The Need for Record Labels
For years, musicians have strived to strike a deal with a major record label. The role of a record label is to promote their signed artists, while also handling expenses like music videos, tours, etc. A lot of the biggest artists in the world are signed to record labels. For example, Ariana Grande is currently signed to Republic Records, a record label that resides under the umbrella of Universal Music Group. Today though, the desire to sign with a label is on the decline.
Why Stay Independent?
With more and more independent artists making names for themselves in music today, the need for labels is becoming increasingly obsolete. Artists like Chance The Rapper, Frank Ocean, and JPEGMAFIA are proving that you don’t need to be signed to become a successful musician. Being independent not only means that you own 100% of the rights to your music with full creative control, but you also get 100% of the profit. When signing to a record label, you’re giving away a percentage of your earnings as well as ownership of your creations. In some cases, record labels can even prevent musicians from making the style of music that they want and force them to make the music that will earn the label more money. Maintaining a self-employed lifestyle is tremendously better for creative control, but is much more difficult to grow your audience as an artist.
Struggling With Labels
Besides the benefits of staying independent, there are also downsides to being signed to a label that are pushing more artists away from a contract. Prince is one artist who has fallen victim to the unfair treatment of these major labels. In 1992, Prince signed a $100 million dollar record deal but revolted against the label over the coming years when he wanted to release more music whenever he wanted, and gain ownership of the original recordings of his music. Prince then made a public appearance with “Slave” written on his cheek, calling out Warner Music for the way they treated him. Prince was very outspoken about the unfairness of his record deal and warned upcoming artists about major labels. Another case that exemplifies the possible trappings of a record deal is Lil Uzi Vert. Just last year, Lil Uzi Vert went against Atlantic Records, the label he is signed with, and self-released a song titled “Free Uzi.” Atlantic Records was preventing Lil Uzi Vert from releasing any of his own music even though he himself wished to put it out. This goes to show that record labels have been and still are holding artists hostage to this day and going independent is turning into the preferred route.
Sources
https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/ditto-music-lee-parsons-interview-749510/ https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/musicians-v-record-labels-famous-feuds/5/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/09/kanye-west-fight-for-rights-to-masters-music-industry https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissamdaniels/2019/07/10/for-independent-musicians-goingyour-own-wa y-is-finally-starting-to-pay-off/?sh=57fb76ec14f2
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/apr/15/artists-held-hostage-labels https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-uzi-vert-free-uzi-814835/
https://indepreneur.io/blog/5-independent-musicians-refuse-sign-major-record-label/
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