Latest news with #NickHexum
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
In Music's Fragmented World, Artists Launch Path Forward
The music industry is at a turning point, according to MIDiA Research. The company recently reported that while success remains near guaranteed for top musicians, newcomers on the scene are increasingly facing a different reality. MIDiA's Bifurcation theory points to current industry challenges that are forming a new business defined by two parallel consumer worlds, "listen" and "play." Concurrently, AI is evolving music technology, changing how artists and fans interact. In today's fragmented music space, streaming is less than profitable for most artists, and few consider it the destination for connecting with fans. More artists are also forgoing traditional record label deals that typically take the greatest cut of earnings, opting instead for social and UGC platforms where they can forge direct connections with consumers and younger fans. According to MIDiA, traditional streaming is expected to become a passive consumption space focused on record label artists while social apps will fuel more fandom, discovery, creation and play. Paving a new path for musicians is Nick Hexum, lead vocalist of multi-platinum rock band 311, who recently founded his own digital music platform, SKP. The new business connects artists and their managers with a vast array of key services including project management, marketing, payments and distribution. Users of the platform can gain an integrated view of their business and leverage data insights to make more informed investment decisions. Hexum is also focused on helping artists maximize their earnings and retain ownership of all their music. "SKP is an idea that's overdue, I don't think the old model will hold much longer," Hexum says. "We want to be the ones offering disruption in favor of the artist, because music is such an essential part of our lives, and it can do so much for your mental well-being." SKP's vision is to scale through network effects and word of mouth. Hexum says that he is not seeking to sell to a record label, though they are his main competition. His goal is to operate as a grassroots organization integrating new AI and technology solutions over time. Analyzing the music business, SKP identifies gaps in social and streaming spaces to give artists a boost across leading platforms. "We realized we wanted to disrupt the label grift. Some people blame streaming as the villain, but the record industry is back at all-time highs," Hexum explains. "There are little tweaks we can make in the (streaming) payout system, but overall it's been a good thing for artists. It's really been the labels that have been taking too big of a cut." Recalling 311's record deal signed in 1992, Hexum says it included a provision that, regardless of expenses, any new format or technology would pay artists less. That memory inspired Hexum to design his network "for artists by artists" in which clients become business owners. Many other artists are also championing more equitable music careers. That's Love Records co-founders Alex Garcia and Max Shrager established their label in 2024 after years of recording music together in Los Angeles. Garcia says, 'Coming from my own experience working with an independent label with my band Thee Sacred Souls, I wanted to keep that same ethos of a family-style label and pass the torch on to others. Ultimately, the goal is to share honest music that we genuinely like with the world.' Love Records explores an artist's cultural heritage, artistic vision and aspects of their musicianship to present their music in the most unique, compelling fashion. The result is successful distribution, shipping 45s across the globe to every continent except Antarctica so far. "It's exciting to see that the appeal is global. It's about helping each of our artists identify what makes them compelling and unique, and then creating music and visuals that showcase those qualities," Shrager says. Most recently, Hexum dropped a solo EP, Waxing Nostalgic. Expanding his creativity, the release blends classic sounds of the mandolin, pedal steel and fiddle.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Hacking The Music Industry With Tech, Independence And A DIY Ethos
Nick Hexum stands at the intersection of music and innovation, blending decades of creative ... More evolution with a bold new vision for artist empowerment in the digital age. Some people talk about disrupting the system. Nick Hexum and 311 are actually doing it. 311 recently came through Houston on tour and played at the 713 Music Hall. I had the privilege of showing up a few hours before the band took the stage to sit down with the band's founder and lead singer Nick Hexum. We spent an hour or so talking about a wide range of topics. I was impressed with Hexum but left the interview feeling a little inadequate. Hexum and I are the same age (I have him beat by just a few months), but he has accomplished much more than I in his time on this planet. As the frontman of 311, Hexum has spent over three decades pushing musical boundaries—from funk-rock and reggae-punk hybrids to chill ballads that defy easy labels. But it's not just the band's sound that's evolved. Hexum is also challenging the music industry's outdated business models by using technology and taking a more independent approach. Today, Hexum isn't just continuing to make his own music—he's helping other artists do the same. With his new startup label platform called SKP, he's giving musicians an alternative to traditional record deals. SKP provides digital distribution, promotional support and a way to stay independent—all without demanding ownership of an artist's music. Hexum and I talked about the sometimes contentious relationship between artists and labels, and the traditional revenue model. This fresh model flips the typical record label arrangement upside down. 'Now, with this label platform we're doing, we've been able to flip that in the opposite where the distributor and label services platform would take 12% and give the artist 88%,' Hexum told me. 'Completely flipping it.' It's a response to decades of experience where artists signed away their rights for small royalty checks, often without clear accounting or control. Now, Hexum wants to put power back in the hands of creators. Hexum's journey has adapted over the years with the evolution of technology. He started on a four-track cassette recorder, moved to eight-track tape and later recorded in iconic LA studios. But now? He writes and records from a laptop with a MIDI controller and a pair of headphones—often while flying. 'That has been super helpful—the convenience that the new technology can give you,' he said. This shift has given Hexum more freedom to create, no matter where he is. And more importantly, it's given artists everywhere the chance to make professional music without needing expensive gear or studio time. Hexum uses Apple Music to stream lossless-quality tracks and manage demos. He values the convenience—but he hasn't given up on physical music either. He and his band still release music on vinyl, recognizing how fans appreciate something they can see, hold and collect. Instead of focusing only on one-off singles, Hexum prefers releasing four-song EPs. These smaller collections give fans a more complete experience, including both catchy singles and deeper tracks that show a broader range of creativity. Hexum is also watching blockchain closely. He believes it can solve long-standing issues in music—like delayed royalty payments and ticket scalping. Through SKP, his team is developing 'clever contracts'—a simpler alternative to Ethereum smart contracts. These digital agreements allow for automatic, transparent payments to artists without middlemen taking a cut. He also sees potential for blockchain to reduce scalping by tying tickets to verified identities, making resale more controlled and fair for fans. While some bands only tour with a new album to promote, 311 has toured every summer—no matter what. That consistency, Hexum said, helped them stay strong even when CD sales collapsed and streaming changed everything. Their audience now includes both longtime fans and a younger crowd discovering songs like 'Amber' and 'Champagne.' Hexum said the band's mix of rock, reggae, hip hop and pop has helped them stay relevant across decades. 'We keep finding new eclectic ingredients to try sticking together and see how they fit,' he said. Hexum wants artists to think like owners, not employees. That mindset shift is key to building careers that last. When pop artist Chapel Roan recently said record labels should offer healthcare, Hexum saw it differently. 'Why would you want to be an employee when you can be an owner?' Rather than rely on labels for support, Hexum believes in helping artists build their own businesses. His approach combines fair compensation, creative freedom and a model that rewards long-term thinking over short-term fame. For decades, going platinum was the goal. But in today's music world, the dream has changed. Artists want control over their music, their money and their message. And thanks to technology, they don't need a major label to make it happen. Technology empowers freedom for artists. Today, the smartest move an artist can make is owning the path they're on.
