How to Get into the Music Industry When You've Got No Clue

Heard an artist who made you think, damn, I need to do this? Or maybe you’ve got something to say and music’s your megaphone to the universe.

Good. That’s how it starts for everyone worth listening to.

But then reality hits: you don’t know a soul in music, the pros have gear you can’t even pronounce, and you’d rather wrestle a bear than ask your cousin’s DJ friend for help.

Makes sense… Relax!

I’ll spill what I know, and soon enough, you’ll figure out how to get into the music industry from scratch.

#1 - Let’s Breakdown the Music Industry First

Since this is a boring part for you to understand, that’s why I’ve created this chart to give you an idea of what this music industry looks like.

Now that you’ve got a solid grasp over what goes in the industry, let’s get into the actual fun.

#2 - Be the First Person to Know About Everything

You don’t wanna end up being that artist who doesn’t even know who’s popping outside the Billboard Top 10 or 20. That’s tragic.

Let’s fix that.

Here’s how to sniff out rising talent and interesting stories before they trend on your cousin’s TikTok feed.

#2.1 - Create a Fresh YouTube Account

Start fresh. Make a brand new YouTube account.

Search for "lofi songs" or "bedroom pop" or whatever suits your taste.

Use the filter and sort by Upload Date.

This gives you fresh, undiscovered uploads. Some will have three views and awkward covers. Perfect.

See? There’s one weird and one promising track in the search results:

Play them. Like them. Repeat for a few days.

The YouTube algorithm will realise you want hidden gems.

Soon, your feed will serve you artists nobody else knows yet.

Congratulations, you are officially ahead of the curve.

#2.2 - Pick a Genre & Find Playlists

Spotify or YouTube, pick your poison.

Search for user-made playlists in your favourite genre, vibe, or mood.

This works like a charm. This is how I found Livingston, bbno$, DAX, and LUCID before they blew up.

For instance, you can’t underestimate these UK rappers. They’re literally killing the scene right now.

Find more such playlists where you can find underrated music across the different regions and genres.

Shuffle. Save what you love. Then casually drop these names in conversation. It makes you sound plugged in.

#2.3 - Listen to Podcasts of the Top Artists

Finding new artists is smart. Knowing what shapes them behind the scenes is even smarter. Start exploring interviews and podcasts.

This is where the real stories hide, not the polished press releases.

Here is one from my own stash. There is an artist called King in India.

His tracks are solid, his fanbase is huge, and he keeps dropping hits.

But the most interesting thing I know about him did not come from Spotify.

It came from a 1 hour 36 minutes long podcast he did with Prakhar Gupta on YouTube. In that chat, he said something so honest it stuck with me. And that is,

“He can’t perform in front of his family”

Not because he is scared but because he respects them too much.

He curses in his music, and that vibe does not fit well when your parents are sitting five feet away.

That tiny fact says a lot about his upbringing and culture.

This same guy has worked with Nick Jonas and Alan Walker. From local charts to global collabs. That is why these stories matter.

Let me hit you with another one. There is an artist called Bella.

He won MTV Hustle season one in India, and everyone claps for him as the champ. That part is obvious.

What most people do not know is how hard life slapped him before he ever touched that stage.

Bella was so broke at one point that he worked as a barber in Jaipur for about six months.

Clippers in hand, dreams in his head, money tight. He did what he had to do to survive.

After Jaipur, he moved to Dehradun, met a few other rappers, got into Da Desi Toli and found his tribe.

That is when MTV Hustle came knocking. The rest is history.

I have massive respect for Bella.

His lyrics are raw and honest, and his sound is so fresh.

Mark my words, it is only a matter of time before you see Bella popping off internationally too. Btw, he’s got a collab with King too.

Now stop there!!

What did you feel when you read these two stories?

Did you feel anything? Do you like me more? Maybe or maybe not. But, you'll be less likely to forget me after reading these stories.

That’s what happens when you tell other artists stories they don’t know.

Little facts like this make you memorable in a room full of music fans. Drop something nobody else knows and watch people lean in.

And remember, you will never know every artist out there.

Someone will always bring up a name you have never heard. In that case, share what you know, listen to what they know.

That back and forth builds trust faster than any forced networking.

Collect stories, swap stories, and watch how many doors open for you.

#3 - Pick Your Path

Alright rockstar. You have dug through the underground. You know who is next up. Now it is time to talk about you.

You are not here to play around. You want music to cover your bills and ideally fund your sushi cravings too.

Start with the big question. Do you want the spotlight or do you want to build empires while staying behind the scenes? Be honest and you will cut your choices in half right away.

If you want the spotlight: You are the face. The main act. This means you perform, sing, rap, DJ live, hype the crowd, or front a band. Your name goes on the poster. You need stage presence, a voice or sound that makes people stop scrolling and an ego strong enough to handle hits without folding.

If you are the mastermind behind a legacy: You are the brains. The builder. Think producer, beatmaker, songwriter, composer or audio engineer. Or maybe you run the machine as a manager, a PR strategist or the smart A and R who spots the next big thing. These people craft other people’s wins and quietly collect the respect and royalties.

Pick your side. Stick with it. Then roll up your sleeves and work. Music pays people who move, not people who daydream.

#4 - Warm Up Your Ears & Brain with Some Lessons

You know stories, artists, and things that most people don’t. But that’s not where this learning stops.

I don’t know what path you have chosen for yourself. But when I started out, these channels really helped me become a better artist.

#4.1 - Best Places to Learn Production

These channels teach you how songs are made from scratch. You will never listen to a beat the same way again.

