Hey Ari:) This is such an important topic, and hits close to home for me, thank you for shedding some light on it. Not sure if you are familiar with my dad and his music, so forgive me if I’m being redundant. I write about him a lot:) His name is Johnnie Taylor, and he was the first artist, ever to have a Platinum record, (EVER)!, with his single, ‘Discolady’’, on Sony Records. He first signed to Stax Records, after Otis Redding died, and then went on to sign with several labels including Sony Music, who released this single in 1973. Discolady was the biggest hit of his career, with worldwide success, but to this day, collecting his royalties, on this song, from Sony, has been intentionally challenging. There is a consistent lack of transparency in the accounting, so their math never adds up. It’s set up that way on purpose, of course. Although at one point they told us all his “debts” were forgiven, after he passed away, they continue to arbitrarily point back to, “past advances”, without a definitive paper trail, or contract, and use this to rationalize keeping his royalties in the negative on an ongoing basis, for this song. The amount of the “past advances”, is always going up, when it serves them, and down when we press them for answers, and clear statements. Dealing with big corporations, is tricky because they are counting on situations being too expensive for most people to hang in and fight for, via audits etc.
My dad always said: “It’s called show business for a reason, it’s 90% business, and 10% show, if you don’t know your business, your screwed.”Discolady came out in 1973, but clearly not much has changed with traditional deals. His experience was coming up in this business in the 60’s and 70’s, and it was even more deliberate then, especially for a Black artist. After everything my dad went through in his early years, he always emphasized to me, knowing my business, and always understanding what’s in the contract. Keeping an entrepreneurial mindset, as an artist, inspires new ways of thinking about the relationship between your art, and your commerce, which can be tricky from a creative standpoint, and a fine line, but I think, if you can think outside the box in any business, especially music, you are on a road to creative and financial longevity, rather than doing it the old school way, possibly ending up with 15 minutes, and nothing saved. Like Ray Charles said, “Always own your masters”. He was one of the first to do that. Knowledge is power:) Coincidentally, just this week, Rolling Stone Magazine just published an article on Johnnie Taylor, his heirs, Sony music and the difficulties with collecting artist royalties. Here’s the link, if you get a sec, check it out. Very on topic. Have a great weekend! 🎶❤️🙏🏽
I found it very creative and financially brilliant when rappers and hip-hoppers started making their own music and selling it from cars and basements. It’s the money management (for some), I worry about. Investing in paintings, sculptures, and other forms of artwork, is a growing trend…Must check out Jonathan’s book-he’s handsome, too, Ari.
I love this. How empowering and courageous for artists to protect themselves and their art by taking charge of the business end, so very right brain function! And how lucky the art world is for having Swizz Beatz and the Dean Collection. Hopefully there will be more kind and generous producers out there to make it possible for independent artists to support themselves. I was living in DUMBO in the 90s when it was a bunch of scrappy artists trying to create and support themselves without representation. “Open studio” night evolved into “open studio” weekends and with time caught on like wild fire, drawing huge crowds. Did this open more opportunities for them, create generational wealth, or even help make rent each month? Not sure, but they were taking charge.
Kudos to your brother for taking on this important subject! I’ll get my hands on his book!
Yes, many people - even devoted fans - don't know about this stuff because it's 'backstage' and 'in the weeds' but it can shape/restrict the arts and our culture
Thanks, Ari, art ( paintings, sculpture, etc.) is my first love. I definitely believe artists should take control of the business aspects of their creativity. Your brother’s book sounds interesting- probably more my kind of thing than rap/hip hop. I’m a work in progress, thanks for all the guidance.
I would like to see more POC be less interested in the latest fashion, cars, and things that don't improve their wealth. I would like to see more POC use any disposable income (however large or small) to invest it in art, real estate, stock market, crypto currency, these things that increase your wealth and leave a legacy for your family. This doesn't just happen though. POC have to be willing to read everything they can, pay attention to finance, politics, and take advantage of vehicles of wealth when they present themselves. I am glad these artists are realizing their worth and not to sell their talent short for a quick buck. Thanks Ari for shining the spotlight; keep being a champion of causes that are not popular. Have a fantastic weekend but don't party to hard. Stay safe stay well!💝🥰🦋
Thanks for the book tip! My bestie is a visual artist in the LGBTQ/LatinX spaces, and I’m his loudest hypebeing. It was weird the first time he realized there was a secondary market for his work, and even weirder to realize he wouldn’t get a piece of it.
Hi Ari! I just finished reading about Luna Luna and am friggin blown away by this story. With Drake’s involvement in saving the amusement park and Basquiat works an integral part of it all, my mind naturally went to you. Would love to hear what you have to say about all of this. Maybe a future special report or Substack read ; )
Absolutely they can because now they have examples of people doing it before them like Swizz and Jay who are also eager to share knowledge and save these guys from being the cold crush
I'm a tiny, self-released my first CD it's not online on purpose, because all my friends that did that forever get ripped off. The music industry packages female artists like meat on a plate with saran wrap. They all become mannequins with the same looks. I've always been an edge walker and I knew I had to go a different route, and I probably have five more albums in my head. But I do own all my first original tunes and I'm going to continue that forward no matter if I ever get any of them produced in future. Great article and thank you for writing it!
