How To Get Signed To A Record Label In 2022? - Rexius Records

How do I get signed by a label when I am an independent artist?

Being an independent artist does have its advantages, but it can be difficult to get to the next level in your career. Being under a label can help boost your music career. For most independent artists, the first step in this process is to submit a demo to a record label for professional A&R consideration.

Many artists, producers, rappers, singers, and songwriters ask the same kind of questions:

• What is the easiest way to get signed to a Record Label?
• What happens when you get signed?
• How hard is it to get signed?
• How long does it take?
• Why have a label?
• What can you expect from a record label?

Thoughtful artist migh also ask:

• Am I ready to get signed to a label
• How many songs do I need before approaching labels
• What do labels look for in unsigned artists
• What is the minimum streaming numbers to get signed
• How big does my social media following need to be to get signed
• Do labels sign artists without a fanbase
• How much money do I need before getting signed
• How do I prepare my EPK for a label

We try to answer all these questions in the article and more specifically:

In this article, we will discuss:

• Why Do You Want to Get Signed?
  • 1. What Are Your Career Goals?
  • 2. What Resources Do You Actually Need?
  • 3. Are You Ready for the Trade-Offs?
  • 4. Is This an Emotional Goal, or a Strategic One?
  • 5. Make Your Why Clear—Then Choose the Right Model
• Which Artist Career Path Fits You?
  • 1. Organizational Structure
  • 2. Operational Approach
  • 3. Deal Structure
• Thinking like a label to get signed
  • The business model of a Record Label
  • Step into the shoes of a record label
  • Hits vs long tail
• The groundwork of setting yourself apart, before getting signed to a record label
  • Goal: Be the kind of artist a record label wants to sign
  • Record music the best you can
  • 1. The most important thing to focus on
  • 2. Get your Brand together
  • 3. Build a fan base
  • 4. Do the work DIY until the label comes to you
  • 5. Avoid these things at all costs:
• How to submit Music to Record Labels
  • Where do labels look for music?
  • How to submit to the demo inbox:
  • How do Rexius Records find new artists?
  • Some things to avoid:
• FAQ on getting signed by a label
  • Why have a label?
  • How hard is it to get signed to a label?
  • How long does it take to get signed?
  • What happens when you get signed?
  • What can you expect from a record label?
• How to find record labels?
  • Region specifics:
  • Artist Type specifics:
  • Then you want to do your research:
• Exactly how you should present yourself to a Record Label – The Pitch
• A new way to promote your music
• Building Real Relationships with Labels (Without Feeling Gross About It)
• Does the genre matter when getting signed?
• What kind of record deals exists? Artist and Licensing Contracts
• Case Studies: Real Artists, Real Deals: How Musicians Actually Got Signed
  • 1. The Major Label Experience: A Double-Edged Sword
  • 2. The Indie Label Route: Building from the Ground Up
  • 3. Navigating the EDM Scene: Strategic Collaborations
  • 4. The Reality of Being Shelved: A Cautionary Tale
  • 5. From College Project to Label Deal
  • 6. Viral Moment Leading to Major Label Signing
  • 7. Building Online Buzz Before Signing
  • 8. Choosing the Right Label for Artistic Freedom
• If you’ve read so far

This guide will help you navigate the process of finding a record label as smoothly and quickly as possible, but still comprehensive and new creative ways to set you aside from the wast competition.

Why Do You Want to Get Signed?

Before you start pitching to record labels, take a moment to ask yourself a deeper question: Why do I actually want to get signed?

Many artists chase a record deal without fully understanding what they’re pursuing—or whether it’s even the right fit for them. Reflecting on your motivations is a crucial first step in choosing the best path for your music career.

Here are a few questions to guide your thinking:

1. What Are Your Career Goals?

Are you aiming to reach millions through mainstream exposure, or are you more focused on cultivating a dedicated niche audience? Your goals will affect whether a major label, independent label, or self-managed route makes the most sense.

2. What Resources Do You Actually Need?

Are you looking for financial support, professional marketing, playlist pitching, tour coordination, or industry mentorship? Labels can provide all of these, but so can other partners, services, or funding models. If you’re simply seeking distribution or branding help, there may be more flexible options than a traditional label deal.

3. Are You Ready for the Trade-Offs?

Signing to a label often means giving up some creative and business control. Are you comfortable sharing decision-making power over your sound, image, or release schedule? For some, this structure brings focus and growth. For others, it becomes a source of frustration.

4. Is This an Emotional Goal, or a Strategic One?

For many, getting signed represents validation—proof that they’re “good enough.” But chasing a record deal purely for the emotional reward can lead to disappointment if the reality doesn’t match the fantasy. Ask yourself: Is this desire rooted in external validation or a clear strategy for reaching your goals?

5. Make Your Why Clear—Then Choose the Right Model

Understanding your true motivation will help you decide whether a major label, independent label, hybrid label (like Rexius Records), or DIY path best fits your values and needs. Each path comes with different levels of support, flexibility, and ownership—and the best choice is the one that matches your definition of success.

Which Artist Career Path Fits You?

Artists today have multiple avenues to build their careers. Identifying the path that aligns with your goals and resources is essential.

There are multiple types of record labels working in different ways. Here are the most common types of Record Labels we have identified: Consider the following categories:​

1. Organizational Structure

This category describes the ownership, funding source, and affiliation of the label.

Category	Description
Major Label	One of the “Big Three”: Universal, Sony, Warner. These control global distribution networks and have vast financial and marketing power.
Major Label Imprint	A genre- or niche-focused subsidiary of a major label (e.g., Interscope is an imprint under Universal). Offers major resources with focused branding.
Vanity Label	An imprint created by an artist or producer, often under a major label (e.g., OVO Sound under Warner). Gives artists branding power.
Independent Label	A label that operates without ownership or funding from a major. Often more artist-centric, agile, and genre-focused.
DIY Artist	No label; artist self-distributes and controls every aspect of their career. Uses tools like DistroKid, TuneCore, and direct fan platforms.