Artists are Selling their Music... What's Going On?

[@JasmineBurnett-pd8bz]

Artists are going broke because streaming doesnt pay the bills, people dont buy music like before so i dont blame them.

[@avetiq3905]

Streams would pay bills, if they weren't splitted for all the people involved in the songs. If singers made their music entirely, they would earn more, or even if they didn't, they would have saved more

[@naomi.cannibal]

Yuuuup. And they have very expensive lifestyles/ people on the payroll they have to account for. I’ve even heard downsizing can take some time too

[@AngeBiampandou]

@@avetiq3905 Mariah Carey herself said she's not making lots of money off of AIWFC with streaming and she wrote it. It's way bigger than a songwritting issue. Bruce Springsteen is still touring and doing stadiums in his 70s bc that's where the money is at. Streaming is worth a penny. What is the value of a stream ? 0.0001 dollars per stream and 1500 stream=1 sale. That's ridiculous

[@beckettfitz1982]

@@naomi.cannibalhell, some people don’t even pay for Spotify. You can even pirate Spotify Premium😂.

[@felicityb93]

This is the main reason why I don't blame or judge artists for doing this. Nobody wants to buy music anymore (that is not a judgement, it is an observation; none of us are getting paid what we should for our labor), so if they can make a decent chunk of change off it... I just hope they know what they're giving up by making these deals.

[@jsparkles555]

I understand why older artists would do it, especially since their catalogues are most likely going to sell for 8-9 figures. I still think it’s risky for younger artists to do the same, unless you’re a hit maker like Katy Perry and you’re guaranteed a lot of money.

[@naomi.cannibal]

I agree! So much can change before the time their career “ends” or they’re ready to settle down. I think I wouldn’t do it till I’m ready to retire from music and leave something for my non existent kids or fund my next business venture

[@2good2leaveunow]

I think a lot of artists don't have or want the infrastructure to support the licensing deals that it takes to get the money out of it.

[@brg4622]

Yea you make a good point with that. I think the way the music industry is dying, these younger artists that are out now won’t be as big in 5 years. Even If they get offered 7 figures for their music they should take it and invest in other ways. That probably won’t happen though. these bigger artists are only selling because they know the culture of music is dying. Streaking ruined it

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

@@brg4622 The music industry isn't dying.

[@nileverdeen3797]

But miss perry can't even get a hot 100 entry

[@noelmsp007]

Tina Turner did it best. She literally owned her masters til a few years before she passed. She milked her music for so long, then sold it for a final bag. Business queen!

[@jayparker96]

😢 thats why they did what they did to her.. iykyk.. and im not only talking about her death

[@darcey4223]

@@jayparker96would love u to explain!

[@me.1796]

@@jayparker96what did they do?

[@jayparker96]

@@me.1796 look up what happened to her sons as well as where her money went after death

[@BootyWarrior80892]

@@jayparker96here y’all go with these schizophrenic fueled conspiracy theories 🙄

[@dinasilva9263]

I hope Mariah never does this, she always refused since her early years but music industry changed so much in recent years that we never know what will happen in the future. And is sad to know that even when artists write their own music they are who makes less money. I was really surprised with Shakira, maybe is because of her problems with taxes in Spain.

[@dantan1249]

She said she was passing it to her children in one of her Christmas interviews.

[@lourencovieira5424]

i doubt she would specially with her resurgence in popularity since around 2019

[@naomi.cannibal]

I truly don’t think Mariah ever will. She probably won’t ever need that money, considering how much her music still makes and how she can count on millions yearly from AIWFCIY. But I guess anything is possible

[@dantan1249]

@@naomi.cannibal it really doesn’t make that much sense unless you have some huge guarantees in terms of investment. Why not just pass it to the next generation? Idk. I can’t believe Bieber sold at such a young age.

[@deronwilliams338]

If I was an artist that wrote and produced my music I wouldn’t sell my music.

[@LifeOfTheAngels]

Considering how underhanded and shady the music business is, I can see why ppl side eye these artists selling their masters or not owning their masters bc ultimately, why wouldn’t you want to own the work that built your legacy

[@_Sumeyo_]

right

[@nameisamine]

Like naomi said all this music is ultimately destined to become public domain. You can’t make money off it indefinitely. So eventually it makes sense to cash out. Some artists won’t sell everything, and they’ll be comfortable partnering with those who will manage their catalog _for them_ and better exploit all revenue possibilities from said catalog, meaning more money for everyone. Also, the value of their catalog could go down in the future, leading them to think that the best time to sell is right now.

