How are Nicki & Drake getting Paid if Lil Wayne isn't?
- Thread starter Monster
- Start date
I have a hard time believing Drake hasn't made anything off sales. The man is too prolific, too smart, too connected. And we already know he's eating off concerts.
BK The Great
Veteran
for real, his OVO imprint probably raking in that dough. he moves like an independent artist but he's on a major.
Mandarin Duck
Majestic and Highfalutin
Well I'm not a Coli A&R, but I will say it's most likely by percentages.
If Wayne is supposed to receive a certain percentage of their earnings, the label most likely just paid themselves in favor of giving it to Wayne.
If Wayne is supposed to receive a certain percentage of their earnings, the label most likely just paid themselves in favor of giving it to Wayne.
BK The Great
Veteran
here's a article about his deal
I’ll be the first to admit that I was disappointed when I found out Drake signed with Young Money/Cash Money.
Nothing against Cash Money but they have a horrible reputation with handling artists’ money. Cash Money drove away the Hot Boys (Juvenile, BG, and Turk) and Mannie Fresh–the producer who single-handedly built the sound of Cash Money Records–because of alleged financial mismanagement. Sorry, but if four different dudes leave your label for the same reason then something fishy is definitely going on.
Needless to say, I was skeptical that Drake would get a good deal signing with Young Money. After reading an L.A. Times Music Blog article detailing the mechanics of Drake’s deal, my skepticism has been put to rest. I’m actually pretty impressed.
Here’s the breakdown of Drake’s record deal:
$2 million is a big advance to pay back but considering that Drake’s first album Thank Me Later will probably be the best-selling R&B/hip hop album next year, I don’t think he’ll have much trouble clearing his debt.
Major props to Drake’s management team (Hip Hop Since 1978 and Cortez Bryant) for negotiating a fair deal for their client. Cortez Bryant also manages Lil Wayne and Hip Hop Since 1978 represents Kanye West. Clearly Drake has a great group in his corner. With that kind of backing, Drake’s career is only just beginning.
Lesson for the Day
Here’s the lesson I want you to take from Drake’s record deal:
Record labels do not control the music industry anymore. Artists (once they have proven their talent and profit potential) are in a position to strike the kind of deal that fits their goals and their vision. Drake proved his profit potential with the 600,000+ digital sales of his single “Best I Ever Had”, which was available for free (on his mixtape So Far Gone) four to five months before it was released on iTunes.
Essentially Drake hired his record labels (Universal/Young Money/Cash Money/Aspire) to distribute his music in stores. Drake’s record labels do not own the masters to his music and they do not control his career, he does (with help from his management team, of course).
Obviously Drake did not sign the first deal that was offered to him. If he did he would have regretted it and he never would have gotten the spectacular deal he has now.
You might not have Drake’s management team but you do have common sense.
With that in mind, would you sign a recording contract that leaves you with 0-50% ownership of YOUR masters and YOUR publishing rights? Would you sign a deal that says you only earn 10-18% of YOUR record sales? Would you sign a 360 deal that allows your record label to automatically earn 50% or more of YOUR touring, merchandising, and film/TV licensing revenues?
OF COURSE NOT!
But you know what? All of those things I mentioned come standard in a typical record contract. The powers-that-be in the music industry set this whole system up in their favor, not yours. But while their minds were busy focused on screwing artists (that’s you!), they forgot one important little detail:
Record labels need you–you don’t need them. No record label can operate without an artist roster (or at least a catalog of past hits). What can a record label do if they have no arists to market and no music to sell?
See how badly they need you?
With the internet (and a little bit of money to invest in your future) you have all the tools you need to record, distribute, and promote your music. So why would you ever pay a record label over 75% of the record sales for songs/albums you write?
Be smart. Don’t do it.
Alright students I hope you’ve learned your lesson for the day. Now go out, be independent and make some music!
AUTHOR:
Dexter Bryant Jr. (DbryJ)
DbryJ Music Media
Source:
The L.A. Times Music Blog
The Breakdown of Drake’s Record Deal with Cash Money/Universal
I’ll be the first to admit that I was disappointed when I found out Drake signed with Young Money/Cash Money.
Nothing against Cash Money but they have a horrible reputation with handling artists’ money. Cash Money drove away the Hot Boys (Juvenile, BG, and Turk) and Mannie Fresh–the producer who single-handedly built the sound of Cash Money Records–because of alleged financial mismanagement. Sorry, but if four different dudes leave your label for the same reason then something fishy is definitely going on.
Needless to say, I was skeptical that Drake would get a good deal signing with Young Money. After reading an L.A. Times Music Blog article detailing the mechanics of Drake’s deal, my skepticism has been put to rest. I’m actually pretty impressed.
Here’s the breakdown of Drake’s record deal:
- Drake is signed with Aspire/Young Money/Cash Money Records and is distributed by Universal
- Drake got a $2 million advance (I’ll give you a moment to read that again)
- Drake retains the publishing rights to his songs and only pays 25% of his music sales revenues to the label as a “distribution fee”
$2 million is a big advance to pay back but considering that Drake’s first album Thank Me Later will probably be the best-selling R&B/hip hop album next year, I don’t think he’ll have much trouble clearing his debt.
Major props to Drake’s management team (Hip Hop Since 1978 and Cortez Bryant) for negotiating a fair deal for their client. Cortez Bryant also manages Lil Wayne and Hip Hop Since 1978 represents Kanye West. Clearly Drake has a great group in his corner. With that kind of backing, Drake’s career is only just beginning.
