If you were a new artist, with no money, would you sign this contract?

[CrimsonTider]

If I had no money, I think I would still stay indie. It’s the six albums that’s a deal breaker for me. If they cut it down to two albums it would more appealing for someone with no money. By that time I’ve already established myself and then could own the masters to my third and future albums. Six albums worth of material is just too much to not own. I might creatively have done my best work on albums three to six because I’m more seasoned at that point, but can’t even benefit from it financially to the max.

There’s no guarantee that you ever establish yourself

if you’re starving and broke you are going to take this deal

Indie is a dead end

 

[Starburst]

I used to be an up and coming rapper, honestly, I'd have signed a deal like this in a heartbeat. nikkas saying no probably dont know how it feels being underground for years and not making any proper noise or money

This music shyt is luck. Almost a 98% chance that you fail at it

If you don’t mind me asking, did you give up on your dream to be a rapper, or is it something you are still working on?

In my opinion there should be a thread here with resources and A&R contacts to help out people trying to get a foot in the door. I’m not saying anyone should be obligated, but little nuggets of advice(financial, legal, marketing, PR) and guidance goes a long way.

In my opinion this thread is a really good starting point. There are a lot of posters on the Coli who have a lot of knowledge, let’s try to help each other out, and stop the cycle of artists getting hemmed up by contracts.

 

[Pop123]

Let's say you're just coming on to the scene (2-3 years), slight buzz, but you not making real money yet (maybe 2500 a show).

And like Atlantic offers you a deal:

$250K for signing up front, all yours (you don't have to pay it back)
They own all the your masters
They get a percentage of your tour money, show money, merchandise, ad revenue, licensing, features, etc...
And you're signed for 6 studio albums (Mixtapes, collaborations, eps, etc.. don't count towards your albums you owe them)

Or would you not sign and stay indie.

So basically would you sign a 360? Lol. Hell no, given that I already have gained a slight buzz for myself and am able to pull in 2500 a night performing, I'd rather keep grinding and build on what I've already been able to create for myself dolo...or just wait for a better deal

 

[Alvin]

Let's say you're just coming on to the scene (2-3 years), slight buzz, but you not making real money yet (maybe 2500 a show).

And like Atlantic offers you a deal:

$250K for signing up front, all yours (you don't have to pay it back)
They own all the your masters
They get a percentage of your tour money, show money, merchandise, ad revenue, licensing, features, etc...
And you're signed for 6 studio albums (Mixtapes, collaborations, eps, etc.. don't count towards your albums you owe them)

Or would you not sign and stay indie.

Depends on my financial situation at the moment, also, it can be hard to get any record label to listen to your music so you might have to bite the bullet. How big of a percentage are they taking with tour money, etc? Can I renegotiate later on?
Also depends on if I want to be a big artist or just do my thing on my level.

Is this NBA Youngboy's deal?

 

[Alvin]

2500 a show * 3 shows a week = 7500 a week
7500 a week * 4 weeks = 30000 in a month
30000 a month * 12 months = 360000 a year

No

that's how much your gross is, but you still have to do everything yourself, travel, promotion, etc.

 

[Long Live The Kane]

This is true, however something else to think about, indie is a good way to go until a new artist understands the business and is able to go into a meeting with label heads and negotiate a deal that is beneficial to them.

The knowledge is important, but moreso also the leverage... if you’re able to able to gain any real momentum independently, at some point you get to where this hypothetical deal ain’t your only option and it’s way easier to turn it down...they from the jump you can walk in there demand more than that $250k (by no means an industry expert, but that just sounds like a laughably low amount for what they’d be giving up) and scoff at that six album term without “take it or leave it” being a hammer in negotiations

 

[African_brehda]

If you don’t mind me asking, did you give up on your dream to be a rapper, or is it something you are still working on?

I gave up
I'll still write and record a random verse tho

 

[Starburst]

I gave up
I'll still write and record a random verse tho

You should never give up on your dreams. Even doing it as a hobby or part time, you never know who is watching or listening, and can give you your break.

 

[Pop123]

You should never give up on your dreams. Even doing it as a hobby or part time, you never know who is watching or listening, and can give you your break.

Especially in this age...you can just be fukking around and record something and put it up on youtube or sumn and somebody of importance may randomly come across it...or a bunch of people will bump into it and like it and it will get to the person of importance that way. It's stupid to give up on a dream like that in this era where it's so easy to get your stuff out there.

 

[Starburst]

Especially in this age...you can just be fukking around and record something and put it up on youtube or sumn and somebody of importance may randomly come across it...or a bunch of people will bump into it and like it and it will get to the person of importance that way. It's stupid to give up on a dream like that in this era where it's so easy to get your stuff out there.

Truth and nothing but the truth!

 

[Dave24]

I used to be an up and coming rapper, honestly, I'd have signed a deal like this in a heartbeat. nikkas saying no probably dont know how it feels being underground for years and not making any proper noise or money

This music shyt is luck. Almost a 98% chance that you fail at it

Good post. How is your music career currently going?

Edit: nvm saw your post above mine

 

[Dave24]

You should never give up on your dreams. Even doing it as a hobby or part time, you never know who is watching or listening, and can give you your break.

@Starburst do you feel it is possible to make it in the music business even with covid changing things?

 

[shopthatwrecks]

Let's say you're just coming on to the scene (2-3 years), slight buzz, but you not making real money yet (maybe 2500 a show).

And like Atlantic offers you a deal:

$250K for signing up front, all yours (you don't have to pay it back)
They own all the your masters
They get a percentage of your tour money, show money, merchandise, ad revenue, licensing, features, etc...
And you're signed for 6 studio albums (Mixtapes, collaborations, eps, etc.. don't count towards your albums you owe them)

Or would you not sign and stay indie.

nope

u can be ya own label..sameway u created the buzz n got the 25 a show...

invest in yaself..

put ya own music on spotify itunes etc....

make ya own merch...

register for ya isrc upc and other shyt...

fukk them labels...

protect your music...because if u tell a label to eat a dikk...

they can get u for ya songs..n ti n others can be rappin ya shyt...n u got the ate ass face...

 

[Starburst]

@Starburst do you feel it is possible to make it in the music business even with covid changing things?

Yes I do. If anything, now is a good time. Based on album and single sales, consumers are still buying music. If an upcoming artist has a good song, and manages to promote themselves and get a buzz going, why not?

I’m trying to get my foot in the door at a particular company behind the scenes. While I believe it’s difficult now with a lot of people being furlonged, I don’t believe it’s impossible.

Besides... I like to speak things into existence. This in my opinion is very powerful.

 

[Chip Skylark]

Once I saw Atlantic it became a no. They’re probably the worse major label. Plus mixtapes or collabs don’t count.

2500 a show isn’t bad for an artist with a lil buzz.

if you can pump out two or more a month plus have a day job you’ll be Good