The Tribe Collective

16 Dec How To Make It In The Music Industry: The Brutal Truth

Posted at 07:07h in Featured, GI SAID IT, The Tribe by GI Griffin

If you want to know how to make it in the music industry, I’m going to hit you with some real talk. This isn’t one of those sugar-coated, feel-good articles that tells you to “follow your dreams.” No. We’re talking raw truths, hard lessons, and what you’ll actually need to stand a chance in one of the toughest industries in the world.

There are two paths you can take after reading this article. You can cry foul, claim the system isn’t fair, and keep waiting for your big break. Or you can adjust your mindset, roll up your sleeves, and get to work on strategies that actually move the needle. Your choice.

I’ll show you how everyone thinks you make it in music versus how it really works.

Myth #1: “All I need is for someone big to hear me.”

Newsflash. THEY DON’T CARE.

Meeting a big artist, producer, or influencer and shoving your demo in their hands isn’t the silver bullet you think it is. I’ve been a DJ. I’ve had people walk up to me in clubs, slide me their demo, and beg me to play their track. Wanna know what happened most of the time? That demo ended up out the window on the freeway.

You care about your music more than anyone else does—because it’s personal to you. But this industry isn’t about how much you care. It’s about how much value you bring to others.

Myth #2: “If I have talent, the rest will follow.”

Wrong. Talent only gets you so far. The music industry is a business—a ruthless one. Record labels, managers, and executives care about one thing more than your voice or your beats. They’re looking at the numbers. Can you generate revenue?

We’re long past the days where labels would invest millions to develop an artist from the ground up. Now, they expect you to show up with a pack of diehard fans, millions of streams, and a brand that’s ready to sell. No following? No deal.

Here’s the litmus test to figure out if you’re ready to be taken seriously in this industry:

Do you already have a loyal fanbase?
Are your socials popping with engagement?
Are you making money—from streams, merch, or live performances?

If your answer is “no” to any of the above, the industry isn’t ignoring you because of bad luck. They’re ignoring you because you don’t bring value. Period.

The Real Way to Make It

Here’s the hard truth most people don’t want to hear:

You don’t make it in the music industry by asking for others to give you a chance. You make it by creating value for them first.

This doesn’t mean DMing every person in the industry with vague “collab?” messages. It means positioning yourself as irreplaceable. Here’s how you do it:

1. Build Your Value

Start by being undeniably good at what you do. Work on your craft. Whether you’re an artist, producer, or songwriter, make sure your work stands out. But don’t stop there—build an audience too. Use tools at your disposal like social media, giveaways, live streams, and collaborations to grow an organic following.

If you don’t have numbers to back you up, you’re playing the game blind. Fan engagement turns heads. It proves you’ve got skin in the game and that you already offer value.

2. Be of Service

If you’re not creating value through your numbers, then find another way to do it. Offer your skills. Approach people higher up than you and ask how you can support their work. Carry bags. Assist in the studio. Do the unglamorous stuff no one else wants to do.

And don’t offer help because you’re expecting favors in return. Do it because you genuinely respect these people and want to work alongside them.

This was my personal strategy. I didn’t make connections by begging for handouts. I made connections by respecting the grind of those who came before me. Over time, they opened doors for me. They got me into rooms where opportunities happened.

3. Shift the Focus from ‘You’ to ‘Them’

Stop thinking, “What can someone do for me?” and start asking, “What can I bring to the table?” If you can create something mutually beneficial, you’re no longer begging for a lucky break. You’re positioning yourself as a partner, not a charity case.

When you approach labels, producers, or industry veterans, make sure your pitch is grounded in business logic:

Highlight how you’ve built a loyal fanbase.
Show what kind of return on investment (ROI) you can offer.
Present yourself as reliable, prepared, and professional.

Warning Signs You’re Not Ready

If you’re the type of person who thinks someone owes you a shot or that your talent alone should be enough, I have bad news—you’re not going to last. The music industry weeds out people with entitlement issues faster than they can hand over their demo.

Here’s how you become a red flag for everyone who might consider working with you:

You expect mentorship without offering anything in return.
You refuse to network or help others because you think it’s beneath you.
You’re obsessed with short-term wins instead of long-term strategy.
You have no experience but act like an expert.

Those attitudes will burn bridges before you even step foot on them.

Success in Music is a Business Exchange

At the end of the day, making it in the music industry boils down to one thing—business. The industry isn’t designed to cater to your artistic dreams; it’s designed to deliver results. If you can’t accept that, you’re playing the wrong game.

Record labels invest in artists who already have proven market value.
Producers collaborate with people they trust and respect professionally.
Audiences support artists who consistently give them what they want.

You can’t skip the hard work. You can’t bypass the blood, sweat, and sacrifices it takes to build something valuable.

The Tribe is a collective of individuals committed to growth, wisdom, and connection with other like minds. We don’t follow trends—we live by truth, self improvement, and action.