Do You Even Want a Record Deal?

Getting signed to a record label has always been seen as “the dream” for up-and-coming artists.

It’s got that shiny appeal, money, resources, connections, maybe even a fast track to the mainstream. And yeah, for some artists, it can open real doors.

But let me say this upfront: you don’t need a label in 2025 to build a career.

The music industry has changed.

Completely.

You can distribute your music worldwide, build a fanbase on your own terms, own your masters, and keep your royalties. Artists like Russ proved that you can go independent and still sell out tours, hit charts, and make real money, without giving up control of your art. 💡

That being said… some artists still want to get signed, and that’s fair.

Maybe for the exposure. Maybe for the team. Maybe because they just want to focus on creating and let someone else handle the rest.

So in this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how to give yourself the best shot at getting signed, from defining your sound, to building your presence, to actually submitting your music the right way.

If you're serious about landing a record deal in 2025, or even just curious about what it takes, here’s what you need to know.

Let’s get into it. 🎯

Find Your Lane Before You Pitch Your Name

Before you even think about emailing labels or sliding into DMs with links to your music, you need to know who you are as an artist.

What do you sound like?

What do you stand for?

What kind of energy are you bringing to the table?

In a sea of artists all trying to get noticed, your uniqueness is the only thing that can cut through. Labels aren’t just looking for talent, they’re looking for something that feels fully formed. 

That doesn’t mean you need to be boxed into one genre or be fully polished right away. But you do need direction.

You should have songs that show range, sure, but they should still sound like you.

That’s the difference between someone who’s experimenting and someone who’s developing a brand.

I’ve heard hundreds of tracks that technically sound “good,” but they feel forgettable. It’s the artists who make something undeniably their own, whether through vocal tone, lyric choices, melodies, or production style, that actually stick. 🔍

So don’t rush this part. Hone your sound. Write a lot. Record a lot. Figure out what feels natural, and double down on it.

When you find that zone where everything aligns that’s when your music stops sounding like practice and starts sounding like purpose.

Because when a label hears something they can’t ignore, they’ll come to you.

If They Can’t Find You, They Can’t Sign You 

In 2025, your online presence is your first impression. It’s your business card, your resume, and your storefront, all rolled into one.

Labels don’t just want to hear your music. They want to see how you move. They check your visuals, your audience engagement, your consistency, and how you present yourself. If you’re invisible online, they’ll move on to someone who isn’t.

So before you start reaching out to industry people, ask yourself: if someone Googles your artist name right now, what do they find?

Does your brand show up clean and consistent across platforms?

Start by getting the basics right.

Lock in your @handles across all platforms. 

Use the same profile picture and artist name everywhere. Keep your bios short but informative, think: who you are, where you’re from, what type of music you make.

Next: be active.

You don’t need to post every day, but you do need to show you’re alive and working. That could be studio snippets, behind-the-scenes footage, live performances, writing sessions, anything that gives people a reason to tap in. 🎥

Your content doesn’t have to be viral. It has to be real.

Having a simple website with links to your music, socials, bio, and contact info also helps, especially for when labels, blogs, or curators go looking. A SmartLink is better than nothing, but a clean site shows you’re taking yourself seriously.

This is all part of the game now. You can have the best track in the world, but if no one can find you online, it might as well not exist.

Oh, and one extra tip.

You don't have to be present everywhere.

Build on the platform you like the most. If you don’t feel like your vibe fits on TikTok, you’re probably missing out, yeah, but you can still find serious reach and community through Instagram alone.

Stay true to yourself and your vision, that’s what really matters. 💬

Because at the end of the day, if no one can find you… no one can sign you either.

If It Doesn’t Sound Right, It Won’t Feel Right 🎚️

Let’s be honest, you can have great ideas, clever lyrics, and a cool visual identity, but if the music doesn’t sound good, it’s not going to land.

Definitely not with labels.

In 2025, the bar for audio quality is high.

Everyone has access to decent gear, affordable plugins, and bedroom setups, so the competition isn’t just about writing dope songs anymore. It’s about executing them properly.

That doesn’t mean you need a $2000 mic or a major studio.

But you do need to care about the final result. Clean vocals. Solid mix. A master that doesn’t sound like it was run through a toaster. 

This is where investing in your sound matters, whether it’s by teaming up with a producer who understands your style, hiring an engineer who can mix your vocals professionally, or just learning the basics yourself so you can get decent results at home. 🛠️

And speaking of working with producers - if you are looking someone with unique sound I'll pitch my catalog here. If "youtube beats" let you down, you might give mine a shot.

Anyway.

Labels listen to music differently than fans do. They’re trained to hear details, clarity, arrangement, dynamics. If your song doesn’t sound ready for radio or playlists, they’ll assume you’re not ready either.

I’m not saying every track has to be perfect. But it should show that you’re serious about your craft.

Make it sound like you already belong in the room, and someone might just open the door.

The Right People Open the Right Doors 

You can do a lot on your own these days, release music, build a fanbase, sell merch.

But if you’re aiming to take your career further, at some point you’ll need people in your corner.

Not because you’re not capable, but because access matters.

The music industry is built on relationships.

Always has been.

And while networking might sound corporate or uncomfortable, it really just means connecting with other people who care about music like you do.

