What a difference a year makes! The year 2011 can be considered as the “Rise of the Independent Artist” coupled with the growth of independent record label releases. In 2011, we saw major R&B artists jump on the “Indie is the New Major” bandwagon and take risks in an ever-changing and volatile music industry. Tyrese, Kelly Price, Syleena Johnson, Joe and countless others took music to a new level by promoting and releasing their projects independently. This took guts in an industry where the “little guy” (the indie) gets drowned out by the “big guy” (the major). In the Independent world, sales don’t matter. Marketing, the live performance, exposure and branding are what matters most. In the 1960’s, most R&B artists were considered “Independent Acts” and the music was considered outside of the mainstream. Well, over the last 5 years, the independent movement has grown as major labels have downsized and reduced the number of artists signed. On an independent label, the artist has more flexibility, creativity and ownership of their project. What we are witnessing is the rise of the Indie and decline of importance of the Major. Indie is definitely the new major. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 R&B artists in 2011 that did the indie thing in style.
Top 10 Independent R&B Artists of 2011
1. Tyrese
2. Kelly Price
3. Joe
4. Syleena Johnson
5. Eric Roberson
6. Kindred the Family Soul
7. Keith Sweat
8. Keke Wyatt
9. Goapele
10. Olivia
Indies to lookout for in 2012: SWV, Tweet, Lil Mo, Ashanti, J.Hollins, Kimberly Nichole, Sean Black, Remedy, Teresa Griffin, Avery Sunshine and Malone.
sorce:singersroom