Making music with Ramoon
How starting a UK business expressed professionalism to global artists
In conversation with Ramoon Anas Rahmoune
Hi, I'm Ramoon and I'm a music producer from Morocco. I've been making music since I was 13 years old, and I started music production in 2016.
That's when I started selling my beats through an online marketplace called 'Beatstars' as well as YouTube and other social media platforms.
Inspiration
My main inspiration was to be more professional, especially as I come from Morocco. Unlike the UK, we don't have a music industry there.
When you deal with big labels and large companies, they often want you to be represented as a business rather than an individual. So, I wanted to start a UK business to express that level of professionalism to the global artists that I work with.
The journey
The business is going well. I have my YouTube channel and BeatStars profile, which are making great sales.
Since launching my company, I've worked with lots of exciting artists from the UK. At the moment, I love B-Young (the artist who made the 'Jumanji' tune). Together, we've produced 3 songs, which haven't been released just yet.
I also produced the track "YAYA" for 6ix9ine, which now has 300 million YouTube views.
I currently have several #1 songs in Greece with Greek artists, and I recently had a chart-topping track in all Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa. I also have a #1 song in Latino right now, which I produced here in the UK.
To top it all off, I have a diamond record and 3 platinum records, and multiple gold, black, and green records.
The growth curve
My business growth has come through making good, consistent content. I've also been getting myself out there, without being shy or hiding my work from the world.
I'm trying absolutely everything, especially in Morocco, where I can't do things like spend time in studios with artists. The only way I can communicate my own productions is through YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Also, emails don't get you too far in this industry. People don't open emails much anymore, so you have to find other innovative ways to make your noise. That's how I gained popularity on YouTube with millions of views, as well as exposure on Instagram. As it grew, that's when I realised I needed to make a limited company in the UK.
Challenges
The biggest challenge is keeping the business going. There are so many ups and downs, and when you get the highest ups, you know it might go right down at any moment. So, you just need to keep your head up and keep going.
Let's say you usually get two million views on a video. Suddenly, you post a video and get less than 10,000 views. There will always be bumps, but you just need to just keep creating.
For me, the struggle comes from achievement. When you first get started, you have nothing to lose, but as you grow and succeed, there's more at stake.
The thing is, selling music is hard - it's different when you're trying to sell a physical product. When producers make an ad for a beat, people don't care at all. Music plays with your emotions, it affects your mental health, and it's your personal creative output that people are judging, so it's hard to get it out there.
Highlights
Lately, I have enjoyed making videos and producing different content. I have made some cinematic productions in different styles and showing my beats through them. So, I'm enjoying making that, but ultimately, my job is to make music and that's what I love to do.
The future
It's difficult to tell what the future holds. I feel like I'm just getting started and I have so much more to achieve.
I'm still trying to expand my music career, work with different artists, and create new styles and sounds. That's what matters right now and that's the future. I will keep learning and try to find a new wave.
Advice
If you're starting a business, get your documents, filings and taxes right. It's going to be hard, but just keep going. You only lose when you give up. You never take a loss if you don't give up.
Using 1st Formations
I was introduced to 1st Formations by a friend who has used your services before for his dropshipping business.
The main reason I signed up for a UK business with you is that we don't get Stripe payments in Morocco. So, rather than opening a company there and not getting any Stripe payments, it made more sense to do this in the UK. That's how I got started.
1st Formations today
I often watch the 1st Formations YouTube videos, which are useful. I also use the Confirmation Statement Service each year to make sure everything is running correctly.