Breaking EVEN

Podcast by Theo Bailey

English

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20 hours of audiobooks / month
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About Breaking EVEN

The Breaking Even Podcast is a platform dedicated to supporting and showcasing independent artists on their journey to financial sustainability. In an industry where most artists struggle to cover their costs, breaking even is a major milestone—one that represents creative freedom, resilience, and the start of real independence. Mission Our mission is to spotlight the stories, strategies, and struggles of independent artists while equipping them with practical insights and exposure. Each episode unpacks how artists can move closer to breaking even—and beyond—by embracing new models like the Audience Economy, direct-to-fan engagement, and on-chain opportunities. Host The show is hosted by Ed Rantz, a rising journalist with a sharp eye for culture, music, and the future of independent artistry. Ed brings a fresh, authentic voice that resonates with both creators and fans, bridging the gap between underground talent and mainstream recognition. Backed by the Audience Economy Produced by Audience.vip, the podcast is more than conversation—it’s part of a larger movement to reshape how artists build careers. Each story told on Breaking Even reflects the Audience Economy’s mission: empowering artists to own their audience, control their revenue, and thrive without relying on outdated industry gatekeepers. Why “Breaking Even”? For many independent artists, breaking even is the first victory. It means the music can sustain itself. It means the dream isn’t draining—it’s growing. This podcast exists to celebrate that milestone, while inspiring artists to aim higher.

All episodes

15 episodes

D-Rilla - Why Every Artist Needs to Be an Entrepreneur in 2026 - Breaking Even - EP16

In this episode, UK hip hop veteran D-Rilla joins Podcast to bridge the gap between the "boom bap" era and the modern digital landscape. From battling over payphones for radio airplay to launching his own artist development consultancy, D-Rilla provides a masterclass on longevity and the business of music. Follow us on all platforms! Audience Economy: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy [https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk [https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw [https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw] Ed Rants: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants [https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants] D-Rilla: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/d_rilla1/ [https://www.instagram.com/d_rilla1/] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ObaAfC58SIDWJktM5pSA5 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ObaAfC58SIDWJktM5pSA5] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Drillauk1 [https://www.youtube.com/@Drillauk1] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drilla93 [https://www.tiktok.com/@drilla93] 00:00 – The "Preachy" Rap Trap & Critique Groups 01:05 – UK Hip Hop History: The Skinny Man & Klashnekoff Era 02:18 – Payphone Battles & Winning on Radio 03:47 – Why He Never Sold CDs Out of a Trunk 05:18 – The UK as a "Dance Nation": From Jungle to Grime 06:49 – Global Control: Distributing Music to China 07:44 – Is Boom Bap Still Niche? 09:42 – The Entrepreneur Mindset & Modern Trap Sounds 11:13 – Latest Releases: Bidi Bidi & Afrobeat Vibes 12:12 – Creating a Character: Rap Persona vs. Real Life 14:17 – Five Record Deals & Cheesy Early Songs 16:19 – Gaming the Algorithm with Live Shows 17:36 – Advice: WhatsApp Critique Groups & Quality Engineering 18:16 – Launching the Consultancy: Hiring a Mentor 19:32 – Boundaries: Tabloids, Vulnerability, and Privacy 20:45 – The Politics Debate: Why He Avoids "Illuminati" Rap 23:30 – Competition in Rap: Then vs. Now 24:25 – How Giggs Shifted the Scene from Grime to Road Rap 26:59 – Future Plans: Summer EP & Crossing into House Music 29:49 – Strategic Timing of Releases (Spring/Summer) 33:03 – What People Pay For: Quality, Honesty & Guidance 34:23 – Royalty Checks vs. Achievement 36:10 – Streaming as a Marketing Tool & Owning Masters 37:40 – Breaking Even: Financial vs. Creative Definition #BreakingEvenPodcast #Drilla #UKHipHop #MusicIndustry #IndependentArtist #MusicMarketing #ArtistDevelopment #BoomBap #UKRap #MusicBusiness #DigitalDistribution #AlgorithmGrowth

