The Reality Of the Record Deal
Record Companies. How many of you have had a dream of producing your own immaculate beats or creating a hit composition? Do you remember sitting in front of the TV as a child with a bowl of Cap'n Crunch at hand, watching some of your favorite musicians and artists on MTV and VH1? I wasn't the type of kid to sit around all day watching cartoons, instead often times my main source of information was media television and mainstream radio.
At that young tender age is when most of us start to imagine that all things are possible and we even dare to imitate the artists we admire. Never once in that instructional moment did I think of the hard work and labor that I would have to put into my craft in order to succeed in the realm that famous artists did. Do you think I was thinking about industry or labels? The truth is, artists, no matter the amount of fame or lack thereof, have to work hard and sometimes stressful jobs just like "ordinary" and "everyday" people.
Those same artists and musicians we admired so dearly are working people just like we were all bound to be. They grew up listening to the artists of their day when they were younger. Yes, they hold memories of sitting in front of the TV and being in awe of performers that struck them. Let me ask you a question. What is the first goal most people set up in their minds when trying to pursue a music career? "I NEED A RECORD DEAL!" This is often the first thing that pops up into the minds of the youth that are taught everything else in elementary, secondary, and high school expect for how to survive without putting yourself into bondage or how to invent creative ways to release art without falling into the well disguised pitfall known as the record company.
There are so many options to choose from that will not rob you of your art and your dignity. Every single musician uses music as a safe haven to get away from the elements that are unfavorable in their lives. Unfortunately, many artists rise to fame and ignorantly put themselves in the midst of troubles worse than they were running away from before they were famous. With lurking major record companies and labels often stripping artists of their master recordings before they get to step a whole foot in the door with bright lights flashing on insecure and personal moments, staying healthy and sane is a low chance. Musicians walk into record company doors thinking they are in for security, bearable fame, and freedom from poverty when that is exactly what they don't get. If anything they get the exact opposite!
The effects of fame can be damaging and the record labels don't make life any better. When they keep your master recordings they keep most of the income and profit from your work. Answer this question. If you created the art, isn't it rightfully yours? Not in the record company's opinion. They will even dictate the people you can work with and even the legendary band Nirvana was still in the same broken financial condition they were in previously, when they put out the top charted album, "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Don't run towards what you used music to run away from. Don't fall into the traps of slavery and lies. The choice is rightfully yours on whether you want to fall into one path or another but always know that times are changing. Social media, SoundCloud, YouTube, and even blogs open up avenues to share your music with the world and sell it to your pleasing without getting ripped off by labels that are not in the business for your better good. Research all of the distribution options before making a definite choice and always think, plan, and READ before you sign anything dealing with contracts.
