Artist Branding in 2025 EXPLAINED!

Summary

In this candid conversation, the speaker delves into the key elements of building an artist's brand, emphasizing authenticity, purpose, and hard work. They reflect on their experiences managing talented artists like Lucky, highlighting the importance of aligning with artists who have a genuine sense of purpose and the challenges faced in navigating the music industry. The discussion touches on the complexities of managing artists, the dynamics of touring, and the constant balancing act between creative vision and business realities. Ultimately, the speaker underscores the essential role of the manager in championing the artist's vision and navigating industry pressures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Authenticity is crucial in building an artist's brand, and it's the role of managers to help artists present themselves authentically, not to dictate their identity.
• 😀 Many artists today lack a deeper purpose in their music, often driven by popularity rather than a meaningful message.
• 😀 It's important for artists to align with a true purpose in their music, beyond just seeking fame and financial success.
• 😀 Talent alone is not enough for success; timing, hard work, and sometimes luck are crucial factors in an artist's journey.
• 😀 Managers must help guide artists without imposing their vision, ensuring they nurture the artist’s identity and purpose.
• 😀 Building a strong live performance presence can be key to an artist's success, even if it requires heavy investment upfront.
• 😀 Some artists may not be aware of the hard work and sacrifices their managers make, including covering expenses to support the artist's live performances.
• 😀 Managers are often the ones advocating for the artist’s vision, even when labels may not fully understand the artist’s needs or potential.
• 😀 Label decisions about an artist's career and strategy are often disconnected from the day-to-day realities and goals of the artist, which can lead to frustration.
• 😀 Managers serve as the essential bridge between the artist and everyone else in the industry, from the label to fans, ensuring the artist’s goals are prioritized.

Q & A

What is the most important factor when building an artist's brand?

The most important factor is authenticity. A manager's role is not to create an artist's identity but to discover who the artist truly is and present that to the world.

How does purpose play a role in an artist's career?

Purpose is crucial for an artist's career. The speaker believes that many artists today focus too much on fame and material rewards, rather than having a deep-rooted purpose behind their music. The ideal artist is one who is in music with intention and a message.

What does the speaker think about the current state of the music industry?

The speaker feels that the current music industry often lacks true purpose. With the rise of social media, many artists prioritize popularity over meaningful work, which diminishes the depth of music in general.

What is the relationship between talent and timing in the music industry?

Talent alone isn't enough. Success often comes down to timing and luck. An artist may be incredibly talented, but without the right timing and breaks, they might not achieve success.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of live performance for artists?

Live performance is emphasized because it’s a major strength for certain artists, like Lucky. The speaker believes that live shows can provide a powerful experience and contribute significantly to an artist's long-term success.

What challenges does the speaker face when managing multiple artists?

The speaker highlights the challenge of balancing different personalities and needs. Managing multiple artists, especially independently, requires immense effort to ensure each artist's individual journey is supported while meeting broader business and label demands.

How does the speaker feel about the relationship between managers and labels?

The speaker believes that managers have a deeper understanding of their artists than labels. They argue that while labels make decisions based on broader data, managers are the ones in constant communication with the artist and are aware of their goals and needs.

Why is it important for a manager to be involved in the budgeting of an artist's tour?

The speaker stresses the importance of a manager being involved in budgeting, particularly for live performances. Managers may need to make tough financial decisions, like investing in live music, to ensure the artist's long-term success, even if it means taking a financial hit initially.

How does the speaker approach the challenge of getting labels to support certain songs or projects?

The speaker shares their frustration when labels do not recognize fan favorites or potential singles. They advocate for a more flexible approach, where the artist's real-time connection with their audience is taken into consideration, rather than solely relying on streaming numbers.

What is the significance of the term 'MTI' mentioned in the discussion?

'MTI' stands for 'maximize this moment.' It refers to the idea of fully capitalizing on a song or an album that resonates with fans, especially when labels are often eager to move on to the next project too quickly.