How I Make $50k A Year As An NYC Based Musician | For A Living | Refinery29

In this episode of For a Living, we follow Halima (@halimabot), a rising musician based in NYC whose sound draws from a tri-continental upbringing between Lagos, London, and New York. From early folk and piano explorations to later studies in jazz and R&B, Halima’s music pulls unapologetically from a broad spectrum of influences. Beyond the stage, she’s navigating the financial realities of life as a working artist -- balancing touring with teaching at NYU, building multiple revenue streams, and even starting her own label, One Percent Genius. We dive into her journey of following passion, creating community, and confronting the challenges of making a living through music. ABOUT SERIES For A Living documents extraordinary women thriving within unique careers. From the salary they earn to the most unexpected task they perform at work, we learn the ins and outs of life for these women dominating in their field. ABOUT REFINERY29 Refinery29 is a modern woman's destination for how to live a stylish, well-rounded life. http://refinery29.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO REFINERY29 Subscribe to the Refinery29 channel: http://bit.ly/subscribe-to-r29 Follow Halima on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halimabot/ Follow Halima on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Halimabot Follow Halima on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@halimasayshi Follow Refinery29 on Instagram: https://instagram.com/refinery29/ Follow Somos on Instagram: https://instagram.com/r29somos/ Follow Unbothered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/r29unbothered/