Money is a sensitive topic in the creative world. For many indie artists, especially in the African music space, there’s a tug-of-war between passion and payment. You want to make great music that touches lives, but you also want (and deserve) to make a living from it.
But how you think about money could well be the reason you’re stuck in a financial cycle that doesn’t serve your career.
How does this play out?
1. Your Beliefs Create Your Reality
If you grew up hearing things like “money is evil,” “artists always struggle,” or “you can’t make money doing music,” those thoughts can quietly program your decisions. They influence how you price your shows, whether you negotiate with confidence, or whether you even bother looking at your royalty statements.
If deep down you believe you’re not supposed to make money from music, you’ll subconsciously block yourself from doing so.
But flip it!
Start telling yourself — and believing — that making money from your music is possible, deserved, and necessary for growth. Money is not the enemy. It’s a resource that can help you stay independent, invest in better production, and build a winning team.
2. The Scarcity Trap Is Real
A lot of artists operate from a place of scarcity:
“If I charge too much, I’ll lose gigs.”
“I have to take any deal I get, even if it’s unfair.”
“There’s not enough money to go around.”
This mindset keeps you saying yes to bad deals, working for free, and undervaluing your talent.
For this reason, you should start seeing money as abundant. The music industry is a billion-dollar industry. There is enough money out there. The goal is to position yourself to receive your share by creating value, building a brand, and operating professionally.
3. Budgeting Is Empowering, Not Boring
Most artists avoid budgeting like bad sound engineering. But knowing where your money goes is the fastest way to stay in control. When you’re constantly broke with no idea why, frustration builds, which can kill creativity.
Start here:
- Track your music income and expenses (shows, studio time, promo, gear).
- Set aside money for reinvesting — not just surviving.
- Use simple tools (Google Sheets or budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB).
Treat your music like a business, and your business will start treating you like a boss.
4. You Need to Charge What You’re Worth
You teach people how to treat you. If you always perform for exposure or accept whatever is thrown at you, people will never see your value.
Set a minimum rate for gigs, collaborations, and services. Yes, you might lose some opportunities, but you’re disqualifying and eliminating those who would stress you. This is how you attract better ones that respect your worth.
Pro tip: Have a rate card and stick to it. You can negotiate, but don’t shrink.
5. Invest in Your Growth; It Pays Back
If your mindset says, “I can’t afford to invest in my music,” then you’re placing a ceiling on your progress.
Whether it’s better sound quality, brand visuals, marketing, or mentorship, these aren’t expenses but investments. When done right, they lead to growth, recognition, and ultimately more income.
Ask any successful artist — at some point, they had to bet on themselves financially.
Your Mindset Is Your Money Magnet
Money is more than the numbers you see. It’s a derivative of beliefs, habits, and boundaries. Shifting your mindset won’t magically make you rich overnight, but it will open you up to smarter decisions, better opportunities, and a more sustainable career.
So today, take a moment to ask yourself:
“What do I really believe about money, and is it helping or hurting my career?”
Your mindset could be the biggest upgrade your music career needs right now.
