Is it preferable to accept a tiny slice of a large pie, or decide pre-emptively not to put the pie in the oven? I've been baffled by the contracts that artists

Is it preferable to accept a tiny slice of a large pie, or decide pre-emptively not to put the pie in the oven? I've been baffled by the contracts that artists sign with major labels, but you have to remember that artists are confronted with a difficult choice. If they don't accept these ridiculous deals, how do they achieve the mainstream recognition required to be able to live off their craft? Society should provide basic resources to people so that they can work less and pursue music as a serious hobby without cutting into their food supply.