Abiodun “Bizzle” Osikoya is a dynamic force in the Nigerian music industry. Co-founder of The Plug, a leading entertainment company, Bizzle has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of Nigeria’s most successful artists. His contributions go far beyond artist management, extending to the strategic growth of Nigerian music on both local and global stages. However, his journey is filled with mixed emotions, torn between pride in the industry’s global rise and frustration with its unfulfilled potential back home.
When I began my conversation with Bizzle, I wanted to get a sense of how he was feeling at the moment. As we walked through the memories of his career, from his early days to now, it became clear that while there was excitement about the strides Nigerian music has made, there was also a lingering frustration.
“Back home, there are no tours. None of the people are making as much money as they should on a global scale. For example, the songwriters, we don’t have proper venues, the royalty system is terrible, and we don’t have radio stations paying proper royalties to artists that deserve it,” he said, highlighting the issues plaguing the industry locally.
Though our artists are enjoying global success, Bizzle emphasized that the structure in Nigeria is still lacking due to a lack of education and the failure of artists to invest back home.
Bizzle’s career trajectory changed when Obi Asika, a highly respected figure in the Nigerian entertainment scene, made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Big shout to Obi Asika. He is the uncle of my business partner Asa Asika. He was the one that convinced me to move back to Nigeria, he offered me a job to come work at his record label, ‘Storm Records.’”
That move allowed Bizzle to shape the industry on home soil. He spoke about his motivation to return to Nigeria, driven by the desire to see Afrobeat become as dominant globally as other genres.
“Living abroad, I used to always hear dancehall music from the Jamaicans and I always said if dancehall could be played in clubs, Afrobeat music can also be played. How do we work towards this? Who are the people we can work with to make sure Afrobeat music is being played globally?”
After leaving Storm Records, Bizzle joined Mavin Records as their first , marking another critical milestone in his career. He shared his thoughts on how A&Ring has changed over the years, pointing out the shift in priorities within the industry.
“A&Ring back in the day and now are different. Nowadays, A&Rs globally are just looking for what’s trending. No one is looking to develop talents anymore. Back in the day, people enjoyed developing talents and watching them grow, but now it’s like ‘let’s look for an artist doing well quickly, let’s jump on him, get him signed, and cash out.’”
He explained that this shift is often driven by the business needs of record labels. “It’s not necessarily about the pockets; it’s more of where they work for. Most big labels globally are looking for big talents to blow quick so they can make money quickly, so it’s made a lot of A&Rs lazy.”
Bizzle’s love for the music industry runs deep, and his path was clear from a young age. “I always knew I wanted to do music. It was always my first choice,” he said. He expressed gratitude for his family’s support, noting how unusual it was for a Nigerian family to be so open to a career in music. “They were always supportive. My family is very different.”
From early on, Bizzle was recognized for his forward-thinking approach, using platforms like Myspace to promote artists long before social media became a staple of the music business. He has always been a visionary, combining passion with practicality.
“I’m a very religious person. I put God first in everything I do because without Him I am nothing, and that’s what has helped me,” he said when I asked about the principles that have guided him through his career. His faith, along with the influence of his father, has kept him grounded.
Bizzle considers himself a “talent helper,” and discovering and nurturing talent remains one of his core missions. He shared his advice for emerging talents, especially those with limited resources:
“It’s good for talents to put themselves out and build till they get discovered. People need to know how badly they want it. ‘You want to be a tailor and do not have the money to buy a machine? Go be an apprentice somewhere and learn, then you can raise enough money to buy your machine and sew your clothes. And it’s the same for music as well. Do you want to be an artist and can’t afford it? Why not try and make friends with a producer, work in a studio for an opportunity to get studio time and from there build.’ If you believe in your talent or craft, then you should find ways to do the things you want to do.”
He stressed the importance of determination and finding creative ways to pursue your craft.
Bizzle firmly believes that cultural influence is vital to an artist’s success. “It is very important because it helps connect with the people around you,” he said, noting how culture plays a significant role in shaping the sound and message of music.
