How To Become A Successful Artist

On Monday, 1Xtra will be announcing its hot for 2020 list. It’s our pick of artists that we think are going to spend a lot of time in your headphones over the next year. But how do you get to this point? How does the music industry actually work? How do you go from rapping in your bedroom to selling out shows? Today we’re going to find out how you become a successful artist.

Reece is joined by a panel of music industry experts whose job it is to make artists household names. Patrick Lubega, from 2k management and A&R at Black Butter Records who works with the likes of Young T & Bugzy and J Hus.

Ella Bonai, who manages a roster of talent including Hamzaa who we named Hot for 2019.

Maurice from Heartless Crew, but who also makes a few bob on the side as a radio plugger.

And the head of content for 1Xtra and member of Punjabi Hitsquad – Mark Strippel.

Reece is then joined by Mr Strange – the gay rapper who blew up Instagram this week with his frank freestyle about growing up gay in the streets to talk about why there are still so few openly gay rappers. (29.40)

We also talk about making it outside of London. Aberdeen’s finest Ransom FA and touring expert Harry Parslow join Reece (41.36)

Finally, Reece digs into how to make money from music by speaking to his brother, Daryl Parkinson, who works in publishing. (52.15)