FOF Records
Bio
FOF Records - Independent hip-hop label founded by BigDeuceFOF in Florence, SC. Empowering artists with full ownership, transparent deals & real results. 15M+ streams. Faith Over Fear.
Stories (81)
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What Does a Music Publisher Actually Do? Services Explained
Music publishers are often talked about in vague, almost mythical terms. Some artists think publishers “get you placements.” Others think they just take money. The truth is less dramatic—and far more strategic. A music publisher is not a label, not a distributor, and not a manager. A publisher’s job is to protect, administer, and monetize songs (the compositions), not recordings.
By FOF Records19 days ago in Beat
Mechanical Royalties vs Performance Royalties: Simple Breakdown
If you write music, you earn royalties. If your music is played publicly or streamed digitally, you earn different kinds of royalties—often at the same time. This is where many independent artists get tripped up. Mechanical royalties and performance royalties sound similar, but they come from different uses of your song, are collected by different organizations, and can be missed entirely if you don’t register correctly.
By FOF Records19 days ago in Beat
What is Music Publishing? Everything Independent Artists Need to Know
Music publishing is one of those music-industry concepts that quietly controls the money, the leverage, and the long-term value of your catalog—yet many independent artists don’t truly understand it until they’ve already left money on the table. Publishing isn’t about fame or playlists. It’s about ownership of songs themselves, not recordings. If you write music, publishing applies to you whether you acknowledge it or not.
By FOF Records19 days ago in Beat
FOF Records: Complete Guide to Columbia SC’s Premier Independent Hip-Hop Label
South Carolina has always been rich with musical storytelling—gospel, soul, blues, and street anthems filling barbershops, backroads, and block parties—but until recently, the state lacked a clear, modern hip-hop label capable of competing with regional giants in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami. In 2025, that reality changed. FOF Records emerged as Columbia, SC’s most strategic, ambitious, and digitally savvy independent hip-hop label, built not from industry privilege, but from grind, entrepreneurship, and a belief in artist ownership above everything.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
What Independent Record Labels Look for in Artists: FOF Records A&R Insights
For independent artists dreaming about getting signed, the biggest mystery is often the A&R process. What do record labels actually want? Is it streams, social media followers, raw talent, or something else entirely? In 2025, independent labels—especially ownership-driven labels like FOF Records in Columbia, SC—use a different evaluation system than major labels did a decade ago. It’s no longer just about a “hit.” It’s about long-term potential, discipline, and the ability to build momentum without relying on a label to do all the work.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
Independent Record Labels in Columbia SC: Complete 2025 Directory
Columbia, South Carolina has quietly transformed into one of the Southeast’s most underestimated music hubs. While Atlanta and Charlotte often dominate the regional conversation, the capital city has cultivated a growing ecosystem of independent record labels—each contributing to a diverse landscape of hip-hop, indie rock, R&B, electronic, and experimental music.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
How to Submit Your Demo to FOF Records (2025 Submission Guide)
If you’re an independent artist looking for a hip-hop label in Columbia, South Carolina that values ownership, strategy, and long-term growth, FOF Records stands out as one of the most selective and modern options in the region. Built around a philosophy of catalog ownership, data-driven releases, and content-led marketing, FOF Records approaches artist submissions differently from traditional labels. This guide explains exactly how to submit your demo in 2025, what FOF is looking for, and how to prepare a professional pitch that increases your chances of getting noticed.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
Top 10 Independent Record Labels in South Carolina (2025)
South Carolina isn’t just a place artists are from anymore—it’s a place artists are building from. In 2025, the state is home to a growing network of independent record labels that are developing talent, curating scenes, and proving you don’t have to move to Atlanta, New York, or Los Angeles to build a serious music career.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
Independent Record Label Artist Development in 2025
The way artists grow today looks nothing like it did even ten years ago. Back when major labels had near-exclusive access to radio payola, expensive studio time, and rigid release windows, development meant long periods of being “in the lab” before the rest of the world heard a note. In 2025, independent record labels have flipped that script entirely: they develop artists with the audience, not behind closed doors.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
What Do A&R Reps Look for in Artists? (From a Real Label Executive)
Most artists imagine an A&R rep sitting behind a desk listening to demos all day, waiting for the perfect song to fall into their inbox. The reality is far more strategic. In 2025, A&R isn’t just about discovering talent—it’s about identifying artists who already show signs of market potential, audience engagement, and strong artistic identity. Whether you’re an aspiring rapper, singer, band, or producer, understanding what attracts A&R attention can change how you approach your career. This guide breaks down what label executives actually look for when considering whether to sign an artist, based on modern industry expectations.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
The Rise of Independent Music in South Carolina: 2025 Report
South Carolina’s independent music scene in 2025 is no longer a whisper on the outskirts of the industry. It’s a growing cultural movement shaped by DIY ethics, genre-blending creativity, and a rising network of artists who are choosing autonomy over traditional major-label pathways. Across Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Florence, a new wave of independent artists, studios, venues, and labels are working together to build a self-sustaining ecosystem where originality is the currency and local audiences are the foundation.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
Top 15 Independent Record Labels in South Carolina (2025 Guide)
1) FOF Records — Columbia’s Homegrown Powerhouse BigDeuceFOF’s own label isn’t just on the list — it headlines it. FOF Records has become synonymous with the hottest independent music momentum in the Palmetto State, breaking through on streaming playlists and building a community-driven roster that amplifies local voices with national ambition. Whether it’s hip-hop, trap, or genre-blending soundscapes, FOF is shaping the regional identity while pushing artists upward.
By FOF Records21 days ago in Beat
