For more than a century, record labels ruled the music business. They discovered talent, financed albums, controlled distribution, and shaped careers. Signing a deal was once the dream of every aspiring musician—a golden ticket to fame and legitimacy. But in 2025, that dream looks different.

Today, the most successful artists often thrive outside the label system altogether. The rise of affordable recording technology, global digital distribution, and fan-driven marketing has created a generation of musicians who no longer need traditional gatekeepers. The question is no longer “How do I get signed?”—it’s “What do I gain by signing?”