Lesson for the Day
Here’s the lesson I want you to take from Drake’s record deal:
Record labels do not control the music industry anymore. Artists (once they have proven their talent and profit potential) are in a position to strike the kind of deal that fits their goals and their vision. Drake proved his profit potential with the 600,000+ digital sales of his single “Best I Ever Had”, which was available for free (on his mixtape So Far Gone) four to five months before it was released on iTunes.
Essentially Drake hired his record labels (Universal/Young Money/Cash Money/Aspire) to distribute his music in stores. Drake’s record labels do not own the masters to his music and they do not control his career, he does (with help from his management team, of course).
Obviously Drake did not sign the first deal that was offered to him. If he did he would have regretted it and he never would have gotten the spectacular deal he has now.
You might not have Drake’s management team but you do have common sense.
With that in mind, would you sign a recording contract that leaves you with 0-50% ownership of YOUR masters and YOUR publishing rights? Would you sign a deal that says you only earn 10-18% of YOUR record sales? Would you sign a 360 deal that allows your record label to automatically earn 50% or more of YOUR touring, merchandising, and film/TV licensing revenues?
OF COURSE NOT!
But you know what? All of those things I mentioned come standard in a typical record contract. The powers-that-be in the music industry set this whole system up in their favor, not yours. But while their minds were busy focused on screwing artists (that’s you!), they forgot one important little detail:
Record labels need you–you don’t need them. No record label can operate without an artist roster (or at least a catalog of past hits). What can a record label do if they have no arists to market and no music to sell?
See how badly they need you?
With the internet (and a little bit of money to invest in your future) you have all the tools you need to record, distribute, and promote your music. So why would you ever pay a record label over 75% of the record sales for songs/albums you write?
Be smart. Don’t do it.
Alright students I hope you’ve learned your lesson for the day. Now go out, be independent and make some music!
AUTHOR:
Dexter Bryant Jr. (DbryJ)
DbryJ Music Media
Source:
The L.A. Times Music Blog
The Breakdown of Drake’s Record Deal with Cash Money/Universal
beenz
Rap Guerilla
even if nicki got jerked by
, at least she's gets money from tv and what not. and you know
legal game is on point
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Drake entered his deal with J Prince and Gee Roberson and them in his corner. Gee and them had their shyt on lock while Prince and them had some fugazi hand shake agreement. So naturally they were all looking out for their investment.
Wayne entered his deal with the same people signing it in his corner. Essentially it's worse a shady mother handling their child support.
However Drake allegedly got fukked for his royalties by his management. But that's basically just from his record sales, which is light compared to the tour money.
Wayne entered his deal with the same people signing it in his corner. Essentially it's worse a shady mother handling their child support.
However Drake allegedly got fukked for his royalties by his management. But that's basically just from his record sales, which is light compared to the tour money.
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beenz
Rap Guerilla
I'm not here to count anyone's money, but at one point, Drake didn't even know who he was signed to 
nikka was dissing Sylvia Rhone not knowing he was signed under Universal Motown
nikka was dissing Sylvia Rhone not knowing he was signed under Universal Motown
Fani Willis fan
Veteran
Drake has his own imprint on WB
Birdman and Universal dont see OVO and tour revenue.
Just album sales
Nicki made 30 dollars in 2014, that pop and american idol money.
Birdman and Universal dont see OVO and tour revenue.
Just album sales
Nicki made 30 dollars in 2014, that pop and american idol money.
TransJenner
Banned
Tyga said he wasn't making any money off his albums ,
I read somewhere that CM gives you money to Ball with / Music budget and that's it
Not 100% about that
I read somewhere that CM gives you money to Ball with / Music budget and that's it
Not 100% about that
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
cause they signed to 1 nikka that's signed to another nikka that's signed to 3 nikkas, now that's bad luck
nah seriously tho... that's why they can get paid and he can't
lets say i'm signed to you... and you are signed to baby... and baby is signed to universal
at the end of the line... the people paying for everything is universal
so they cut the check like.... ok here's your 100 milly baby... here's your 50 milly wayne... here's your 25 milly drake... like walmart... they don't pay the ceo and then tell HIM to pay the cashier... everyone gets their own check for accountability
what's going on here in this case... wayne is PART OWNER of cash money and young money... he says so himself in HIS court docs
what universal is saying... ok here's your checks everyone, EXCEPT you wayne and baby..... YOUR company owes us some cash... so we gonna go ahead and garnish your wages and just add your checks back to us, to pay back this loan on cash money
that's why wayne is also suing baby... he hasn't dropped that lawsuit by the way... aby already got his first 30 million... plus what cash money made... plus another 100 million... and ain't paid none of that shyt to wayne... so he don't care that they taking his little points of drake and nicki, who are two levels down on his list (signed to a nikka that's signed to him)
what wayne is arguing is... whoa whoa whoa.. i only own 49% and i didn't own it when y'all gave out 100 million.. therefore this money shouldn't be coming out of my checks, they should come out of baby's.. maybe they are... but baby ain't putting out music nor letting wayne put out music, plus he still got the money from before so hey
but it doesn't matter.. cause when you buy into a company, you not only take on the good... you also take on the bad (debt)
which goes back to the same point i make in every "rapper cries about money" thread... rappers be so fukking excited to sign somewhere and get money waved in their face, they fukking forget the first rule of business.... READ BEFORE YOU SIGN
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The God Poster
LWO representa
I remember on
nikkas screaming Wayne ain't broke & birdman looking out for him now look.It's funny these same folks claimed IYRTITL was Drake one upping Cash money & getting out of his contract.
This same contract that is the best in the industry 
This
Plus Stunna ain't paying nobody with a lawyer . It would prolly do more damage for them to file paper work on Cash Money .
Stunna giving them millions upfront and nothing else .
