The Music Business

How the Entire Industry Is Structured

What is the music business, really?

• The music business is an ecosystem surrounding songs, artists, and creativity built on relationships, data, and timing. There are many moving parts in this machine.

• What are some of the main roles in the music business?

• Songwriters

• Publishers

• Labels

• Producers

• Artists/Bands

• Musicians

• Management - Artist, Tour, etc.

• Distributors

• Promotion - Publicist, Marketing, Social Media

• Legal Representatives

• How does money flow through songs?

• Royalties are generated whenever a song is played or sold in any tangible form (live event, stream, radio play, physical or digital purchase, synching to other media forms, etc.). Money is then distributed based on ownership percentages to the various entities that contributed to that song. 

• Where do songwriters, artists, and producers fit?

• At the core of everything is the songwriter and artist - the creators. Without these people, there would be no song, and without a song, there would be nothing to record, sell, and market. 

• Producers help shape that artist's image and the songwriter’s idea into a tangible fixed form of media, which can then be consumed. They are instrumental in the creation process.

• Can I be both a songwriter and an artist?

• Absolutely. There are no set limitations on how many hats you can wear in the business of music. Many songwriters and artists are also producers, which is beneficial for creating demos and, eventually, final versions of written songs. 

• What are the major income streams in music today?

• The major income streams in music today consist of DSP (Digital Service Provider) streaming, tour ticket sales, merch, and other artist-exclusive content, and sync royalties.

• How does Christian music fit into the broader industry?

• Christian music is a specific section of the music business that encompasses nearly every genre of music, but with a Christ-centered lyrical filter.