The Top 5 Highest Paying Side Hustles for Independent Rappers

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side hustles for musicians

Ok, so you’re an Indie musician and you’re trying to make a name for yourself in the industry. The problem is that you don’t have extra funds to pay for studio time or promoting your music. That’s ok, you are not alone! That’s what side hustles are for!

There are hundreds of ways to make money online and finding the right side hustle can be a daunting task. Here are the top 5 highest paying side hustles for Indie musicians…

Side Hustle 1. Ceremonial Gigs

This might sound kind of lame, but there is opportunity in playing weddings and other ceremonies. And yes! There are plenty of Hip hop heads out there that would like a skilled rapper to perform at their wedding!

So, how do you find these gigs? Well, the first thing you want to do is create a website with a catchy name and start promoting your ceremonial gig business!

If you’re not great at making websites, guess what? I sure am! Email me at admin@nevernaire.com and I’ll happily create your website for you (for a fee of course), and it will TOTALLY be worth it. Because that site could make you thousands of dollars if you handle things right.

What’s next?

You’re going to need your website, and you’re going to need to create a blog on that website. Again, I am a certified copywriter and I’ve been writing this blog for almost four years now. So, if you’re thinking that blog writing is not for you, email me and let’s work on making you some money.

The point of the blog is to drive free, organic traffic to your website using SEO tactics in your writing. This will bring people to the site and you will start to look like an expert on these kinds of gigs!

Once you have your website up and running and you have posted a few blog posts, it’s time to promote your site. You can do this in so many ways:

  1. Social media posts
  2. YouTube videos
  3. Facebook ads

You can also join groups on Facebook and find gigs that way. This is a LUCRATIVE side hustle. You just have to do it right.

Side Hustle 2. Sell Your Merch

Chances are, you already have an audience. If you’re on social media and you have followers, you’re half way there to having paying customers! You can create your merch for FREE on Printify.

side hustles
FIND THIS SHIRT AT NEVERNAIRE MEDIA

Once you have a Printify account and you have started making some merch, it’s time to create your website. I highly recommend buying your domain from and creating your website on GoDaddy. Their drag and drop website builder is second to no other and they often sell .COM domains for $.99!

Again, if you’re hesitant or have questions about building a website and an online store, you can ask me or check out my “KickA$$ Your Brand Series” books on Amazon for $.99! These books are jam packed with information about creating a website and creating an online store, as well as promoting your own music and submitting your music to blogs.

The Ultimate Guide to Indie Music Promotion
Create a KickA$$ website in less than one day for less than $1
Create an KickA$$ online store – First Step to First Sale

Take Control – Essential Apps for the Creative Professional
Submit – The Ultimate Guide to Submitting your Music to Blogs

What now?

So, you created your merch, it looks amazing and your website is ready. Follow the steps above to promote your merch on social media and get those designs out there. Make sure they are reasonably priced and you will be surprised to find out how many people that follow you on social are real fans. They will buy your merch!

Side Hustle 3. Music Lessons

You’re a musician! You might not play an instrument (or maybe you do and that’s even better!) But, you know a thing or two about the industry and writing lyrics. Create a music tutoring business! You can join Facebook groups to find clients. Or, post on Craigslist and other forums like Reddit about your business.

KIDS ARE CUTE! TEACH THEM TO RAP

You will need a website and you’re going to have to promote it. I suggest using a blog for SEO like I mentioned above. This gig can pay a ton of money if you get a couple of clients under your belt!

There are so many people out there that could benefit from your expertise! Go find them.

Side Hustle 4. Ghost Writing

Believe it or not, rappers have ghost writers. They just don’t admit it. You’re going to find this hilarious, but I have written bars for several Indie Rappers and they were good! You’re actually a rapper! Write people’s raps.

MORE SHAMELESS PROMOTION MY BAD I’M JUST THAT GOOD 😛

The problem with ghost writing for rappers is that they don’t want to admit that they need the help. So, this can be a tricky side hustle. But, when you find people to write for, you can charge them a decent amount of money for your raps. You also have to let go of your Ego and realize that these bars are going to be performed by another rapper and you will never get credit. But Hey! You’re got paid right?

You can charge upwards of $100 per verse if you’re really good.

So, how do you find these people?

Facebook groups are your best bet. Join groups for ghost writers and you will find some there. Also, you’re probably a member of some Hip hop groups. Pay attention to what people are posting in these groups. Do their lyrics need some work? Are you good at giving constructive criticism? Then do it! Let them know that their beat is dope but they need to work on their lyrics and first, offer to help them write their own. Then, you can offer to write some verses for them and CHACHING!

Side Hustle 5. Street performing

I know several people that do this in Boston and they make BANK! Are you good enough to perform your raps live on the street? A boom box is a nice touch by the way.

How to get Started

YES! GET A BOOM BOX

This works best if you live near a big city, like Boston or Miami. You want to get your stuff together before you get out there. Make sure your beats are ready. Create a playlist and bring your equipment to play your music. If you know someone that can beatbox, definitely invite them to join you. This would make your street performance KILLER!

No beatboxer? That’s cool, your raps are gonna knock their socks off. So, get out there and try it! My friend performs as a mime in Boston and he makes like $70,000 a year. I am NOT making that up!

Wrapping it up

So, yes there are hundreds of ways that you can make money online or as a side hustle. But, these are your best bet to bring in the big bucks. And, you will make money almost immediately if you do everything the right way.

So, get yourself out there. Choose the one that seems the most exciting to you and give it a try! You’re going to thank me later 🙂

DID YOU ENJOY THIS ARTICLE? CHECK OUT THIS ONE ABOUT BEING A BETTER RAPPER

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