Major Record Deal vs IB NYC
Insane dilemma that I am incredibly grateful to be in. I just graduated college, and in September, signed an IB offer for a good balance sheet bank in NYC. While I remain interested in finance, I’ve been releasing music as an artist/producer, and after grinding + some recent traction, have been offered record deal, releasing one album to start, with a major label. I understand this is a crazy situation to be in, but am also trying to be rational with the decision (if the artist project doesn’t take off, I have no idea what artists / labels typically do career-wise). Music is absolutely my passion though, and I’d also be doing a more flexible/hybrid fintech job in LA while pursuing music. With IB, I definitely will not have time to pursue music seriously and tour, but it does offer long-term career visibility/exit options/stability. Would have to turn down the label and quit my music career entirely though. Honestly still wrapping my head around the situation!! What would you do?
Go with the music. The way I like to think about it is if you don't have a family, don't have significant loans, and you are on track/already have a degree that can get you a job (doesn't have to be 6 figures since you can still go to grad school and get something like that), your risk appetite should be boundless.
See how soon you can start at the bank
Put 6-8 months in and then take a leave of absence. That way you can return to the industry later
As rare as a record label is, IB recruiting is the same. If you don't show you met the hurdle now; you'll have to go back to grad school to get the same opportunity again
Does it have to be IB? You could try for a normal 9-5 that lets you record in your spare time
Just my 2cents, but I would drop everything and pursue music to the fullest, especially when you already have a record deal.
It is a blessing to have a genuine passion in life, and even more so when you have a talent to be even remotely successful in that field.
You are still young, and if things do not go as you wished when you gave it your all with music, you can always go back to MBA, albeit a little annoying and pricey to do more years of school.
But the burden of regret later on wishing you have pursued music 100% will be even bigger.
Chase the music dude. IB sucks and especially if you can have a decent job in LA as a fallback this should be a no brainer.
I’m releasing music now within IB. I’d love to hop on a call to discuss if you’re open to it, been doing it for about a year so maybe can offer insight
PM me if interested
What does this record deal fully entail? So they sign you and you release one album (what's the time frame)? Are they going to set you up with producers/writers for this album? Will this record label actually invest in marketing you?
I have a couple friends here in LA that got record deals when they were in their early 20's. They didn't become household names and their artist careers plateaued and the labels eventually dropped them. However, over the years, they've switched from trying to be the "known artist" to being on the writing/production side of things. That seems to be a common chain of events here in LA. Get signed -> 99% of artists don't blow up -> get dropped by label -> work on the production/writing side and potentially struggle for years before being on the credits of a hit song.
That said, this is a really difficult decision. If I were you, at that age, I would probably pick LA + remote/hybrid fintech job. However, me at this age, (after having lived in NYC in my early to mid twenties), I would pick IB, live in NYC, and do the record deal too. I would just do the bare minimum amount of work possible in IB for 6 months, not give a fuck, then take a leave of absence like the other commenter said. It'll be good to have on your resume. Living in NYC is amazing and a once in a lifetime experience in your early 20's.
Because if you do that (have IB under your belt + a record deal), and let's say your album unfortunately flops...then you can pivot into working at a record label/media company/tech company (Spotify) doing something cool and still be close to music/the industry. All the while you keep working on your music.
Hey, thank you so much for taking the time to write this! Really appreciate the perspective and honesty. I’ve been thinking through a lot of the same angles, even considering the music backup (being a producer or writer and  potentially struggling to get credits), so your perspective aligns a lot.
Definitely grateful to even be in this position, and your / these responses are giving a ton of clarity as I weigh everything out. In any case, can't go "wrong", and I suppose it comes down to values and risk appetite. It's a blessing and a curse to love both finance and music haha. Will keep this forum posted on the decision, and thank you again for the thoughtful advice.
I'm coming here to second this opinion. Go ahead and release the song and also continue with IB in New York. Also, reach out to DJ Solomon, like actually. But I don't think you should pursue music full time in LA yet. At least do IB for 1-2 years. The LA music career scene is not a path of security or stability. People think LA is some majestic place where stars are born. It's really not like that, you'll probably live in some sh*tty part of Hollywood and look man I just really don't recommend this lol. You can still do IB in NY and release the song and the record at the same time or prior to starting and still have a really solid career going in NY. It's the best of both worlds for now. You can always return to music, but just get your analyst experience first.
Be like DJ Solomon
Do the music and do not fucking look back. IB will always be there after an MBA.
I'm inclined to agree with everyone else above, but also go find musician oasis or some musician subreddit and post there too. You might hear some different things. Grass is always greener.
Can you PM your name so I can listen?
Music bro. Risking it & trying > going for the safe route. Can't live the rest of your life thinking "what if"
hey man that’s insane. I would definitely say follow your passion. As someone who is currently an artist/producer, I only wonder how my life would be if i got a record deal. YOLO and ur young so you gotta capitalize when you can. Also curious what ur prod or artist name is. Would love to listen to your music.
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