In terms of artistic growth, Bizzle emphasizes the importance of constantly improving your craft. “As an artist, the better you are at your craft, the more beneficial it is to you in creating solid music. Even as an actor, you’d need to go to film school, take acting classes, so no matter what you are doing, talent development is a huge part of it.”
Bizzle is not one to boast about his achievements, even though he’s earned the title of one of Nigeria’s most influential music executives.
“I don’t know how that came about. I think people have just seen me be good at what I’m doing and had a liking to it,” he said, laughing.
When I asked about the most rewarding aspect of his career, he was hesitant to name a specific moment but did mention the satisfaction of seeing the artists he works with succeed. “Being able to make things happen and see artists become successful” fuels him.
The Plug, co-owned with Asa Asika and other partners, is another testament to his impact on the industry. The name itself reflects their position in the business — through truly having “the plug” to people and opportunities within the industry. It was suggested by the founder of the company.
Afrobeat to the world! Bizzle’s vision for the future of Afrobeat is straightforward but ambitious. “If we all come together and collaborate, we’d be a big force that can’t be shaken.”
As our conversation drew to a close, he left a message for emerging artists and aspiring music executives: “Educate yourself, don’t limit yourself. Network because your network is your net worth. The more people you know, the more people you are able to work with.”
Bizzle Osikoya’s influence on the Nigerian music industry is undeniable. With a vision centered on impact and a drive to shape the next generation, he is truly helping steer Afrobeat to even greater global heights.
Interview conducted and written by Andrea Andy.
The music business is complicated and everyone who works in it must earn money. While there are many ways to get paid, the most common method is through royalties. This article will explain how royalties work and how they can impact your earnings as an artist or manager.
Royalties are the money paid to songwriters and artists for the use of their work. They’re paid by record labels, radio stations, and live venues, who typically pay a percentage of their gross revenue on each song.
Your earnings as a musician can come from a number of sources. The most obvious is record sales, but there are many other ways to make money as an artist.
Labels also earn money through sales of physical products, such as CDs and vinyl records. In addition to the royalties they receive from artists (more on that below), labels receive royalties from each sale of an artist’s physical release.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 2017 consumers bought 1.22 billion albums in the United States alone. Based on the average price point per album (which is around $10 these days), that amounts to more than $12 billion worth of music sold by record companies and artists alike—money that goes straight into their pockets! Labels also make money by selling digital downloads and streaming subscriptions for individual songs or albums, licensing out music for commercials or movies, merchandising clothing lines affiliated with artists’ names…the list goes on!
The publishing company’s earnings are based on the number of streams, downloads, and physical copies sold. For example, if you write a song that someone else records and sells 100,000 albums, then your publishing company will be entitled to 10% of those sales (10% being standard for top-line writers).
These numbers can add up quickly. But what about other ways artists get paid?
Your manager is a professional who works with you to improve your career. They are paid from the money you make, so they only get paid if you’re making money.
They negotiate contracts and help book gigs, and keep an eye on what’s going on in the business. In some cases, they help with songwriting (in exchange for a cut of course!).
A good manager knows how to get things done and can help you get out there and succeed as an artist!
Lawyers are an essential part of the music business. They help negotiate contracts, make sure everyone gets paid, and mediate disputes between artists and managers, labels, and publishers.
There are two main types of lawyers in the music industry: corporate lawyers (who work for record labels or publishing companies), and litigation attorneys (who represent artists). Litigation attorneys range from general practice to specialists like entertainment lawyers or intellectual property lawyers.
Corporate law firms can earn anywhere from $150 per hour to over $1000 per hour for their services; it depends on their level of specialization as well as their experience with major clients such as record labels and publishers. Litigation attorneys usually charge a flat fee based on the amount of time they think your case will take them for example, if you have a simple dispute with your manager over money owed from touring revenue then you might pay only a few hundred dollars in legal fees while any case involving copyright infringement could cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands!
The music business is complicated and everyone who works in it must earn money. The first part of this statement is obvious, but it’s also worth repeating: the music business is complicated. It involves a lot of people and there are lots of ways to make money as a musician or producer. This truth leads us to the second point: everyone must earn money.
