Record Label Contracts Explained: Major Labels New Evil Deal Exposed!

Are you an artist, producer, or music executive looking to maintain your independence? Watch out for the new "upstream deals" being quietly introduced by major labels. These deals can lock you in early and obscure the true extent of major-label involvement. In today's video, I'll expose how major labels are acquiring indie distributors to offer these deals under the radar, allowing them to leverage their massive systems without the artist's knowledge. Learn how to identify these deals, understand their implications, and explore alternative options like independent distributors that help you maintain control over your music career. Stay informed and protect your artistic integrity. Don't forget to download our free guide, "10 Ways to Increase Your Record Label Profits," and check out our 60-Day Record Label course to navigate the industry like a pro. Subscribe for more insights!

00:00 - Let’s talk!
00:25 - Artists Don’t Want Record Deals
00:55 - Artists want Label Services
02:12 - Major Labels have acquired companies to Help
03:27 - The New Evil!
04:25 - DistroKid’s Upstream Service
05:28 - Universal Upstream Agreement
09:41 - “How do you escape this?”
09:55 - Warner Music’s Upstream Attempt
11:06 - “Should we even care?”
11:25 - My Music Distributor of Choice
11:59 - “Is an upstream deal good?”
12:50 - Before this deal Existed…
13:36 - My solution to combat this
14:26 - Avoiding these Deals
15:10 - Taking on This Deal
15:56 - My Final Thoughts

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[INDOMINION]

I was offered a non exclusive distribution deal with an indie label that had over 400 artists on their roster. It was a 50/50 split on sales and it was expected that the artist pay 50% of the production costs and bearing 100% of 'promotional costs' which was to be set by the artist. In other words the bands are the consumers and the label is the product that is promising something that you can do on your own. They had little traffic on their YT channel as well. I opted to make my own website and bear my own production costs while receiving 100% of the profit.

[painterantoinejacqueshayes]

After seeing what they did to Brittany Spears and all these big artists murdered for their estates, knowing how these labels objectify them you’d have to be a mental case to sign with anybody today

[GenuineRSA]

Labels are down bad if they have to gatekeep from the lower tier artists who are not even a threat to them.

[NateTheNoble]

I always said whatever you “sign your name on” you’re giving away a piece of your freedom

Great video!!

[igotyourback]

I know a couple of very talented artists and they do it for the love of art and expression. They don't care about fame, especially knowing how demonic and shady that industry is. I think they're are real true artists left.

[amsf]

It's crazy to sign a deal these days or accept advances. If you take that advance you'll never be able to pay it back. Why not do it for yourself and get all the profit? You can be way more successful that way with much less sales.

[sepsissband]

The modern music business and ecosystem is a lawless broken industry dominated by criminals and technology giants. Musicians are paralyzed and helpless. Consumers and fans worship the devices, hypnotized by toys, gizmos players and the next trendy gadgets.
As long as the music industry is represented by the limited successful people at the top, it will always be a competition. An industry based on charts, algorithms, metrics and manufactured symbols.
❤❤❤

[Leeslaughtr]

Always knew this but now they know their time is closing. You would he a fool to sign a deal today.

[perrywalker]

That's totally crazy I don't see why anyone would want to do anything like that. Especially today when you can distribute your own stuff for direct to customer build your audience at your own pace I mean my God the opportunities today are way better than what they used to be in the 90s and 80s and early 2000s

[RangeWilson]

"You do the work, we make the money!" 🤪

[stevierico]

Many talented independent artists, singers, songwriters and musicians don’t have the money to be successful. The right opportunities lead to success.

[BillionzEnt.]

Wow labels really trying to find that diamond artist..Watch Out 🏆Great Video

[ericcurry]

Man I am so glad you are still doing what you do exposing then Wolf's in the MUSIC business

[geminitwinworld]

We're loving what you do Casey! Pull that curtain off that Wizard from these labels im glad people eyes are wide open now❤❤❤ keep up the good detective work and we'll keep smashing that like!

[tburt]

Upcoming artist need to watch videos of Russ. His methodology can be used in everyday life outside of music

[tiffanysandoval]

Accept that you are enough and believe in yourself! Never fall for the deception they sale you because then you become their slave and they track and control you even when you want out!! Ask yourself is it really worth it when the same known artist stay at the top always?? Shouldn’t you master your craft without the need and validation of others? How would you deal with judgement and rumors and lack of privacy that effects other dreams and relationships from manifesting the way you want it? Make sure you are ready to loose your freedom!!

[dbaker]

Best movie warned us about the entertainment industry, “Josie and The Pussycats”

[BatistaInvests]

Catching a legitimate Artist "early", as an Entrepreneur, myself, seems like the absolute correct thing you would do.

[nexonsensei]

This channel is so underrated man thanks for all the knowledge

[ptyaudio]

This is the type of deal I have seen commonly nothing in Latin America in the market that I work in. They offer between $15, 000 up to $80, 000 on the first with auto renewal and they don’t upstream you they keep you at a minimum of 3 years.