How to Get Far in the Music Industry

By Monica Brice, Founder of Gangsta Paradise Art

Breaking into the music industry is not for the faint of heart. Building something from scratch is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do—and in the beginning, you will feel like giving up. The road is filled with challenges, setbacks, and even people who will try to tear you and your vision down before you’ve had a chance to fully establish your foundation.

My name is Monica Brice, and I am the founder of Gangsta Paradise Art. For over a decade, I’ve navigated the music industry—working alongside A-list celebrities, mainstream brands, rising DJs, and major event companies. My journey has been built on relentless research, documentation, hands-on experience, and a willingness to learn every role available to me: from promotions and ticket sales, to media coverage, graphic design, and artist development.

Through years of trial and error, I’ve uncovered some of the most important lessons about growth in this industry. Here are my top insights for anyone looking to turn their passion into a career.

1. Choose the Right People to Build With

Your team will make or break you. In the beginning, I surrounded myself with people who doubted me—and that made it harder to stay motivated. The best partners are those who not only believe in you, but who are also self-driven with or without you. Work with independent artists who can manage themselves, but who are also generous enough to collaborate and give back the same energy you invest.

Never tie your name to unprofessional people or unstable brands—it will damage your reputation before you’ve even built one.

2. Presentation Matters

Like it or not, appearance is part of your brand. Carry yourself with confidence, dress well, and stand out by being authentically you. Looking the part signals to others that you already belong at the top. At events, I’ve been mistaken for talent and asked for autographs—simply because I carried myself as if I belonged in VIP. Your presence should provide value, and your appearance is one of the first ways people recognize that.

3. Learn Every Role You Can

The best way to understand how this industry runs is by experiencing it firsthand. I made it a point to learn how to:

• Promote and market events

• Sell tickets and handle street promotions

• Build relationships with venues and promoters

• Network with artists and fans

• Present myself and my company to the right audience

Every role taught me something about operations, and those lessons became the foundation of my career.

4. Find Your Audience and Serve Them Well

One of the most challenging—but crucial—steps is finding the right audience for your work. The key is simple: share your art with the people who already resonate with it. When I began catering my media and promotions to the rave and EDM community I was already a part of, my recognition and opportunities skyrocketed.

5. Build a Portfolio—Even if You Start With Free Work

I’ll be clear: the goal is never to work for free forever. But in the early days, I offered free photography, promotions, and coverage for mainstream companies and brands to build credibility and outshine competitors with both quality and consistency. This strategy helped me secure opportunities others couldn’t because I brought undeniable value without asking for much in return.

The work I did for free became the foundation of my portfolio—a documented body of experience that not only promoted me but allowed others to promote me as well. Every piece of coverage, every flyer, every photo, every video—save it, archive it, and use it as your leverage when you’re ready to demand your worth.

Final Thought:

The music industry is about more than just talent—it’s about resilience, strategy, and knowing how to position yourself in a world that’s already saturated. Build with the right people, present yourself with confidence, learn every angle of the business, and never underestimate the power of documentation.

Your reputation is your currency, and your portfolio is your passport. Treat both with care, and you’ll find your place in this industry—no matter how tough the climb.