The music business is a dream for many. After all, it’s an industry full of talented people who love what they do. But getting into the music business can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect or where to start. First, you need to understand what the music industry is: how it works and how artists get noticed by record labels and managers. Then we’ll talk about how you can break into this exciting world with your own career as an artist or producer!
The music industry is a business. It’s made up of many different parts and it’s a complex ecosystem, but at its core, it’s a network of people who have created businesses that serve the industry.
The music industry is also a collection of many different businesses: record labels, publishers, managers, producers, artists on tour and in the studio, songwriters, agents, and promoters are all part of this ecosystem.
Before you begin, you should have a good handle on the following:
You’ll also want an understanding of how to build a fan base, as well as how to use digital platforms and social media to promote yourself and your brand effectively.
The music business is full of talented people. To break in, you need to be persistent and willing to take risks and work hard. You need to be willing to learn new things and to take criticism.
To get started, you could try self-releasing an album or EP on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, or iTunes; these platforms make it easy for newcomers to get their music out there without the help of a record label or other gatekeeper.
Creating high-quality music is the first step to getting noticed by the right people. This sounds obvious, but it’s something that you need to keep in mind throughout the entire process of starting your career as a musician.
The next step is making sure that your music is heard by the right people.
You can do this through various channels:
Negotiating a win-win is often a process that takes place over multiple meetings. It’s important to be professional and prepared for the negotiation process, including knowing the value of your product and what the other party wants. Keep in mind what the industry standard is and what you know about your competition’s deal terms. Make sure you know who your audience is and where they are located geographically. To get into the music business, you need to be able to walk away from a deal if it doesn’t work for you but always stays open to new opportunities!
The next step is to find a manager. A good manager can help you develop your career and negotiate with record labels, music publishers, film studios, and other businesses that may want to use your music in their projects. The manager knows how to get your music heard by the right people and should also be able to answer any questions you have about what they do or how they can help you succeed as an artist.
The next thing you will probably need is a lawyer who specializes in representing musicians. It’s important that you choose someone who has experience working with artists because this person will be your gatekeeper when it comes down to negotiating contracts for things like publishing deals (which gives them permission to use your songs), endorsements (where companies pay artists for using their likenesses on products) or touring agreements (this gives them permission access venues so they can perform live).
A publicist helps artists create buzz by pitching stories about them to magazines or radio stations without being paid directly by those outlets because these professionals have relationships built over time where they know exactly what types of stories will appeal most effectively to their audience demographic. A stylist works on fashion so if this isn’t something currently part of your interests then perhaps consider hiring one anyway because having clothing fit properly really makes a difference when trying out something new! Finally, the booking agent handles getting shows booked at venues throughout town which means introducing yourself face-to-face and then selling tickets through websites like Ticketmaster or StubHub while also handling transportation arrangements such as travel expenses plus hotel stays if applicable.”
The music industry is a big umbrella term for many different jobs, from artists to songwriters to producers and engineers. It’s a business, but it’s also a lifestyle: some people are only in it for the money, and others love their job so much that they would do it for free if they could just afford to live off their passion. The music industry is made up of artists, songwriters, producers, engineers managers publishers record labels, etc
I hope this article has given you a better understanding of what it means to be part of the music industry. You’ll need to know how your skills and talents can help you succeed in this competitive field, as well as how best to present yourself during an interview process or when negotiating with other people in the business. Your career is yours alone one else will make it happen except for you!
A&R representatives, or “A&Rs,” are the people who work with artists to help them record their albums, find producers and songwriters, and more. They’re also responsible for signing artists to record deals and creating a marketing plan around their music.
The A&R position can be both rewarding and extremely challenging. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have an in-depth knowledge of the music industry, as well as an understanding of how to market your artists’ work effectively. A&R reps typically work for labels or management companies that represent artists. Their primary responsibilities include:
Managing artist development: A&R reps are responsible for developing talent from the ground up. This includes everything from finding new artists to coaching them on stage presence and performance skills. A&R reps also work with managers and agents on behalf of their clients to secure gigs, tours, and appearances on television shows or at festivals.
Managing artist contracts: A&R reps negotiate contracts on behalf of their artists with record labels, publishers, and other entities involved in creating an album or single release.
