Hot takes, industry commentary, and perspectives that challenge the status quo.
11 articles
360 deals for teenagers, predatory management contracts, and labels banking on naivety. The exploitation has to end — here's what needs to change.
The conversation about streaming pay is louder than ever. But the real problem isn't the per-stream rate — it's something much more structural.
We need to stop defining music success as fame and fortune. Here's what a sustainable, fulfilling music career actually looks like in 2025.
Copyright law shapes everything about how musicians earn money. The current framework is failing artists — here's why it matters and what reform should look like.
The advice sounds romantic. In practice, it's a recipe for poverty. Here's why business literacy is just as important as musical talent for artists in 2025.
Vinyl sales are at a 30-year high. But between manufacturing costs, long lead times, and questionable profit margins, is the vinyl revival really helping independent artists?
The music industry is dominated by profit-driven corporations. Social enterprises offer a different model — one where artist welfare and community impact are built into the business structure.
We've outsourced musical taste to machines. The consequences for artistic diversity, cultural richness, and emerging artists are more serious than we realise.
Hot take: AI can generate sound, but it can't create meaning. Here's why AI music isn't art, why that distinction matters, and how artists can use the technology without being replaced by it.
Anyone can release music now. That's incredible. But the flood of content creates a discovery crisis. How do we celebrate democratisation while maintaining standards?
Metro Boomin has one. Wheezy has one. Even your favourite bedroom producer has one. Here's why a producer tag is non-negotiable branding for emerging talent.
