There are no guaranteed ways of making it big in the music industry. However, knowing and understanding the basics will give you a good foundation to build your career on.
Be sure to read Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV before continuing on.
Step 5:
Stay true.
This industry will eat you alive and spit out the bones if you let it. It entices you with the promise of fame and riches, but behind the flashing lights is a cut-throat business. The earlier you recognize the game for what it is, the quicker you can adjust and successfully navigate it.
Despite everything, you should NEVER compromise your integrity. No amount of acclaim or accolades is worth your soul.
It all boils down to what you’re willing to accept to get what you want. What you bow to on your way up is what you will have to continue to bow to in order to stay there.
There are cases where you may have to give a little to get what you want. For example: a huge major-label artist wants to cut your song, but only if you give them 20% of the publishing. In this case, you have to weigh your options and decide what you want. Not excusing it, but it is actually a pretty regular practice.
I will say, 80% of a $200K check tastes a lot better than 100% of nothing.
On the flip side, there are extreme cases that should NEVER even be entertained. For example (and this is PURELY hypothetical because I personally have not witnessed this): if a label executive offered you a deal in exchange for sexual favors, this is a CLEAR trap.
On a surface level, consenting to this automatically diminishes your credibility and how others see you, and will most likely not result in a very good deal. On a deeper level, this would open the door to all sorts of psychological, emotional (and likely physical) damage to you, your friends and family, and the career that you wanted.
Yes, turning down that deal will have consequences: you are still deal-less, that executive could blackball you. However, would taking it have been worth it?
Moral Of The Story
You were created with a specific purpose and it is your job to walk that out. As long as you stay true to yourself, the rest will fall into place.
Align yourself with people that are moral and trustworthy, while understanding and operating with the knowledge that some people are only out for themselves and will sell you out for a chicken dinner.
In short, this industry is a giant chess game. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and one misstep could result in a loss down the line.
Play wisely.