11 May 2026 - 41 min

Layyah - The Cost of Being a Female Artist - Breaking Even - EP15

The first-ever female winner of The Rap Game UK, Layyah, joins the Breaking Even Podcast to discuss her historic win and the reality of navigating the UK music scene in 2026. From being labeled a "generational artist" by Krept and Konan to the financial hurdles of representation, Layyah breaks down what it truly takes to stay multifaceted. Follow us on all platforms! Audience Economy: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy [https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk [https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw [https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw] Ed Rants: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants [https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants] Layyah: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/layyah [https://www.even.biz/artists/layyah] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/layyah2000/ [https://www.instagram.com/layyah2000/] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4dPLaOXT8fXdg8X0KSIMXF [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4dPLaOXT8fXdg8X0KSIMXF] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LayyahsTV [https://www.youtube.com/@LayyahsTV] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@layyah_2000 [https://www.tiktok.com/@layyah_2000] 00:00 – Performance Intro & DJ AG Shoutout 02:26 – Grime Confidence: Snatching the Mic from the Mandem 02:48 – First Ever Female Winner of The Rap Game 03:17 – Working Under Pressure & Dealing with Loss 04:14 – Reality TV Secrets: Is The Rap Game Scripted? 05:07 – Handling the "Generational Artist" Label 06:10 – Performing at Leeds Festival with the Guys 06:51 – Why Numbers Lie: Monthly Listeners vs. Live Shows 08:04 – Musical Lore: Adele, Beyoncé, and Lauryn Hill 08:52 – The Father's Day Diss Track & Healing 10:56 – Is Real Rap Struggling in the UK? 12:36 – Sierra Leonean & South African Roots 14:06 – Melodies and the Songwriting Process 15:39 – Industry Frustrations: Jay Had a Dream & Cut Sets 17:22 – The Women in Music Fund & Financing 18:42 – The Financial Cost of Being a Female Artist 19:47 – Managing the Relationship: Mum as Manager 21:14 – 2026 Plans: New Music & May Collaborations 22:51 – "Layers to Layyah" EP Concept 23:28 – Being a Feature on Miss Banks’ Album 25:27 – Bucket List: Wireless Festival & New Collabs 26:15 – Meeting Heroes: The Kojey Radical Collaboration 27:35 – Dream Collaborations: Little Simz & Dave 29:31 – The Advantages of a Multidisciplinary Approach 30:36 – Scorcher: From DM to Feature 31:49 – First MOBO Awards Experience 33:15 – Scorcher as an Unofficial Mentor #Layyah #TheRapGameUK #BreakingEvenPodcast #UKRap #WomenInMusic #Grime #MissBanks #KojeyRadical #MusicIndustry #IndependentArtist #LeedsFestival #LayersToLayyah

27 Apr 2026 - 46 min

Mobi1 - Personal Branding, Marketing Truths for Artists & More - Breaking Even - EP14

