“I make a living selling hats instead of owning Lambos as a fitness influencer”

l Estepario himself doesn’t receive a penny. The same goes for YouTube – for tens of millions of views and thousands of subscribers, it turns out the drummer has ended up with next to nothing to show for it.But it’s not just the lack of financial reward that’s bothering Estepario. It’s the fact that, in music, where content is key and creativity is king, the creators themselves aren’t seeing the benefits of their hard work. While influencers in other industries can easily secure lucrative deals with companies looking for promotion, musicians and music creators struggle to find similar opportunities.“What people need to understand is that my job is to get views. I’m not a drummer, I don’t consider myself to be a drummer. I think the most accurate term to describe what I do is ‘content creator.’ That’s what I am,” Estepario explains.This disparity highlights a fundamental issue with the music industry and social media landscape. Musicians and content creators pouring their time, effort, and creativity into their work are not reaping the rewards they deserve. The system, as it currently stands, favors copyright holders and large corporations while leaving independent creators in the dust.Estepario’s frank breakdown of his earnings serves as a wake-up call to aspiring creators who may be misled by the facade of success on social media. Behind the impressive view counts and subscriber numbers lies a harsh reality of meager financial compensation and missed opportunities for creators in the music space.“If I was a fitness influencer I would have two Lambos… If I was talking about stocks or crypto I would have three Lambos… Because companies would pay me to use their products, whatever. But when we’re talking about music it’s basically impossible to find brands that are going to pay you to create content. And that’s where we have a huge problem because we are providing value that we are not getting,” Estepario candidly reveals.The issue of fair compensation for music creators is a complex one that extends beyond just El Estepario’s personal experience. It shines a light on the broader challenges faced by independent musicians and content creators in a digital landscape dominated by established copyright norms and corporate interests.Content creators like Estepario are faced with a stark reality – despite their success in amassing large followings and generating substantial engagement, the monetary returns are paltry when compared to influencers in other industries. The disparity in earnings between content creators in music and those in other sectors underscores the need for greater recognition and compensation for musicians and creators who contribute invaluable content to the digital sphere.In conclusion, El Estepario’s revelations about his earnings offer valuable insight into the challenges and limitations faced by music creators in the digital age. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of fair compensation, recognition, and support for independent musicians and content creators striving to make a living through their creative work. As the music industry continues to evolve in the digital era, addressing these disparities and fostering a more equitable environment for creators will be crucial in ensuring the sustainability and vitality of music as an art form.