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Funded or Forgotten

The Real Math of Independent Music in 2026

Between 120,000 and 150,000 new tracks are uploaded every single day. 87% of Spotify's 202 million tracks earn zero royalties. This is not a quality problem. This is a structure problem.

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The Numbers Behind the Book

87%

of tracks on Spotify earn zero royalties — ever

96%

of artists never earn a living wage from streaming alone

150K

new tracks uploaded to DSPs every single day

earned below 1,000 streams — Spotify's payment threshold

This is not another music motivation book.

The real streaming mathematics — why your royalties never add up, explained with actual numbers
The funded vs unfunded divide — the real reason some independent artists break through and most do not
The hidden cost of bad metadata — how sloppy ISRC codes and contributor splits silently drain royalties you have already earned
The eight-week release framework — what a structured, disciplined release actually looks like versus what most artists do
A clear operational foundation — what to change in your approach, starting now

This book was written for you if…

You release music and wonder where the money goes

You are tired of working hard with nothing to show for it financially

You want to understand the music industry as a business, not just a passion

You are an independent artist who keeps releasing and hoping — and it keeps not working

You run a boutique label and need real operational clarity

You are done guessing and ready to move with structure and intention

About the Author

McCathy Neil Jn Baptiste

McCathy Neil Jn Baptiste is a Brooklyn-based music entrepreneur, independent artist, AI app developer, and author of Funded or Forgotten: The Real Math of Independent Music in 2026. Originally from Saint Lucia, he spent nearly two decades in New York construction before building his way into tech and music entrepreneurship through faith and discipline. He is the founder of SoundPath Guide, a release management platform for independent artists and labels. Through The Funded Artist, he delivers honest, research-backed insight into the real economics of independent music — straight talk for artists ready to move with clarity.

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