"If you want it easy, then it’s not going to last long." Mobi1 joins the Breaking Even Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most eclectic journeys in the UK scene. In this episode, we explore the transition from reality TV production to the music studio, why Mobi1 uses "velocity" and fast rapping as a form of therapy, and the experience of performing in Tokyo as a Black artist. Mobi1 also breaks down why he believes the traditional music industry infrastructure, from promo pages to A&Rs, is fundamentally changing. Follow us on all platforms! Audience Economy: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy [https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk [https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw [https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw] Ed Rants: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants [https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants] Mobi1: Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/mobi1music/ [https://www.instagram.com/mobi1music/]Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VpJyFjXLUygP94DVbHgUw?si=O1R5tPqxRK-gwsXzt_ciFg [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VpJyFjXLUygP94DVbHgUw?si=O1R5tPqxRK-gwsXzt_ciFg]YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Mobi1-music [https://www.youtube.com/@Mobi1-music]TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mobi1music [https://www.tiktok.com/@mobi1music] 00:00 – Intro 01:06 – Routine, Discipline & Overcoming Depression 02:30 – Behind the Scenes of a Reality Dating Show 03:30 – The Debate: Do You Write Your Own Lyrics? 04:51 – The Skill of Songwriting & Structure 06:27 – Why Grime MCs are the World's Most Versatile Artists 07:24 – Storytelling vs. Packaging for the World 08:34 – Is Promoting Music on TikTok Just Gambling? 10:13 – Personal Branding as the New Advertising 11:03 – The Death of Traditional Instagram Promo Pages 13:41 – Chasing Trends vs. Organic World Building 15:32 – The Struggle of Being a DIY Content Creator 17:21 – Engineering & The Importance of Energy in the Room 18:59 – Perfectionism & Artist-Engineer Standards 21:17 – Vocal Mixing: Intentional Roughness vs. Bad Mixes 22:43 – The Mystery of Out-of-Key 808s 24:36 – The Role of an A&R: A Changing or Dying Craft? 26:17 – When Music Stops Being for "The Experience" 27:50 – Nick D Influence: No Budget Growth Strategies 28:46 – Drawing Inspiration from Society & Communities 31:33 – Steering Society: Social Media is Real 32:55 – Old Solutions: Selling Music on iPod Shuffles 34:36 – Velocity vs. Volume: Fast Rapping as Energy Therapy 38:01 – Love Never Dies Peacefully: Relationship Recovery & Codependency 41:33 – Accountability, Remorse & Over-Dwelling on Regret 43:02 – Happy Accidents: Making "Viral" Hits 44:43 – Performing in Greece & Zero-Budget Opportunities 46:20 – The "Drill Karaoke" Era of 2022 48:41 – Collaborative Content: Working with Leo Snow 51:20 – UK Competitiveness vs. Global Collaboration 52:44 – Recording Mixtapes on Discord Servers 53:44 – Tokyo: Cultural Shocks & Performing in Japan 55:50 – Exploring Edo Villages & Minority Visibility in Japan 57:19 – World Record Ambitions & The 16-Track Project #UKRap #MusicMarketing #TikTokArtist #IndependentArtist #MusicBusiness

13 Apr 2026 - 1 h 1 min

Obara - Sibling Trio Navigating the Scene from Brentwood to 400 Collective - Breaking Even - EP13

"You can tell in the music when it’s not intentional." The sibling trio Obara (luchï, CSUFF2R, and Lanyi/Chika) joins the podcast to discuss their journey from Brentwood private schools to becoming a powerhouse creative family in the UK underground. In this episode, we dive into the comparison to the Adenuga family (Skepta, Jme, and Julie), the reality of being a female artist facing backhanded cosigns, and why the scene is currently flooded with "lifestyle rappers" who care more about the greenroom than the music. Follow us on all platforms! Audience Economy: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy [https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk [https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw [https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw] Ed Rants: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants [https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants] Chika/Lanyi: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tayjordan_pc/https://www.instagram.com/lovelanyi/ [https://www.instagram.com/lovelanyi/] CSUFF2R Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/csuff2r/ [https://www.instagram.com/csuff2r/] Luchï Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tayjordan_pc/https://www.instagram.com/pinkstarsfly/ [https://www.instagram.com/pinkstarsfly/] 00:00 – Intentionality: Music vs. The Rapper Lifestyle 00:46 – Meet Boro: The Sibling Dynamics & Family Hierarchy 02:32 – African Parents: Licks, TikTok Myths vs. Reality 03:29 – The "Adenuga" Comparison: Who is the Beyoncé/Skepta? 05:19 – Private School Beef & Being the "Only Black Kid" 07:29 – Essex Roots: Brentwood, Horses & Multiculturalism 08:29 – The 400 Collective: From Podcasting to Music 10:13 – See Safa’s Musical Outlet: Rapping to Express 11:16 – Early Bars: Stolen Lyrics & Parodying "The Box" 12:27 – Lani’s Influence: YouTube, Nella Rose & Branding 13:45 – The Travis Scott Moment: Music Saving Lives 14:41 – DJing: Curating Experiences over Button-Pushing 16:30 – Family Therapy? Navigating Management & Siblings 18:56 – Frank Ocean & Kendrick: The Cousins who Pushed Us 22:08 – Navigating the Underground: Infancy vs. Saturation 25:12 – Underestimated: Being Taken Seriously as a Teen Artist 26:07 – Sexism in the Scene: The "Cosign" Erasure 27:40 – Vultures & Weirdos: The Importance of Safe Studio Spaces 29:45 – The "Underground Bop" Joke & sexual Undertones 31:44 – Growth: Looking Back at the Person You Were Last Year 34:24 – Lagos Recording: Putting the Duvet Over the Head 35:54 – Nigeria Connection: Knowing Your Address in the Village 37:29 – Project Rollouts: "All I know is pink" & Concept Talk 40:21 – "Bouncy Trust" EP: Musical Utility & Recession Pop 44:15 – The Craft of DJing: Why Selectors Deserve Respect 46:12 – DJ Pet Peeves: Short Songs & 50 BPM Requests 50:30 – American Underground: Favoring the UK for Creative Direction 54:35 – The Lyrical Minimum: Why Everyone in the UK Can Spit 56:41 – Final Words: Real Groupies & Intentional Music #Obara #UKUnderground #BreakingEvenPodcast #EssexRap #FemaleRappers #MusicBusiness #400Collective #UKMusicScene

