Today, we going to talk about music education.  So, let's get right into it. What does it mean to sign to a record label in 2025? Going back in history and time, especially in hip hop, signing to a record label was the way, and  it was the only way to really get your music heard. In 2026, of course, technology is different. Back in the day, record labels controlled everything. It was the only way artists were able to distribute their music. It was also the only way to get a good marketing and assisted the artist in exposure in the industry. However, 2026 is totally different.

In 2026, an artist can do everything solely independent. Artists don't really need a label to do much for them except radio exposure and add marketing dollars into an artist campaign. So, my advice to artists, whether you're a DJ, whether you're an artist, or producer is to, achieve some type of leverage to partner with record labels in 2026. Also, it doesn't necessarily need to be a record label. It could be a Retail Corp, distribution company, etc.  My advice to the artist is to get their own business off the ground.

in 2026, you have the ability to create and distribute, your own music, shoot the videos for your own music, and create a full marketing campaign. Artist can strategize for their own music and formulate their team. Creating a Team does not mean that you go find the top record executive over here to help you achieve your goal. It could be somebody , whom is interested in being behind the scenes and who wants to help you create something that, you know, can take you guys to the next level.

So, in building your team, you need somebody who pretty dope in marketing and learning the logistics of what it looks like to distribute your music or what it looks like to, manage you. However, you have to give them something to manage. And that's a whole different conversation. But in 2026 and the coming years, make sure you're partnering with these different companies and labels by having your own situation already together and are building your own fan base.

Take rapper LaRussell for instance. Early in his career, he attempted to do events and showcases the traditional way. Unfortunately, he got into discrepancies with the venue owners on what he wanted to create for his show and what they would allow him to create. As a result, he decided to do the same shows but this time he added a unique approach - He performed in his parents' backyard. and it was successful. Having his showcases at his parents' house, (which I think was absolutely DOPE) added a touch creativeness and uniqueness to his brand.  He was then   able to leverage that into further success. By doing his own thing independently, and it doesn't always take a ton of money. Sometimes it just takes a ton of passion and a ton of drive to get to where you're going. So educate yourselves. It's a lot of information out here.

I want you guys to tune in, lock in and do what you need to do, man, and go get this money on your own.  When the industry comes knocking at your door, and offers you $100,000 to be exclusively with them, you can say no and counter offer them with $3.5M; you may be already grossing that much on your own. This is where the conversation accepting what they offer ends, and the conversation of partnership and leverage begins.