“Independent artists and labels have always been the trendsetters in music and the music business”
— Shawn Fanning
Simplified Meaning:
People who create music on their own or with small companies are the ones who usually start new trends and ideas in the music world. They don't follow the mainstream; instead, they think outside the box and come up with fresh sounds and styles. For example, many big music movements, like punk or hip-hop, began with small, independent artists before they became popular worldwide. These artists are often more willing to take risks and be different because they aren't tied down by big commercial expectations. By doing their own thing, they influence the bigger music industry and often end up changing how music sounds and how it is sold. If you want to apply this to your life, think about how sometimes it's better to do things your own way instead of just following what everyone else is doing. Being unique and true to your own ideas can lead to big changes and new opportunities.