30 Mar 2026 - 59 min

Tay Jordan - G-Funk, Video Games, and Going Independent - Breaking Even - EP12

Tay Jordan joins the podcast to break down the sophisticated bridge between UK rap and the New York underground. In this episode, Tay dives into the "legal theory" that didn't work out, why he’s finally fully independent, and the reality of being a rapper in 2026 . We talk about Max B’s release, the "protectionist" nature of the UK music scene, and why we need more collaborative projects like the ones seen in the US underground. 01:09 – The Return of Max B: Dream Collabs & Sound Direction 04:09 – London & NYC: Barbershop DVDs & The Cultural Bridge 06:07 – Why Contrived Rap Battles are "Corny" 07:07 – UK "Protectionism" vs. US Underground Output 11:37 – Independent Strategy: Ditching Rollouts for Consistency 14:26 – The Struggle of Being a Frank Ocean & Rihanna Fan 15:36 – Redefining Success: Cultural Capital vs. Streams 19:25 – The NYC Influence on UK Rap Rhyme Schemes 21:52 – Production Secrets: The Hardware Era & "The Virus" Synth 24:31 – Concept Building: Video Games, WWE, & "Outrun" 27:25 – Building the Independent Team: No More Labels 28:43 – The Trunk Strategy: Sonny Jim, MF DOOM, & Merch 31:19 – Lore: Recording with Sugababes & Leona Lewis 32:32 – School Struggles: Stolen Bars & The Racial Divide 34:53 – Croydon College & Radical Activism 38:10 – Rappers as Sociologists: Using a Politics Degree 40:32 – Arrogance & Petty Beef: 50 Cent vs. Mamdani 41:51 – The Sport of Lying: The Game, Fat Joe, & Barbecue Stories 45:04 – The "Tiny Askie" Barbecue Fight 46:18 – Moral of the Story: Specs Gonzalez & Closing Words Follow us on all platforms Audience Economy: Even - https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy [https://www.even.biz/artists/audience-economy] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk [https://www.instagram.com/breakingeven_uk] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingevenuk] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw [https://open.spotify.com/show/4btjfmM5oCYz9SV8Y0ZlAS?trackId=5N6UwTCRK9q6ueHn2kzisw] Ed Rants: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_rants/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants [https://www.tiktok.com/@ed_rants] Tay Jordan: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tayjordan_pc/ [https://www.instagram.com/tayjordan_pc/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@tayjordanmusic [https://www.youtube.com/@tayjordanmusic] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/13WFAXpgT5EchE1bdPG8ct?si=tCqR1m_US9-oyNKW6NsiVg [https://open.spotify.com/artist/13WFAXpgT5EchE1bdPG8ct?si=tCqR1m_US9-oyNKW6NsiVg] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tayjordan_pc [https://www.tiktok.com/@tayjordan_pc] #TayJordan #MaxB #UKRap #NewYorkRap #IndependentArtist #MusicBusiness #BreakingEvenPodcast #GFunk #LondonMusic #RapStrateg

16 Mar 2026 - 48 min

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