Whether you’re just starting out, or well into your journey as an artist, one of the biggest challenges you face is knowing which moves to make. And of course, everybody’s got an opinion—almost everywhere you turn, somebody’s got advice for how you can do things better, smarter, faster. The real question is: What advice actually works?

Today, Spotify for Artists is proud to launch our newest video series: Best Advice. We asked the biggest names in music the share their answers to a simple question: What’s the best advice you’ve ever got? The answers are as varied as they are, profoundly helpful, and often deeply emotional, essential mantras you and your team can go back to when you’re struggling with writer’s block, collaboration, and the myriad of bumps in the road of every musician.

Our first batch of episodes features the biggest names in music sharing their knowledge on how to keep your cool as your career begins to heat up. In these first six episodes, you’ll hear pro tips and insights from Christina Aguilera, Rick Ross, Mary J. Blige, Kamasi Washington, Sheryl Crow, and Ne-Yo. These are artists who’ve traveled from the smallest stages to the biggest, sharing advice across a range of topics, including themes like collaboration, the creative process, getting started, coping with failure, managing anxiety, and staying resilient in the face of it all.

As with our other original video series, The Game Plan, we’ll be adding new episodes of Best Advice in the coming months. Our goal is to build a collection of indispensable advice from artists who were, once upon a time, up-and-comers themselves. So dive in, share with your friends, and maybe jot down a few bits of advice of your own. You never know when they might come in handy, or to whom.

Kamasi Washington [youtube-video s8UWCWqXIEY]

Christina Aguilera [youtube-video QG5-g-eCkns]

Mary J Blige [youtube-video 8SRXE8Qqo4I]

Ne-Yo [youtube-video TPnuLYVRrTQ]

Rick Ross [youtube-video j41p-Tk_Zr8]

Sheryl Crow [youtube-video cp3cYevDlqw]