Have you ever met a talented, hungry upcoming artist? Their desperation is often palpable always eager to have their music heard, especially when they know you’re rich or influential. But the story often takes a strange turn. After you decide to invest in them your time, money, and network things can go south. Suddenly, the artist accuses you of offering a “slavery contract,” emotionally blackmailing you for doing what they once begged for.

Here’s the tough question I always pose to them:

“Is there no one in your family rich enough to invest in your career?”

Think about it: family might invest in you out of love, expecting nothing in return. Yet, these same artists won’t invest even half as much in their own dreams if they had the means. Instead, they expect strangers labels, managers, or sponsors to pour resources into them.

Take the case of YCEE and Tiny Entertainment. The label poured an incredible amount into him, enough that if Tiny had invested in cryptocurrency, they’d likely be thriving financially in the same year the artist started clamoring for an exit.

Or look at Kizz Daniel, a rare success story after a label breakup. But here’s the twist: why hasn’t Kizz Daniel discovered or heavily invested in another artist since leaving his label? Because he knows the bitter truth: the risks are enormous.

It’s a harsh cycle:

  • You take a chance on an artist.
  • They blow up, only to want out once the success they craved starts coming in.
  • Critics and media who ignored the artist when they were struggling begin pointing fingers at you, branding you the villain.

Let’s not forget the UK podcasters and commentators who quickly jump into the drama of artists like Asake allegedly leaving YBNL or the dynamics of Dvpper Music, but have these same voices ever picked a struggling artist off social media and offered them a real platform?

And what about Teni and Dr. Dolor another story shrouded in mystery? Did their contract end amicably?

The truth is, investing in artists is a gamble, plain and simple. It’s high risk, with the odds stacked against you. My advice to anyone thinking of funding an artist today: check the stock market before diving in, because the emotional and financial toll might leave you with nothing but regrets.

In the end, you’re either a stepping stone or a scapegoat. Choose wisely.