Written by Tarriq Jones
We had the pleasure of speaking to Jaykae about getting into the music industry. Here are 10 quick tips that can land you a career you love.
What’s Your Take on the Music Industry?
“I’ve been in this game for ten years now. I know how it works. I’ve just kind of stuck with it, been persistent and done it and done it. It takes years and years for people to know you and in Grime music, it’s even harder to become a household name. Not a household name, you know what I mean! I know who my target audience is, teens right up to adults in their thirties.”
1 – Don’t just say it, do it!
It’s your career and your dream. You’ve gotta make it happen so don’t just talk about it, do something about it. So when I want someone to feature on my track, I write the track and send it over to them, leaving the spaces where I want them to fill in.
2 – Be persistent
It can take years and years for people to get to know about you, whether that’s in the music industry or any other business. I’ve been in this game for ten years now!
3 – Be patient
Don’t give up just because things don’t happen straight away. For Jaykae, Toothache went all the way to number 11 in the Hip Hop charts on Apple Music due to it being placed in an episode of the US tv show Power a year after the song’s release!
4 – Know what you’re good at
If something’s not working out and you can figure out why, move onto the next thing and keep going.
5 – You might need another job
When you’re starting out. I know plenty of people making money in music who have other jobs too. Then when it gets too hard to balance the two, you move over and spend more time doing what you love
6 – Spread the word
Don’t be afraid to tell people about what you’re doing; you got to be seen to be noticed.
7 – Build strong relationships
I’ve had the same DJ since I started out and have built my team around me – my producer, my manager, my agent. Stick with the people who have your best interests at heart, not necessarily some big shot name.
8 – Know your audience
I know my audience is teens to thirties. You’ve got to know who you’re targeting and where they hang out online too.
9 – Learn about the business you want to be in
Research all the avenues and find your core fan base. Know how you can make money, for example, when I started out, I’d know what profit I could make from selling 50 T-shirts or other merchandise.
10 – Take a leap sometimes!
Sometimes you just got to take a risk and go for itWe’re sure those tips will come in handy to everyone, not just musicians!
We’re sure those tips will come in handy to everyone, not just musicians! Check out Jaykae’s latest song Froggy 2 with Dapz OTM. Check it out and don’t forget to attend an Action Day to get your ticket to see Jaykae on 8 December. Action Days are running up until 8 December. Sign up here
You can also check out the official Apprentice Nation playlist featuring tracks from Jaykae including Toothache, Moscow and Froggy 2.
You can also check out the official Apprentice Nation playlist featuring tracks from Jaykae including Toothache, Moscow and Froggy 2.