As an artist in this day and technical age it is important
that you have some sort of leverage in order to protect your brand and pockets
from record companies. Too many young artists are taken advantage of
financially because they failed to read the contract that is presented in front
of them; they are too anxious to be signed.
Artists feel that this is a once in a lifetime deal, whether it is
signing with that record company or manager who claim they can make them a star
overnight. Next thing you know the
record company or even your manager owns everything you create. This is why I appreciate the business minded
the artist who recognizes their self-worth or who has enough patience,
foresight and intuition to secure a deal that is beneficial to him or her.
New York
Rapper, French Montana is a prime example of that type of artist. After an
intense bidding war between record labels such as Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label, Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records
for the Moroccan and Somalian rapper, he decided to sign to Bad Boy. French Montana
managed by Mizay Entertainment, headed by Waka Flocka’s mother, Debra Antney and legal advice assisted
him in securing a deal in which he owns his publishing rights.
In fact,
securing publishing rights was essential to French Montana signing to Bad Boy
and a becoming the first and only on Bad Boy to do so. Well that and Kanye’s
apparent lack of communication. In a
interview with Real Talk, NY, French Montana simply stated, “that it’s a matter
of getting good lawyers who can interpret the contracts.” There you have it. As a young artist trying
to break into the music industry, it is so important to get the advice of or hire
an attorney. Legal representation can work wonders for an artist. Even if you
are an artist who is not concerned with owning the rights to your musical
tracks (which every artist should be), the least you can do is have a lawyer
review the contract to protect yourself from being legally extorted.
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