I CREATED A SCENE BECAUSE I HAD NOTHING TO EAT

The music industry has changed enormously in recent years. Do-it-yourself (DIY) practices offer the opportunity to democratise music production and distribution. However, the scarcity of resources typical of artists and the cultural sector makes it difficult to develop independent careers. In recent years in Spain, the musical genre known as ‘‘urban’’ has gained popularity and has seen artists leave the underground to become international superstars. In this process, independent record labels, thematic parties, clothing brands and even festivals have been created from an independent position, operating outside the traditional industry. Nevertheless, artists need to navigate a challenging market before reaching that level. The music scene developed at local levels creates the perfect conditions for proto-markets (informal and emergent systems of exchange that arise to meet those needs not covered by traditional markets). This study tries to give an answer to the following question: How do urban music artists navigate and create proto-markets in local music scenes and how do they contribute to establishing independent career paths? To provide an answer, semi-structured interviews were conducted with independent artists in the Spanish urban scene. To enrich the information obtained through these interviews, content analysis of podcasts featuring top artists was also conducted. The results of this research outline the career path of the independent artist. This career path is delimited by informal milestones that artists obtain as quality signals. The step towards professionalisation is marked by the ability to generate income outside of an underground economy. The alternative economy that emerges at a local level can be considered a proto-market where these informal milestones are achieved. In this context, collaboration is a key practice that also favours individual career development. The findings suggest that the creation and navigation of local proto-markets are essential for independent artists seeking to establish themselves in an increasingly competitive environment. In summary, this thesis provides valuable insights into the activities and tools through which independent urban artists build their careers in Spain. As the economy shifts towards more flexible, informal, and entrepreneurial models, understanding how artists make use of alternative economies offers a critical perspective on new career paths.