For emerging artists navigating the music industry, deciding whether to sign with a record label or build a career independently remains an important consideration. While a record deal can provide access to funding, distribution, promotion and industry connections, independence offers artists greater control over their music and career decisions.
But is signing with a record label the fastest route to success, or can artists achieve more by remaining independent?
Nigerian artists Kizzie, Blade Escobar and Olamiplenty BMT share their perspectives on record deals, artist independence and the conditions that could influence their decisions.
Kizzie: A Record Label must Offer More than Independence already Provides
For Kizzie, signing with a record label is not out of the question. However, he believes the decision should depend on what the label can bring to the table.
“Nothing is wrong with record labels, provided what they’re offering is something I’m not already doing for myself,” he explained.
When asked whether artists signed to record labels could rise faster than their independent counterparts, Kizzie agreed to an extent, pointing to the importance of having the right label behind an artist.
“I will agree to an extent. With a proper label that understands your vision and invests in your growth, you can rise faster. But independence can work too with the right strategy,” he said.
His position highlights the importance of finding a label that understands an artist’s creative direction and is willing to invest in their development, rather than signing a deal simply for the sake of being signed.
Kizzie also stressed that artists need support to succeed, regardless of their career structure.
“You can’t do it alone. You will always need somebody,” he added, emphasising the importance of having people who can contribute to an artist’s growth.
Stream Kizzie’s latest EP on your Music platform
Blade Escobar: Promotion and Distribution over a Traditional Record Deal
Blade Escobar is also open to working with a record label, but he is particularly concerned about the terms of any potential agreement.
“I’m open to it as long as the deal isn’t a 360 or a slavery deal,” he said.
Rather than pursuing a conventional record deal, Blade Escobar explained that he would prefer a promotion and distribution arrangement that allows him to finance his own music while partnering with investors who can help take it to a wider audience.
“I’d ideally prefer a promotion/distribution deal though. I make the music with my own money, investors distribute my music and promote it worldwide and we agree on royalty splits,” he explained.
His preferred arrangement reflects an approach in which an artist retains responsibility for financing their music while seeking external support for distribution and promotion. In exchange, the parties agree on how the resulting royalties will be shared.
Blade Escobar’s perspective suggests that working with industry partners does not necessarily have to mean surrendering control of an artist’s career. For him, the priority is finding a business arrangement that supports his ambitions without requiring him to accept terms he considers unfavourable.
Listen to Blade Escobar’s new EP “Hits Only, No Mrs” on your Music platform
Olamiplenty BMT: Independence can be More Rewarding
Olamiplenty BMT takes a more cautious position on record deals, arguing that the decision ultimately depends on the label and the terms being offered.
“It’s depends on the record label and the deal,” he said.
He believes independence can be more rewarding for artists who have the resources and skills to manage the key aspects of their careers, including music production, distribution and promotion.
“Being an independent artist is actually more rewarding when you have what it takes in terms of music production, distribution, and promotion,” he explained.
Although he acknowledges the appeal of signing with a record label, Olamiplenty BMT warns that artists should consider the potential disadvantages before committing to a deal.
“While being signed to a record label may seem exciting, it has its dark side. Most times, the deals favor the label more than the artist, and you may lose a lot of personal freedom,” he said.
He also questioned whether signing with a well-known label necessarily guarantees long term success, noting that some artists who secured deals with established labels have since faded from public attention.
As a result, he recommends that artists remain independent when they have the capacity to manage the process themselves.
“As an artist, I strongly recommend staying independent if you can handle the process,” he added.
His position underscores the importance of understanding what a record deal offers, what an artist may have to give up, and whether the benefits justify the commitment.
Listen to Olamiplenty BMT on Audiomack
The perspectives shared by Kizzie, Blade Escobar and Olamiplenty BMT point to a common consideration: signing with a record label should be a strategic decision rather than an achievement in itself.
For artists who lack the resources to fund their music, reach new audiences or build a strong promotional network, the right label could provide opportunities that might otherwise take years to establish independently. A label that invests in an artist’s development and understands their creative vision can offer meaningful support.
However, a record deal is not automatically the best option for every artist. Those who already have the resources, industry connections and strategy to manage their careers may prefer the control that independence provides. Others may seek specific partnerships for distribution, marketing or promotion without committing to a broader arrangement.
The terms of an agreement also matter. Artists need to understand how royalties will be divided, who owns or controls their recordings, what rights they are granting, how long the agreement lasts and what obligations each party must fulfil.
Ultimately, neither independence nor signing with a label guarantees success. The outcome depends on an artist’s circumstances, the strength of their team, the quality of their music, their business decisions and their ability to connect with an audience.
For Kizzie, the right record label is one that offers value beyond what an artist can achieve independently. Blade Escobar would prefer a promotion and distribution partnership with agreed royalty splits, while Olamiplenty BMT believes independence can be more rewarding for artists capable of managing their own careers.
Their perspectives differ in emphasis, but they share an important consideration: artists should understand what they are getting into before committing to a record deal.
In an industry where visibility, investment and ownership can shape a career, the question may not simply be whether an artist should sign with a record label or remain independent. It is whether the arrangement they choose gives them the best opportunity to grow while protecting their long-term interests.
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