• In The Mix: This is where I learnt how equalizers actually work.
• Help Me Devvon: This man taught me how multiband compressors work.
• Busy Works Beats: Ah, this man deserves an award. I bet many producers started seeing his videos right off the bat.

#4.2 - Stay Updated with Reaction Channels

Watch how regular listeners react to new music. This helps you understand what hits and what flops.

• No Life Shaq
• Jamel_AKA_Jamal
• Lost in Vegas
• Stevie Knight

#4.3 - Learn Music Business

Music is art, but you can’t survive in this world without money. Here are some YouTube channels that can help you avoid mistakes that kill careers.

• Adam Ivy: Great for branding, fan building and selling your music without being pushy.
• Damian Keyes: Straight talk on how to market your music, grow an audience and avoid rookie mistakes.
• Ari's Take: Ari Herstand breaks down the real-life stuff labels and managers usually hide

And here are a few books that can give you a lot of knowledge about the business side of music:

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman: Classic reference for contracts, deals and what to watch out for.

How to Make It in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand: Modern, actionable and very real. Perfect for the current digital landscape.

Music Money and Success by Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec: Royalties, sync licensing and revenue streams explained like a pro.

Hit Men by Fredric Dannen: A juicy behind-the-scenes read about how record labels and executives really play the game.

Apart from this, I’d recommend reading blogs from SoundCampaign.

In fact, the page you’re on right now is also one of these blogs.

You like it here? You can bookmark this page. It has all the blogs we published so far.

#4.4 - Must-Join Subreddits

Reddit is where real music nerds and industry folks share unfiltered advice.

• r/WeAreTheMusicMakers for honest advice
• r/IndieMusicFeedback for sharing your tracks and getting real feedback
• r/MusicIndustry for news and insider takes
• r/TrapProduction if you love modern hip hop beats

Bonus: Artist Breakdowns Genius is a good way to see past an artist’s mindset. For example, here G-Eazy has confirmed that he’s talking about Young Jedi:

#5 - Do Something That Proves You’re Not Whack

At some point, you have to stop planning and start showing.

People in music trust what you do, not what you promise.

So, build a tiny portfolio that screams:

If you are a creator, start small. Upload covers, remixes or your own tracks to SoundCloud, YouTube or TikTok.

Do not overthink it. Just ship something and learn as you go.

If you lean more business than beats, perfect. Launch a simple fan page.

Help a local band promote their next show. Run their socials for free. Small actions build trust faster than any fancy bio.

Next, get your hands dirty in the real world.

Look for internships or freelance gigs at local venues, small labels or on sites like Reddit, Upwork, and Fiverr.

Expect little or no pay at first. What you are really collecting is insider knowledge and contacts. That is worth more than pocket change.

One gig leads to another. One song gets better than the last.

Keep stacking proof and soon enough, people will call you instead of you begging for a chance.

#6 - Meet People Without Feeling Like a Creep

You know your artists. You know their stories. You have been putting in the work.

Now comes the final power move: go out and make friends. That is your real ticket to doing something big in music.

Music is people. Always has been, always will be.

People give you gigs, collabs, shoutouts and opportunities you can’t Google.

So your next mission is simple. Put yourself where other music people hang out.

Where to find them?

• Local open mics and dive bar gigs. Cheapest way to meet real talent and real fans. Clap for others, say hi after, swap numbers.
• Jam nights at cafes, community centres or music schools. Bring your instrument or just your energy. Good things happen when people vibe.
• Online collab sites like SoundBetter, Kompoz or Vocalizr. Connect with singers, rappers, beatmakers worldwide without leaving your bedroom.
• Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Follow artists, producers, managers. Leave real comments, not fake hype. People remember the genuine ones.
• Discord servers and subreddits. r/BedroomBands, r/ThisIsOurMusic, r/WeAreTheMusicMakers. Talk, share, listen. Be part of the scene.

For starters, this is how you can begin your conversations:

• Start with a compliment or a smart question
• Share something useful or uplifting
• Don’t beg for favors on day one

Example: “Hey, loved your new song. That bridge caught me off guard. Curious, how did you come up with it?” or “Watched your open mic last night. I run a small page that covers local sets. Would you mind if I snapped a few clips next time?”

No weird lines. No pushing your own stuff too soon. Just be human.

#7 - Use SoundCampaign to Get Feedback for Your Track & Get Lucky Too

Back in 2018, I started SoundCampaign to help artists get into top playlists. At the same time, I helped them get feedback so that they can improve their art.

Something like this:

These playlist curators are handpicked by the SoundCampaign team and they’re some of the top listeners on Spotify.

So, their feedback is really worth it.

You wanna find out what these top listeners have to say about your track? Why don’t you submit your track here?

Final Thoughts

Here’s the truth: talent isn’t rare. Execution is.

If you made it this far, you’re not just interested in music. You’re circling the runway, trying to figure out how to land.

So here’s what you do next:

• Pick your lane. Artist or operator. Front-stage or backstage. Clarity beats confusion.
• Build your radar. Train your ears. Know who’s rising before the internet does.
• Create proof. Music, fan pages, gigs, reels. Anything that says "I’m in the game," not "I’m thinking about it."
• Study the machine. Learn the business. Know how money and deals move. It’s not sexy, but it saves careers.
• Get in rooms (physical or digital). Music is a people business. Lurk less, engage more.

Most people never start. And of the few who do, they don't last.

Your edge here is learning, prepping, and actually making a move. Every. Single. Day.