Why isn’t my `meta_query` array functioning properly?

I already got it. Was missing an extra array() in the meta_query.

My updated code is this:

I’d like to thank this website. Sometimes just posting the question helps me figure it out. What a cool community. Good luck and happy coding, all.

<?php
    $artist_id = get_the_ID();

    $want_to_sell = new WP_Query( array(
    'post_type' => 'want-to-sell-post',
    'posts_per_page' => 5,
    'meta_query' => array(
        array(
            'key'     => '_wpcf_belongs_artist_id',
            'value'   => $artist_id,
            'compare' => '=',
        ),
    ), 
));  
?>