But that’s the independent rap game – you need to invest in yourself for the long term.Tech N9ne has long connected with his fans via social media as well as music. But let’s not get it twisted, it took a lot of time, energy and also money to build Strange Music into what it is today. Tech N9ne said “fuck the middleman” and set up his own shop where he now brings in millions every year. Chance brushed over major label offers after the massive success of Acid Rap and is now making $35,000 per show. Instead, look at Tech N9ne and Chance The Rapper as the new way forward for independent artists. It’s tempting for up-and-coming artists to sign on the dotted lines for a million dollar advance, but as we’ve seen time and time again with artists like Chief Keef and Trinidad James, that major label money doesn’t really amount to much over the long-term, especially when it’s just a loan that is expected to be recouped. Sacrifice short-term riches for long-term wealth Even if Tech N9ne stopped making music altogether right now, he can still expect to make millions just by travelling the world, performing his catalogue and selling his products. We’ve been approached to do 20 different deals, but there’s a lot of them that just don’t make sense to us.Īccording to Forbes figures from a couple years ago, Strange Music pulls in annually roughly $20 million, which is split into:Īs you can see – music sales only makes up a third of Strange Music’s annual revenue. In addition to record sales, Tech N9ne also makes money from merchandise, touring, brand sponsorship (Monster Energy sponsors Strange Music) and music publishing – Strange has its own publishing companies with ASCAP (Snake and Bat Music) and BMI (Songs of Snake and Bat). That’s why you need to create different revenue streams like Strange Music has done so successfully. As an independent artist, you’re most likely not going to make enough money from record sales or streaming to live. This one’s an obvious one, but worth repeating nonetheless. Stick to one lane, be really good at it so you can build up a core fanbase and then consider expanding your style and audience. Drop dope music and engage with your fans across all channels – social media, face to face, email newsletters – that’s the key to building a loyal fanbase.įor up-and-coming independent artists, it’s always better to stick to your niche at the beginning rather than try to cater to every type of audience. Never forget your fans – they’re the reason why you’re in the position you are today. Every tour we have meet and greets for the VIPs that want to meet me or give me presents. With an uncompromising vision and relentless work ethic, Tech N9ne has secured his position at the very top of the indie movement.Ĭonnecting with the fans and doing meet and greets for the people that want to see you and talk to you and connect with you. Since 2011, the Strange Music team has released over 20 albums, with Tech N9ne dropping 4 himself, positioning themselves among the top independent hip-hop label in the world. The Strange Music brand received a further boost in 2011 when Lil Wayne shouted out Tech N9ne as a rapper he’d like to work with during his prison bid at Riker’s Island.Īfter getting out, Tech jumped on Wayne’s multiplatinum Tha Carter IV for a scene stealing verse with Weezy returning the favour by featuring on Tech’s eleventh album, All 6’s and 7’s. Since then, Tech and Travis have been on the grind heavy building a reputation for incredible live performances, uncompromising music and an ever-expanding roster which now includes names like Krizz Kaliko, Brotha Lynch Hung, Murs and plenty more.
We’re still on the incline after all these years. We’ve been doing this for 15 years strong.
Major label artists that have been on tech n9ne songs how to#
I met my partner Travis O’Guin in 1999 and we started Strange Music because who knows better how to do me than me.
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