If you’re a musician, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for years, there’s one thing you’re guaranteed to run into sooner or later: detractors. Not critics, not mentors, not people offering perspective. I’m talking about the folks who don’t just disagree with what you’re doing, but resent the fact that you’re doing it at all. And I’m not speaking from theory here. I’m speaking from six decades of living it.
I’ve been a musician for 61 years, a paid musician for 50. I studied at Berklee. I spent a decade behind the counter at the local record store back when you had to actually know your stuff to survive. I’ve DJ’d, consulted terrestrial radio, blogged about the industry, hosted a streaming show for nine years, and run a station for six. Through all of that, I’ve learned one thing every musician needs to hear: detractors show up the moment you start doing something real.
The Three Types of Detractors You’ll Meet
You’re going to encounter all kinds of people on your journey, but detractors tend to fall into three very predictable categories. Once you know how to spot them, you’ll stop taking them so personally.
- The Industry‑Adjacent Detractors
These are the most dangerous ones because they sound credible. They’re “in the business,” but not in the way they think. They’re active, present, involved- but operating from a level of expertise they simply don’t have. You’ll recognize them immediately: the “producer” who’s never produced anything that moved the needle, the “consultant” whose advice never helped anyone grow, the playlist curator who thinks adding songs to Spotify makes them a tastemaker, the small‑time station owner who couldn’t keep their platform alive, the musician who had a moment years ago and never evolved past it.
And then there’s another flavor of this same group- the ones who try to elevate themselves by leaning on the thinnest possible connections to real industry power. They’ll drop names, hint at relationships, or imply access to people who actually have influence, even if their “connection” is nothing more than a handshake at a conference or a comment on a social post. They use proximity as proof, association as authority, and name‑dropping as a substitute for experience. But borrowed credibility isn’t credibility, and musicians need to recognize that early.
These people are close enough to the industry to feel ownership, but not successful enough to feel secure. And that combination, proximity without mastery, is a breeding ground for resentment. They’re not threatened by your mistakes. They’re threatened by your momentum.
- The People With No Connection to the Industry at All
These folks exist in every field, not just music. They’re the ones who want the status of being influential without ever having created anything. They want to be seen as insiders without doing the work that makes someone an insider. They’re not upset because your music isn’t good; they’re upset because you didn’t treat their opinion like gospel. They want authority without experience, influence without effort, validation without contribution. And when you don’t hand them that authority, they turn into detractors.
- The Actual Musicians
This is the smallest group- and rarely the problem. Musicians get frustrated sometimes. Of course they do. I’ve been one for most of my life; I know exactly what that feels like. But musicians (real musicians) aren’t the ones trying to tear you down. They may disagree with you, they may get discouraged, they may need time to process feedback, but they’re not the ones who become hostile. The real hostility comes from the first two groups: the industry‑adjacent voices who feel threatened, and the non‑industry voices who want unearned influence.
Why Detractors Show Up in the First Place
Here’s the part nobody likes to admit: detractors don’t show up because you’re doing something wrong. They show up because you’re doing something. When you start building something- a career, a sound, a following, a brand- you create contrast. Your effort highlights someone else’s inaction. Your growth highlights someone else’s stagnation. Your consistency highlights someone else’s inconsistency. Your results highlight someone else’s excuses. And people don’t like mirrors that show them things they’d rather not see. So they attack the mirror.
What Music Mafia Radio Taught Me About Detractors
Running Music Mafia Radio has been one of the clearest examples of this dynamic I’ve ever seen. We’ve been on the air for nine years. We’ve built a global audience. We’ve earned a reputation for integrity. We’ve helped artists grow. We’ve stayed consistent, stayed honest, stayed focused on the music. And because of that, we have detractors.
Not because we’re unfair. Not because we’re harsh. Not because we’re “too picky.” But because we have standards, and standards expose people. Not intentionally, not maliciously, just by existing. And when someone feels exposed, whether they’re in music, business, or any other field, they react. Some grow. Some reflect. Some improve. And some become detractors.
How to Keep Detractors From Derailing You
So what do you do with all of this? How do you keep detractors- the loud ones, the confident‑sounding ones, the ones who posture, the ones who borrow credibility- from knocking you off your path? The answer isn’t complicated, but it does take discipline.
First, remember that detractors don’t see your journey; they only see their own reflection in it. Their reactions aren’t about your music. They’re about their insecurities, their stalled progress, their need for validation, or their desire to feel important. Once you understand that, their words lose a lot of their power.
Second, stay anchored to the people who actually matter: your listeners, your collaborators, your mentors, and the musicians who are growing alongside you. Those are the voices worth hearing. Those are the people who will tell you the truth without trying to diminish you.
Third, keep your focus on the work. The more energy you spend responding to detractors, the less energy you have for writing, recording, performing, and improving. Momentum is your best defense. Progress is your best rebuttal. Consistency is your best shield.
And finally, understand this: detractors only derail you if you let them. They can talk, they can posture, they can name‑drop, they can pretend to be experts- but they can’t stop you from creating. They can’t stop you from growing. They can’t stop you from becoming the artist you’re meant to be. The only person who can derail your journey is you.
The Bottom Line
If you’re making music- really making it, really putting yourself out there- you’re going to attract detractors. It’s not a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re visible. And visibility always draws fire. But detractors don’t define your work. They define themselves.
Your job is to keep going. Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep building. Because at the end of the day- in music, in business, in life- the only thing that matters is the work you’re actually doing. Everything else is noise.
And when all the noise fades, one truth remains: It’s The Music That Matters.