This includes negotiating royalties, advances, and other contractual terms so that they’re fair for both parties involved in an agreement
A&R reps are typically paid a percentage of the artist’s royalties and other income. The exact amount varies depending on the record label, but it’s often between 10% and 25% of the artist’s publishing royalties or revenue from sales or licensing.
For example, if an artist earns $5 million in royalties over the course of their career and the A&R rep gets 15% of that money, they’ll earn $750,000 (15% multiplied by $5 million).
What the A&R Rep Does
The A&R rep is the person who signs and develops new artists, as well as helps them to create their music. The A&R rep has many roles, including finding new talent and signing artists to record contracts with their record label. They also help develop careers for their artists by helping them find producers, songwriters, and other people who can help them make their music sound great.
How an A&R Rep Finds Talent
An A&R rep finds new talent by listening to demos sent in by artists’ managers, By social media platforms, or by going to live shows where they can meet artists and watch them perform. If they hear someone they like, they approach that artist’s manager and try to get a meeting set up with him or her. Once they meet with an artist, they’ll try out different songs on them to see how well they work together musically. If these meetings go well, the A&R rep will sign that artist to a contract with his or her record label.
After a record company signs an artist, it is the A&R rep’s job to help build the artist’s career. The A&R rep often works closely with the artist and his or her manager to develop the artist’s image and music. The rep will also work with radio stations, television shows, and other media outlets to promote the artist and his or her music. In addition, an A&R rep may book concerts for their artists or arrange for them to appear on television shows like American Idol or The Voice.
The A&R rep may also be responsible for selecting songs for an artist that they want to be included on an album. The rep listens to new songs submitted by songwriters and decides which ones are good enough for inclusion on an album. If a songwriter does not submit a song that is good enough for one artist, he may send it along to someone else at the same record label who needs new material for a different artist in their stable of artists.
The A&R rep is the person who finds new artists, develops them, and helps to get their music heard by record labels. The A&R rep will also help to manage the artist’s career once they’re signed.
The job of an A&R rep is not just about finding new music; it’s also about helping the artist grow as a performer and a musician. One of the most important functions of an A&R rep is to find new talent and allow help that artist develop into a successful performer.
In today’s world of music, there are thousands of artists looking for a big break in the business. Many people think that being signed by a major label is all it takes to make it big, but this isn’t necessarily true. Today’s music industry has changed drastically from years past, largely due to technology and social media taking over everything we do online. The internet has brought us closer together than ever before; this includes musicians who are all trying to get noticed by fans all over the world through social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. This has become one of the best ways for musicians to market themselves today because it allows them to reach out to millions of people in just minutes!
The job of an A&R rep is to scout and sign new artists, as well as develop existing artists. A&Rs are also responsible for overseeing the careers of artists they have signed. This includes things like negotiating contracts, making sure that albums are promoted properly, and helping to plan tours.
A&R reps can work for record labels or be self-employed. In either case, they may be involved with several different artists at once. A&R reps typically work with several different genres of music, although some specialize in one type of music (e.g., afro beats, hip hop, R&B, etc).
Senior A&R Executive: Senior A&R executives oversee all aspects of an artist’s career and work under the supervision of the president of the company or label they are working for. They may also have their staff and assistants who carry out various tasks related to signing new artists, developing existing artists and promoting albums and songs on radio stations, television shows, and other types of media outlets that play music videos, such as HIP TV, M TV BASE, etc.
A&R reps are responsible for scouting out new artists and developing them into stars. As you might imagine, it’s a very competitive field with lots of competition from other A&R reps who have similar goals.
So what does an A&R rep do? What do they get paid? And what are the steps to becoming one?
A&R stands for Artist & Repertoire, which means that the person in this position is responsible for finding new talent and then molding them into stars. They’re also responsible for choosing songs and overseeing album production by signing off on budgets, approving artwork, and more.
A&R reps can make a lot of money, but they don’t always. The average salary for an A&R executive is $77,000 per year. If you’re an A&R rep at a major label, your salary may be higher or lower depending on how successful you are at signing artists and getting them recording contracts. If you’re working as an independent A&R rep, like me, your payment will be much higher.
