholesaler to sell sausages and make money, a digital sausage copy is not a real sausage.

This is hard copium. Post malone blew up from 1 music video over night from 1 tweet. Not really any budget either. Theres lots of artists earning lots of money on spotify and the majority of people don't even know about them

Then explain all the SoundCloud rappers that came out of struggle. Which are well documented to have been dead broke. It's about hustle and exposure. This is just nihilistic talk. There's different levels to it, you can blow up with an underground audience then get noticed and sign if you want. It's about who you are, if you aren't marketable or not wanting to be then it's on you.

If your making music to make money, your music music sucks and you wont make money.

And that's why I abandoned everything to focus in my artist career, 10 hours per day working, learning, producing, delivering content, making deals with my productions for the money then start a business where I do contractor Arbitrage and with that cash flow and the knowledge put the revenue step by step into my carreer. So yes is dificult and is a lot of work and I could fail but I never going to give up on my dreams. And also like I learned not only about music but about business, selling, creative industry not just music, how to monetize, I have been learning 4 years social media marketing so I know how to position any account. What I want to say is yes is difficult but if Kanye being that crazy made it then of course you will just put the work and strategy, both, work without strategy is wasting energy, strategy without work is another way of procastination, both and always changing and adapting and turn your ego to ZERO!! if you don't made it yet is not because the people doesn't have good taste is because maybe for something related with you or your product because that had happened to me, I thought I had haters but I have emotional people who really told me what was wrong with my content and music. You can do it, my strategy is everyday for one year upload a song in tiktok because the virality is insane and try the same in every short platform and delivering that people to my music and other projects, don't just thing oh I will make money just with my music because the greats knows that you need to diversify in order to grow but first focus on one thing until it give you results, but I am talking about what I am going to do, 10 hours each day focus studying and working advancing in your goals in order to become the best 10% of musicians and if you are dthe top 10% in a field then the people who want something of your industry would look to the top 10% who put the work no the 90% is just a market thing, if you have the biggest real value in the market you will sell soon or late

I don't see why you see a problem with someone making money off you when there helping you and your searching for it. Is everyone supposed to hand you there valuable time for free and say thanks for letting me give you my time?

I like what you are saying but the music I hared you making is rubbish.

U dont have the visual maybe?😢