How Much Do Rappers Make Per Show?

Continuing our themes on artist making money, we come to a question often asked to us, and that’s How Much Do Rappers Make Per Show?

Many of the up and coming rappers ask this question because they would like to know how much their favorite rapper is getting paid.

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Knowing how much their favorite rapper makes reinforces the image they have of the rapper living large and in charge, and keeps up the fantasy of them one day making it in the music business to be like their idols.

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There is no arm in that because these thoughts of idolization are not only among up and coming rappers, but by music fans in general. In this article I will briefly explain the different ways rappers get paid to perform and how much they make per show.

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Also Read: How Indie Artists Get Paid From Shows

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How Do Rappers Get Paid From Performing

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There are two ways rappers get paid for shows:

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1) From Ticket Sales Sold For The Show

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When a venue books an artist for a show they start doing promotions for the ticket sales of the event. The cost of the ticket sale is negotiated between the venue owner and the artist’s management.

Based on the artists performance fee and the prediction of ticket sale, they come up with a number for the artist to get paid.

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An artist can ask for a flat performance fee also known a guarantee. Which is the minimum an artist can take home.

And then there is also a percentage of ticket sales, which is usually 85%-90% of the net profits from ticket sales.

The reason why this percentage is so high is because the artist and his management gets to choose their fee. This is based on how popular the artist is at the time.

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2) Performing Rights Licensing Fee

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We have spoken about Performing Rights Organizations many times before. They are basically an artists best friend! Their job is to issue performance licenses to venues and collect those revenues and distribute it back to the artists.

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The reason why venues have to pay this fee to artists is because the artist is performing their copy right material, which is their music.

All venues who want artists to perform their copy right songs have to pay a licensing fee to do so. It sounds good to be an artist doesn’t it? lol. This is how rappers become rich! Making money upon money.

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Besides getting paid through ticket sales and through a PRO, rappers can sell merchandise and also get fans to pay extra money to take photos and receive autographs from the artist. This is usually under a VIP package.

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Also Read: Why You’re Not Making Money As An Artist

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How Much Do Artists Get Paid For Shows

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This will vary from artist to artist. If you are a major artist you can charge a flat fee of anywhere from $30,000 – $100,000 per show. If you do the research $80,000 – $100,000 is somewhere around what Jay-Z, Drake and Kanye West get paid! (todays figure). Those are major artists who are in major demand.

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On the lower side of the scale are independent and unsigned artists. Rappers in this group ask anywhere from $10,000 – $20,000. I’m talking about known an popular independent and underground artists. New artist won’t see that much.

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Most new artist will get paid in alcohol or a open mic night fee of $30-$50. In conclusion, your grind determines your pay! It’s as simple as that. Go work hard at getting your music out there and building your fan base, so in the near future you can start making big money!

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Written by Jerome Brown