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Sole Apex | Artist & Producer

@thesoleapex

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Hip-Hop Producer | @fullsail Alumni
Helping Independent Artists Build Careers That Last⛰️
Founder @bensetrecords
👇🏼 Beats | Strategy | Resources

POSTS STORIES REELS

Most artists spend years perfecting
their craft and zero time building
the structure that actually pays them.

I was the same way... until I built
my own independent record label
from the ground up ⛰️ and set up every
revenue avenue before most artists
even knew they existed.

Most people wait until they blow up
to figure this stuff out.
That's exactly why they stay broke💸

Here's what I built — and what you
should too. 👇

1. Form An LLC First 📋:
Before anything else. Your label is
a business. Treat it like one from
day one. An LLC protects your personal
assets and makes every contract,
payment, and deal go through a
legitimate entity — not just your name.

2. Register With BOTH A PRO
And SoundExchange 🎵:
Most artists pick one and think
they're covered. They're not.
ASCAP or BMI collects your performance
royalties. SoundExchange collects your
digital performance royalties separately.
Two different revenue streams.
Most artists leave one of them
on the table their entire career.

3. Register With The MLC
And Harry Fox 🦊:
This is where it gets real.
The Mechanical Licensing Collective
collects mechanical royalties from
streaming platforms.
Harry Fox handles mechanical licensing
for physical and digital reproductions.
Neither of these collect themselves.
If you're not registered, that money
goes unclaimed. Forever⚠️

4. Distribute Through A Label Account 🏷️:
I use TuneCore for distribution —
but I set it up under the label,
not my personal name.
That means revenue flows into the
business, not just my pocket.
That distinction matters legally
and financially.

5. Have A Contract — Even With Yourself📝:
Every artist who records under my
label signs an agreement.
That structure protects everyone
involved and establishes exactly
who owns what before a single
dollar is made.
Most independent artists skip this
until something goes wrong.
By then it's too late❌

The music industry will take
everything you don't protect🛡️

Build the foundation first!

Found This Helpful?
Follow @thesoleapex for more tips on building your music career independently🎯
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#independentartist #musicbusiness by @thesoleapex

What Looked Like Silence... Was Preparation
After Months Of Building, The First Drop Is Finally Live!
Enter The Sound
🎧Link In Bio
*For Serious Artists Only*
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#typebeat #exclusivebeats #rapinstrumentals #beatsforsale #SoleApex by @thesoleapex

#TUFTheDrop SEASON 3 EP. 19 | @thesoleapex CAME READY 🔥

FULL EPISODE IN MY BIO‼️

SEASON 3 #CONNECTICUT 🩵

If you’re an artist and think you have what it takes, this is your stage.
If you’re a fan, you’re witnessing the next wave before it blows.

👉 Subscribe for weekly drops (LINK IN BIO)
👉 Comment who should be featured next
👉 Follow @turntupfilms860 for behind-the-scenes

#NextUp #TurntUpFilms #ViralArtists by @thesoleapex

@thesoleapex TALKING THAT TALK 🔥🗣️. #tufthedrop SEASON 3 #Connecticut IS THAT RN ‼️‼️‼️ by @thesoleapex

Every independent artist starts somewhere.

These are five websites that have genuinely helped me build a stronger foundation as an artist, producer, and business owner.

Talent gets attention.

Systems create consistency.

The goal isn't to work harder—it's to build smarter.

BeatStars became my storefront.

Instead of sending files back and forth through DMs, artists can instantly license beats whenever they're ready.

That's a better experience for them—and a better system for me.

A lot of artists focus on streaming royalties but forget publishing.

If you're writing music, learn the difference early. It can make a huge difference over time.

Releasing music is only the first step.

Discovery matters just as much.

SubmitHub gives independent artists another way to get their music in front of curators and new listeners.

Your credits become your résumé.

Make it easy for future collaborators, artists, and industry professionals to find the work you've already done.

Music creates fans.

Stories create communities.

People connect more deeply when they understand the meaning behind what they're listening to.

This is ASCENT 001.

I'll be sharing more tools, systems, and lessons that are helping me build my career as an independent artist.

What's ONE website that's helped your music career the most?

🔖 Save this post so you can come back to these tools later

⛰️ See you in ASCENT 002 by @thesoleapex

Comment "APEX" and I'll send you the link to grab this one ⛰️🎧
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#typebeat #exclusivebeats #rapinstrumentals #beatsforsale #SoleApex by @thesoleapex

250 years ago someone decided
Independence was worth building for⛰️

That's something I think about a lot as an
independent artist.

The hardest part isn't the work.
It's choosing yourself when everyone
else is waiting for someone else
to choose you first🫵🏼

It was never the easy choice.
But it was always the right one.

Stay independent. Build something
that's yours. 🇺🇸

Drop a "🇺🇸" if you're building
independently right now.

@thesoleapex 🎯
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#independentartist #July4th
#independence #musicbusiness
#unsignedartist by @thesoleapex

Back In Motion

Tap In 🎧
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#typebeat #exclusivebeats #rapinstrumentals #beatsforsale #SoleApex by @thesoleapex

This Isn't A Birthday.
It's A Solar Return--A Rebirth Of Frequency,
Vision, & Legacy ♋☀️
Comment "Apex" If You're Rising With Me ⛰️
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#betterlatethannever #TheSoleApex #SolarReturn #BirthdayAscension #NewFrequency #ApexBirthday #birthdaycountdown #day10of10 #bensetrecords #rapperweed by @thesoleapex

Nine Times I Fell, Nine Times I Rose 📈
-- Each Rebirth Sharper Than The Last
Drop A 🔥 With Your Rebirth Story Below 👇🏼
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#RebirthEnergy #PhoenixFlow #SilenceIsTheNewFlex #thesoleapex #birthdaycountdown #Day9of10 #bensetrecords #rapperweed by @thesoleapex

Ate The Doubt. Fed The Vision 🍽️👁️
Success Never Begged For Applause --
I Crafted It In Silence 🤐,
Plated It Cold ❄️,
& Made Them Swallow Every Piece.
The Difference Between Them & Me?
They Chase Validation,
I Rewrite Outcomes ✍🏼
If You've Ever Been Doubted, Drop a "🖕🏼" Below
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#LuxuryVision #PowerInSilence #ElegantMenace #BlackSuitEnergy #TheSoleApex #birthdaycountdown #Day8of10 #BensetRecords #RapperWeed by @thesoleapex

Seven Shadows Couldn't Block My Light
Every Test Was Tailored For My Evolution 🧬
I'm Not Lucky -- I'm Aligned ⛰️
Drop A "🌱" If Your Ready To Bloom
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#SpiritualArmor #LightBearer #ReturnStronger #TheRise #thesoleapex #birthdaycountdown #Day7of10 #bensetrecords #rapperweed by @thesoleapex