when determining collaboration with a fellow artist, you must first ask yourself 3 questions; Is this artist of equal or greater talent? Do/Can our sounds mesh? and How can this artist benefit the track and you as an artist? Depending on how these questions are answered will depict whether or not collaboration should be done.
There are many artist that are purely monetarily driven, and answer such questions with that state of mind, but let me tell you why they shouldn't. "Selling Out"..no one likes those type of people, willing to change their everything for the right Price, although many artist operate solely by "selling out" (Being paid for a feature on a track that goes against all of their beliefs) and make a decent income doing so. They hold no value for long-term branding/imaging, which can/will benefit them financially by the support of true fans (a true fan is one that holds on to your image, regardless of propaganda and trend swifts), true fans are those that will consistently buys albums, singles, t-shirts, tickets to your shows in boonville No man's land, anything that represents you and your brand. By "selling out", you throw those fans to the wolves, and this image that you sold them will lose its value tremendously and eventually die. This is a major reason you should strongly consider when collaborating, that the fellow artist be as similar to your in nature as possible.
Lets use myself as example; As an artist, I represent Freedom, Non-conformity, Difference and most importantly Realism in my lyrics. I was recently offered a substantial amount money, to feature on XYZ's album, I cannot lie I was ecstatic and more then willing. Before I totally accepted I asked to hear this artist's work, the name of the album and concept? His manager sent me all info requested; Artist work = He was pretty good, but sounded like a number of rap artist I've hear before, Album name = Diamonds On My Wrist, Concept = How we get endless money in the hood and turn it into expensive material we own. Whaaaaa....this went against everything I believed in as an artist, person and especially brand, there was no way I could have tied my brand to such opposing views, yeah I would have made a significant amount of money in that deal, but after the fact I would have lost all my true fans who consistently support me. That collaboration would have destroy my career as an artist!!
Now after we have answered all 3 questions appropriately and decide its a GO!! Then lets see the potential benefits of this collab; My number one favorite, the quality and overall sound of the track, as an "Artist First" the actual sound of the production makes me get all tingly and stuff ;), but truly to have that collab be an awesome song would be enough for me. But there is more, way more....such as expanded marketing, for instance if you are a mail courier traveling across country with a message that needs spread among as many people as possible, wouldn't it help you out to share that message? and in turn that person you have shared that message with will in turn share that message, next thing you know you have created a network, which is what the music biz is all about! I often commit to features with amazing artists simply for the marketing, I know that we will create a hit and that artist will be just as enthused as me in wanting to share it with the world, in essence doubling promotional efforts...you can't beat that!! And if that's no enough to give you an idea of the power of collaboration, then maybe solo acts are the only fitting acts for you.
Devoted to creating music & sound that will elevate your project from the Rest.
CREATING SOUND
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