I'm told that the people that made the most money during the San Francisco gold rush of 1849 were the outfitters. The stores that sold picks, shovels, wheel barrows, etc to the immigrating miners.
It's always been like that, I guess. Folks with dreams and other folks selling them the tools they need (or think they need) to make those dreams come true. Most are honest. Some are not. And the rest? Well I guess time will tell....
As a musician I'm amazed at how many "pick and shovel" business or services are out there. Creative people usually aren't very good at the business stuff and there seems to be a lot of folks who want to "help".
Of course a legitimate gallery is necessary for an artist to be seen and (contrary to recent reports) recording companies (labels) are an important part of a successful musicians career. But as society changes and technology advances, traditional marketing is augmented by new options.
And these options are beneficial but come at a price. The company that distributes my music charges me a fee to submit and an additional percentage on all sales. Recently they announced they were taking another percentage of the money they owed me from sales. I think they used the phrase "for your convenience" or "to better serve you" which is how businesses tell you they are picking your pocket. They can do this because they are the only game in town. My only choice is take it or leave it.
Many of the streaming services pay such small amounts that you honestly have to laugh. Royalties can range from as little as $.00001 to $.005. And of course this money goes to the distributer who sends it to me after they take their percentage. Oh, and there is no verifiable accounting. I simply have to hope they are honest.
But the dream is powerful and the urge to create can run at fever pitch. When I learn that someone in England has downloaded one of my songs, or that a couple of my albums were streamed in Australia or Mexico or Japan my ego somehow forgives the keepers of my money. After all, one of my dreams was to become an international artist.