At SXSW 2026, a conversation centered on independence in music took a more practical approach during The State of the DIY Artist panel. The session brought together Curtiss King, a Los Angeles rapper, producer and media creator, alongside BeatStars founder and CEO Abe Batshon. Rather than framing independence as a final destination, the discussion focused on what it actually takes to sustain a career without relying on traditional systems. Throughout the session, both speaker