Even $5000 has me umming and ahhing... on one hand if that shit goes nowhere, 5K in your pocket is nice. Could buy top tier system with that.
But similarly, if that record takes off, that ain't even a scratch on all the royalties you'd be missing out on.
Dunno if you'd be written into royalties or not. Also the laws in music change so much not sure whether you'd be entitled to em or not.
Chances are ''if'' that first song blows up like that. You will establish that name immediatly, and people will wanna work with ya. So you make it up with the music after that first track
I'll take the 5k. Havent even sold a goddamn 30$ lease..lmao. all the if's and what's. Get that name first
Another smart tactic is handing out free shit (with royalties tho) to an upcoming artist, and his/her friends will want to buy from you.
You have to give and take in this world. Cant be sitting greedy on our beats hoping for a sale. If some day some major artist decide he wants my beat. Hell i would even give it for free if id have to. My mission would be complete and i could already retire happily lol. The fact you became good enough to roll with the top players in the world is already a satisfying idea to me