Artists are getting their asses kicked.

The top 1% are winning — the superstar acts, the ones with million-dollar marketing budgets, endless resources, and teams of experts handling their every move.

Meanwhile, the other 99%? They’re struggling to make ends meet. And no, I’m not talking about getting hammered at the afterparty. I mean financially obliterated.

And I hate it.

Why? Because the margins for artists to make real money are microscopic.

Let’s break it down:

• $0.0033 per stream. That’s right. You need 100,000 streams to make $330.
• 15% to a manager.
• 10% to a booking agent.
• 5% to a business manager.
• $300+ per hour to a lawyer.

Oh, and let’s not forget production costs, marketing budgets, touring expenses, and the endless list of people who want their cut.

By the time everyone takes their piece of the pie, there’s barely a crumb left for the artist who baked it in the first place.

The Old Way Isn’t Working

For decades, this was the only way to make it in the music industry.

You got signed by a label, handed over control of your career, and hoped that the tiny sliver of profit left over would be enough to survive.

But the world has changed, and artists are starting to realize something important:

The old dream isn’t worth it anymore.

The New Dream: Building Independence

Today, a growing number of artists are ditching the traditional path and taking matters into their own hands.

Instead of waiting for a label to give them a shot, they’re using tools like:

• TikTok to grow their fan base with viral content.
• Instagram to connect directly with their audience.
• YouTube to showcase their work and build a global presence.
• DistroKid to release music without needing a label.
• Livestreams to perform for fans without touring costs.
• Fan clubs to create monthly recurring revenue.

And the best part? They get to keep most of what they earn.

Why the DIY Approach Works

Artists are learning that no one will build their career better than they can.

With nothing but an internet connection and a relentless drive, musicians are creating six- and seven-figure careers straight from their bedrooms.

Here’s why this approach works:

1. You Own a Bigger Piece of the Pie

   When you’re independent, you don’t have to give away 85% of your revenue to managers, agents, and labels. Every dollar you make goes further because it’s yours.

2. You Control Your Career

   Want to drop a single next week? Go for it. Want to create a weird, experimental album that might not “fit the market”? Do it. Being independent means calling the shots.

3. You Build Real Relationships with Fans

   When you cut out the middlemen, you can connect directly with your audience. These aren’t just casual listeners — they’re superfans who will support you for the long haul.

4. You’re Building an Asset

   By the time labels and bigwigs come knocking, you’ll have a career that you built — one that’s worth a fortune. And the best part? You don’t have to sell if you don’t want to.

The Internet Has Leveled the Playing Field

Here’s the thing: 20 years ago, this level of independence wasn’t possible.

If you didn’t have a label, you couldn’t get your music distributed. You couldn’t afford to market yourself. You couldn’t even dream of competing with the superstars.

But today? All you need is an internet connection, a little creativity, and consistent ambition.

• The tools are available.
• The platforms are free.
• The audience is global.

And artists are proving that you don’t need gatekeepers to build a successful career.

The Future is Independent

By the time the bigwigs come knocking, today’s independent artists will have something the industry can’t ignore: leverage.

They’ll have fan bases, revenue streams, and creative control that’s worth millions. Some might cash out, but most will keep building their futures independently.

Why? Because they don’t want the old dream — signing a deal, giving away control, and hoping for scraps.

They want the new dream: owning their work, their careers, and their lives.

Keep Building 

If you’re an artist, here’s the truth: no one is coming to save you.

The traditional industry isn’t designed to help you succeed. It’s designed to take what you create and turn it into profit for everyone else.

But you don’t have to play that game anymore.

You have the tools. You have the platforms. And if you’re willing to put in the work, you have the opportunity to build something incredible.

Something that’s yours.

So stop waiting for permission. Stop chasing outdated dreams. Start building.

Because the future of the music industry isn’t in the hands of the gatekeepers. It’s in the hands of the artists who have the courage to take control.

And that can be you.

Ready to take the next step?