Do upcoming artists need to feature big artists in their music in order to make it big? The answer is a resounding no! While featuring established artists can certainly be beneficial to an up-and-coming artist, it is not the only way for them to make a name for themselves. In this blog post, we will discuss why upcoming artists don’t need to feature big artists to make it in the music industry and what strategies they can use to gain recognition without relying on collaborations.
Why Upcoming Artists Believe They Need Big Artist Features
It’s no secret that breaking into the music industry can be a daunting task for any upcoming artist. The pressure to get noticed and stand out among a sea of other aspiring musicians can be overwhelming. This is why many upcoming artists often feel that they need a big artist feature to help them gain traction and increase their chances of success.
One reason why upcoming artists believe they need big artist features is that it can provide them with more exposure and visibility. Collaborating with an established artist can introduce the upcoming artist’s music to a wider audience, giving them a chance to be heard by people who might not have discovered them otherwise.
Additionally, a big artist feature can also help an upcoming artist establish credibility in the industry. Working with a well-known and respected artist can validate an upcoming artist’s talent and give them a sense of legitimacy in the eyes of fans, industry professionals, and the media.
Finally, a big artist feature can also offer opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Partnering with a more established artist can provide upcoming artists with valuable connections and access to new resources and opportunities.
Overall, there are many reasons why upcoming artists may believe that a big artist feature is the key to blowing up. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case. In the following sections, we’ll explore the fallacy of big artist features and alternative ways for upcoming artists to get noticed and gain fans.
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The Fallacy of Big Artist Features as the Key to Success
There is a common belief among upcoming artists that they need to feature big artists in order to make it big. They believe that by featuring someone who is already well-established, they can get more exposure and reach a wider audience. However, this belief is far from the truth.
The fact is that big artist features are not the key to success, and relying on them as a shortcut can be detrimental to an artist’s long-term career.
First of all, featuring a big artist does not guarantee success. Just because someone has a large following or is well-known does not mean that they are automatically going to promote or support an upcoming artist. In fact, many established artists are very selective about who they collaborate with and may only work with other big names or established acts.
Secondly, featuring a big artist can actually backfire for an upcoming artist. If the collaboration is not well-received or the big artist does not actively promote the song or project, it can end up being a waste of time and resources for the upcoming artist. It can also lead to disappointment and discouragement if the collaboration does not lead to the expected boost in popularity.
Moreover, relying on big artist features can hinder an upcoming artist’s creativity and growth. It can lead to a lack of originality and authenticity as artists may feel pressure to conform to a certain sound or style in order to please their feature. This can result in a loss of individuality and artistic vision, which can be detrimental to an artist’s long-term success.
Alternative Ways for Upcoming Artists to Get Noticed and Gain Fans
As an upcoming artist, you may be thinking that a feature from a big artist is the only way to get noticed and gain fans. However, there are plenty of other ways to make a name for yourself in the music industry.
- Social Media: Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential fans. Consistently post updates about your music, behind-the-scenes content, and interact with your followers to keep them engaged.
- Live Performances: Live performances are a great way to showcase your talent and connect with fans in-person. Book gigs at local venues or events and make sure to promote your shows on social media and other channels.
- Collaborations with Other Upcoming Artists: Collaborating with other upcoming artists can help you reach a new audience and build your network. Find other artists in your genre and collaborate on a song or project.
- Music Videos: Music videos are a great way to showcase your visual style and attract new fans. With the rise of platforms like YouTube and TikTok, music videos can also go viral and help you reach a wider audience.
- Music Blogs and Playlists: Pitch your music to music blogs and playlists in your genre. Getting featured on a popular blog or playlist can expose your music to a new audience and help you gain fans.
How to Leverage Collaboration with Other Upcoming Artists
While it may seem like featuring a big artist is the only way to gain recognition as an upcoming artist, there are other avenues that can lead to success. One such method is collaborating with other upcoming artists. Collaborations offer many benefits that can help to push your career in the right direction.
Here are a few ways you can leverage collaboration with other upcoming artists:
- Combine Your Audiences: Collaborating with another upcoming artist allows you to combine your fan bases, thus expanding your reach. When your partner’s fans see that they are collaborating with you, they will become curious and check out your music, too. This gives you a chance to attract new fans who might not have found you otherwise.
- Learning New Techniques: Collaborating with another artist gives you an opportunity to learn new techniques, styles, and methods. You can pick up new skills that will help you improve your own music-making. Additionally, working with another artist allows you to explore and try new things in a creative space, which can ultimately enhance your work.
- Create Something Fresh: Working with another upcoming artist gives you an opportunity to create something fresh. When you work with someone new, you can tap into their creativity and inspiration, leading to a new and exciting collaboration. Together, you can push boundaries, mix styles, and create something that your fans have never heard before.
- Share Resources: Collaborating with other upcoming artists gives you access to a wider range of resources. You can share equipment, recording studios, and even contacts. With combined resources, you can create music that sounds more polished and professional, which can help you gain more attention and followers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the notion that upcoming artists need to feature big artists to achieve success and “blow up” in the music industry is a misconception that needs to be debunked. While collaborations with established artists can certainly provide exposure and opportunities, they are not the sole determining factor for an artist’s breakthrough.