Now what did you think about what I said in this week's episode...Welcome to this throwback of Blonde Intelligence. I am your host Ms. Roni and I always seek to give you exquisite cranial repertoire. If you’re calling yourself an independent music artist but your music isn’t properly registered, you might be building on sand. We get blunt about the unglamorous steps that separate a hobby from a professional music career: protecting your catalog, getting paid royalties, and surrounding yourself with people who actually know the music business. We walk through the essential music registration checklist, including joining a performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC), filing copyright via copyright.gov, and registering with SoundExchange for digital performance royalties. Along the way, we talk about why these moves matter for ownership, leverage, and income, especially as more artists go independent and rely on streaming platforms to gain visibility. If you’ve ever searched for “how to register my music” or “how do artists get royalties,” this is the practical roadmap. Then we shift to the human side of career growth: the dangers of homeboy management. Hiring friends or family who lack industry knowledge can lead to bad decisions, missed networking, weak marketing strategy, and even jealousy that keeps you stuck. We also unpack why cutting side deals behind your manager’s back can feel like quick money while quietly destroying trust and long-term support. Listen, then subscribe, share this with an artist who needs it, and leave a review. What’s the one business step you’ve been avoiding the most?Support the show