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Introduction

" What should I expect as an independent artist? " - By SA Hip Hop Music Blog

Music is classified as the one most influential tools of all time. Music changes the world every minute and has one of the most influential impacts on Earth. Artists have been able to turn that impact into a career & generate revenue.

Today we have seen many successful artists who have managed to turn their impact into revenue such as AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, A-Reece, Nasty C, Shane Eagle, Stogie T, DjSpeedsta, Dj Fae Fae, FifLaa, & many more.

SA Hip Hop Music Blog has complied common things that independent artists should expect to happen during their musical journey. (Please note everyone’s journey is different and some things may not apply to your journey.)

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It’s going to take time

Depending on your financial situation and your internal structure, your musical journey won’t be the same as other artists. Your rise to the top will be determined by:

Your work rate – When you are an independent you must work 10x harder than other artists. In a video by Future he said he makes over 500 songs just for 1 album alone
Access to studio & audio engineers – Having access to a studio & audio engineers is so important for your musical career.
Marketing team – Once you are done with your hit single, you need to get it to your people. The key to this being successful is good marketing, and that’s why a marketing team is so important.
Management - A management team is one of the factors that can actually make or break you. Without a manager you will not make it far, most artists of today choose to manage themselves & that will eventually affect your work rate & flow.

Image of Sum'a Dragabba || Source - Provided || @sahiphopmusicblog

Have you heard Ntswempu by Suma Dragabba?

Stream Ntswempu by Suma Dragabba

Link ---> https://sahiphopmusicblog.fanlink.to/Ntswempubysumadragabba

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Your sales won’t be as high as you expect.

Most independent artists lack the pivotal resources that are needed to drive high album/single sales.

Independent artists that have high fan bases are able to drive sales in today’s age. Examples are:

A-Reece who has managed to accumulate over 1 million streams on over 10 singles.
Shane Eagle - Shane Eagle Managed to receive multiple certified gold RISA plaques for albums & singles.
Youngsta CPT - Youngsta CPT has one of the strongest fan bases and has continued to maintain a strong work ethic.

Have you heard Solider on a mission 2.0 by Bricka Iphanta ?

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Lack of budget towards marketing has a big effect on turn over sales & bookings.

Remember the more people you market your product, the more people you will be able to reach.

So, if you are not reaching large crowds your sales get affected.
Artists that have bigger fan bases are able to turnover because they are able to reach large amounts of people.
The more people you reach, the more responses you get, the more deals, bookings & endorsement deals you get.

Low budget videos also have an effect on the impact of sales. Low budget videos sometimes don't reach TV standards due to things like:

Low Video quality & poor editing.

Have you heard Ntswempu by Sum'a Dragabba?

Stream Ntswempu by Sum'a Dragabba

Link ---> https://sahiphopmusicblog.fanlink.to/Ntswempubysumadragabba

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It’s more difficult to be an independent artist.

Truly speaking, being independent is 10x harder than your typical commercial artist. You have to do the following

Manage and run administration for your music.
Contact bloggers.
Contact promoters.
Contact TV & Radio stations
Create your own marketing ideas & strategies.
Organise shows & Tours.
Basically everything is on you, you now are responsible for making sure all of the above mentioned, and the fundamentals for your music career are running smoothly. And because you are your own boss it takes a level of discipline to achieve such.

#SAHipHopMusicBlogRadio, coming soon !

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Your music & movement will be different Once you are independent.

• Your musical journey will be different. Your journey will never be the same as others, stop trying to be someone else and just be yourself. As an independent artist your approach, methodology and movements won’t be the same.

Use these methods to boost your career:

Performance videos
Freestyle videos
Shows & touring.
TV
Radio
Social media
Skits & snippets
Blogs & many more

Have you heard you heard Look Out For EP VOL.1 by SA Hip Hop Music Blog ?

Stream Look Out For EP VOL.1 by SA Hip Hop Music Blog

Link ---> https://soundcloud.com/lookoutforafrica/sets/look-out-for-vol-1

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You have to invest in yourself & your brand.

Whether you like it or not, you have to invest into to your brand. If you fail to invest in your brand, your brand will be like the Titanic, it will sink slowly.

Time - You have to take the time to analyse your brand, create connects & attend music/ entertainment galas.
Money - You need to shoot videos, do photoshoots, book studios & much more. All of these need money.
Recourses - You have to make connections if you want to get to the next level, to get connections you need resources otherwise you will struggle.

Have you heard you heard Look Out For EP VOL.2 by SA Hip Hop Music Blog ?

Stream Look Out For EP VOL.2 by SA Hip Hop Music Blog

Link ---> https://soundcloud.com/lookoutforafrica/sets/look-out-for-vol2-ft-sahiphopmusicblog

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All lot of people will doubt you.

I’m sure you have all heard of this before, but how deep do you understand this? In the beginning it won’t be easy since no one really trusts, or believes in something they do not know, or they don’t have enough information about.

Because of this, you will have to trust yourself 110%, and use that energy to create something that will create a structure, or platform for people to trust you. Creating a solid foundation & fan base in the beginning is not easy at all. You will have to create great music & remain consistent for a very long time for people to become loyal fans of your movement.

Have you heard you heard My life by Sum'a Dragabba ?

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Link ---> https://sahiphopmusicblog.fanlink.to/mylifefreestylebysumadragabba

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Ways that you can make money.

Through order, and a proper internal & external structure, you can generate revenue through your musical career through: