There’s one question I ask every artist before they release a track:
Would you play this in your own set?
Sounds simple. But it cuts straight through the noise.
Why this question matters
A lot of producers release music hoping someone else will play it. Labels, DJs, playlists, anyone but themselves. That mindset instantly puts your power outside of your control.
When you flip the question to “Would I play this?”, you stop chasing approval and start creating music that fits your story, your energy, your crowd.
What the answer tells you
If the answer is yes, great. That means the track represents who you are as an artist right now.
If it’s no, pause before you fix the mix or add a new drop. Ask why you wouldn’t play it:
- Does it not fit your set’s energy?
- Does it sound like someone else’s idea of success?
- Are you releasing it just because it’s “done”?
That “why” is where the growth happens.
How to apply it
- Test it live – Drop your track in a private stream, DJ set, or rehearsal. Feel the crowd’s reaction, and your own.
- Compare energy – Play it after your favorite track. Does it hold up? Would you still stand behind it if nobody knew your name?
- Check the story – Does it belong in the world you’re building? Your sound, visuals, and content should point in the same direction.
- Be honest early – Don’t wait until release week to ask this. Run the test halfway through production so you can still adjust.
The deeper layer
When you build your catalog around music you’d actually play, consistency becomes natural. You don’t need to guess what your brand is; it’s written in every track you choose to stand behind.
That’s how you create a sound people trust.
Not by trying to please everyone, but by proving you’d dance to your own record.