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Finding Your Personal Path in the Music Business.

How do you know when you're on your Personal Path?

  • I can teach you everything under the sun, but you know what I can’t do?

I can’t do the things I’m teaching you, for you. That’s where you come in. Either you got it, or you don’t.

  • What is my personal path?

When I was a young boy, I was always told I could rap, but my first artistic passion was drawing. I would draw cartoon characters, mazes, faces, shoes, and buildings. What I later figured out was that I was interested in being a designer. So, even when I write songs now, I am still drawing, the only thing is I’m designing visual elements with my words. My passion never left me, it just evolved into multiple forms of expressions. I simply discovered more ways to embrace being a designer. Today I am a rap artist who chose to use my artistic talents to create ways to sustain my life as a businessperson.

1neofmani w/ the "Laptop in the Party" Photo Credit: Talia Nchang

  • The Kind of Person

The most powerful character trait you can possess in the music business is being the kind of person others want to see succeed. I once heard someone say, "Your character is showing people who you are, and your reputation is what people heard about you." Which one matters the most to you? I have my focus set on both. As an artist and businessperson, I deal with people daily and my character determines my success just as much as my reputation does. Be the kind of person that holds yourself accountable and who takes actions on what you set out to accomplish over a specific period.


Why is this important? - Because there is no substitute for this quality, and it can’t be manufactured synthetically because it’s an INNER strength. Character is in you, while your reputation can be on you.

  • WIFM - What’s In It For Me

Successful interaction in the music business must benefit both/all parties equally. The music business thrives on new blood. No pun intended. Protect your peace at all costs. Especially if you plan to make a living off your music career. Surround yourself with groups and people who are excited about your creativeness. This helps with avoiding stagnation. Always be Networking. There will always be someone whom you should meet and vice versa. Just make sure the benefits of the introduction are mutually worthwhile.

  • Assessing Your Strengths

If you have enthusiasm - if you are the kind of person others want to see succeed, and believe that a life in music is your calling, how do you proceed?

  • 1st what do you love to do most?

Think about the thing(s) that you find yourself doing for hours. What is something that you would do, even if you weren't getting paid to do it?

  • What are your skill levels?

What is something you better than others? What is something people ask you to do for them often?

Experience is the best teacher in life.

In the music business this includes but are not limited to:

  • Computer skills - software for music and media

  • Languages - speaking the lingo of the genre you are in, knowing how to speak the language of the business so you don't get played or placed inside a box.

  • Technical or musical skills -

Which of these skills and traits do you identify with?

Transferable Skills

  • Communication

  • People Skills

  • Analytical problem solving

  • Planning

Personal Traits

  • Dependable

  • Flexible

  • Friendly

  • Hard working

  • Expressive

  • Formal

  • Punctual

  • Team player

  • Songwriters

Are you capable of putting words with music in a way that moves a wide audience?

Are you centering your energies towards your songs and finding outlets for your music to reach more people? At the core of artists music/songs is the intent and belief. These are the qualities that resonate the strongest.


What does the buyer of your music want you to write about? Your life or theirs? They want you to write about their life. Often, the most firsthand experiences in your life are the most universal as well. Always be writing. Your life and others depend on your pen.

  • What is the best way to write music? Solo or Collaboration?

Co-written songs rule the marketplace. In hip-hop and R&B due to excessive sampling. Choosing the right partner or partners is probably the most crucial decision a songwriter will make.


Have you ever created a song from scratch? Made the beat, wrote the lyrics, recorded the song, edited the vocals and music, shot the music video, and put it out on all platforms?

How was the process? How long did it take? How did you get the word out?


Have you ever collaborated on a song with someone else? Producer, artist, engineer, videographer?


How was that process? How long did it take? Who helped get the word out?

Your personal path in the music business will require a sense of understanding of your value, character, skills, and your reputation. There are no shortcuts to this business. Every step has career building or crumbling effects. Embrace your journey from a first-person perspective. This is your life, and your music should help tell the story of your experiences. I view my music as the soundtrack to my real life. Whether I meet someone in-person or through my music, the energy of my impression will be just as strong. The question to you is; What is your Personal Path in the Music Business or in your career/life? Learn more about Personal Paths and share yours at our Monthly Music Meetings @ Quality CBD. Register HERE.

LessWork Monthly Music Meetings are once a month with the intention of giving artists and creatives tools to use not only on the stage, but off the stage as well. Our meetings are designed to cater to the business side of artistry.

Learn about:

- writing down your goals,

- playing creative games,

- networking to uncover your tribe

- enjoying the best food and hospitality

With your support, LessWork can offer a 1-stop solution under the roof of a 24/hour production house right here in Madison. Our meetings are FREE & open to the public, but our online group will remain private to protect our members. Every month we meet up at various locations to assist with locating creatives all around the City of Madison, Wisconsin. These meetings are our opportunity to highlight our value as more than Rappers, Photographers, Djs, Graphic Designers, Bloggers, Painters, Poets, Singers, and Dancers. We are community pillars who should be viewed as partners instead of participants in the lion's share of opportunities in this city. We invite creators of content to join as we continue to lay-out the blueprint to "A New Narrative in Madison."


Artists Can Join Our Monthly Members

LessWork Local Lifestyle offers exclusive services in our Monthly Members package. When artists sign up for our subscription service, they will receive free Broadjam primo accounts and a promo code for half off Eleven Music Career Center artists career coaching services. If you are a rap/hip-hop artist in Madison, WI. This subscription was designed by artists for artists with your problems in mind. #WeTheWay


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About the writer: 1neofmani


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LessWork Literature is an extension to the LessWork Local Lifestyle to support local artists that rap and the community in Madison, Wisconsin first. To continue discovering local talent in Madison, Wisconsin please subscribe and support this non-monetized literature by making a direct donation to secure longevity and a resource for BLACK recording artists and creative.


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LessWork Local Lifestyle is raising funding to launch the world's first 24/hour one-stop shop for all things production to benefit underserviced BLACK local artists and business owners in Madison and beyond. This is our attempt to "Own What WE Influence" We know music and entertainment and we also know Money Makes Changes. Our goal is to build, operate, and employ local artists to use our talents to service our communities. When you support LessWork, this is the mission you are fueling.

Respectfully, contact the details below for more information on how to become a sponsor or to be featured in our blogs. Breyon "1neofmani" Sommerville lessworklifestyle@gmail.com


Written by: 1neofmani Pen

video/photo/ credit: LessWork Lens | Talia Nchang The Photographer

LessWork logo designs by: LessWork & Matt Nemetz of FocalFuse

Other Logos ownership: Kingdom Restaurant, Broadjam, EOTO, Serieux Clothing

Title: "Finding Your Personal Path in the Music Business."

Blog: #35

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