Music Royalties

 Understanding Music Royalties: What Every Artist Should Know

Music royalties are one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of the music industry. Whether you’re an independent artist, a songwriter, or a producer, understanding how royalties work is key to getting paid fairly for your work. If you’re creating music, you should be earning from it. But to do that, you need to know the different types of royalties and how to collect them.

There are several types of music royalties, but the two main categories are performance royalties and mechanical royalties.

Performance royalties are earned when your music is played publicly—on the radio, on TV, in a restaurant, or even at a live concert. These royalties are collected by Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the U.S. If you’re not registered with a PRO, you’re likely missing out on money you’re owed.

Mechanical royalties are earned when your music is reproduced, like when it’s sold as a digital download, streamed on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, or pressed on vinyl. These are collected by mechanical rights agencies, such as the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) in the U.S.

There’s also sync licensing, which happens when your song is placed in a TV show, film, commercial, or video game. These deals are negotiated individually and can pay out big, depending on the exposure and usage.

Royalties are often split between the songwriter, the composer, and the performer. If you’re collaborating, make sure to have agreements in place outlining who gets what percentage. Without that, things can get messy quickly.

The most important thing artists can do is register with the right organizations, keep track of their songs, and never assume that platforms are tracking it all for you. In reality, money gets lost all the time due to poor documentation or lack of registration.

At the end of the day, music is both art and business. If you’re putting your heart into your work, make sure you’re also setting yourself up to earn from it—consistently and fairly. Music royalties might seem complicated, but with the right knowledge, they can become a solid foundation for your career.

Issues With Todays Music

 What’s Wrong with Today’s Music? A Closer Look at the Industry’s Growing Pains

Music has always been a reflection of culture, emotion, and the human experience. Every era brought its own sound, message, and energy. But in recent years, many fans and critics alike have begun to express frustration with the state of today’s music. While there’s still great art being created, it’s hard to ignore the growing issues that are shaping—and in some cases, damaging—the music industry and the listener experience.

One of the most noticeable problems is the lack of originality. Turn on any mainstream radio station or browse a popular playlist, and it quickly becomes clear: many songs sound the same. From overused beats to repetitive hooks and formulaic lyrics, a lot of modern music feels manufactured rather than inspired. It’s not just about style—it’s about creativity being sacrificed for algorithmic success. Songs are now made with “TikTokability” in mind, chasing trends instead of starting them.

Another major issue is the overemphasis on image and virality over talent. In today’s music landscape, going viral often matters more than being musically skilled. Artists can rise to stardom off one catchy snippet on social media, regardless of whether they can perform live or write their own songs. Labels chase clout, not craftsmanship. The result is a wave of one-hit wonders and shallow content that lacks substance and staying power.

The streaming era also plays a huge role in how music is made and consumed. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have made music more accessible than ever, but they’ve also changed how songs are structured. Artists now aim for shorter intros, quicker hooks, and shorter overall track lengths just to get more plays. It’s a numbers game—and artistry often takes a backseat. Albums have become less cohesive, less meaningful, and more like collections of singles designed to chase streams rather than tell a story.

Lyrical depth has also taken a hit. While every generation has had its share of party anthems and superficial hits, today’s mainstream music often feels devoid of emotion or storytelling. Many songs rely heavily on auto-tuned vocals and vague phrases about money, fame, and fleeting relationships. There’s a lack of vulnerability, of raw human expression—the very thing that once made music timeless and relatable.

This isn’t to say all modern music is bad. There are still brilliant artists creating authentic, powerful work—but they’re often buried under a flood of noise. Independent artists, niche genres, and underrated talent exist, but they require more digging to find.

In the end, the issue isn’t that music is evolving—it always does. The problem is that we’re letting algorithms, trends, and short attention spans guide the direction. If we want music to truly matter again, we need to start valuing artistry over virality, depth over trends, and passion over popularity.

