How Is It Done? Like this. Start Now.

How To Teach Your Loved Ones To Respect Your Career

I have a daily challenge. I like you, am an artist. I am a creator. I am artistic and I manifest and express myself through different formats. Those formats, do not fit the mold of others. At times, especially; that same mold, of the common consensus of others.

In order for me to survive, I must be creative. I can handle many spinning plates; all at once. I am grateful for those super powers and I do not take them lightly; or for granted. The challenge for me is building a bridge of understanding among my peers; just for me to function. After all. I am the, artist; that pays for all of these lifestyles/bills/etc. Without me, this universe does not function. You would assume, that I had the full undivided support of all around me. But, nope. Every once and a while, they each bring forth to the table; their lack of understanding.

I am a serial entrepreneur. I am a musician. I write. I am a recording artist and I am a performing artist. I am the brains of the organization. When it comes to creative control, artistry, audio, visuals, interactive, marketing, distribution; you name it... It's all on me. I am also the private investor/banker/venture capitalist of all of my projects. I bet it all on me, all day/ every day; no matter what.

Layer one is my family and closest friends. They have heard the music business aspect, from me; a gazillion times. It's 2023... It's still the realm of the unknown, for them at times....smh. Then there is the cream of the crop. The actual music. My catalog has thousands of original songs. All written, recorded and performed by me. My very own spiritual creations; that will live forever and ever and serve as the foundation of my legacy.... For all eternity in this universe and the next! They are, quickly frustrated to figure things out and understand. Ultimately, they are easily overwhelmed... Those cycles are counter productive, and start the exploration all over again. Who are we? Where are we? What are our core beliefs? What exactly do we stand on?

They are, aware of me. But, they play both sides. They look at the market. Then revert back, to consumerism. They want to believe in the movie, that is sold to them by these three, major record labels. Even though, in every generation you have a Prince and a Michael Jackson. Both great, and amazing and legendary artist. Artist like these specimen, make the very best of the best; music. But, surprisingly, they find themselves at one point or another, fighting, for the rights to their; very own art. Add in, all of the drama of the blogs, vlogs, publications, media etc; when these battles explode. It's a mess of confusion and one side blaming the other. These controversial moments have all, one thing in common. They each, mark a generation.

In the end. Michael Jackson and Prince, do not own their music. Both catalogs have reverted back to Sony, and Warner Bros. It's 2023. I own my catalog 100 Quintilian %. My life goal, is to retain, full ownership/ minus any liabilities/expenses, in order to bring it to market.

My conviction is my mission, to retain full creative control, artistic expression, freedoms and; full ownership. This is my eternal intellectual property. I cannot be bought for a Ferrari, Porsche or a Lamborghini. A Presidential Rolex, jewelry and a rented multi million dollar mansion. All of these false, status items, are part of an elaborate sythetic; illusion of wealth and success. It's the poison pill of debts. Each one secures future poverty. In fact statistics show that it is mandatory failure, based on a self inflicted wound.

A multi million dollar advance, offered, for a lifetime of slavery; will never be acceptable. I do not plan to sell my catalog; ever. Not for a 10x or a 16x multiple ebita. I know my full value/worth today and in 100 million years; as well. Knowing this value, not price, allows me to maneuver the way that I do. I am fully financially secure and artistically independent. I create music each and every day.

Ownership impacts even the arts that one creates. The pride of ownership is mandatory. My perspective, even when writing; is influenced by these virtues. You may have your music video on the airwaves with a rented Ferrari; of the latest, most powerful, brightest color and the most expensive edition; one at that. But, I own my 2016 Lamborghini Aventador S in cash/ 100%. My pride comes from knowing the pride of ownership. I apologize. The power of, ownership.

Most financially illiterate artists,showcase a multi million dollar estate in Calabassas; lifestyle with helicopters and yacht clubs. Garbage. I will enjoy the pride of ownership of my mansion somewhere in a country side sanctuary; away from the city's distraction. I own every tree close to me. I own ever single bird chirping inside of it. I own every tree that grows and every leaf that falls. And that dominion resonates in my music, because my music comes from my heart.

There is no lyrical comparison. You may rhyme each word perfectly, metrically; all perfectly formatted etc. But the truth, in my records, will connect with my fans; on a deeper scale. Artist like that, come a dime a dozen/ day. Artist like me come once in a lifetime. My music is not disposable; people live their lives to my music. I live in their internal hard drive. Forever. You are just today's jam. My records live forever.

Because I own my music. And none of those artist do.

Even after reaching success. My closest, loved ones momentarily searched for a deeper understanding; of my deep understanding. None of these blessings could be possible; had I accepted what was given to me at birth. Nothing. Imagine if I accepted what the music industry offers every artist that comes to them; or through them/ and their system?

I guarantee you; whatever it is...It can never be this. Freedom.

Every opportunity I get; I fully remind them. To keep them focused so that they allow me to flourish and keep this ship afloat and on course; to the promised land of milk and honey. I can never look at the industry in any other way. No matter what. I am grateful that I entered the music industry so young. I learned all of its metrics, and mechanisms from the inside out. I became the master of my own direction and my own destiny.

I am careful not to hurt my loved one's feelings/ thoughts etc. But I am very clear and direct. I will never surrender. This is my life's calling and what I truly believe. My music is my life and it will never be up for sale. Not for a billion. Not for a trillion. Not now. Not ever.

That's why my collection will live forever on the polygon/etherium/bitcoin blockchain. My catalog will remain in the hands of my fans; whom make it all possible. My music will provide for my bloodline for all eternity; my decedents will be taken care of forever. My music is my legacy goal. My legacy is above my lifetime. Most of my loved ones are starting to build their own legacy goals; now. Because of me. I am braking a generational poverty curse/limitation. My worth will not be lost in 3 to 4 generations like most; statistically-are. I will not be part of that census.

I own my art, my music, my career. I own my own NFT's forever. I own my own catalog. I own my own future; forever. I also own the network. I am the artist. I am the creator. I am the everything. That is priceless. I am Thanos with the infinity gauntlet. Everytime I snap my finger an NFT of my own music is created, directly marketed and released. The block chain is the best distribution system. I am able to freeze a moment in time and I write my own Sumerian tablet. I value myself enough to give 120% each and every day.

All of these concepts are new to my loved ones. The responsibility has been gifted upon me to teach them. I must find the way to educate them each day. Most of the time, by suggesting a book, a lecture, a documentary, data or even a conversation. I make the time, to make myself available so that we can watch or listen/learn/improve together.

So how is it done? Simple. Let's talk about it each and every day, at every moment until it makes perfect sense. Let's dissect it. Lets stress test it. And most importantly; we all take full responsibility to allow, only the very best ideas to win. All of our voices and inputs are the holy grail. This is how progress is made. We must all move in the same direction, and at the same time for this dream to work. Failure is not an option. We burn all of the ships... and fully commit to success.

Either we win, or we win. Either we achieve success, or we achieve success.

-Jonathan Marte Pena

-Linked In