That could be other artists. Producers. Engineers. Playlist curators. Event organizers. Or the A&R who’s been quietly following your progress for six months without you knowing. 👀

Start local if you have to.

Go to open mics. Link with producers in your city. DM artists you actually respect and offer value first, not just “yo bro let’s collab.”  (isn't it classic already?😅)

And don’t sleep on live events, workshops, and music conferences, even smaller ones. You never know who you’ll bump into. A short convo at the right moment can open a door you didn’t even know existed.

Most artists get discovered through someone. Whether it's a manager, a producer who believes in you, or a friend who passed your song to the right ears.

So build real connections, not just followers.

Be someone people want to root for. Not because you're chasing clout, but because you're moving with intent, consistency, and respect for the craft.

The right people will show up. Just make sure you’re ready when they do.

Shoot Your Shot

Once your sound is solid, your brand is clear, and your network is growing, it’s time to actually put yourself out there.

Submitting music to labels sounds simple, but the way you do it matters.

A lot.

First, make sure you’re targeting the right labels.

Not just “big names,” but teams that work with your kind of sound, artists you respect, and releases that feel like they live in the same world as your music.

Do your research.

Read submission guidelines. Some labels don’t take demos at all. Others prefer Dropbox links, private SoundCloud streams, or even physical mail. Sending a mass email with “yo check this out” isn’t gonna cut it. Labels can smell lazy from a mile away.

Craft your pitch like you care.

Talk briefly about who you are, what kind of music you make, and why you think your sound fits their roster.

Highlight recent releases, performances, or numbers if they’re relevant, but keep it real. This isn’t a resume. It’s a vibe check. 🎧

And be prepared to hear nothing back. Not because you’re not good, but because these inboxes are overflowing. Silence doesn’t always mean rejection — sometimes it means not yet.

You don’t need every label to say yes. You just need the right one to notice.

And even if no one bites right away, the process of organizing your pitch, tightening your vision, and taking yourself seriously is already moving you forward.

If you're treating your music like it's worth signing, eventually someone else will too.

Don’t Sign Blind

Getting an email from a label might feel like you’ve "made it."

But trust me, this is exactly where a lot of artists get played.

Excitement can cloud your judgment. You’re hyped, you’ve been waiting for this, and suddenly there’s a contract in your inbox. But before you hit reply with “let’s go,” slow down.

Read everything. And more importantly: get someone on your side who understands what all that fine print really means. ⚖️

Whether it's a manager, a music lawyer, or someone with legit experience in the industry, having someone review the deal is non-negotiable in 2025. 🚫

A lot of contracts look sweet on the surface but end up locking you into long-term situations that don’t benefit you. You could be giving up a huge chunk of your royalties, your creative control, or even ownership of your masters, all for an “opportunity” that doesn’t pan out.

Remember: labels are businesses. They’re looking for deals that work in their favor. It’s your job to make sure it works in yours too.

That doesn’t mean every label is out to rob you, some might genuinely believe in your music.

But belief isn’t a contract. Ownership, percentages, timelines, obligations, those are the real details that matter.

So even if you're indie-minded or fully DIY, educate yourself on what typical deals look like. And when the time comes, don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t feel right.

In this game, the wrong deal can cost you more than no deal at all.

Signed or Self-Made?

Let’s keep it real: getting signed can change your life, but it won’t make your career.

There’s this myth that once a label picks you up, everything’s on autopilot.

That they’ll magically blow you up, run your marketing, and drop unlimited budgets on your vision.

Truth is, most labels sign artists who are already moving. Already consistent. Already gaining traction on their own.

That’s why getting signed is hard. Not because you're not good enough, but because they're betting on momentum, not potential. And even if you do get that deal, the real work has only just begun.

But here’s the good news: in 2025, you don’t need a label to win.

Artists like Russ, for example, built full-on careers while staying independent, and owning their masters along the way. Distribution is accessible, fans are reachable, and you can turn your phone into a business tool with the right mindset.

So the real question isn’t “how do I get signed?”, it’s “what kind of artist do I want to be?”

If you’re chasing a deal just to feel validated, maybe pause.

If you’re building leverage, growing your brand, and treating this like a long-term game,  cool.

A deal might amplify that.

Or not.

But either way, you’re already playing the game right.

There’s no single path. Some artists go indie forever and kill it. Others sign and go global.

Some switch between both.

Labels aren’t the finish line. They’re just one possible chapter in your story.

Wrapping It Up 🎬

Getting signed in 2025 isn’t about luck, it’s about leverage.

Your sound. Your presence. Your execution. Your network.

These are the things that labels pay attention to, and the things you can control, whether or not a deal ever lands in your inbox.

But more importantly, these are also the building blocks of a sustainable career as an independent artist.

If you’re chasing a label, cool. Just make sure you’re not chasing it to feel “legit.” You’re legit the moment you start moving like it.

Work on your craft. Build your team. Stay consistent. Keep your business tight.

And whether you end up signed or self-signed, your career will be in your hands, exactly where it should be.

If you're already thinking about your next track, my beat catalog is open, all beats are downloadable for free before purchase, so you can start writing, recording, and moving with purpose right now. 🚀

Take care,

Baxon 👊