What are you really selling? The artist name, or the label name? With online retailers such as itunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and other outlets, will record labels play as big of a roll in hip hop in the future? Although the biggest stars in hip hop are signed to major labels, 95% of today’s hip hop artists are independent, all searching for ways to promote, and distribute there music to as many listeners as possible.

The home studio also plays a big part in allowing artists to be successful and remain unsigned by major record labels. Artists now have the much needed access to high quality studio equipment, without the high hourly production fees that come with recording in a major studio. The home studio is now giving artists the freedom to exploit there creativity, and push there talents to the limit. From Pro Tools to Reason, Photo Shop to Illustrator, independent artists are acting as there very own personal record label.

So what are you really selling? When you search for a new song by your favorite artists, do you type in a record label, or an artist name? 99% of the time, we all search the artist’s name. As an independent recording artist, think of your stage name as your brand name, like “Coke” or “Pepsi”. Your business is entertainment, and under your stage name (brand name) you provide services such as performances, music, videos, etc. A successful artist is an artist who’s brand is in high demand. So ultimately u want your brand and services to be highly visible. In other words, u want your show on as many tv stations as possible. As your names (brand) grows, so shall your success.