Everyone knows by now that the independent artist market is big business: self-releasing DIY acts generated $1.2 billion globally last year, according to Midia Research.
Now, one of the most successful indie labels of the modern era is getting in on the game. New York-headquartered 300 Entertainment has today launched Sparta, a distribution platform for DIY artists.
Unlike other DIY platforms such as TuneCore, UnitedMasters, and Distrokid, however, Sparta doesn’t allow everyone to upload their music through its platform.
Instead, the company adopts an A&R filtration system similar to that of companies like AWAL (which was sold to Sony Music in a $430m deal earlier this year).
Either acts have to be invited into Sparta, or they can submit their music via an online tool, after which 300 staff will ascertain if said acts are to be permitted onto the Sparta platform.
Alphabet/Google-backed 300 claims its new DIY service has “unmatched delivery speed and flexibility,” and says that since Sparta’s beta launched in December 2020, it has been “working with friends, gathering feedback, and fine tuning the platform.”
Sparta has already aided 300 in identifying and developing partnerships with artists like Jeris Johnson and HD4President.
A joint statement from 300 CEO, Kevin Liles, and Rob Stevenson, who joined 300 as a partner in December, was sent today to industry contacts.
It read: “[We] are proud to announce the start of a new chapter in the story of 300 with the formal unveiling of Sparta Distribution. For unsigned artists who are fighting to get a seat at the table, this new distribution platform gives them their own table.
“Most importantly, Sparta empowers independent artists to plug into two of 300’s core tenets: speed and flexibility. Over the course of our journey as 300, our agility and disregard for red tape have defined us. Sparta is meant to empower like-minded entrepreneurs to share and operate under the ethos that makes 300 successful. Sparta is meant for driven artists and emerging executives who want to tap into the culture.”
“For unsigned artists who are fighting to get a seat at the table, this new distribution platform gives them their own table.”
Kevin Liles and Rob Stevenson, 300 Entertainment
Added Liles and Stevenson: “Sparta has a focus on unmatched delivery speed and flexibility. Since our beta launch in late 2020, we’ve been working with friends, gathering feedback, and fine tuning the platform.
“The invite-only network has already attracted a wide array of artists. Even in this developmental phase, Sparta has aided 300 in identifying and developing partnerships with artists like Jeris Johnson and HD4President. We’ve shown with Sparta that being independent doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.”
They continued: “With this month being Independent Music Month, we couldn’t think of a better and more appropriate time to unveil this new initiative. The future of music is independent, and with Sparta Distribution empowering independents, today that future is one step closer.”
300 Entertainment has found success in recent years with artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, and Young Thug.Music Business Worldwide