As an independent A&R rep, I charge 6 figures per artist that I sign to my label. That’s the price you’ll pay if you want me to find you a deal with one of the major labels. If I sign an artist directly to my label without going through a major label first, then I charge less. (because it’s easier for me).
Music publishers are the people who handle the songwriting credits and royalties. They act as a liaison between the artist and the record label, ensuring that the songwriter is compensated for his or her work.
The A&R rep often works with music publishers to make sure that they have all of their ducks in order before they send out tracks to labels. This means checking up on things like copyrights, publishing splits, and royalties owed. If you’re an artist who has written songs for other artists, you need to know how much money you can expect to make from them.
A&R reps can help with this by keeping track of royalty splits that were agreed upon in contracts. They also ensure that everyone involved receives their fair share of royalties when they’re due!
The A&R rep is an important member of a record label, who helps to find and develop new artists. They also have other tasks that help the label, such as creating compilations or writing liner notes for albums.
music companies are responsible for the production of albums and singles, the promotion of albums and singles, the marketing of albums and singles, the time scheduling of album recording sessions and singles recording sessions, the correct signing of new artists to contracts that are fair to both parties, and more. It is a difficult responsibility. A&R representatives are also responsible for some of these things as well, but they’re also required to be great listeners–not necessarily good musicians–to be able to tell if an artist or band will be successful on stage and record with their recently signed contract. They must be professional when meeting with the artist and his or her band members during the signing process so trust will be created between the two parties. They must be able to effectively tell when an artist needs help in getting their band’s career off of the ground again by issuing them either a letter or a phone call or by having dinner or drinks with them so that they can better assist them from thereon out toward success. And if you want your artists to not get lost in the shuffle of all of the other bands out there now competing for fame (which is more difficult than ever these days), they need an A&R rep they can trust wholeheartedly.
The A&r’s Role In The Music Industry And How It Benefits Artists: A blog about the importance of a&r in the music industry and how a&r has helped beginners succeed in the music industry.
The A&R department, or the Artist and Repertoire Department, is a very important part of the music industry, but have you ever noticed it?
This is an article that proves how A&R can help and even benefit artists, I’m going to tell you what it means for someone to be an A&R, and why every artist needs an a&r.
The A&R department is so often overlooked as a part of the music industry. The role of the A&R is to discover, develop, and champion artists and most importantly, to secure recording/publishing contracts for those artists with record labels. Many people think that the recording industry is all about producing albums but the truth is, without amazing songs and artists that can deliver life, there is nothing for anyone to sell.
The A&R is really the internal affairs of the label. Their main job is to pick potential upcoming artists and work with them till they become massive names, both within and outside the music industry. In order for an artist to succeed, they must have a strong relationship with the A&r. A strong partnership between the two of them can be beneficial to both parties.
While streaming services now offer a pretty good income to artists, artists still have to deal with a lot of problems. There is no such thing as free money. Artists are bound by contracts and have to deal with many people who are involved in their careers, many of whom don’t even understand the music which makes the job of understanding and helping them even more challenging for an artist.
The role of A&R in the music industry is one of the most interesting and misunderstood. We’re here to shed some light on what A&Rs do, and how they can help you.
A&R stands for “artists and repertoire,” which is a fancy way of saying that A&Rs find musicians that they believe in, and help them develop their careers. They’re often likened to talent scouts, in that they go out into the world looking for artists with star quality. But that’s really just the start of it!
A&Rs are also responsible for putting together teams that can help an artist achieve their vision. They work collaboratively with their artists to build a plan for their career including everything from recording to marketing to touring. This can be a pretty big job since it includes everything from getting the right producer on board to finding the right photographers for album art.
When an A&R finds an artist or song they like, they present it to the record label’s executives. If the executives approve of the idea, the A&R will then take on a managerial role of sorts for that artist; they’ll help them sign with a producer, negotiate contracts, plan tours and appearances, and resolve conflicts with other labels or artists.
It can be hard to know where to start if you’re trying to get an A&R’s attention—and that’s where we come in! We’re experts at helping emerging artists get themselves noticed by people who can help them develop their careers.
