What Do Record Labels Do For You?

[Bla Jedza]

In the music business, what do record labels do for you that you can't do for yourself in the music industry to launch a successful music career?

 

[Scorpio]

The major thing record labels contribute to recording artists (especially upcoming songwriters) is 'financing'.

Obviously money answers all things and money is arguably a measure of success too. Therefore, a good record company should help increase the artist's net worth.

If an artist's net worth remains the same for a long period of time I look at it as a bad record deal. What's the benefit of signing a record contract without it boosting your net worth?

The second important thing is 'networking' which helps a recording artist to quickly build a good reputation within the music industry and they can capitalize off that through song collaborations with the hottest artists in the game.

 

[Black Panther]

Modern record labels don't do much for you that you can't do for yourself.

In fact, modern records labels expect to sign artists who are already buzzing and popular on the internet (i.e. social media, YouTube, etc).

So the old school traditional way of music companies discovering artists is long gone. This too applies to the concept of music companies developing artists they have signed. Well, they don't do that anymore.

The internet is here to stay and music artists should take advantage of it instead of waiting thinking they are gonna get signed to a record label.

Artists should also know that:

• you don't need to get signed to have music fans.
• you don't need a record label to be a creative person.
• you don't need a record label to promote your music on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

But you 'MAY' need a recognized record label:

• to receive mainstream media attention from established media outlets.
• to have a strong team that will campaign for you to win certain awards.
• to deal with annoying music business politics e.g. other established acts trying to throw you under the bus.
• to get connected to the music elite circle in whatever country you are in and use that to build your brand value.

 

[Bla Jedza]

Modern record labels don't do much for you that you can't do for yourself.

In fact, modern records labels expect to sign artists who are already buzzing and popular on the internet (i.e. social media, YouTube, etc).

So the old school traditional way of music companies discovering artists is long gone. This too applies to the concept of music companies developing artists they have signed. Well, they don't do that anymore.

The internet is here to stay and music artists should take advantage of it instead of waiting thinking they are gonna get signed to a record label.

Artists should also know that:

• you don't need to get signed to have music fans.
• you don't need a record label to be a creative person.
• you don't need a record label to promote your music on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

But you 'MAY' need a recognized record label:

• to receive mainstream media attention from established media outlets.
• to have a strong team that will campaign for you to win certain awards.
• to deal with annoying music business politics e.g. other established acts trying to throw you under the bus.
• to get connected to the music elite circle in whatever country you are in and use that to build your brand value.

Are you saying music awards are bought or rigged?

 

[Black Panther]

Are you saying music awards are bought or rigged?

Perhaps I should say in 'SOME' countries, yes, it isn't any surprise that music awards are already rigged and bought off completely before the music award ceremony even takes place.

Think about it, if politicians can rig general elections then the music industry should be child's play.

I am not saying all music award shows are 'FAKE' -- but certain music award events in different countries are just plain bogus. There is no other way to describe it.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

Are you saying music awards are bought or rigged?

 

[Scorpio]

It’s about to get serious. Facts Only. ?? ?

 

[Queen]

Nah ??you lie. The dude is good. Be real ??‍

But why so much hate?

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

Nah ??you lie. The dude is good. Be real ??‍

But why so much hate?

You see, when a bunch of people keep on saying the same thing over and over again, then there’s some iota of truth in it. ?

 

[Bla Jedza]

Do record labels pay for tours?

 

[Black Panther]

Do record labels pay for tours?

In most cases, record labels don't pay for tours. It's the music promoter who pays the artist to perform live or private individuals who pay artists to perform at their private events.

Furthermore, if an artist signed a modern standard 360 deal with a record label then if the artist goes on tour he is supposed to pay his record label a certain percentage.

 

[Scorpio]

You see, when a bunch of people keep on saying the same thing over and over again, then there’s some iota of truth in it. ?

Truth hurts.?

 

[Bla Jedza]

In most cases, record labels don't pay for tours. It's the music promoter who pays the artist to perform live or private individuals who pay artists to perform at their private events.

Furthermore, if an artist signed a modern standard 360 deal with a record label then if the artist goes on tour he is supposed to pay his record label a certain percentage.

Don't you think 360 deals are greedy?

 

[Black Panther]

Don't you think 360 deals are greedy?

I don't think that ALL 360 deals in the music industry are greedy because sometimes a record label will invest so much money into building a brand from scratch.

And the huge sums of money that are spent on marketing will likely expose any record company to financial risk if the artist doesn't blow up as the next big thing.

It's just business like any other business. There has to be a return on investment.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

Truth hurts.?

 

[Numero Uno]

Modern record labels don't do much for you that you can't do for yourself.

In fact, modern records labels expect to sign artists who are already buzzing and popular on the internet (i.e. social media, YouTube, etc).

So the old school traditional way of music companies discovering artists is long gone. This too applies to the concept of music companies developing artists they have signed. Well, they don't do that anymore.

The internet is here to stay and music artists should take advantage of it instead of waiting thinking they are gonna get signed to a record label.

Artists should also know that:

• you don't need to get signed to have music fans.
• you don't need a record label to be a creative person.
• you don't need a record label to promote your music on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

But you 'MAY' need a recognized record label:

• to receive mainstream media attention from established media outlets.
• to have a strong team that will campaign for you to win certain awards.
• to deal with annoying music business politics e.g. other established acts trying to throw you under the bus.
• to get connected to the music elite circle in whatever country you are in and use that to build your brand value.

Does that include payola?

 

[Black Panther]

Does that include payola?

In most countries, Payola is VERY illegal. It’s an unethical practice that still happens under the table and there is no doubt about that.

 

[Bla Jedza]

In most countries, Payola is VERY illegal. It’s an unethical practice that still happens under the table and there is no doubt about that.

Since some of us are noobs y'all gonna need to explain to me what is payola in the music business?

 

[Black Panther]

Since some of us are noobs y'all gonna need to explain to me what is payola in the music business?

Payola is a means to manipulate a song's performance on music charts by paying your way all the way to the top. Or alternatively, let's say payola is when you pay DJs to spin your record.

You can also think of payola as unethical business practices such as paying corrupt politicians to sort out your business deals.

 

[Scorpio]

Does that include payola?

Payola it's been a thing in the record industry since the 50s.