The 10 Biggest Independent Artists of All Time

One of the biggest misconceptions in music is that you need a major label to build a successful career, yet the biggest independent artists have proven the opposite.

These musicians achieved global success without relying on traditional record deals, leveraging creative freedom, direct-to-fan strategies, and smart business moves to build massive audiences.

In this guide, we break down the biggest independent artists of all time, looking at their sales, standout releases, and how they navigated the music industry independently, outside of major-label control.

 

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Independent Artist Vs. Signed Artist

Independent and signed artists differ in several key areas, including creative control, financial management, and access to resources.

While both make money with music through similar avenues, independent artists enjoy greater creative freedom and retain more revenue.

Conversely, signed artists can access extensive resources for recording, producing, and distributing music to a global audience.

This comes at a higher price, with major labels and music publishing companies taking a larger slice of any income generated.

In addition to royalty shares, signed artists are often expected to sign a 360 deal, allowing labels to take a percentage of merch and ticket sales.

 

What Makes An Artist “Independent”?

The label “independent artist” draws on multiple definitions, beginning with the way they operate outside contractual obligations with major labels.

This also includes managing their own music publishing rights, whether seeking sync licensing deals or other royalty types.

The concept of independence extends beyond contractual and music royalties, encompassing a mindset focused on creative expression.

Many of the most successful independent artists chose this path to avoid interference from labels eager to push them in commercial directions.

By maintaining their independence, artists can focus on crafting a unique style and releasing music that showcases their vision.

 

Essential reading: Music Theory: A beginner’s guide to the basics.

 

Top 10 Biggest Independent Artists Of All Time

Successful independent artists span the spectrum of genres, proving that commercial success doesn’t require extensive backing.

This list of the 10 biggest independent artists is based on their unit sales and explores their status in the broader music industry.

 

10. Chance The Rapper

Genre: Hip-hop, rap

Notable releases: 10 Day, Coloring Book, The Big Day

Total sales: 2-3 million+ units

A trailblazer in the independent artist scene is Chance the Rapper, the hip-hop star who started producing music in 2011.

A fierce defender of the independent model, his work has achieved remarkable success without major-label backing.

Most of his output has focused on streaming and free giveaways, making it difficult to determine his overall reach.

That said, his first streaming-only album, Coloring Book, established the foundation for digital outreach for countless artists.

Combined with touring, brand partnerships, and merchandise sales, Chance the Rapper’s business strategy has since been widely adopted.

He continues to work on new albums through his own label, pushing the boundaries of genre while promoting social issues.

 

9. The Smiths

Genre: Indie rock, alternative rock

Notable releases: Meat is Murder, The Queen is Dead

Total sales: 4.05 million+ albums

British band The Smiths have become a key fixture on playlists since they first formed in the early 1980s, working with Rough Trade Records.

This independent label pushed their work to mainstream chart success, with the Meat is Murder album reaching number one in the UK.

A string of critically acclaimed releases followed, with Rough Trade Records becoming an icon for other indie labels.

The band also enjoyed massive success in the United States, notably with the release of the compilation, Louder Than Bombs.

 

8. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Genre: West Coast hip-hop, rap

Notable releases: “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us.”

Total sales: 23.9 million units

Macklemore and his business partner Ryan Lewis began making music independently in the late 2000s, focusing on hip-hop.

Writing, recording, and producing tracks together, they released their debut EP Vs. in 2009, followed by Vs. Redux the following year.

Their breakout single, “Thrift Shop,” catapulted them into the mainstream, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Another number one hit quickly followed, but despite major label offers, they continued to maintain their independence.

With multiple Grammys to their name, including Best Rap Album, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis prove that success doesn’t require major label backing.

 

Also read: The best music production software.

 

7. The Cure

Genre: Gothic rock, new wave, alternative rock

Notable releases: Seventeen Seconds, The Head on the Door

Total sales: 30 million+

British bands in the 1980s were highly regarded for their ability to experiment with song structure and forge new genres.

Few bands achieved this better than The Cure, who revolutionized rock and led the field in the gothic and alternative scene.

Much of their early work was released on the independent label Fiction Records, paired with music videos to capitalize on MTV’s launch.

With a constantly evolving musical style and distinct image, The Cure’s influence on rock music is felt to this day.

 

6. Björk

Genre: Avant-pop, experimental electronica, folktronica

Notable releases: Biophilia, Utopia

Total sales: 40 million+

Few singers achieved the same degree of status in the late 1990s and early 2000s as Björk, the Scandinavian artist known for experimentation.

Having collaborated with some of the best music producers of all time, her work has been primarily released independently.

Björk’s dedication to the craft is evident in her work behind the scenes, where she composes and produces tracks with a hands-on approach.

The effort paid off, with many of her songs showcasing a high degree of polish with outstanding mixing and mastering.

It’s a groundbreaking discography that blends cutting-edge technology with mellifluous vocal performances and striking compositions.

 

5. Arctic Monkeys

Genre: Indie rock, garage rock

Notable releases: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, AM

Total sales: 45 million

Another hugely successful UK independent band is Arctic Monkeys, who share similarities with The Smiths.

Both bands refused to sell out to large labels, working with another well-known indie label, Domino Recording Company.

Using online platforms like MySpace and their band website to generate buzz, the band pioneered peer-to-peer file sharing for artists.

Arctic Monkeys also handed out demos at local venues, building a reputation for engaging directly with fans in live settings.

 

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4. Frank Ocean

Genre: Alternative R&B, psychedelic pop, soul

Notable releases: Channel Orange album, “Thinking Bout You.”

