Going Independent: Mýa
"I made more money as an independent entity and artist than I every have in my lifetime being a major artist- selling millions of albums, charting at number 1."
Mýa, a multi-platinum selling artist who started her career in 1998, revealed this fact during an interview with MadameNoir. This is a strong dose of reality for any aspiring artist, and it provides a good debut for our new DIY artist series, Going Independent. After watching over a dozen interviews with Mýa, I'm very impressed with her knowledge of the music business. Mýa decided to go independent in 2007 after Motown mistakenly leaked her 4th album. Since that time she has learned how to draft contracts, negotiate deals, executive produce projects, assemble a team; as well as, and record and mix her own music. I share her wisdom and experiences on the differences (pros and cons) of being an independent artist versus being an artist on a major label. In addition to MadameNoir, I used interviews from 2L's On A Cloud, Vlad TV, Michael Korte, Neketa Nichelle, The Miami Lights with Randy Grice, and Gallo The Guy You Know, to compose a useful guide for those who are considering the independent route. One thing you should understand as an artist is to not box yourself into thinking that you should only be an independent artist or that getting a record deal at a major label is the only way to go. Both methods have their place and it's up to you to decide what's right for you at various points in your career. Mýa confessed to Michael Korte, "I don't have anything against the majors because the majors are where it's at because of big budgets...the access is there, the radio is there, the television presence is there. I come from that system."
As an Independent Artist
PROS
You keep 100% of your money when you're an independent artist
You have the freedom to create as many projects as you want (craft a mix tap, EP, album, single, etc.).
You're the boss, you make decisions without the need to get clearance from others.
You can become a true artist with much more creative freedom
Labels are looking to jump on your bandwagon when they see that you're hot and that you can reach the attention of the masses (labels want to know if you can sell massive amounts of music for their investment)
CONS
You have to fund 100% of everything (watch every nickel, dime, penny that goes out and comes in)
It's extremely difficult to reach the masses because of the lack of financial support
The grind is non-stop, harder and more time-consuming
You have to wear many hats when you're an independent artist
"Making it" takes a lot longer, so don't expect instant gratification and fame
As an Artist on a Major Label
PROS
It's an opportunity of a lifetime
It could be the only opportunity for someone to "make it"
You have access to the masses: radio, television, major tours, major marketing
You have a major investor and machine behind you with teams of people working for you
CONS
The first deal is usually not the best deal ( your pay from the music is not reflective of the amount of revenue you bring into the record company)
You have to wait in line on a roster of hundreds, maybe thousands of artists
You don't control your budget, you don't know where your money is spent
You don't get paid from your music until the money is recouped from the expenses to produce and market your music
There is very little artist development
The quality of your music may be compromised in order to appeal to the masses