They also work with record labels to ensure that their artists are performing well by comparing their sales numbers to those of similar artists. This can help them determine whether or not a particular tour or appearance has been successful.
A&Rs are typically music lovers who spend their days listening to songs, attending shows, and discovering new music. They network with artists, producers, managers, and other industry professionals to find the best talent for their label.
Working in the music industry is all about networking. You can’t just send your resume to a company and expect them to call you back. Instead, you need to build relationships in order to make your way into the industry.
The job requires an understanding of where music is in terms of development as well as what audiences are looking for, so anyone interested in being an A&R should have a deep knowledge of current trends and know how to analyze data. They should also be able to recognize talent in a variety of different genres.
We did some research on How to get a job as an A&R, the music industry is a welcoming, fun place to be, but it’s also complicated and competitive, and here’s what we came up with.
You’re going to need connections in order to get anywhere in this business. If you don’t have any connections yet, start making them now: follow industry people on social media and engage with their content; attend conferences and events where music people might be; volunteer at local shows and festivals; etc. Get yourself out there so that industry people start recognizing who you are and what you’re capable of.
You won’t get far in music if you don’t know how to look things up online. You should be able to quickly find the names of pretty much anyone relevant in music—artists, producers, labels, executives, etc—and then know how to find information about them and their business practices. For example, if you want to pitch an artist or producer about working with your label, learn as much as you can about them online so that your pitch sounds more informed and less generic.
If you want to get a job as an A&R, you need to do your research and learn how the industry works. Research research research. How do you discover new talent? How does the process work? What does the hierarchy look like? You can do this by reading books about the music business or talking to people who work in the industry.
The best way to get a job in any field is to build relationships with people who work in that field and build your own network of contacts. When you have a network of trusted friends who are working in the music industry, you’ll have someone who can introduce you to potential employers or give you advice on what steps you should take next.
Building relationships with industry professionals is not only helpful for finding out about open positions at labels or management companies, but it’s also good practice for being an A&R in itself because they need strong communication skills.
Sometimes there’s no substitute for doing an internship at a label or management company if possible. This will give you first-hand experience of what it’s like on the inside and help you build up valuable contacts that may lead to jobs later down the line!
Many people do not understand the role of A&Rs in the music industry. Here are some tips on how to be an effective A&R and create a strong relationship with the artist.
Tip 1: Be reliable.
An effective A&R will always be available when they are needed by their artists, whether it is advice that is needed or just someone to listen to them. Always being there for your artists will build trust in your relationship and they will know they can count on you.
Tip 2: Be supportive.
Whether in the studio or at a show, an A&R should provide support to their artist. This support can come in many forms, such as giving feedback on their songs or providing constructive criticism or words of encouragement during a show, but it is all about helping them grow and develop as an artist.
Tip 3: Listen.
One thing that an A&R should always do when working with its artist is to listen. Listening to what the artist has to say about their music and listening for what could make their music better, or even just listening for any ideas that the artist may have for future projects.
A&R managers are gatekeepers to the industry. They find new artists and develop their careers by helping them get record deals and guiding them in their professional development.
The music industry is filled with different departments, roles, and responsibilities. From A&R to talent management to distribution and beyond, it takes a team to create the perfect song.
But some people forget one crucial role: artist and repertoire. A&R is the department that is charged with finding new talent and keeping them on track to succeed. But what exactly does A&R do?
A&R reps work directly with producers, songwriters, managers, and others in the music industry to find new talent for their labels. They also work with artists on the label to develop their careers and make sure they’re on track for success.
While many people still think that A&Rs are just responsible for signing artists, they actually do a lot more than that! For example:
Music is the universal language. It can transcend culture, language, and distance to bring the whole world together. If your dream is to make it big in the music industry, you’re going to need a lot of help to accomplish your goals.
Artists need A&R because they are experts at marketing your music and making sure it gets heard by the right people. They have relationships with radio stations, press outlets, playlist curators, influencers, etc., and know how to maximize your exposure. This is their job—they do it every day! Without an A&R professional on your side, you’re essentially going solo against an entire industry: not smart!
A&R can help you with all of that. The expertise and experience of an A&R representative can point your career in the right direction—and fast.
A good A&R rep will do more than just try to get you a record deal. They’ll also help you manage your career by giving you advice on your songwriting and performances so you can grow as an artist.
Independent musicians are always looking to establish a fan base and promote their original songs/tracks. To do this, they must first become familiar with branding and marketing.
This is because for the business to grow, establishing the specific areas within your business that include things such as colour schemes, logos, and consistent posts across social media platforms are important when making music your full-time career.
Another aspect of marketing your music that should be a top priority is to get yourself an established email list set up. This is owned by you and gives you direct contact with your fanbase so that you can keep your audience up-to-date with upcoming gigs or live performances, or when new music is going to be launched.
The end goal for musicians is to create a solid fan base that you (the musician) can keep in touch with regularly so that they (the fans) know what you’re up to.
This helps you as an artist because you can keep track of your fans by monitoring the lists. It also allows you to reach out to them easily. There are free resources online you can use to do this, but this can also become a lot of work on your part that you might not have the time (or expertise) to do.
Musicians tend to want to focus on their craft – making and performing music – and not on all that goes along with it.
With digital platforms in the online world becoming more of a means to distribute and get noticed, there are multiple opportunities with companies that will allow music submissions by independent music artists. Many of these can take the guesswork out of how to get your music shared and noticed, without you having to do much of the leg work.
Utilizing online music submission software is a way to get your music directly in the thick of things. This site, in particular, called Share Pro, will immediately allow your original music submission to be viewed within a 48-hour window and get back to you if they are going to share your music on their platforms, maybe even work with you or offer a record deal.
It’s a fast-track way of getting your music heard by professionals and can be helpful when you want some feedback to see if your music can truly make “the cut.”
If you’re confident that your music is mixed and mastered and ready for the big leagues, this is a great step for you to take as a musician – you never know who might be looking for your specific sound.
A music licensing company is ultimately one of the best platforms for you to submit your music to, and Marmoset is a great licensing company to start with that cares about giving indie artists new opportunities.
The music licensing process is taken care of by the company, so you don’t have to worry about all of the legalities, allowing you to be more focused on making the music rather than selling it.
The company not only accepts your original music and tracks, but they have a wide range of networks that have already utilized their services to find music. This means that you don’t have to do any networking or submitting directly to professionals, since the consensus is that many music supervisors, filmmakers, or other creatives don’t tend to “try out” new music if they are unfamiliar.
But, when a musician is accepted and part of a bigger library of tracks that creatives already go to find their perfect fit, your chances of being noticed (even on a larger platform) are much better. Plus, when your music is chosen there is an even bigger chance that you may be contacted from that point forward to produce more music for specific projects.
Believe it or not, many music-centred blogs and websites out there want your music to be promoted. One of the main reasons for this is that a lot of times with independent musicians you want your music to be heard in any capacity. There are also no royalty fees necessary as long as your music is copyrighted.
There are multiple music blogs like Indiepulse and Emerging Indie Bands blogs and articles where you can submit to have your music featured. They tend to prefer it to be unsigned and unknown, so newer and emerging music artists should consider this route.
This may now seem almost like a very old-school way of doing things, but this is always an option as a musician. You would simply send out demos of your music to multiple record labels through the mail and/or email.
This method can be a long, uphill battle, and many times your music probably won’t even be listened to (or might be listened to by a lowly intern who doesn’t push it up the chain of command).
One thing you should keep in mind if you submit directly to a record label is that many of them do not accept any unsolicited materials. This can mean two different things: the main one being that the record label themselves is not inviting you to send – which means, unless you were asked to send a demo, don’t do it.
The second thing is almost the same as the first – you have to have had some sort of business association with the record label for them to accept your music submission.
Whether you decide to submit your music is up to you. Still, the insight you gain here points to the idea that as an independent musician, you need to be sure to network and establish relations within the industry as much as possible. There are some easier and more difficult ways to do so, depending on how hard you want to work for it.
After creating the music you’re wanting to share with the public, your next priority should be marketing that music and gaining more visibility. Once you can start establishing relations with others in the business and they start to approach you for new music demos, then you have a shot at an actual record label.