What Is an Industry Plant? What Purpose Do They Serve?

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Find out the truth behind these popular artists
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An industry plant is an artist who presents themselves as self-made despite having industry connections or the support of a music label. Artists who get famous seemingly overnight are often accused of being industry plants, even though some of them have extensive back catalogs. In this article, we'll explore this term in more detail and give you a few examples of artists that have been accused of being industry plants.

Industry Plant Meaning

An "industry plant" is a musician who pretends to be independent despite having support from a major label. Their industry connections often help them get attention and exposure that would be unattainable for most unsigned musicians. These artists seem to blow up overnight, even though some have extensive back catalogs.

Section 1 of 6:

What is an industry plant?

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  1. Industry plants usually appear independent and DIY, but in reality they have industry connections or music label support that gives them certain advantages. These musicians tend to have strong social media presences, take part in high-profile collaborations, and get other professional opportunities that would be out of reach for truly DIY artists. [1]
    • Artists who become famous seemingly overnight are often accused of being industry plants, even though some, like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, have extensive catalogs and have been around for a while. Musicians who release super polished music that sounds like it was made in an expensive recording studio also tend to be pegged as industry plants.
    • The term was popularized in the rap community and was used to call out rappers who lied about their upbringing in songs. [2]
    • Industry plants can go on to have strong careers that help them shed the label, but this requires a strong passion for music.
  2. 2
    An industry plant is also a gullible person who lets the music industry control them. Influencer and content creator Aaron Makelky says that the term industry plant is also used to describe a gullible person who lets the industry mold and control them. They’re quick to try and imitate popular artists to the point where it seems like they’re trying too hard to fit in. For example, an artist who copies a popular artist’s beat selection and flow on every song because they’re famous would be considered an industry plant.
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Section 2 of 6:

Artists Accused of Being Industry Plants

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  1. Billie Eilish has been accused of being an industry plant because of her brother FINNEAS’s assistance with her career. She blew up with her song “Ocean Eyes,” which was written and produced by FINNEAS. [3] After “Ocean Eyes” went viral on Soundcloud, FINNEAS helped her get signed to the A&R company, Platoon, who helped launch her career and sign to the Darkroom record label. [4]
    • FINNEAS is said to be well-connected in the music industry, having performed at the popular rock festival, Warped Tour, with his band, The Slightlys, the same year “Ocean Eyes” was released. [5]
    • FINNEAS has helped write and produce some of Billie’s biggest hits, including “Bad Guy” and “You Should See Me In a Crown.”
  2. Lorde signed her first deal to Universal Music Group in 2009. After a performance at a talent show, the then 13-year-old was recognized by a Universal talent scout. When she signed the deal, she was paired with Joel Little, a former punk pop performer who helped shape her sound. This early signing has spurred accusations of Lorde being an industry plant, attributing her success to connections rather than talent and training. [6]
    • Lorde and Little went on to release The Love Club EP in 2012, which featured the popular song, “Royals.” “Royals” propelled Lorde into stardom, going viral after she uploaded the track to Soundcloud. [7]
    • Despite her industry-backed start, Lorde has been praised by fans for her authenticity and passion for music.
  3. Clairo is a unique case in the industry plant debate, as she was recognized for a viral bedroom-pop song that was uploaded to YouTube. After she went viral, Clairo’s father, Geoff Cottrill, connected her with Jon Cohen, the co-founder of FADER Magazine, a popular music publication, which has spurred accusations of her being an industry plant.
    • Cohen went on to mentor and sign her to the company’s label, helping propel her into the spotlight. [8]
    • Her father has extensive music industry connections, overseeing the launch of RubberTracks–a free recording studio for unsigned artists–during his time as Converse’s Chief Marketing Officer. [9]
  4. King Princess is the child of recording engineer, Oliver H. Straus Jr., and spent her formative years in his recording studio. She turned down a deal at age 11 so that she could retain creative freedom, continuing to build herself until she signed to the Columbia Records imprint label, Zelig, in 2017. [10] Following her signing, she would release her debut single, “1950.”
    • "1950" received media attention and a co-sign from former One Direction singer, Harry Styles, on Twitter (now X). [11] [12]
  5. The Toronto-rapper got his start as an actor in the hit show Degrassi , leaving the show in 2008 to pursue his rap career. His fame from Degrassi has fueled industry plant accusations. But in 2009, Drake released his first mixtape. His song "Best I Ever Had" was one of the lead tracks on the mixtape and even went viral on iTunes, which resulted in the rapper getting signed to Lil Wayne's record label, Young Money Entertainment. [13]
    • After getting signed to Young Money Entertainment, Drake saw major features with big artists, like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Young Jeezy.
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Section 3 of 6:

