QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SIGNING WITH A RECORD LABEL
Most artists dream of being signed by a record label as they see record labels as the golden ticket to their success. But this is not often the case, as getting signed to a record label doesn’t guarantee success. Getting signed to the wrong label may end up derailing your career. While the benefits of getting signed are enormous and can be an excellent opportunity for you and your career, it is a step that you should take carefully, with much thought and selectiveness given to it.
As a general rule, not all deals are for you! As such, before getting excited, investigate if the deal is a good fit for you. This article is going to look at a couple of questions that an artist should ask before committing. The questions will help you understand what the record label is offering you. Too many artists are only interested in the allure of being signed to a label or the initial monetary gain or advance they get from being signed. For some, they are only interested in the house or the car (perks that some labels give their artists) and are oblivious to essential aspects of their contract which will have a long-lasting impact on their career.
Before signing, always consider the long term. The music business is a marathon and not a sprint, and you should treat it as such. This means that you are not just looking at the now but also the future. Remember, the contract you sign will bind you for a period of years or deliverables, and if you enter a bad deal, you will be stuck there.
The purpose of entering into a record deal is to utilise their resources, connections and network. Therefore, if the label is not generating more money for you (after taking their piece) than you will make yourself, it does not make sense. Why? Imagine you enter a contract with them and cannot pay back the advance. They can hold you back (by refusing to release any music recorded whilst you were with them or holding on to your masters).
Many artists these days are succeeding without a label. It is possible, but it takes much hard work. Labels are all about making money, even to the detriment of the artist. Therefore, unless it is a perfect fit and will be extremely beneficial to you, it may be better to steer clear or wait until the right label comes calling.
This article highlights some questions to ask and factors to consider before signing with a record label.
- What is their track record with your genre? Except you are not opposed to being the first artist they are working within that genre, this may be a red flag. While some labels’ setup and connections make them well-equipped to thrive in some genres, they may struggle to produce successful acts in other genres. This could be due to a plethora of reasons.
- How do they treat smaller and less established acts? The less established acts signed to their rooster are an indication of how the label will treat you. If they are quick to dismiss or abandon their acts, then it could easily happen to you.
- Have a look at their marketing: If the label isn’t going to market you better than you will market yourself, then there’s no point being tied to them. Find out what their marketing budget is for you. You can either negotiate to increase it or turn down the deal if it is too low for you.
- What are their plans for you? The label should have a clear plan for you and your career advancement. Their plans should align with yours, and you should be comfortable with them. This will help you know if the label will be a good fit for you.
- Will the label participate in the money earned from your publishing, merchandise, etc.? If the Label collects monies made in these areas, it will reduce the monies you keep to yourself. Whilst this is not necessarily a red flag, it also means that they should be investing a lot in you to entitle them to participate in your other streams of income.
Other questions may include:
- The number of songs you are to deliver.
- The assets they can provide, including production.
- What are the departments in the label, especially their A&R team?
- What is the advance you will be getting?
- How long is your contract for?
These questions help the artist understand the plans (if any) the label has for him and his career, what they have to offer, if they are a good fit for him, and if he is a good fit for them. Don’t forget that teamwork makes the dream work.
Lastly, stay up to date with all you need to know about African music at SOA, right here.
I am a Nigerian qualified lawyer with over 3 years of post-qualification experience. I’m an alumnus of the University of Lagos and the Queen Mary University of London, where I completed a master’s degree in corporate commercial law with a distinction. I’m also a drummer, a lover of dogs and an avid gamer.
Over the years, I have offered corporate and commercial services to companies, businesses and start-ups and provided advisory services to artists and record labels. I currently work with Laude London, a music management consultancy firm that offers publishing, sync placement, branding, and A&R services to artists.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SIGNING WITH A RECORD LABEL