[@razrv3lc]

@@nameisamineit literally takes longer than a lifetime for something to become part of the public domain

[@MissAmeriNegro]

The already don’t own it. They never did.

[@bunnywar]

Billionaires are just gonna steal it anyway, might as well cash out before slavery becomes fully legal

[@ahmarindungu9010]

What’s crazy is I thought Katy Perry’s catalog would be worth way more 🤨

[@naomi.cannibal]

hopefully the whole catalog is, and that’s just what her shares were worth (idk if she had many shares or not)

[@JDUCSUDMU38948]

literally, especially considering teenage dream should’ve beat michael jackson’s record…

[@UTRA456]

She was only able to sell her share. Meaning more ppl own a part of the whole pie who still own their shares, so her discography is worth way more, at least double, of what she sold it for, if u take that into account.

[@jcdx87]

⁠@@JDUCSUDMU38948um no Thriller is on a whole different level

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

It would've been worth 500million but she shared it

[@Yaio.e]

Mariah is sitting on a billion dollar discography

[@naomi.cannibal]

I wanna know what it’s worth so badddd I know that number is UP there

[@josephwilliams8001]

She literally makes millions every year from one song(All I Want For Christmas Is You)

[@CarDitoXMEYEDUST]

MARIAAAH ❤️

[@noelmsp007]

2 billion tbh. We all know her music WILL be played and sampled a hundred years from now.

[@blackdateline1996]

Ugh the information and research that you do for every video is TOP TEIR content.

[@VivaLaShay89]

Older legacy acts selling their publishing makes sense to me because of what you said. Their fan base did not grow up on streaming and wouldn’t help them in this era. But I think the one that shocked me the most was Justin Bieber. I’m like WHATTTTT?! He’s only 29. I feel like it would’ve been worth wayyyyy more than $200 million. But then again I feel like Biebz with his health issues may be done with music.

[@JasmineBurnett-pd8bz]

Yess, he doesnt feel connected to the industry anymore, and i cant blame him, because rn he is trying to seek a "normal" life as possible with his family. If he doesnt make anymore music i wouldnt be mad tbh. Rather see him happy than miserable

[@nameisamine]

He didn’t write a lot of that music and may not feel as connected to it. He can still release new albums and own those, and even sell that newer repertoire again in another 10-20 years from now and make even more. I’m not sure if Justin wants to continue making music into his 30s & 40s tho. 😅

[@TheSkinnyZ]

And on the contrary, Zara Larsson recently has acquired all of her masters.

[@nicolesherman8974]

No, because seeing Shakira in your thumbnail is shocking to me omg..

[@naomi.cannibal]

I didn’t know she did this, I dont remember hearing the news back in 2021

[@o_o1241]

It’s def something that depends, cause Mariah wrote basically her entire catalog so it’s soooo personal to her, but nowadays people don’t write their own music so it’s easier for them to sell their catalog and gain a big profit from it! Btw purple is SO your color omg!! 💜

[@tom_demarco]

What do you mean nowadays people don't write they're own music? That has literally been happening since the beginning of the industry

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

@@tom_demarco I like this channel for the most part but the commenters and fans of this channel are literal NPCs that can't think for themselves.

[@thedancevalley2920]

Showing Chloe x Halle when referencing the pandemic is chef’s kiss

[@naomi.cannibal]

Cause they ate it uuuup I loved those performances

[@love.ananan]

no cuz Naomi ATE that!

[@123theprodigy5]

I never understood that concept, why would you want to sell your lives work. lil Wayne did it a couple of years ago he’s sold his masters for $100 million. Wouldn’t you want to keep and own your lives work, I would.

[@RICARDO-bb3di]

Guess money talks 😐

[@123theprodigy5]

@@RICARDO-bb3di yep, I guess so,

[@Tee-of1rr]

People don’t make that much from actual music selling so this way you get your coin & dip

[@123theprodigy5]

That’s true, what about long-term, wouldn’t you want your kids to eat too.

