It is the gamble. If you go out on your own for anything, you are just that, on your own. Many make it and are happy with the results. Sadly, the unsuccessful ones far outnumber those that did make it independently. Plus, these corporations give wonderfully huge upfront payments to get artists to sign long contracts - look at how it all effected Kesha for instance, though her situation involved abuse of power by those working closely with her.

I agree that it would probably be a lot different if more people did go independent with their music. Maybe a platform the size of TikTok can help make that happen for more artists. 

I know I have discovered more new music by indie artists via TikTok than I ever hear on the local radio stations. Do they stick around for more than that one song? Usually no and I have no idea why (could be money, could be lack of support on the business side, etc). 

I think, in the past, that is what has kept a lot of artists from going indie - lack of business-sense. They just want to make money so to speak. Signing with a big company alleviates almost all needs to understand how to run a business and promote music. The problem is, not all companies are looking out for the good of those producing the content they need to keep making money (same could be said of any company and their employees).

I do believe there is a market out there for indie artists to make a respectable living on their own. It just requires a lot more work on their part doing things not exactly connected to making music.