How a 2-Minute Lo-Fi Strategy Generated $33K in Passive Income

Introduction

Los Angeles musician Michael Turner, known online as PLVTINUM, found a simple route to passive income through lo-fi beats. Together with guitarist Mike Bono under the name Bonsai Beats, they set a timer and see how many two-minute tracks they can finish in a single session. This unconventional focus on speed over polish has turned into a six-figure catalog and a new record label.

The Lo-Fi Music Genre

Lo-fi, short for low fidelity, embraces imperfection. This genre provides a mellow backdrop for studying, relaxing, or drifting off. Millions tune into YouTube streams and playlists. For Michael, the stripped-down style is relaxing to produce and delivers a steady flow of streams once released.

The Two-Minute Track Approach

Set a timer for two minutes and finish the beat from start to finish, including the name. No overthinking. Michael and Mike completed 85 tracks in just three hours of collective effort across 2023. The goal wasn’t perfection but a growing catalog. Each upload adds a bit more to the monthly royalty checks.

Simple Setup and Production Workflow

Equipment needs are minimal: a guitar, a MIDI keyboard, and any DAW like Ableton Live or FL Studio. The lo-fi formula relies on dusty drum loops, mellow chords, gentle samples, and basic mixing. This low barrier to entry means nearly anyone can try it with less than a $100 annual software subscription or even free tools.

Distribution and Monetization

After creation, the next step is distribution. Michael uses TuneCore to push tracks to Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, and TikTok. A paid TuneCore subscription keeps 100% of royalties versus other aggregators that take large cuts. This democratization of distribution makes it easy to start earning almost instantly.

Passive Income Potential

Michael’s catalog generated $33,139 last year, while the full Bonsai Beats library earned nearly $60,000 in 2023 alone. Some creators have scaled even higher—one sleep track hit 20 million streams worth around $100K. Institutional investors are starting to buy rights to entire lo-fi catalogs for up to seven figures.

Expanding to Rebellion Records

In August 2023, Michael launched Rebellion Records to support emerging lo-fi artists with better royalty splits. Traditional labels claim 50–60% of earnings. Rebellion takes only 25%, letting artists keep most of their streaming revenue. This new label structure aligns with Michael’s vision of artist empowerment.

Conclusion

What started as a fun challenge turned into a thriving side hustle. By producing lots of simple lo-fi tracks, using low-cost tools, and distributing through TuneCore, two musicians carved out a lucrative passive income stream. Their next chapter focuses on growing their label and helping other artists succeed.