Indie Labels...
 

What do yall think of joining indie labels instead of these major labels?

A great deal of artists have survived on indie labels... or made it big, i.e. Mos def...

Personally....I would sign with no label other than an indie label...commercialism is for sellouts.....independant is the way to go imho.

Peace
Stee

There's always 2 sides to a story - Indie labels can give you a lot of good contacts within certain groups of people, and you get to work with a more close-knit group of people most likely. However, what it comes down to in the end with a lot of people I guess is the target audience and the amount of publicity you're aiming for. One thing is clear, major labels can give you a hell of a lot of more publicity in mainstream media simply due to their large financial resources and distribution channels & contacts, something very few indie labels have access to.

It's sad, but money makes the world go round in record label industry too often. Not what I prefer personally though, just some thoughts on this issue.

I don`t disagree with any of that....

Personally, I would`nt miss the coverage that a commercial label could give me....if I had a commercial contract and an indie contract in front of me right now....I`d sign the indie contract....regardless of money, fame, etc...

I`d look pretty fuckin hypocritical if after all I`ve said over the past 2 years and then went and signed a commercial contract...

Believe this or not:- if I blow up (and I`m under no illusions whatsoever on that) all I want is for people to say I`m dope.....major money would be given to charity and I would keep my appearances to a minimal to avoid over exposure.

And I don`t care if you don`t believe me cos I know it`s true.
I don`t want fame or money from hip-hop.....I`ll leave that to the sellouts....I just want respect for what I do....end of story.

Peace
Stee

I gotcha. For me a major record deal is nothing short of taking out a high interest loan to fund your career. The so called upfront "paycheck" isn't that at all. You most certainly will pay that back in labor or otherwise. How indie labels run seem to vary so I can't really say the same about them. Some do the same thing, while others are arranged so artists get to keep a great deal of thier cash.

what is the meaning of "indie labels" ??? is it a statement of "underground labels" ???? (sory, look at my signature)

Indie label = independent label

i see..ok..thanx

money
 

all i can say is........."money will change a man"........and no matter what people say about how they would neva take the money but give it to charity there is prolly an equal amount that has said that then got the moiney and changed.......alot of people aint down to earth after the money....(50 cent) so basically if u lose that down to earth shit and start rappin bout money and hos(50 cent) then basically after a couple records u will fall off. just my opinion i guess

Indie Labels
 

I'm a big advocate of indie labels. I think they allow the group to develop more of a cult following rather than selling out which is what I hate to see happen to my favourite underground emcees. The major labels don't allow creative control to the artists and therefore end up sounding like the rest of the saturated market. Look what happened to atmosphere. They released 3 or 4 albums on their rhymesayers label which were all really good. then they hooked up with the major lable epitaph (which is a friggan punk label) and their newest album suffered as a result. The fact remains, no matter how many of those indie label artists say they are going to "keep it real" and "stay underground," if they want the money and recognition, the indie label can only take them so far.