In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter, I respond to an email from an up-and-coming artist who’s been offered a management deal but there’s a catch. The manager wants $500 a month upfront for representation.
The artist says this manager is “exclusive,” representing only 19 artists, and promises to:
Handle music distribution
Make calls to record labels and agencies
Help secure a record deal and a booking agent
It sounds tempting especially for someone just starting out. But is it legit? Or a red flag?
In this video, I break down:
✅ The difference between a real manager and a pay-to-play setup
✅ Why good managers don’t charge upfront fees
✅ What new artists should invest in instead
✅ How to spot the difference between opportunity and exploitation
If you’re an emerging artist trying to navigate management, booking, or label deals this one’s for you.
💡 Got a music industry question you want me to answer?
Head over to MatthewRix.com and send it in. Your question might not only help you it could also help countless other artists walking the same road.
#MusicIndustry #ArtistDevelopment #MusicManager #IndependentArtist #MusicBusinessTips #RecordLabels #MusicMarketing #MattrixMinute #MatthewRix #ArtistAdvice #PayToPlay #ManagerScam #MusicCareer
Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight with the hype.
SpotifyApple MusicAmazon MusicYouTube
