New age of music sharing and social media are labels still critical?

Independent artist are on the rise in the new social media and globalization disposition in tech and art industries. The reality of starving artists’ crossing over mainstream without the help of ant big labels and A&R can be witnessed more often. However, this can in no way overshadow the great contribution and role that Record labels or mother organizations plays in the recruiting of shaping of talent and afterward shaping and selling this talent to the world. The influence of record labels goes beyond putting out a successful record to shaping careers and influencing industry trends from the oval offices, rather the small offices some labels are housed in.

Pleasing for some and creating revenues and employment for many in these record labels, the disruption through technology raises new challenges as well as opportunities. For instance, by the click of a button on a personal sound cloud account or other streaming service, an independent artist can release their album and watch as the reaction unfolds. No need for major press and PR across the country supported by a big marketing budget from a label.

The go-betweeners are minimized and the rationale for some artists is to get bigger cheques from their projects without any label undercutting figures from their hard earned cheques made through rigorous dedication, sweat studio hours and more. For some it has proven worth all the worth. However, appealing as it may look from the surface. This may take its toll on the artist from having to deal with everything from accounts to taxes to tours and promo to recording sapping off all his energy and time to be able to continue creating.

In my personal view, the best way to optimize both merits of signing and independence is through creative partnerships. This lifts off some wait off the artist and also gives labels an opportunity to make some buck off the back of the artists talent. The idea is a hybrid of both, one foot in the label and one foot outside the label. The creative partnership contract has an expiry period after which you could extend the term through or cut off the engagement. Your view of it is enlightened by the terms of the contracts and the benefits that accrue from the arrangement.