danthrax, the first wop to escape the matrix.

I meet a lot of artists who refuse to think about business. I sympathize. Music shouldn’t be about money and fame. And in my experience, there are far better ways to make money. So if you love music and fear shallow marketing schemes… I wanna show you that you actually have a few advantages as a creative person.

1. Be Different: this is marketing rule #1. Companies spend millions trying to make something “unique”… cuz generic products get copied and end up in the bargain bin. Standing out is crucial for business. If you’re truly a creative artist, being different should come easily to you.

2. Do It Yourself: I almost feel sorry for the pretty faces looking for someone to write songs for them to sing. Sorry honey… unless you fuck your A&R, you just don’t have much to offer. The more you do for yourself, the less it costs a record label to push you. Think of how much more valuable you are if you can sing, write, record, mix, and produce.

3. Have Style: Don’t see your art as some narrow craft. Creativity should be a part of everything you do. What you wear. Your photo shoots. How you broadcast yourself on the Internet. If you do these things thoughtlessly, don’t bother doing them at all. Apply just as much creativity to your life as you do your music.

If you can’t do these three things… you might still be an artist. But you’re prolly not a good one. So how do you expect to be a successful one?

Theme Music: Danny Brown - “The Hybrid”