Read the scenario below carefully:
You just finished recording your first album. A major label executive offers you $10,000 upfront to sign a 5-year deal — they own your music, control your image, and take 80% of streaming revenue. OR you keep everything, upload it yourself for $23/year on DistroKid, but you handle all promotion, booking, and costs alone.
On your index card: Which path do you choose? Defend your decision with at least TWO reasons. There is no wrong answer — but you must argue your case.
Think like a business owner, not just a fan.
In 2023, independent music earned $14.3 billion — nearly half the entire music market. (Source: MIDiA Research)
Record at home using free DAWs like BandLab or Soundtrap. Professional sound is possible with minimal equipment.
Upload to Spotify, Apple Music, and every major platform through DistroKid ($22.99/yr) or TuneCore. Keep 100% of your royalties.
Revenue streams: touring, merchandise, brand deals, sync licensing, direct fan sales on Bandcamp (artists keep 82% of sales).
Build your audience through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. SoundCloud is where both Chance the Rapper and Bad Bunny were discovered.
Sources: MIDiA Research 2024 • DistroKid • Bandcamp • TuneCore
Chance never signed to a major label. He released all three mixtapes — 10 Day (2012), Acid Rap (2013), and Coloring Book (2016) — for free. In 2017, Coloring Book became the first streaming-only project to win a Grammy. He took home three awards: Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance.
Sources: Billboard • Forbes • Rolling Stone • Grammy.com • CNN
Before he was the most-streamed artist on Earth, Benito was bagging groceries at an Econo supermarket in Puerto Rico. Between shifts, he recorded songs and uploaded them to SoundCloud. His track “Diles” (2016) caught the attention of DJ Luian at Rimas Entertainment — a Puerto Rican independent label. He never signed to a major. He never switched to English. He stayed exactly who he was.
Sources: Spotify Newsroom • Billboard • NPR • Grammy.com • ABC News
🎬 Video Player
▶ Open Video on YouTubeBAD BUNNY – YouTube Artist Spotlight Stories (Official Documentary)
Click each term to reveal its definition
Choose ONE music entrepreneur to research. You will present your findings on Thursday. Use the worksheet to organize your research.
Name, role, background. Where are they from? What is their position in the music industry?
What did they do differently? What risks did they take? How did they build something on their own terms?
How do they make money? What impact have they had on the industry or their community?
What can YOU learn from this person? How could their approach apply to someone starting out today?
Chance the Rapper gave away ALL his music for free — yet Forbes reported he earned $33 million in one year. Explain HOW this is possible. In your answer, identify at least TWO specific revenue streams that independent artists use instead of album sales.
Bad Bunny refused to sing in English despite pressure from the music industry. Was this a SMART or RISKY business decision? Take a position and defend it using at least TWO facts from today’s lesson.
Multiple means of expression: Written • Verbal share with Mr. Mbagwu • Audio recording
Hip-hop was born right here. Tomorrow we explore the studios, labels, and entrepreneurs making music in our own backyard. Keep researching your music entrepreneur tonight — presentations are Thursday.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
— Proverbs 16:3