The sad unfortunate truth is that it is very VERY hard to make it in the music business. Most artists never make it past the poverty level during their careers. I think most artists only get a cent or two from each CD that sells. For as long as I can remember the only real way for an artist to make money in music is to put on show after show or to get endorsed somehow. That's is really why you see Rock stars sometimes trying to sell you Mountain Dew or a certain type of drum stick. They have to make money somehow. The only people who really get famous and rich are the ones that see world wide success- like Metalica or even Blink 182. However, different professions make a whole lot more! Somehow Rap artists make ungodly amounts of money. I can't explain that one.