Spotting an Industry Plant

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  1. Learning their background is a great way to see if they had any major label backing. If they promoted their own music and gained a following without support from a label, they wouldn't be an industry plant.
  2. You will be able to see if their lifestyle suddenly elevated or if they have had long connections with labels or executives. Some industry plants might also claim a 'rags to riches' story, and their social media history may confirm (or deny) if they really are self-made.
  3. If all of their songs sound polished and you don’t get a sense of progression, there is a chance that they have always had access to high-end equipment, coaches, and/or music industry professionals.
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Section 4 of 6:

What is the purpose of an industry plant?

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  1. This is why labels push them so hard, as success for the artist equals profit for them. It’s a record label’s job to turn artists into stars, and it is essential for the function of the music industry. [14] Labels build up artists who they believe will be successful by providing them with advice, promotion, funding, and career opportunities. [15]
    • This does not mean that industry plants exist strictly for profit, as they create music that resonates with listeners regardless of their affiliation with a label.
Section 5 of 6:

Criticism of the Term Industry Plant

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  1. 1
    Some people say the term industry plant takes away from an artist’s accomplishments. As the term has gained popularity, some say that calling someone an industry plant takes away from their accomplishments, especially when it’s thrown around. For example, performers like Lil Wayne and Megan Thee Stallion have been subject to industry plant accusations despite their own talent, dedication, and perseverance. [16]
  2. 2
    The term industry plant has been criticized for its bias towards women. As the use of industry plant has grown over the past decade, many online users have questioned the career validity of female artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Chappell Roan. [17] However, these claims have been refuted and criticized by other online users who cite the artists’ extensive career backgrounds prior to fame. [18]
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Section 6 of 6:

Key Takeaways

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  1. Industry plants are heavily backed by their label during the blooming stages of their careers. It's how record labels turn a profit and make artists famous. Despite the negative connotation associated with the term, not all industry plants are inauthentic.
    • Industry plants can go on to have strong careers that help them shed the label, but this requires a strong passion for music.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://rapindustry.com/deep-dive-what-is-an-industry-plant/
      2. ↑ https://www.vox.com/culture/24114819/industry-plants-music-pop-rap-internet-hottest-conspiracy#
      3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billie-Eilish
      4. ↑ https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/alessadominguez/is-billie-eilish-really-that-weird
      5. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/finneas-oconnell-interview-billie-eilish-brother-co-writer-8504254/
      6. ↑ http://www.michelleduff.com/home/2015/5/16/joel-little-the-man-behind-lorde-txnsf
      7. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lorde-the-billboard-cover-story-5687161/
      8. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/clairo-immunity-debut-album-up-next-interview-8517923/
      9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2016/02/05/geoff-cottrill-departs-as-cmo-of-converse/
      1. ↑ https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/article/king-princess-interview/
      2. ↑ https://thismustbepop.com/king-princess-columbia-zelig-records/
      3. ↑ https://i-d.co/article/you-probably-know-her-debut-single-1950-now-get-to-know-king-princess/
      4. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Drake
      5. ↑ https://www.vox.com/culture/24114819/industry-plants-music-pop-rap-internet-hottest-conspiracy
      6. ↑ https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/david-bowie-and-the-beatles-the-three-greatest-industry-plant-bands-in-history/
      7. ↑ https://dailybruin.com/2024/09/12/second-take-putting-artists-in-industry-plant-category-deprives-value-of-accomplished-music
      8. ↑ https://dailybruin.com/2024/09/12/second-take-putting-artists-in-industry-plant-category-deprives-value-of-accomplished-music
      9. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/culture/is-chappell-roan-industry-plant/

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