For artists, it is not enough to just make “good” music. The real reward is in being able to see your artistry at work (Making Money). And living off of your music is usually the ultimate goal. Distributing your music allows the impact from your craft to spread further than your studio. In the past, it was a challenge to get your work exposed. Being an independent artist was usually not a successful route. Times have changed, and independent is the buzz-word for successful artists worldwide.
The Internet has made getting exposure, distribution, and getting sales for your music much more simple than in the past. That said, it also means hip-hop fans have more artists to choose from. In other words, you gotta be on top of your game and ready to crank out original and appealing music. People’s attention spans are short. You have to innovate constantly and give your fans new experiences.