Gossett Brown: Freelancing as an Essential Part of the Music Industry

There is no doubt about it, the times they are a-changing, and with them, so is the music industry that we know and love. Opportunities for work are cropping up in unexpected places, and now it is a lot easier to follow your dreams and build the ideal career – or is it?

Freelancing is one of the most controversial options available to modern-day professionals in practically any industry. Recently, we had the utmost pleasure of sitting down with one of the leading Graphic Designers in the music business, freelancer Gossett Brown. We had more than a couple of questions for Gossett, since freelancing is one of the most exciting forms of entrepreneurship possible today, so we definitely wanted to hear his take on things.

What’ s the hardest part of being an entrepreneur?

GB: “I guess the hardest part is the politics. Everything is based on relationships, good healthy ones. There’s so many people with hidden agendas that pull sneaky moves behind the scenes but there’s also good people out there that genuinely like seeing others come up. I think creating a solid network you can trust is the hardest part.”

But as any entrepreneur knows, with great risk comes great success, and Gossett Brown is clearly aware of that, as well. When asked what his favorite part was about being a freelancer in the business, he tells us it is the freedom of working with as many creatives as possible.

“Besides creating art, my favorite part is being able to work with multiple genres in the music industry as well as other pockets in the entertainment industry.”

Gossett Brown is really making a name for himself as one of the top Digital Illustrators and Designers working with artists at the present moment. In the past, he has collaborated with some big names in the music industry, such as Lil Boosie (on a billboard displayed in Times Square), Spice1 and MC Eiht.

He is also collaborating with numerous up-and-coming artists, who are still working to break through and win over a solid fanbase, but that makes work all the more exciting for Brown. He says he loves working together with artists who are getting there and being privy to great talent before it goes mainstream.

He is also working on launching his very first comic book, which will be entitled “Plug I Trust”. But what really caught our attention about Mr. Brown is that in spite of having worked with some legends in the music field and in spite of his own success, he is still a very humble and down-to-earth man.

We asked, as is our habit, if he had any advice for young entrepreneurs just starting out, to which he gave the humbling reply:

“I’m starting out myself, so the most important advice is to study. Find podcasts that focus on your industry, watch interviews and pay attention to everything happening right now so you can be ahead with your plans.”

He did warn that there are no shortcuts in any business, so that’s a misconception that you need to get off the table before you even start, but overall, Gossett Brown left us with a positive attitude towards successful freelancing, and we’re grateful for his time.

CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS WORK BELOW: