Talk about the music biz - marketing, promotions, contract law, copyright etc...
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By TheFirstJimBo Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:31 pm
They want to buy one track from me. They want to buy the exclusive rights to own. This will be the first track that I officially sell, with signed papers and all, besides leasing and whatnot. Do any of you guys have advice on what I should look out for and be carefull about. The dude that put me on told me to be careful because "these guys will rape you and not give a fvck about you, they will give you $2,000 for a beat that cost $20,000 and you would be happy because you didnt know any better". Any help would be appreicated prefferably from someone with experience in selling beats to a management company/A&R.

By fader-pro Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:16 pm
For just the beat (Rythm Track) You'd be really lucky to get 2k the first time out. Try to negotiate credit for music creation on the disk. If it hits you've got a "record on the wall". Enough of these make your studio look real spiffy :wink: It's an easy deal so a short contract is all you need....Of course you'll hate me if the tune goes platinum, but 90% of all Major Label releases sell less than 700 units! Take the cash and invest in your game.

By ZAM13 Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:31 pm
If you sell them publishing rights they can resell your beat . Make sure it is stated for one time use only. Don't sell the publishing rights outright. Get a entertainment lawyer yourself to read over what you sign .
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By TheFirstJimBo Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:33 pm
I was told to expect anywhere from 1k-5k since I'm a unknown. I just dont want to be shorted. Do I have to ask for the credits? For points? People are telling me all this stuff but its like nothing is fact. What am I supposed to ask for.

By fader-pro Fri Apr 28, 2006 3:07 pm
ZAM13 wrote:If you sell them publishing rights they can resell your beat . Make sure it is stated for one time use only. Don't sell the publishing rights outright. Get a entertainment lawyer yourself to read over what you sign .


Essentially Zam is right, you want to make sure the beat is only used on the song you sell it for, but you are not a publisher and once you've given up your rights to the piece, the new owner can do whater they want with it...hell it may end up in a car commercial. Credit is important because you want your name out there. You can get up with a heavy contract and ask for points, publishing, and other considerations but if you get too fancy, alot of folks will just go elsewhere for their material. If you're just in it for a one time sale a simple contract, stating you will recieve credit as the author of "tune X" to be used only on "recording Y" and on no other recording without the express written consent of the author for the sum of $???.00 should do it. There are a number of premade contracts available on the net that you can buy or probably find for free....I use contracts from these guys.... http://www.order-yours-now.com/
I have also sold tunes outright (all rights) because the money was good...only one of them ever made the top 40 and I got over 20 for it so I didn't cry too much... :wink:

By pimpdawg156 Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:37 pm
yo first jimbo what artist under czar entertainment are you making a track for. Because the new dude webbz under that label is from round my way over here in florida. And i got some tracks to get him to check out , but i neva get no reply from the dude. How you got through to them.
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By TheFirstJimBo Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:03 pm
Webbz is who heard my cds. I dont know what artist he wants to use it for yet. I knew a dude that worked at this other studio that I was supposed to work at, he works for them now and he put me on.

Anybody else that can speak from experience and give me some advice?

By pimpdawg156 Wed May 03, 2006 12:19 am
oh true. Webbz stay ova here in florida. You out here in florida.
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By TheFirstJimBo Wed May 03, 2006 5:51 am
I'm in NYC but I have a record in FL :twisted:

By tdot Wed May 03, 2006 2:30 pm
like fader said earlier. You can try to get money outright, or get credit as a writer through whoever is publishing your work. That way you see fractions off spins, music video play, record sales, live performances, commercials..etc

You could do both but as a youngin it's likely that you're not going to get that good of a deal. If you honestly believe in your heart that this song will not really blow up/make it on the album/or the artists album flops and sells in local barbershops exclusively then you should only really worry about the downpayment cash because you're likely not going to see much on the backend.

Just try to milk out as much as possible on both ends without overstepping your own boundaries and **** around with the management/artists. Also, if they want you to sign any contract, get an entertainment lawyer, or a copyright lawyer to look it over. You don't wanna get ganked on some Bad Boy small print fockery
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By TheFirstJimBo Wed May 03, 2006 6:34 pm
thanks tdot
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By bboutit Fri May 05, 2006 2:08 pm
fader-pro wrote:
ZAM13 wrote:If you sell them publishing rights they can resell your beat . Make sure it is stated for one time use only. Don't sell the publishing rights outright. Get a entertainment lawyer yourself to read over what you sign .


Essentially Zam is right, you want to make sure the beat is only used on the song you sell it for, but you are not a publisher and once you've given up your rights to the piece, the new owner can do whater they want with it...hell it may end up in a car commercial. Credit is important because you want your name out there. You can get up with a heavy contract and ask for points, publishing, and other considerations but if you get too fancy, alot of folks will just go elsewhere for their material. If you're just in it for a one time sale a simple contract, stating you will recieve credit as the author of "tune X" to be used only on "recording Y" and on no other recording without the express written consent of the author for the sum of $???.00 should do it. There are a number of premade contracts available on the net that you can buy or probably find for free....I use contracts from these guys.... http://www.order-yours-now.com/
I have also sold tunes outright (all rights) because the money was good...only one of them ever made the top 40 and I got over 20 for it so I didn't cry too much... :wink:


Yep... Good Move. Plus if it blows you could do interviews etc to get your name out there.

2K - Plus Credits - shouldn't be asking for too much - beat may not get used so you have to keep that in mind, but it's got to be nice if they want it. You are going to have to "give" away some schit at some point, by give I mean take "less" $$... Or take "no money" and ask for points when dealing with a SUPER large artist like busta. <-- just 1st time around only!!!