Making The Right Choice!
The music industry is just that,,,, an industry. But it’s different from others because the relationships here are more commercial, more transactional. Everyone works with each other, and while making music is a massive deal, spanning countless genres and styles, I’m talking specifically about the song and artist side of things,,,, the most popular yet often hardest to manage.
When I speak of artists and creatives, I’m referring to those in the spotlight, not the behind-the-scenes folks. In my experience, creatives tend to be incredibly chill and passionate, thinking differently, and often more focused on their art than the business side. While some might have a business mindset, most just want to showcase their craft, not chase numbers.
Now, I’ve seen a lot of relationships go up and down in this industry, and 90% of the time, it’s not the artist or the creative that’s the issue, though they’re often the ones blamed. In reality, it’s usually the people behind them,,,, their management or teams,,,, making poor decisions that derail everything. When things break down, it’s typically because there’s no proper structure or a real management team. Instead, you’ve got individuals who think they know it all, making choices that can destroy the hard work of your’s or an entire team.
Whether you’re a singer, rapper, producer, mixer, mastering engineer, graphic designer, video director, camera operator, or editor,,,, you’re a creator. I fully understand your position because I know that the creative mind operates differently from the business side. Sometimes, we need the right people around us to make the right calls. And who you choose to bring on board is crucial,,,, they create the path to your destination. Unfortunately, many artists bring in friends or family members who have no real knowledge of the business. It’s okay to start off like that, to get things moving, but eventually, you need to bring in a professional. A strong team makes strong decisions, whereas friends or family often make decisions based on what they think they know or what they’ve seen others do,,,, without truly understanding the industry.
Now, here’s the reality: I’ve personally been in meetings where family members were trying to feed me a bunch of nonsense while I was explaining everything with patience and love, trying to help them understand. But when you’re dealing with people who lack the proper education or experience in the business, it’s not their fault,,,, it’s just how it is. The problem is, they end up making all the wrong choices, creating a big mess, and sometimes even putting you in debt. Eventually, they’ll say it’s not working and throw in the towel. By the time they give up, you’ve likely burned bridges with key relationships in the industry, all while realising it was much easier when you were running solo. This leads to regret, and that’s why it’s so important to manage your relationships from the start.
The truth is, when you meet the real experts, you’ll know. Experts don’t sell you dreams. Yes, they’ll lock you into an agreement, but they’ll also make those dreams a reality. That’s the choice you have to make,,,, whether to surround yourself with people who don’t know what they’re doing or to invest in professionals who will guide you in the right direction.
Making the right decisions, with the right people, at the right time is everything.
It’s crucial not to allow others to make decisions on your behalf that don’t make sense to you. As a music producer, I often have artists coming to me for advice, and while I’m always happy to share my thoughts, I make it clear that what I’m offering is simply my personal opinion. I’m not a lawyer, nor do I claim to know everything. I can have a meaningful conversation with an artist, but it’s important to understand that my advice comes from my own perspective and experience.
The reality is, no one knows everything. That’s why we bring different people onto a team,,,, each person offers a unique skill set. I keep it simple: I’m the guy who’s in and out, gets the creative work done, and delivers. At the end of the day, I’m a creative professional running my own show. I’m not a manager or a record label, because I don’t have the expertise in those areas.
That’s why I always emphasise to artists,,,, seek advice from a professional or a lawyer. It’s important to have proper guidance when it comes to legal matters and business decisions. My role is to offer insights based on my experience, but when it comes to critical decisions, make sure you consult with someone who has the right expertise.
Love Yea ❤️
Stay Blessed