Don’t Compare Your Artist Journey to Anyone Else
In an era where success stories flood our timelines daily, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. But here’s the truth: your artist journey is yours alone, and there’s no timeline for greatness.
Success Happens on Different Timelines
If you ever feel like you’re “too late” or “not where you should be,” take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Some of the most legendary artists and entrepreneurs didn’t find success until later in life:
Jay-Z was turned down by every label at 27 years old because they thought he was “too old.” Now he’s one of the most successful artists of all time.
Mark Cuban had zero dollars at 28. Now he’s a billionaire and one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the world.
Mark Ronson was 29 years old, in debt to a label, struggling to make it work. Then he met Amy Winehouse and made one of the most legendary albums of the century.
No one talks about the years of struggle, the doubts, the setbacks—they only see the success. But behind every great artist, there’s a story of persistence, resilience, and figuring things out in their own time.
Kenny Beats Said It Best: Stop Competing with Strangers on the Internet
One of the most toxic things you can do as an artist is compare yourself to people you don’t even listen to or care about. Kenny Beats said it best:
“Don’t compete with some random rapper or some artist you don’t even know. Don’t stress about people you see on Instagram who seem to be ahead. A lot of the artists you love took way longer than you think to figure out what they really wanted to do.”
Don’t stress about some rapper who blew up at 19 while you’re still figuring things out at 25.
Don’t feel like you have to be at Lil Uzi Vert’s level or match the pace of someone you saw flexing on Instagram.
Don’t compete with artists you’ll never meet, whose music you don’t even like, just because they happen to be the same age as you and “seem” to be ahead.
Art isn’t a race. It’s a lifelong journey.
The People You Look Up to Took Time to Get There
A lot of the artists you love? They didn’t have it all figured out at your age either. Some of them didn’t even start taking music seriously until later in life. The difference is, they kept going. They didn’t quit just because someone else was ahead of them.
So next time you catch yourself spiraling into comparison, remember this: your time will come when it’s meant to. The only thing that matters is that you keep creating, keep improving, and keep showing up for yourself.
Final Thoughts
You are not behind. You are not late. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. The only person you should be competing with is your past self. Focus on your growth, your artistry, and your vision. Everything else is noise.
Need Help Finding Your Path?
If you’re feeling lost in your journey as an artist, producer, or content creator, I can help. Whether it’s music production, mindset, or digital marketing, I work with creatives to refine their path, build confidence, and create a sustainable career. If that’s something you’re interested in, sign up for a FREE call here and let’s talk about how to take your next steps.
