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If you are a new artist in 2025, the music industry may feel like both a great opportunity and a massive maze!
There are numerous streaming platforms to consider, as well as algorithms to master if you want to make your presence felt. Then there is the challenge of short attention spans and a plethora of content available online to the audience. But right in the middle of all this noise, SoundCloud still feels different. And that is not by accident!
SoundCloud has evolved without losing its soul. It is still that platform where a regular producer can sit side-by-side with a top artist from another region. It is rather unfiltered and gritty, and in a world that is obsessed with perfection, that element of rawness is exactly why SoundCloud is still relevant in 2025.
Fan-Powered Royalties
On platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, your music may get streamed a thousand times and still earn you next to nothing. This is because most platforms use a pooled revenue model- your streams essentially help pay the top 1% only.
SoundCloud has flipped the script with fan-powered royalties. When someone listens to your music on SoundCloud, you get paid, not the top artist, as is the case for other platforms. This shift may not seem much, but it means things are looking up for indie artists in terms of finances.
You are not only trying to beat the algorithm; you are also building real fans- one listen at a time!
And this is important because whether you make ambient techno or pop music, the engagement you get pays more than virality ever could. Hence, if you want to build a career from your passion for your music and not just a viral moment, SoundCloud is where you need to be.
Getting Discovered on SoundCloud- An Experience Like No Other
In today’s world, as per the widespread perception, music discovery is dictated by TikTok trends or influencer playlists. In such an instance, it is SoundCloud that lets your music breathe. The AI tools behind the platform now actually listen to you- your listening habits, your reposts, and your comments. Hence, what is trending may not hold much weight here.
For emerging artists, this means the right listeners can find you much faster. It is also worth considering that SoundCloud users like to explore. They do not press on a Top 40 playlist- rather, they like to dig into remixes and experimental mashups.
This is the kind of audience you need when you are trying to stand out as a new artist.
The Impact of Quality Sound on SoundCloud- No Gatekeeping
For artists, SoundCloud equals freedom! You do not have to wait for approval from a label, a playlist editor, or an algorithm.
You can upload that small experiment of yours made on a whim- it could be 90 seconds long or a 10-minute track! Given the much-appreciated spirit of experimentation on SoundCloud, there is a high chance you will be heard. This is something you do not find anywhere else.
This kind of freedom is rare because other platforms seem like carefully curated billboards. SoundCloud, though, is still about community! People leave comments on the waveform. Your tracks can get reposted across mini-networks. There is a high chance those DMs turn into collaborations, too.
Monetization on SoundCloud
SoundCloud equips you with tools for success- subscriptions, exclusive content, merchandise, and event direct-to-fan messaging. It is like a holistic toolkit for artists that helps you build a fan base.
And if you want to boost your following on SoundCloud, there are services available that can amplify your presence via more followers, plays, and likes. You can build a community around your music that listens, engages with your music, and supports you. Over time, this can help boost your ranking on SoundCloud so you can enjoy greater outreach.
Final Thoughts
Maybe the biggest reason SoundCloud remains important in 2025 is that it still feels like it belongs to the artists. It is a space where genres blur, where artists are born, and where a random track you made at midnight may find an audience across the world by sunrise.
So, if you are a new artist or want to reestablish yourself as an artist, do not ignore SoundCloud! It is certainly competitive, but if you want to grow, connect, and succeed in your artistic journey, it is still the best place to begin.