Ok, let’s just start off by
saying that for the longest time now, Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop artist/songwriters are the ones writing a lot of the popular
music hits of today. And I don’t really think that there’s anyone out there who can reasonably debate
this. Just look at whatever songs are listed in the top of the Music charts. The concern though, is not so much with most of the Superstar
or Major Label talent that are co-writing most of the songs they are performing. At that level of success, you're suppose
to have enough sense to have a great team of professionals around you to help guide you along - to get you paid for your creations.
But the non-payout to artists/songwriters that occur at the new to mid size level artist/songwriter, or especially the ones
signed to a regional independent label or Production Company is sometimes a little alarming.
Selling Your "Sole" Property?
It's crazy to me when new songwriter-artists repeatedly,
over and over...and over again - keep signing into agreements; Song split sheets and/or songwriting/publishing contracts that
take away so much. And what's even worse, many of these companies are not even paying these kids on what they are due...legally.
I have personally watched talent just sit and either not know what to do or either too scared to do anything or to "make
waves" that might cause a problem with their so-called "hook-up" with the industry or company. And most of
this sad reality is mainly due to a lack of knowledge & understanding on some of the most fundamental music business practices;
hiring your own attorney...not the company you are signing with. And also getting a little educated about this whole "business"
of songwriting and publishing. See, one of the biggest incomes for you if you're an artist -songwriter is through
the publishing of your songs ...especially with Mechanical royalties.
Have you or your crew sold 50,000 units or more through an Independent Label that you don't own?
If the answer is yes, how much money did you get in mechanicals? If you wrote all of the songs, I hope you got at least $40,000
or more. It actually can be a whole lot more.
But hold up, let's just say you only "co-wrote"
all of the songs on your 15-song CD, and you just hit the 20,000 units sold status. Did you know that you as "your own
publisher" could be due over $12,000 in mechanicals? Do I have your attention now?
Check this out –
A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to work
with one of the most prolific Singer/Songwriters of Modern R&B music. I don't like to disclose names, but after the
3rd day in the Studio, in the middle of re-working a song that R&B singer/songwriter Joe had written for him, I asked
him to just try something like what was written for one of his earlier hits. And then this un-named artist told me, "You
know I've never received a royalty on that". (Huh? ...wtf!) So I asked, "What do you mean?" He then politely
told me again... and this time, with looks of support from his wife... "I have never received a royalty check
in my life!"
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