Being an Artist In The 21st Century: Is It Still Worth It?

Art, in its myriad shapes and forms, has been with us for millennia, from our caveman days till now. It is the ubiquitous manifestation of the culture we intend to build, the passion we have for ourselves and others, and also the yearning to express oneself, or lack thereof. But in the whirlwind of the 21st century, the tapestry of artistry, particularly in music, has undergone a paradigm shift, which is quite a dramatic one if I may say so.

In the past couple of decades, advancements in technology have reshaped industries, businesses, and human behavior in nearly every aspect that we can imagine. Being a musician today entails way more than being good with your voice or your instrument of choice; it means navigating an ever-changing labyrinth of platforms, algorithms, branding, and economic uncertainty. The question that lingers in the minds of both aspiring and established musicians is simple and profound yet terrifying: “Is it still worth it?”

To understand the complexities of being a musician in the 21st century is to know how the music scene has evolved over the past decades, the financial and creative challenges musicians face, and whether there is still something organic beneath the digital skin of modern music.

The Changing Landscape of the Music Industry

The Fall of the Traditional Music Industry

Two decades ago, success in music was intimately connected to record deals, physical album sales, radio play, and so on. The Major labels dictated what reached the masses, and artists’ careers were inadvertently curved by contracts under such labels.

Now, this model is on the verge of becoming obsolete. The rise of digital platforms has somewhat evened out access to music for musicians and audiences alike. Following “Napster” in the early 2000s came iTunes, and then the floodgates opened for platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and TikTok. This opening of the floodgate ushered in the era of “streaming culture.”

Streaming Culture and Shortened Attention Spans

Now, artists can upload tracks from their bedrooms and reach global audiences from their own beds. Such utopian freedom does come with new challenges. Streaming services, while allowing for wide distribution, reduce the value of individual songs. A stream on, say, Spotify earns an artist a mere fraction of a cent.

Today, music is something that we “consume,” and most musicians who want to be “successful” are aware of that. So, their music is shaped less by artistic exploration and more by what captures attention quickly. The rise of TikTok has accelerated this, with many songs gaining popularity because of 15-second snippets.

These transitions happened really fast and are here to stay, as it seems. So, there has to be an enabler, right?

The Algorithm Era

Today’s music scene is dominated by a double-edged sword called algorithms. Lesser-known or unknown artists can "blow up" overnight, but it makes the playing field not truly level. Spotify and YouTube push content based on consumers’ behavior and trends. Musicians are often forced to optimize titles, thumbnails, hashtags, and even songwriting structures to appease the algorithmic lords.

Isn't it natural to wonder whether a modern musician is still an artist, or a glorified content creator?

The Financial Struggles of 21st Century Musicians

You might ask, “So what? If musicians can live off of these platforms and there are people who would appreciate their effort, it’s not that bad, is it?”

Yeah. But, the thing is…

Streaming doesn’t pay enough–plain and simple. Okay, let me rephrase that: “Streaming doesn’t pay enough for everyone.” Among millions of musicians, a select few artists—Taylor Swift, Drake, Ed Sheeran—enjoy global stardom and financial abundance. How do you think the vast majority of musicians are doing financially?

Income from physical records is about to vanish, and touring is expensive and grueling. Without relying on side jobs, how will they pay the bills? Artists who used to make a modest but sustainable income through record sales and live shows, the “middle class” of music, have fallen off the wagon, and we didn't notice!

Debt, Burnout, and Sacrifice

Pursuing a music career is stressful and consumes a substantial amount of resources—money and time. It also involves significant investment in gear, recording, promotion, etc. It is not uncommon for artists to go into debt. Burnout, anxiety, depression and health struggles make it even harder to achieve success.

The Passion That Keeps Artists Going

The notion of “starving for art” has become an insensitive romanticism. The pressure to maintain an online presence, release content frequently, and engage audiences is relentless. Yet artists persist. Why? 

For many, music is not a choice but a compulsion. The act of creation, the connection with audiences, the euphoria of performing on stage—these are deeply fulfilling and cathartic. Musicians find themselves and their sense of purpose during the creative processes of writing, recording, and performing music, even if their bank accounts paint very different pictures.

Is Music Still a Creative Endeavor?

In music, or any social media platform, to be successful is to go viral. Artists structure songs with catchy rhythms and “hooks” and follow trending sounds. Of course, creativity is involved in how to utilize these tools, however, sadly, it shifts the focus from the neoclassical motto “art for art's sake” to a post-modern one, “art for algorithm's sake.”

When an artist writes a song based on what’s trending rather than what they feel, doesn't it raise concerns about authenticity? Some artists now use data analytics to decide what kind of music to make. The choice of genres, tempos, and lyrics—all are based on what’s more likely to go viral.

At this point, I think I should clarify that many artists have found a way to blend technology and creativity, and we do see the rise of bedroom producers, indie artists, and experimental musicians whose work is exciting, highly anticipated, and praised for being exceptionally creative. However, there is a common practice of writing songs based on what’s trending rather than what the musician feels, and we cannot call these creative acts; rather, this is just creating content.

Redefining Success

The music world used to measure “success” by record sales, radio hits, and the number of awards. Now, it is more about the number of monthly Spotify listeners, social media followers, or YouTube views. But in both cases, these numbers don’t always reflect artistic impact, integrity, or ingenuity.

Now, artists can redefine success on their own terms. For some, it’s about building a sustainable fan base and living modestly through their music. They can create small but devoted fan bases and find their niche. They can also use the platforms to engage directly with their community.

For others, it’s more pushing artistic boundaries or creating music that holds meaning to them. They are concerned less about “monthly listeners” and more about overcoming their own self as a musician. Both of these are equally right paths to walk on. As an artist, you can hop on any one of these boats as long as it nurtures the creative “sapling” inside you.

Epilogue: Is It Still Worth It?

So, what's the verdict? Is being a musician in the 21st century still worth it?

It might depend on how you define "worth." If it’s about financial security or fame, music may be a risky path, and you have to be prepared for a long game. But if it is passion, impact, and creative fulfillment, music still has something profound and meaningful to offer. For those who want to pursue music, knowing all of the things we touched on, the answer is “always yes.”