Should You Self Release Or Use A Record Label In 2025?

In this video I am sharing my experiences of releasing music independently as a self release (for example with DistroKid) versus releasing music with record labels. I share the pros and cons of both sides and my opinion whats best in 2025. I talk about how to upload your music to Spotify. At the end of the video I am sharing a bonus tip about the diference between a record label and a publisher.

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[JonasFasching]

DistroKid is now offering 50% discount for students on their first annual subscription.
I personally use DistroKid myself and I am satisfied with their service.

[brexistentialism]

Do it yourself and if a label gets interested in you and you would want to be seen on their label plan out a few exclusive projects for them and carry on with your self publishing and distributing for yourself.

[McCartyRec]

Very useful tips for many artists. Your honesty on explaining everything without taking sides is appreciated. Thank you for the great job!

[JonasFasching]

Hey there, thanks for watching!

Two things I wanted to add:

1. It's also possible to release music on Soundcloud and Bandcamp which is free and very easy, and to start with your first Songs this might be also a good idea. In this video I just highlighted the solutions if you want to get your music on a streaming service. But Bandcamp can be a very good alternative as well.

2. The book I mentioned is called "All I Need To Know About The Music Business" and not "Everything..." Check out the link in the description if you haven't found it yet.

[erickvega]

Great info i didnt know i needed to know as i approach finishing my first song for my band. I just play instruments and have very little insight into the commercial end of things. thanks!

[JINX_ZIRS]

I was thinking of becoming an acoustic engineer but needed a little more information on field recording to get better at it lol

[kernjames]

Great video with lots of information. It is amazing how you boiled all of the essentials of releasing music into such a short video. And the bonus content was absolutely great. I really appreciate the information about Publishing rights and why joining ASCAP or BMI is necessary. I have listened to so many videos about these subjects and I have come away not really understanding much, and often, even more confused. Your video has clarified the issues, and swept away all of my confusion.

[mistralflow]

I am a classical guitar player from India and i have been playing from past 16 years, i want to release my orignals and i have never ever uploaded anything ever. I have no one in my contacts whom i can share my stuff my every social media platform is going to be zero. Any tips coz i am freaking out. I have been planning this from years but now i am worried with everything zero on every platform. The only thing i have planned is to record a song from good studio invest a bit on music video and distrokid for audio and then video on the social media platforms

[DigitalmoneyWithai-ei]

Can I distribute Ai generate music on Spotify premium membership distrokid and claim youtube content I'd please reply
❤ From India 🇮🇳

[ChristopherKardos]

Haha, that title is really funny! Anybody worth their salt knows labels are the worst