Total sales: 49 million units

Frank Ocean first demonstrated his keen ability to write a song while signed to Def Jam Recordings, before opting to go independent.

Building on a background writing for Justin Bieber and other big-name acts, his solo work reflected his eclectic musical influences.

Early notable solo releases like Blonde lit up the charts, with the Channel Orange album cementing his growing reputation.

This transition to independence enabled him to enjoy significantly greater creative control and retain a greater share of his royalties.

Ocean would go on to influence other artists in the R&B scene, paving the way for introspective, electronica-influenced sounds.

 

3. Radiohead

Genre: Alternative rock, post-rock, experimental

Notable releases: In Rainbows, The King of Limbs

Total sales: 58.9 million

Radiohead’s long and illustrious career included many releases that redefined how rock music is produced.

While early singles and albums came through a major record label, the band shifted toward independence in 2009.

Their 2007 album In Rainbows was a landmark in the pay-what-you-want digital release model, launched on their imprint Ticker Tape Ltd.

In 2011, The King of Limbs set a new standard for digital music distribution, released online before landing on physical formats.

Radiohead continues to perform live shows, with a lasting impact on the music industry and rock scene felt to this day.

 

2. Prince

Genre: Funk, soul, pop

Notable releases: Crystal Ball, Newpower Soul

Total sales: 100 million+

Pop star Prince made headlines for calling out the music industry and stepping back from their financial backing and creative influence.

The result was a period of exceptional creative freedom for the star, with many releases through his own label, New Power Generation Records.

Prince also pioneered the model of using direct-to-fan platforms, releasing 1998’s Crystal Ball via phone pre-order.

He was also known for giving away an entire album for free, releasing Planet Earth as a giveaway with The Mail on Sunday.

 

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1. Taylor Swift

Genre: Country, pop, electropop, indie folk

Notable releases: Fearless, Evermore, Folklore

Total sales: 200 million+

Few singer-songwriters have successfully navigated multiple popular music genres as well as Taylor Swift.

While she has been signed to major record labels like Big Machine Records and Universal, her recent efforts have taken an independent turn.

Perhaps the most notable example of her indie strategy came in 2020 with the surprise digital release of Folklore.

Swift’s independence is evident in her creative philosophy, working as a co-producer and co-writer on many of her songs.

 

Honorable Mentions: Other Successful Independent Artists

The list of successful independent artists is extensive, with other notable examples alongside the acts mentioned above.

Here are some more successful indie artists who have dominated the charts and established large followings outside of major labels:

• Mya: The multi-talented singer, dancer, and actress Mya has opted for independence and utilizing direct-to-fan platforms in the face of multiple record deals.
• Billie Eilish: With a hugely successful career, Billie Eilish rose to fame without the backing of a major label and continues to release music through an indie label.
• Adele: Adele’s early EPs and albums were released outside major-label influence and backing, notably through the UK’s XL Recordings label.

With millions of record sales and multiple Grammys, these successful artists are inspirations for anyone working on independent projects.

 

Why These Independent Artists Became Successful

Becoming an independent musician outside the influence of a major record label requires a combination of hard work and creative talent.

This tenacity is necessary not only for writing and producing music but also for managing the business and marketing aspects of independence.

Indie artists are expected to handle getting gigs, engaging with fans, and leveraging technology to achieve their career goals.

It’s these qualities, combined with the elusive X factor, that have allowed the successful independent artists in this guide to fulfil their ambitions.

By treating their craft as a business and adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, indie artists can build thriving, sustainable careers.

 

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How to Succeed as an Independent Artist

Independent artists might lack the resources of major labels, but this doesn’t preclude them from starting a music career and landing success.

If you’re an up-and-coming independent artist looking to break through, follow these tried-and-tested tips other artists have applied:

 

Master The Business Side

Knowing how to make money as an independent artist requires a keen grasp of business processes to manage revenue and expenses.

This includes setting clear objectives, reinvesting in marketing and promotion campaigns, and building everything around a schedule.

Other processes, such as brainstorming band merch ideas and planning tours, also require strong business acumen.

 

Understand Music Distribution

A firm grasp of how music distribution works is also a necessary component of transforming your indie music into a success story.

It begins with understanding music copyright laws and how they affect your ability to generate revenue from your songs.

Understanding how music licensing works is also vital for diversifying income through a variety of third-party deals.

Indie artists can streamline these processes by using music distribution services, which let them target streaming platforms with ease.

 

Collaborate With Other Indie Musicians

Most successful independent artists frequently collaborate with other acts to tap into broader fan networks and resources.

Such collaborations also increase exposure in the music industry, making it easier to get signed to a record deal or land sponsorships.

Once a collaborative release is live, music marketing tools can drive results through expanded publicity and press releases.

 

Set Up Your Own Record Label

Some independent artists opt for self-releasing, but others reinvest revenue from sales directly into their own independent label.

While starting a record label is complex, the long-term financial rewards and creative control appeal to many artists.

Many independent record labels have achieved remarkable success, selling millions of singles and albums worldwide.

 

Summary

Independent artists are no longer the exception, and they prove that you don’t need major-label backing to build a successful music career.

With the power of digital distribution, direct-to-fan marketing, and smart business strategies, the biggest independent artists have shown exactly what’s possible in today’s music industry.

By learning from their journeys and applying the same principles, you can carve out your own path as an independent artist, maintain complete creative control, and build a sustainable music career entirely on your own terms.