When we talk about the ‘industry’ being in a creative or static state right now, we know who the usual suspects are in this conversation (Drake, Nicki, Cardi, recently Ice Spice, Travis and whatever other major artists have been dropping recently) but what exactly is the barrier of entry to be in this discussion?

If you haven't gone multi-platinum you are a bad artist and should retire because if you were a good artist at least 2 million of your albums would have sold

brand endorsements

sponsorship by labels or major organizers in the industry

Co-signs and backing by any major players in the industry. That includes big artists, producers, executives, etc

when you get put on for a kanye album (and then he never calls you again and your career falls off a cliff)

Stop looking at what’s mainstream to see what’s creative

if you got motion

just hitting billboard is a sign you are breaking through especially solo.

drake cosign

damn just canceled my album release.

lol nigga what

blue check on ktt

I think either having multiple songs hit the Hot 100 or having an album go Gold/Platinum qualifies an artist as “industry”