“Music 101” is a guideline&steps on how you kick start your music career and how the music business will pay you if only your cards are played correctly. We will be stating different steps below,read and pinpoint something.
-Build a good relationship with a studio producer who believes in you.
(This is very important as an individual artiste,not everyone will believe in your sound but finding that person who believes on you is everything you need. The likes of Shizzi to Davido,Samklef and Sarz to Wizkid,D Tunes to Sean Tizzie etc.
-Work on yourself if you can't get a record deal.
(Building your brand is important and remember no one will build it for you,even when you get a record label,you still have to do the work YOURSELF)
-Always remember that a fan is a King,so don't take them for granted.
(Try and build a good relationship with your fans on your social network platforms,relate with them on what they need to hear from you and their opinions on your songs)
-Covers are the best ways to start your music career.
(Number of big artistes today once in their career covered other people's songs and they got recognized by the virtue of doing that. IF YOU LIKE A SONG, COVER IT)
-Get a manger who believes your music is the best in the world.
(Asa Asika was asked in an interview and he said Davido music is the best in the world.You need to work with someone who believes your sound is the best thing on earth.you have to work with your manager effectively and believe in his words)
-If you want to run a record label, you need the following personnels on your team(A&R,Social Media Manager,Lawyers,Accountant etc)
-Covers are the best ways to start your music career and build some following because you have to break through the melee.
-Your career will rise and fall on the calibre of talents on your team
(Run away from “Yes Men”,examine the people you want to work with,most people stick to you because they know you will blow,work with people who believe in your sound and also believe you can be the next big thing tomorrow)
-Nine of ten times,family members are not always cool,they always tell you what you want to hear,run away from yes men and sycophants.
-Be wise,dont abort your career before its even birthed.
(Understand that life is not fair but you can make it fair for you,the journey is NEVER easy,dont let what you see deceive you,nobody posts their failures online,just be focus and work smart,best believe you will make it happen one day)
-Being a music artiste is not the only way to earn in the industry.
(You can be a song writer,publisher,tour manager,event manager,music plugger for tv and radio,booking agent,vocal coach and social media manager)
-Remember family is the first line of support,both financially and morally.
-In the industry,people will only support you when they see what you have created,not what you can create,you have to do the work.
-In Nigeria as a whole,its hard for someone to help you without hearing anything,so before you walk up to anybody for help,do your homework first.
-As a young artiste,its essential to save up and record your song with good technical sounds,work with good producers, so you won't be called a Wack artiste.
-When an artiste presents his song,it takes want real expert to spot the talent behind the poor quality technical sounds.
-Set 3 major things that need to be addressed
I) Access to state of the art recording and sound equipment.
II)Purpose built venue for shows and concert
III)Digital music and streaming platforms.
-Try at least to perform in your neighborhood shows and carnivals,give beer parlours,barbing shops, DJ's your songs to play, beg now and work with event promoters to fix your name in line ups of shows,inorder to grow your fan base.
BUILDING A SOLID MUSIC CAREER.
1)Prepare for the industry through learning.
Learn about business and the industry,lately most people don't research about the industry before entering,understand the global market,then practice what you have learnt,mistakes are open, they are inevitable but take note and learn from them. Networking is very important,let people know what you do.
2)Tap into overlooked jobs/opportunity
there are many overlooked jobs like A&R,Managers,Label executive promoters,content creators,music pluggers.
They are opportunities for entertainment lawyers,accountants and auditors. The industry can be the biggest employers of labour if or when used properly.
3)Having a mentor
Like my mentor is Asa Asika&Smade,having a mentor is essential,it helps you make fewer mistakes. Intern with someone, or a company you see doing what you're trying to-do. The industry will grow faster if we empower the people coming after us. The true test of power is in distribution.
4)Stay grounded
Improve yourself and stay consistent. Travel,read and learn cultures,make new friends. It expands your view,take artiste development seriously and remember you're a business,if you don't take yourself seriously,no one will.
5)Dont ignore streaming.
In the next 5 years,you won't be going through the stress of downloading songs from websites and all,artistes will get their rightful earning from each records you put out,you pick up your phone and stream any song you want. Streaming pays more than anything now and soon the world will be all about streaming.
6)You shouldn't have a plan B.
Having a plan B will distract your plan A because you keep thinking of other choices if A doesn't work. Stay focused on making A work for you,its okay to fall,always make sure you stand up.
7)Let your audience validate you.
What is important is knowing you're in the artiste life cycle. Validation is very important.The fact you get feedback from friends and family doesn't make you a “Big Star”. Validation is when someone you don't know confirms you can sing. This happens when you take time to perform at locations to develop him or her self while the label can provide funding. Thank God for the internet, artiste can put and distribute their contents online without stress in the comfort of your bedroom. If you don't get a label to take a gamble on you,take a gamble on yourself,its in your hands. A fanbase will help you make money. Build an audience and you will have audience to sell music too.
8)Never forget the power of dreams.
I'm a dreamer,so as everyone,remember that if you can dream it,you can actually achieve it. Remember prayer is the key after all your hard and smart work. Remember in this jungle, you kill or get killed, always remember God is first and family comes after.
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