10 Reasons Why Artists Die Broke

James L. Walker, Jr., Esq., is an attorney, professor, legal analyst and the author of “This Business of Urban Music.” He wrote an article for RapRehab.com explaining the ten reasons why rappers die broke. He article is a straight up in your face article. I was floor by a comment from Jay-Z, which stated, “There are ten guys in the rap game making money ”. When I initially read that statement, I was not surprised and then I was surprised. That led me to the question, “Who are the ten people and what do they do?” Are they artists, producers, label owners, music publishers, and managers? The number ten seems so wrong when you look at TV and see nothing but the artists flaunting what they really do not have.

I feel like I need to get back to the conversation at hand. James L. Walker stated the ten reasons as:

1. They Don’t Understand Business
2. They Don’t Read Their Contracts
3. They Don’t Read Anything
4. They Don’t Hire A Good Manager
5. They Don’t Hire A Good Lawyer
6. They Don’t know What a Point Is? (article on the point system)
7. They Don’t Understand Music Publishing?
8. They Don’t Know How To Read A Royalty Statement
9. They Surround Themselves With All The Wrong People
10. They Want to be A “Star” For All The Wrong Reasons

        (RapRehab, 2012)

I must admit, there a few things on this list that I do not know. I have never seen a royalty statement of my own and I do not know what a point is. I also must admit that as an aspiring hook singer back in the day, I was guilty of this whole list. Or I will at least say that I would read the bad contract and still sign it anyway. Just to be included on something or a fear of being black balled for standing up for my publishing. If you are aspiring artists, producer, or songwriter, please learns the business. It is the only thing that will give you longevity in the music business.

 

 4 Music Publishing and Licensing Professionals in Atlanta, GA

I had the opportunity to attend an event in Atlanta, GA that talked about music publishing and licensingas well as turning a single into multiple income streams. The event was presented and sponsored by GrammyU and Affix Music. I must be clear about me attending this event. It was my first music-publishing networking event and I was very motivated by the time I left. I was taken back at all the knowledge that was on the stage sitting right in front of me..  The panel included Peniece Le Gall (SESAC), Tammy Hurt (Placement Music), Kendall Minter (Minter & Associates), and Lynn Oliver (GM, Southern Ground Artists, Inc.). It was moderated by Simon Horrocks (Affix Music).

One of the panelists that really impressed me was Tammy Hurt. She has managing partner of Placement Music that focuses on music placement for commercials, movies, video games, tv shows and many more media outlets. Placement Music has a catalog of talented emerging and established artists as well as award-winning songwriters, producers and engineers in their company. Tammy spoke of the many opportunities that songwriters and composers have in front of them once their songs and compositions are ready for placement. She is a winner of two Silver Telly Awards and a Hollywood Music In Media Award (HMMA) for “Best Score – Special Feature”!! The project was commission by Fox Sports and is entitled “Declaration of Independence". (Placement Music. 2012)

PeNiece Le Gall has a 10-year career working in music publishing. She has worked for all three publishing rights organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and currently the Director of Writer/ Publisher Relations at SESAC. Her experience in the music publishing and licensing industry go unnoticed. She is an entrepreneur and music publishing professional that teaches young music professionals the importance of the music business. 

Kendall Minter is one of the music industry's leading entertainment lawyers. He has an office in Atlanta, GA and other cities as well. He teaches a class at Georgia State University which talks about copyrights. He spoke of composers and songwriters protecting themselves from the pitfalls of the entertainment industry. He is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to music publishing as well. He is a person that one should get to know and if you ever had the opportunity to meet him, please introduce yourself. He has a lot of YouTube videos talking about various subjects pertaining to the music industry. I advise everyone to take a lot at them.

Lynn Oliver is the general manger of Southern Ground Artists, Inc., home of the Zac Brown Band. She started her career working as an intern for Hootie and the Blowfish and Fishco Management. She has emerged as a major player in the music publishing and recording industry. She has experience as a talent scout, A & R director, music supervisor, and writer/publisher relations at BMI. 

    Lynn Oliver

Simon Horrocks  is the co-owner of Affix Music. He has over 20 years of experience in the music industry. He has emerged as one of the Atlanta’s music scene as a management consultant. He has worked with artists such as Ciara and Upfront/Universal label working with artists such as Akon and Chilli. Affix Music is a music licensing company that specializes in placing quality “Urban Music” in television, film, advertising, games and digital media. His company has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world such as HBO, Walt Disney, Clear Channel, and Verizon.

All of these professionals belong to the NARAS organization and other organizations such as NARIP AND AIMP. If you want to become a player in the game of music publishing, you need to be a part of one of the organizations to start networking with music industry professional such as the one’s on this blog. There are countless other jobs and careers in the music industry. Please remember that the music industry is a business, that is why it is called “The Music Business”.