Issues At The Expo

I recently attended what was supposed to be one of the most exciting expos of the year—an event I had been looking forward to for months. The buzz around it was huge, and with the lineup of vendors and speakers, I expected to leave inspired, maybe even with a few new tools or contacts for my business. And to be fair, the expo mostly delivered. The venue was great, the energy was high, and most vendors were engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly there to make connections. But unfortunately, one vendor—one very unprofessional vendor—tainted the entire experience for me.

Let me set the scene: I walked up to this particular booth because their product was something I was genuinely interested in. Their branding was slick, their demo video loop was impressive, and their setup made it look like they really had their act together. But as soon as I engaged with the representative at the booth, the whole thing went downhill.

First, they barely acknowledged me. I chalked it up to them being tired—it had been a long day—but then I realized they were chatting with their coworkers and scrolling on their phone instead of paying attention to anyone. When I finally got their attention and asked a few questions, I was met with vague answers, eye rolls, and what honestly felt like annoyance that I was even talking to them. At one point, I asked if their product had a warranty, and the guy literally shrugged and said, “It should.” It should? That’s not exactly reassuring when you’re considering dropping a few hundred dollars on something.

To make matters worse, I later overheard the same rep complaining about attendees being “too needy” and “asking too many dumb questions.” At a public expo. Where networking and customer interaction is literally the whole point.

I ended up walking away from that booth frustrated and disappointed. It made me question how many other vendors might just be good at looking the part but lack any real customer service or professionalism. It’s a shame because, had that interaction gone differently, I probably would’ve made a purchase and even recommended them to others.

Moral of the story? One bad vendor can really sour an otherwise great event. Hopefully, next time, the expo curators vet their participants more thoroughly.

How To Find A Solid Music Manager

 How to Find a Good Music Manager: What Every Artist Should Know

In today’s music industry, talent alone isn’t always enough to succeed. Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist or someone who’s been grinding independently for years, having the right team around you can make all the difference—and a good music manager is often at the heart of that team. But finding the right manager isn’t just about someone who answers emails and books shows. It’s about finding a real partner who believes in your vision, pushes your career forward, and knows how to navigate the complexities of the music world.

So how do you find a good music manager? It starts with knowing what to look for—and what to avoid.

1. Look for Passion, Not Just a Resume

A manager doesn’t need to have worked with major-label artists to be effective. What matters more is that they genuinely believe in you and your sound. Some of the best managers started out with zero connections but were hungry, relentless, and willing to hustle just as hard as the artist. If someone is only chasing clout or quick money, they’ll disappear the moment things slow down. Find someone who sees your potential and is ready to invest the time to help you grow.

2. Understand Their Skill Set

A good music manager wears many hats. They should be organized, communicative, and strategic. From booking gigs and handling your press kit to negotiating contracts and managing relationships with labels, venues, and producers—a manager needs to be comfortable in multiple roles. Ask what kind of experience they have and how they handle challenges. A manager who understands marketing, brand development, and social media is a huge plus in today’s digital-first world.

3. Chemistry Matters

You’ll be spending a lot of time with your manager, and they’ll be closely involved in your career decisions. So make sure your personalities align. Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is. You don’t need a “yes person,” but you do need someone who communicates well, respects your artistic vision, and works collaboratively.

4. Check Their Network

A manager’s value often comes from who they know. Can they get your music in front of the right people? Can they connect you with producers, booking agents, or label reps? Don’t be afraid to ask about their industry relationships and how they’ve helped other artists grow. However, beware of big promises with no track record to back them up.

5. Start Small, Grow Together

Some of the best artist-manager relationships are built from the ground up. Don’t be afraid to work with someone who’s still learning—if they’re driven, honest, and putting in the work, you can build something special together. Often, artists and managers who come up together create the strongest partnerships.

In the end, finding a good music manager is about alignment—of goals, values, and work ethic. When you find that person, they won’t just manage your career—they’ll amplify it. Take your time, do your homework, and don’t settle for someone who isn’t as committed to your success as you are.

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