Hey Ari:) This is such an important topic, and hits close to home for me, thank you for shedding some light on it. Not sure if you are familiar with my dad and his music, so forgive me if I’m being redundant. I write about him a lot:) His name is Johnnie Taylor, and he was the first artist, ever to have a Platinum record, (EVER)!, with his single, ‘Discolady’’, on Sony Records. He first signed to Stax Records, after Otis Redding died, and then went on to sign with several labels including Sony Music, who released this single in 1973. Discolady was the biggest hit of his career, with worldwide success, but to this day, collecting his royalties, on this song, from Sony, has been intentionally challenging. There is a consistent lack of transparency in the accounting, so their math never adds up. It’s set up that way on purpose, of course. Although at one point they told us all his “debts” were forgiven, after he passed away, they continue to arbitrarily point back to, “past advances”, without a definitive paper trail, or contract, and use this to rationalize keeping his royalties in the negative on an ongoing basis, for this song. The amount of the “past advances”, is always going up, when it serves them, and down when we press them for answers, and clear statements. Dealing with big corporations, is tricky because they are counting on situations being too expensive for most people to hang in and fight for, via audits etc.
My dad always said: “It’s called show business for a reason, it’s 90% business, and 10% show, if you don’t know your business, your screwed.”Discolady came out in 1973, but clearly not much has changed with traditional deals. His experience was coming up in this business in the 60’s and 70’s, and it was even more deliberate then, especially for a Black artist. After everything my dad went through in his early years, he always emphasized to me, knowing my business, and always understanding what’s in the contract. Keeping an entrepreneurial mindset, as an artist, inspires new ways of thinking about the relationship between your art, and your commerce, which can be tricky from a creative standpoint, and a fine line, but I think, if you can think outside the box in any business, especially music, you are on a road to creative and financial longevity, rather than doing it the old school way, possibly ending up with 15 minutes, and nothing saved. Like Ray Charles said, “Always own your masters”. He was one of the first to do that. Knowledge is power:) Coincidentally, just this week, Rolling Stone Magazine just published an article on Johnnie Taylor, his heirs, Sony music and the difficulties with collecting artist royalties. Here’s the link, if you get a sec, check it out. Very on topic. Have a great weekend! 🎶❤️🙏🏽
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/johnnie-taylor-fonda-bryant-sony-royalties-1241773/
Correction, Discolady was released in 1976. Just to be accurate:)
I found it very creative and financially brilliant when rappers and hip-hoppers started making their own music and selling it from cars and basements. It’s the money management (for some), I worry about. Investing in paintings, sculptures, and other forms of artwork, is a growing trend…Must check out Jonathan’s book-he’s handsome, too, Ari.
I love this. How empowering and courageous for artists to protect themselves and their art by taking charge of the business end, so very right brain function! And how lucky the art world is for having Swizz Beatz and the Dean Collection. Hopefully there will be more kind and generous producers out there to make it possible for independent artists to support themselves. I was living in DUMBO in the 90s when it was a bunch of scrappy artists trying to create and support themselves without representation. “Open studio” night evolved into “open studio” weekends and with time caught on like wild fire, drawing huge crowds. Did this open more opportunities for them, create generational wealth, or even help make rent each month? Not sure, but they were taking charge.
Kudos to your brother for taking on this important subject! I’ll get my hands on his book!
Have a great weekend!!
Hi Ari. I was not really aware of the extreme robbery of artist losing control of their property. It is a shame and a crime.
Yes, many people - even devoted fans - don't know about this stuff because it's 'backstage' and 'in the weeds' but it can shape/restrict the arts and our culture
Thanks, Ari, art ( paintings, sculpture, etc.) is my first love. I definitely believe artists should take control of the business aspects of their creativity. Your brother’s book sounds interesting- probably more my kind of thing than rap/hip hop. I’m a work in progress, thanks for all the guidance.
This is an interesting newsletter, Ari🙂 Art and Capitalism - hmmmm🤔 Hey what can I say, Swizz Beatz and Jay-Z are visionaries.
You and your brother look alike😃 A brother's unconditional love is priceless. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Ari…Cheers😁
I would like to see more POC be less interested in the latest fashion, cars, and things that don't improve their wealth. I would like to see more POC use any disposable income (however large or small) to invest it in art, real estate, stock market, crypto currency, these things that increase your wealth and leave a legacy for your family. This doesn't just happen though. POC have to be willing to read everything they can, pay attention to finance, politics, and take advantage of vehicles of wealth when they present themselves. I am glad these artists are realizing their worth and not to sell their talent short for a quick buck. Thanks Ari for shining the spotlight; keep being a champion of causes that are not popular. Have a fantastic weekend but don't party to hard. Stay safe stay well!💝🥰🦋
Well said..agree with you..reading and doing our own research is key.
Thanks for the book tip! My bestie is a visual artist in the LGBTQ/LatinX spaces, and I’m his loudest hypebeing. It was weird the first time he realized there was a secondary market for his work, and even weirder to realize he wouldn’t get a piece of it.
Absolutely love this article. As an Artist I’m appreciative of you Ari Melber for capturing the life and culture of Artist. Thank you wholeheartedly.
Hi Ari! I just finished reading about Luna Luna and am friggin blown away by this story. With Drake’s involvement in saving the amusement park and Basquiat works an integral part of it all, my mind naturally went to you. Would love to hear what you have to say about all of this. Maybe a future special report or Substack read ; )
Absolutely they can because now they have examples of people doing it before them like Swizz and Jay who are also eager to share knowledge and save these guys from being the cold crush
Tasha Taylor, I loved DISCOLADY. What a time. Thanks, for sharing
You explain issues to understand so thank you
I'm a tiny, self-released my first CD it's not online on purpose, because all my friends that did that forever get ripped off. The music industry packages female artists like meat on a plate with saran wrap. They all become mannequins with the same looks. I've always been an edge walker and I knew I had to go a different route, and I probably have five more albums in my head. But I do own all my first original tunes and I'm going to continue that forward no matter if I ever get any of them produced in future. Great article and thank you for writing it!
If that's not a modern day slave not sure if slavery ever existed
For sure they can. I have personally learned being on youtube of their contractual obligations thus far never ending as with the the Olympics