If you haven’t heard already, labels are out. Well, not entirely. But you’re lucky enough to live in a time where the internet and social media are so powerful that you no longer need a label to make it big as an artist. Being an indie artist isn’t impossible, and we, along with our special Music Industry Mondays guest, Meduulla, are going to tell you why.
We had an amazing chat with the Mancunian rapper and poet on how to become an indie artist and everything you need to be as successful (and happy!) as she is.
- Never stop learning
Meduulla shared the importance of continuous learning and how it has guided her along her music journey to where she is today. From sharing her poetry online at university to performing freestyles on BBC’s The Rap Game, she learned the importance of taking every opportunity to enhance your craft.
Her time on the BBC show taught her valuable lessons about just how resilient you need to be in this industry and the power of trying again. Give every opportunity your all, and learn from those downfalls. Meduulla didn’t win the show but took home an even more valuable lesson.
- Don’t get finessed
A deep understanding of the music industry will keep people from trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Meduulla had a song that blew up on TikTok, which caused a flood of labels to reach out to her. Every artist’s dream, right? But those conversations quickly went nowhere. And how many of those labels listened to the song in full instead of the 60-second clip that was making rounds online? It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget who you are. Interactions like these only taught Meduulla how to manage her own affairs as much as possible to avoid being misled or exploited.
- #promo
Marketing isn’t for everyone. Some people love creating content and get excited to post every day, but for others, it’s like pulling teeth. The tricky thing about being an indie artist is that you’re going to have to jump on socials and promote yourself. It’s an essential skill that will help you cut through the noise and reach a dedicated audience.
Make your mark by defining a clear and consistent brand. Versatility is cool, but we can’t all be Doja Cat. Audiences like familiarity with the artists they follow. Once you’ve got your identity down, learn to accurately identify and target your audience by studying their behaviours and preferences. This strategic approach will allow you to connect more meaningfully with your fans and grow your presence in a crowded market.
- Lawyer or manager?
You probably haven’t heard this one before, but Meduulla actually emphasises the importance of getting a lawyer above all else, even over securing a manager. A lawyer will mean you have some expertise on your side to make sure contracts and agreements are in your best interest. Meduulla got an incredible opportunity to work with e.l.f cosmetics, which nearly ended up with them basically stealing her face for life… Get a lawyer!
- Labels aren’t everything
With Meduulla’s experience in talking with many labels, including Universal, she’s learned that the only thing labels can really offer you nowadays is money and connections. But when we really think about it, that’s not exactly impossible to do ourselves.
If you’ve sat in one of our Music Industry Mondays events, you’ve had the opportunity to connect with fellow musicians, producers, etc, right beside you. If you make the effort on social media, you could end up with the opportunity to monetise your content. Opportunities are all around you! We don’t have to rely on the men in suits around the boardroom table anymore.
- Union membership and royalties
Medulla stressed the importance of being part of a union and getting informed about the process of royalty collection. To paraphrase her, failing to do so will end up with your royalties in Ed Sheeran’s pockets. Unclaimed royalties often get distributed among the most popular artists, so understanding and managing your royalties will ensure you get the financial benefits you deserve.
- All publicity is good publicity
Even though e.l.f tried to steal her face, Meduulla gained a lot from her collaboration with them. Don’t turn your head to opportunities that don’t seem to fit perfectly with your goals. You’ve heard it before: there’s no such thing as bad publicity!
- Stay authentic
It’s no surprise that women in the music industry are pressured to look or behave in a certain way, but this doesn’t mean you need to give in to the stereotypes. Meduulla’s time on The Rap Game made that obvious, but she realised there was no point in trying to fit the mould. The truth always comes out eventually, so it’s much easier to be yourself from the start.
And there you have it, 8 lessons on becoming an independent artist. We hope this list was helpful, but if you still want more, pop down to one of our live events to hear the latest in the music industry for yourself! Check out our events page here!
