^unless you just create yo own label :/ werd

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R.I.P. EAZY-E

thats such a cleche 'hip hop soldier' thing to say bro, no disrespect, but you can allways sign and still have your independence, just depends who your signing with. Usually, you get to know your label first, you naturally, become part of the crew before you 'sign' with them, its that rap dream were kids send a demo away to a bunch of people they dont know in hopes to get signed. thats when you sign your music away.
If you fucking with bros, who happen to be in the industry, then you aint signing your life away, your agreeing to them that its blood in blood out (easiest reference at the time)