DJBooth

“It was the most difficult decision I’ve ever made.” I spoke with producer Conductor Williams, best known for his work with Westside Gunn and Griselda, about the hardest decision of his life: walking away from a 20-year railway career to make beats full time. This is the story of a leap, rooted in faith, family, and sound. Before the placements, before the industry knew his name, Conductor Williams had a steady union job.

Back in 2019, the plan was simple: Little Brother would reunite, tour, drop a documentary, and close their last chapter with intention. The pandemic derailed that plan, but now, five years later, Pooh and Phonte are finally finishing that mission on their own terms. I spoke with Rapper Big Pooh about Little Brother’s final tour and the reality of hitting the road in 2025. This decision is not about burnout.

Kaash Paige signed a record deal at 18. By 22, she was independent again. Now 24, she’s rebuilding her career with clarity. This is her story. In high school, Kaash, born D’Kyla Paige Woolen, told her friends, “I’m going to sign a major deal one day.” That day came in 2019 when former Def Jam A&R Tav Chaguay found her on SoundCloud and slid into her DMs. “I didn’t even think it was real until I got the flight itinerary,” said Kaash via phone from her home in Los Angeles.

“I’m in the studio, the album postponed indefinitely, just waiting. And then, on the day we were supposed to drop, I get the call: ‘It’s cleared.’” That moment of relief came after years of uncertainty. I spoke with Chicago rapper Saba about the wild journey of clearing a Janet Jackson sample for his new album with legendary producer No ID. Today, March 18, 2025, Saba dropped From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID, a project over three years in the making.

As a musician, you’re likely looking for ways to promote your music and build your fan base. One option that many artists consider is hiring a music publicist. But how do you know if a publicist is a right choice for your career? At what stage of your career does it make sense to start looking for a publicist? And if you decide to hire one, how do you find the right person for the job? In this article, we’ll answer these questions to help you make the best decision for your music career.

Sending your music to writers, bloggers, or curators can sometimes lead to coverage or a playlist addition and, in the process, expose your work to a broader audience. However, you should follow certain best practices to increase the chances of the recipient reading and acting on your email. In this article, we’ll cover the subject line, introduction, what you should and should not include in the body of the email, helpful tips for length and verbiage, and how to end on a positive note.

Album artwork is often the first visual representation of an artist’s music that fans encounter. It can act as a calling card, drawing in potential listeners and giving them a taste of the artist’s aesthetic and creative vision. A well-designed song or album cover can convey the mood, tone, and themes of the music contained within, making it an important marketing tool that can help an artist stand out from the competition.

“It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” This adage has been used repeatedly to describe the importance of networking, and it certainly rings true in the music industry. Whether you’re a new artist just starting or an established artist looking to take your career to the next level, networking can be a powerful tool for success. This article will explore the dos and don’ts of networking for recording artists and some common misconceptions about networking.

As a recording artist, your image and brand are critical to success. One of the most important components of your image is your publicity photos. These photos are used in various ways, from album covers to social media posts, and are an essential part of your marketing strategy. This article will explore the importance of taking high-quality publicity photos that align with your latest music and vision. What are Publicity Photos?

Lil Uzi Vert has reportedly recorded 680 new songs for his next full-length album over the past 18 months. Of course, not all 680 songs will make the final cut, nor is it likely they’re all fully completed works. But that number raises a question – Is bulk recording at that level a good or bad creative process? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of recording such a large volume of music in a relatively short period.