Does An Artist Really Need A Music Manager?

The Music Business can be a tricky place to navigate. It has twists and turns, and ups and downs. It can be treacherous waters from time to time for new rap artists. But thanks to the changes that have taken place over the last few years, there are several tools that are at an artists, disposal that they can use to push their career forward. Social Media and The Internet have changed the game. Many hip hop artists are choosing to manage and promote themselves until they gain enough recognition to find a good manager that will represent them.

You might be wondering what a manager actually does, or how to go about finding a good one? There is kind of an unwritten rule in the industry about managers, they joke that if you’re great and unsigned, “they’ve heard of you.” Which basically means that you have gotten all your pieces together, and have managed to create a great beginning of your career. If you make good music and build up a following with crazy buzz, chances are a manager will find you. This works the majority of times. While that may be true to some degree, managers will never be sitting around waiting for the next best thing to magically fall in their lap. They are out looking for artists like you; much like you should be looking for managers like them.

What Does A Music Manager Do?

The basic idea of what a manager does it to bring together people and projects. Depending on where the artist is in their career, the project and the goals will vary. If the artist is unsigned, the manager will be responsible for helping them find a label that is not only interested, but one that will help the artist get their music out to a wider base of people. A big part of it is networking. The manager will have to know how to network and connect with the right people to build a good base, to help their artist achieve their goals. They have to understand the structures within the industry, varying from labels to concert promoters; to broadcasting companies for radio and other media personnel.

When Should You Get A Manager?

As I mentioned it’s good to take on the role of a manager or get your friend who is knowledgeable in the field of music to manager your career in the initial stages. But as you grow in recognition and fan base, you would definitely want to secure a professional manager. A manager is more suitable to take your career to new heights because he/she has the experience, and the contacts to get you need to be in the industry. Including getting you signed to a major record label or a Music Publishing Deal. That’s if you want to take that route. Being independent all your career is a grind and will only allow you to reach so many people. If you do get signed and have been putting in work, you can negotiate your contract to have creative control and get a bigger percentage from sales of your albums, concert tickets, and merchandise.

Where Can I Find A Manager?

Because of the shift in the industry, and with the influx of the use of the internet, there are many ways in which you can find a manager. There are online music forums where you can interact with managers. There are also sites like social media; specifically Twitter, linkedin and Instagram. Linkedin in an incredible one because it’s more of a professional social media platform. A lot of music professionals are on that site. Once you find these managers you’re going to want to be as professional as possible. Don’t use any slang or nonsense like that. be respectable so they can take you serious!

You will come across the profile of a manager and almost always find contact information. Be it a phone number or email address. Contact them and introduce yourself. Express that you are an up and coming artist that has built your own buzz and have a good sized following, and you think that you’re ready to take you career to the next level by hiring a manager. Always contact a manager that you’ve done research on first. you’re not looking for just any old manager. you need someone who is skilled and has connection. Someone who most likely has heard of your music and is as passionate about it as you are. And again, I need to stress someone who is knowledgeable of the music industry! Preferable in the genre of rap music.

How Much Should Music Management Get Paid?

The percentage of what the manager gets paid will vary too. The standard is about 15 to 25% of the artists gross income. This is a good thing to keep in mind when planning to hire a manager. You will be sharing your income with them. Make sure that they are someone you want to have on your team, and someone who will work hard for their share.