Quote Originally Posted by maks View Post
yeah there's never been an example of a successful artist who started out in a band which experienced mediocre popularity, that has literally never happened before
The majority of those going independent got whatever fame they did have from their origins.

Look at NWA - Easy E/Ice Cube/Dre.
Look at Grandmaster Flash back in the early 80's.
Look at Run DMC.
Look at artists like Chuck D and Slick Rick.