Who and What Is an Industry Plant and How Can You Spot One?

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Learn who's a label-planted musician and why they exist

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: December 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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• What is an industry plant?
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• Examples of Industry Plants
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• Spotting an Industry Plant
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• Purpose of an Industry Plant
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• Takeaways
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• Video

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An industry plant is an artist who seems to have built themselves from the ground up despite major label backing. They are often looked down upon, as artists in the music industry are praised for their authenticity. Their access to resources doesn’t always make them inauthentic, though! If you’re looking to learn more about industry plants, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this article to teach you all about industry plants, their purpose, which artists fall in the category, and how to identify one.

Industry Plant Meaning

The term "industry plant" refers to a musician who appears to be or claims they are self-made despite having significant label support. The label promotes them using social media campaigns, placing their music on streaming playlists, and arranging features with high-profile artists.

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Section 1 of 5:

What is an industry plant?

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1. 
   An industry plant is a music artist who is portrayed as independent but has significant label support. Industry plants might want fans to think they're home-grown, even though they have a ton of support from a music label. This support is often seen in strong and frequent social media campaigns, sudden features with high-profile artists, and playlist placement. The term was popularized in the rap community, being used to call out rappers who lied about their upbringing in songs.

   • The term is often used when small artists blow up without extensive catalogs, or when their sound is more polished than the average small artist’s.
   • Industry plants can go on to have strong careers that help them shed the label, but this requires a strong passion for music.
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Section 2 of 5:

Notable Industry Plants

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1. 
   1
   Billie Eilish Billie Eilish blew up with her song “Ocean Eyes,” which was written and produced by her brother, FINNEAS. FINNEAS is well-connected in the music industry, having performed at the popular rock festival, Warped Tour, with his band, The Slightlys, the same year “Ocean Eyes” was released. After “ocean eyes” went viral on Soundcloud, FINNEAS helped her get signed to the A&R company, Platoon, who helped launch her career and sign to the Darkroom record label.

   • FINNEAS has helped write and produce some of Billie’s biggest hits, including “Bad Guy” and “You Should See Me In a Crown.”
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   Lorde Lorde signed her first deal to Universal Music Group in 2009. After a performance at a talent show, the then 13-year-old was recognized by a Universal talent scout. When she signed the deal, she was paired with Joel Little, a former punk pop performer who helped shape her sound. The two went on to release The Love Club EP in 2012, which featured the popular song, “Royals.” The song would propel Lorde into stardom, going viral after she uploaded the track to Soundcloud.

   • Despite her industry-backed start, Lorde has been praised by fans for her authenticity and passion for music.
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   Clairo Clairo is a unique case in the industry plant debate, as she was recognized for a viral bedroom-pop song that was uploaded to YouTube. Her father, Geoff Cottrill, has extensive music industry connections, overseeing the launch of RubberTracks–a free recording studio for unsigned artists–during his time as Converse’s Chief Marketing Officer. After she went viral, Clairo’s father connected her with Jon Cohen, the co-founder of FADER Magazine, a popular music publication.

   • Cohen went on to mentor and sign her to the company’s label, further propelling her into the spotlight.
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   King Princess King Princess is the child of recording engineer, Oliver H. Straus Jr., and spent her formative years in his recording studio. She turned down a deal at age 11 so that she could retain creative freedom, continuing to build herself until she signed to the Columbia Records input label, Zelig, in 2017. Following her signing, she would release her debut single, “1950.”

   • "1950" received media attention and a co-sign from former One Direction singer, Harry Styles, on Twitter (now X).
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   Drake The Toronto-rapper got his start as an actor in the hit show Degrassi, leaving the show in 2008 to pursue his rap career. In 2009, he released his first mixtape, and his song "Best I Ever Had," went viral on iTunes. This resulted in the rapper getting signed to Lil Wayne's record label, Young Money Entertainment.

   • After getting signed to Young Money Entertainment, Drake saw major features with big artists, like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Young Jeezy.
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Section 3 of 5:

Spotting an Industry Plant

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1. 
   1
   Figure out how they got famous. Learning their background is a great way to see if they had any major label backing. If they promoted their own music and gained a following without support from a label, they wouldn't be an industry plant.
2. 
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   Review their social media. You will be able to see if their lifestyle suddenly elevated or if they have had long connections with labels or executives. Some industry plants might also claim a 'rags to riches' story, and their social media history may confirm (or deny) if they really are self-made.
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   Check out their catalog. If all of their songs sound polished and you don’t get a sense of progression, there is a chance that they have always had access to high-end equipment, coaches, and/or music industry professionals.
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Section 4 of 5:

What is the purpose of an industry plant?

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1. 
   An industry plant’s main purpose is to generate profit for their label. This is why labels push them so hard, as success for the artist equals profit for them. It’s a record label’s job to turn artists into stars, and it is essential for the function of the music industry. Labels build up artists who they believe will be successful by providing them with advice, promotion, funding, and career opportunities.

   • This does not mean that industry plants exist strictly for profit, as they create music that resonates with listeners regardless of their affiliation with a label.

Section 5 of 5:

Key Takeaways

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1. 
   Finding new artists to promote is standard in the music industry. Industry plants are heavily backed by their label during the blooming stages of their careers. It's how record labels turn a profit and make artists famous. Despite the negative connotation associated with the term, not all industry plants are inauthentic.

   • Industry plants can go on to have strong careers that help them shed the label, but this requires a strong passion for music.
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