1. Independent Artist (DIY Artist)
What It Is
An artist who owns and controls their music business.
They release music themselves through distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby and hire people when needed.
Structure
Artist → Distributor → DSPs (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
No label involved.
Example
Russ built a large part of his career independently.
Chance the Rapper became famous without signing a traditional record deal.
Pros
✅ Own your masters
✅ Keep most of your income
✅ Full creative freedom
✅ No label approval needed
✅ Build long-term wealth
Cons
❌ You fund everything
❌ Marketing is expensive
❌ Harder to access radio and large playlists
❌ Growth can be slower
❌ Must learn business yourself
Best For
Artists with entrepreneurial mindset
Artists building slowly
Artists with loyal fanbases
Artists making consistent content
The 4 Main Paths in the Music Industry
Think of the music business as a spectrum of ownership vs support.
On one side, you own everything but do most of the work yourself.
On the other side, a company provides money, staff, and infrastructure but takes a larger share of control and revenue.