[@naomi.cannibal]

I was thinking the same tbh but I guess sometimes you have to put financial obligations first… idk if I could part w music I actually made tho

[@tylerhackner9731]

Artistic integrity is important

[@zhenia2511]

One thing I love about this channel - considering it covers a lot of artists whose music I don't care for - is how good Naomi is at covering music business aspect of art discussion. I'm a college student who studies marketing and trade and the more I learn how harsh capitalism is. Applying this understanding to one of my comfort zones is an eye-opening experience.

[@Castles_Crumbling.13]

It’s so weird, there are so many conditions on where you should or should not sell

[@naomi.cannibal]

Agreed! Can’t say I’m on one side either way, bc I truly believe legends like Bruce, Bob, Shakira know what they’re doing, but also understand to some no amount of $ is worth their work

[@ShaneCM]

They probably all need the money. If they were multi billionaires they wouldn’t sell it because it wouldn’t be necessary. If they sell it it’s necessary to cover all those extreme expenses many of them have.

[@Dgee_Reigns]

This is the most educative channel about the music industry. How everything is conducted makes it sound like the music industry is an institution itself. And she hella pretty🖤😎

[@MannysMillennialMouth]

1 thing a lot of people may not understand is the amount of taxes these artists have to pay. That is a HUGE expense. It's not always about an artist being financially irresponsible. They're probably doing this for extra financial security

[@Jlm7908]

It seems like a lot of the time, selling one’s masters early in the career ends up being a shortsighted move. Glad that Mariah held onto her catalogue.

[@immaperfectionist]

I’m surprised Rihanna hasn’t sold her catalogue yet as she’s moved on from music to being a makeup mogul

[@RachelJayne92]

She doesn’t need the money.

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

She still profits from it

[@sp123]

thats Jay-Z's money😉

[@kaymap3581]

​@@sp123Rihanna owns her masters since 2014 to ALL OF HER CATALOG

[@matthewsteward8846]

@@sp123Rihanna owns her masters. Jay Z makes nothing off of her. Try again 😉

[@armanimartinez8105]

The fact that JB and Katy Perry did…. And only got no more than 300 million is crazy!!!!! How they were hailed as new pop and you got MJ catalog worth 1 billion

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

I swear you MJ fans............

[@JasmineBurnett-pd8bz]

I dont mind it, because we never know how much they might be worth in years to come. Cause of the economy

[@2good2leaveunow]

Future needs that money for child support 😂 Iggy made a smart move. Good for her. Streaming is forcing this for younger artists.

[@grammy_enthusiast]

Hey Naomi, I'm an aspiring musician and I'd like to thank you so much for this particular video. It's really informative,

[@jakehowathmsp2098]

Katy Perry! MIGOS! (yeah) I’m all that you want boy! All THAT you can have boy!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Got me spread like a buffet 🍽️

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

@@naomi.cannibalbon appetit baby

[@gabrieldominic2381]

​@@JiafeiProducts6969appetite for seduction

[@flamesniper126]

And that’s why Mariah will have the last laugh because her Christmas song will generate some form of income yearly till the world ends

[@ShaneCM]

Even if she sells apart of her catalog I hope she never sells that.

[@CoalaCalavera]

It’s crazy how much the music industry has transformed as of late. Just thinking about this video and the video you made on record label decline. I’d be interested to see another video on the cause and possible future of the music industry(if you feel like it 😝) Just seems like what used to be good practices for a career in music have now become obsolete. Is this because of TikTok? Lol

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

You people are truly delusional. The music industry isn't dying.

[@CoalaCalavera]

@@kevaughnramsay9846 I believe the word I used was transformed

[@sheenahammond1442]

@@kevaughnramsay9846 so u still buy music

[@sabrina1646]

babe wake up new naomi video dropped 🏃🏽‍♀️

[@iwilitu6591]

I discovered your channel a few days ago and I'm addicted. I love the way you talk omg

[@WaffleBat]

As an artist I get wanting a payout but at the same time all these private equity firms buying up farms and water rights and housing and art won’t be good for the rest of us in the long run.

[@natasa3412]

Omgg yess! Was so excited to watch this one since yesterday’s community post 💕

[@endor8witch]

i think it's smart to sell if it's in the 400-500mil range and you're moving beyond your career peak. that amount of money wont happen through royalties and sales when you're no longer topping the charts.

