What is best.....
WHO THE HELL AM I TO SAY
BUT
I think that just like artists have unique styles and perspectives, i think the decision to be "independent" or "not" really depends on what kind of deal/situation you are being offered. One
must know what he wants to get out of the deal. I don't think people do this. They just sit back and see what crumb someone throws at them and then they decide if they want it or not.
I learned in salary negotiation that you must ask for what you want...f*ck what they say the job pays. If you don't put it out there, they will think that you don't know what your time is worth.
Aim high ..ask for more than you want, but have a realistic # in mind that you can live with comfortably. If they ask you to come down...as long as its in the range of what you figured you'd get ...you aren't disappointed.
Side note: I think many artists have it twisted. Money and connects outweigh talent. So go in there knowing that they think that way. This industry is "show and prove". That means bringing something to the table. Record deals are not offered b/c they believe in you. It is a business investment. Would you give "you" 3/4 million dollars to make a
rap CD? If they respect you, they won't rip the fur off of you ....as bad
.
If you have no money ...nor power (street credibility, spins, sales) you'll get no respect.
In reality...you need them more than they need you.
Back to the topic: It really depends on how much the artist believes in him or her self. Some artists refuse to change. Lyrics could be on some bullshit...their appearance all jacked up and they’ll be the main ones talking about they ain't changing for a damn soul..."THIS IS ME".
Those people are saying to me...I am an independent artist. The industry is about norms (CONFORMING)...status quo...when in ROME you do as the ROMANS. The industry is sexy, sensational, controversial ...and about a 1000 other terms that come to mind. It is "REAL" fake. So the question really comes down to how much of your soul you are willing to sell to see your name in lights.
If I were a good rapper (I am a rapper...my style is just real OLD SCHOOL....
..I’m saving it for when hip hop gets back to its roots)....I would want to do me. I would probably invest in myself and try to market me. I am not a conformist and I am far too independent. I'm no one's puppet. I'd look into some of the new technology they have out here (i.e. WEED) that allows artists to profit off of the sale of each of their singles.
FYI: Weed example...your single is converted into WEED....you send it to someone...they listen 3 times for free then they must purchase for $1.00. From that $1.00 sale...the artist gets $.50. When that person who purchases the file sends it to another person ...then that person listens and purchases after 3 spins....the new seller gets $.20, the artist gets $.50...and the company that converts the file (aka the "distributor") gets $.30.
This continues for as long as people continue to pass the song around....THE ARTIST GETS $.50 every time his/her song is sold. If you know anything about record deals.. [glow=red,2,300]HOT[/glow] MAJOR ARTIST get around $.10-$.18 per sale (feel free to correct me on my numbers if any one knows differently)....and if your in a group you must divide that $.10 a new artist is hopefully getting between all the members. You do the math.
All of the money is deposited in a pay pal (or similar) account and the artist is cut a check every month.
With an effective marketing an PR strategy.. combined with getting paid gigs, throwing parties, selling demos/merchandise after shows....an artist could live a little off of their art.
If you choose not to eat in that way you can at least use the money to produce a quality product that is worth $10 -$15..the going rate for CDs.