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L1What Does 'Making It' Mean? L2Industry Structure L3Revenue Streams L4Copyright & Sampling L5Career Exploration L6Sound Engineering Deep Dive L7Sound Engineering L8Music Marketing L9Music Entrepreneurship L10Bronx Music Scene L11Presentation Prep L12Career Presentations L13Assessment & Wrap-Up
Lesson 1: What Does 'Making It' Mean? 1 / 9
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The Business of Music

What Does “Making It” Mean?
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 • Unit 3, Lesson 1 • Mr. Mbagwu
DO NOW8 Minutes • Gallery Walk
08:00

Gallery Walk: What Does “Making It” Look Like?

Instructions:
1. Walk to ANY image station that interests you
2. Write ONE word on a sticky note: What does success look like for this artist?
3. Place your sticky note under the image
4. Rotate to at least 2 stations

Station A

Cardi B

Station B

Bad Bunny

Station C

Chance the Rapper

Station D

Local Bronx Producer

I Can Statements

MINI LESSON

The 4 Pillars of the Music Industry

Recording

Making & selling music

Streaming (Spotify, Apple)

Record labels

Digital downloads

Publishing

Songwriting royalties

Composition rights

Mechanical royalties

ASCAP, BMI, SESAC

Live

Concerts & touring

Festival appearances

Merch sales

Meet and greets

Sync

Music in media

TV shows & movies

Commercials

Video games (GTA, etc.)

Then vs. Now: What Changed?

THEN (1990s–2000s)

  • Goal: Get signed by a major label
  • Success: Sell albums (Gold/Platinum)
  • Access: Get on MTV or radio
  • Power: Gatekeepers controlled access
  • Money: Artist got 10–15%
VS

NOW (2020s)

  • Goal: Build your audience directly
  • Success: Streams = Currency (1B = new Platinum)
  • Access: Go viral on social media
  • Power: YOU are the gatekeeper
  • Money: Indie artists keep 50–100%

Key Insight: Technology shifted power from labels to artists. You don’t need permission anymore.

ACTIVITY

Case Study Carousel (15 min)

Groups of 3–4 • Visit ONE station • Complete analysis card

A: Bad Bunny

Independent to Major. Streaming dominance. Global reach without English-language music.

B: Cardi B

Social media to record deal. Brand building. From the Bronx to #1 worldwide.

C: Chance the Rapper

No label ever. Free music model. First streaming-only Grammy winner.

D: Bronx Producer

Behind-the-scenes career. Studio ownership. Building an empire without fame.

At your station: 1) Read the profile card together. 2) Discuss as a group. 3) Complete analysis card.
Questions: Path to success? Revenue sources? Their definition of “making it”?

Careers in Music: Beyond the Stage

You do NOT have to be a performer to make it in music.

Producer

Creates beats & arrangements

Engineer

Records & mixes tracks

Manager

Guides artist careers

A&R

Discovers new talent

Marketing

Promotes releases

Songwriter

Writes for other artists

Music Lawyer

Handles contracts

Tour Manager

Runs live shows

DJ / Curator

Playlists & radio

EXIT TICKET5 Minutes
05:00

My Definition of Success

In YOUR words, what does “making it” in music mean to YOU?

Think about: The 4 pillars • The case study you explored • Careers that interest you • What success means in YOUR life

📚 Submit on Google Classroom

Coming Up Next

Tomorrow: Industry Structure

Major Labels vs. Indie Labels • Case Study: How EMPIRE Changed the Game

📚 Submit on Google Classroom
Lesson 2 →
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