Let’s be real. Most talented artists will never get their music in front of the right people, not because they’re not good enough, but because the system is broken. The truth is, it’s not always about talent. It’s about access.

I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve lived it. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt it too.

The Harsh Reality: 94% of Artists Never Earn a Penny

Let’s start with a stat that should shock you, but probably doesn’t:
According to a 2022 report from Middlesex University & The Ivors Academy, just 0.4% of artists on Spotify earn more than £10,000 per year from the platform. Another report found that 94% of artists never make a single penny from their music.

That’s not because they’re lazy. It’s not because they aren’t trying. It’s because the tools, access, and gatekeeping in the music industry are stacked against them from day one.

The Old Way of Getting Discovered is Dead

For years, artists have relied on a frustrating mix of:

• DMing A&Rs and getting ignored

• Sending cold emails that never get opened

• Tagging labels on every post hoping someone bites

• Paying to play, pitch, or playlist with little to no return

And here’s the thing: even when you do find an email or a manager’s name, you’re left guessing whether it’s still active, still relevant, or even worth reaching out to.

That’s not strategy, that’s gambling.

The Problem Isn’t You, It’s the System

There’s this myth that if your music is “good enough,” someone will find you. But that’s not how the industry works anymore. With over 120,000 new tracks uploaded to Spotify every single day (yep, that's real, source), the odds are stacked.

You’re not just competing with your local scene anymore, you’re competing with the world. If you want to get noticed, you need more than talent. You need tools. You need access. You need timing.

How Plugd Levels the Playing Field

Plugd was built from the ground up to give creatives what’s always been kept out of reach:
real access to the people who make things happen.

Here’s how it works:

1. Verified Industry Contacts

Search a live, growing database of A&Rs, managers, agents, publishers, and more, all with real, verified email addresses and mobile numbers. No more dead ends.

2. Smart Filtering Tools

Looking for a UK-based hip-hop manager who’s worked with artists like you? Filter by job title, genre, artists they’ve worked with, company, location, and more.

3. A Credit System That Actually Makes Sense

You only use credits when you choose to reveal a contact’s personal info. Search, filter, and plan as much as you want, without wasting anything.

4. Built-In Learning Resources

We don’t just give you the data, we show you how to use it. From writing better emails to learning what gets replies, Plugd includes exclusive industry insight and outreach strategies from people who’ve been there.

This Is About Fixing What We All Went Through

I started producing beats when I was 12. Got placements in grime’s early days. Became an artist. Spent years sending emails that never got opened. I know how this feels, the highs and lows. The doubt. The near-misses. The scams.

I also ran a studio, worked with youth, and later launched a sales and marketing agency that scaled B2B companies using systems and tech. I took those tools, the kind companies use to grow, and built Plugd for artists. Because music deserves better than broken systems and guesswork.

You Don’t Need More Followers. You Need the Right Contacts.

This platform isn’t about hype. It’s about helping you:

• Find real decision-makers

• Make smart pitches

• Track your outreach

• Build relationships that actually go somewhere

No gimmicks. No fake “placement” promises. Just the infrastructure we wish we had ten years ago.

Final Word:

If you’re serious about getting your music in front of the right people, not just algorithms, not just followers, you need to get plugged in.