Revenue For Unsigned Artists Grew 35% Last Year

A new study from MIDiA Research and indie distributor Amuse shows that independent artists are the fastest-growing segment of the global recorded music business, the beginning of what may be the biggest paradigm shift within the music business in decades.

Key Findings

• Artists without record labels generated $643.1 million in 2018, up 35% from 2017. Independent artists represent a segment of global scale with real impact and influence. They are also more streaming native than label artists.
• Labels are not a prerequisite. Artists now view labels very much as one possible means to an end. Less than a third of label artists consider it important to be signed to a record label, while for independent artists (i.e. those without record labels) this rises to a little more than half.
• Earnings are the biggest obstacle. Nearly three-quarters of independent artists earn less than $10,000 a year from music, and average incomes are also low even for signed artists. Most artists have ‘plural careers’. Whether signed to a label or not, over two-thirds of artists feel they will have to keep up other work alongside music in order to make ends meet.
• The age of artist empowerment has arrived. Despite the challenges of a music career, the vast majority of artists now feel they have more control over their careers than ever before. With their choices, both increasing and improving, nearly two-thirds of artists have a positive outlook about their career path.

Download the free report here.