[@algenis8552]

I had mixed feelings when I knew Skakira sold her music catalogue, kinda surprised as well since she's always been very devoted to her art since the begining of her carreer, I hope Mariah keeps her masters. Great video, AS ALWAYS Naomi, Greetings from The DR.

[@nelsonmakay2522]

copyright expires eventually.....and artists need liquid cash to inject in other investments

[@jifffy999]

Shakira was broke and had tax problems. No surprise there.

[@javiruiz8365]

@@jifffy999Shakira has never been broke!!! She is one of the most successful artists that only profits from music not like your favs that are selling crappy clothes

[@jifffy999]

@@javiruiz8365 If she wasn't broke then why did she have problems paying her taxes? Why did she sell her catalogue? I don't see Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey having those problems. You know why? Because they have real money. Shakira is famous and broke like a lot of artists. Why can't your brain comprehend that?

[@LuisChavez-qs5xw]

I honestly thought all of this would have headed somewhere more conspiracy theory-ish. Like streaming platforms for tv and movies like Netflix keep raising prices with little to no reason, a news site talking about the positive side of living out of your car, the rich getting richer while we get way poorer. I really thought all this would be connected

[@alylopez3721]

Just like Netflix, I’ve heard Spotify actually doesn’t make profit, do they rake in millions to billions, yes. But the way they’ve set themselves up they don’t actually make enough profit to break even. They continue to function on the promise of growth and that one day they’ll make everything back tenfold.

[@magical-soap5359]

​@@alylopez3721The Spotify situation sounds really messy

[@felicityb93]

Netflix (among all streaming services) raising their prices is the same concept as cable companies hawking promotional pricing for new subscribers (the whole "$99.99 for the first 12 months" dealio); there's no way in hell they can turn a profit with the low ass subscription prices they started with, but they're banking on us being too used to having the service (just like we were, at one time, too used to having cable) to want to get rid of it. And I mean, I'm concerned at how we didn't rly see this shit coming.

[@magical-soap5359]

@@loadishstone Mmkay so what are you reading?? Might be interested too

[@LuisChavez-qs5xw]

@@loadishstone I don’t take conspiracies seriously so I just take them at face value for a “wouldn’t it be funny if…” thing…

[@nameisamine]

Great video! Love how Iggy very politely let those fans know they didn’t know what they were talking about…😅 Having worked in publishing, I'm always surprised by the industry's vilification. Especially by people who couldn’t explain the difference between a mechanical and performance royalty. It’s bizarre. Sometimes these partners can help artists nurture their catalogs/legacies more effectively. Taylor Swift may be a top-notch businesswoman, but not every artist is a savvy mogul like her, nor do they want to be. Some are content getting a handsome upfront sum and letting others manage their catalogs, which can lead to better long-term revenue for everyone - including themselves! The eye-popping sums being tossed around now (after the business pulled through 15 years of decline) amazes me. Streaming really rebounded the business. And with the streaming market predicted to grow to over $100bn by 2030, it'll be fascinating to see, which of these gambles paid off, who ended up overpaying, who snagged a bargain, and who sold too soon!!💰🎵💼

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

I like this channel for the most part but the commenters and fans of this channel are literal NPCs that can't think for themselves.

[@alexxxp3]

Also remember, it’s the streaming era. Nobody is BUYING music. 10 years ago, 100,000 copies sold at $10-$16.99 giving you $1M+ in sales first week. Now 100,000 people will STREAM your album (10-14 songs, less than a penny per stream), an ENTIRE album can be accessed for less than 3cents (LITERALLY). And then it doesn’t count as 100,000 people listening first week, it averages out to less than 1,000 unit sales. So I can see why newer artist are selling music rights early. They aren’t making money off music, just ads and sponsors.

[@NJGuy1973]

Thank you. Finally, someone who gets it.

[@wowrosa]

I think it depends on the fans because people buy Taylor’s music in big numbers

[@alexxxp3]

@@wowrosa I agree with you, Taylor swift is from the “buy my album” era. Her OG Fans have been buying her albums for 15-20 years now. They are true to this not new to this. And Taylor has been one of the few artist from her era to grow consistently since her debut. So it’s no surprise that her sales grow every drop. Same with Adele, beyonce… the list goes on. (And I’m not comparing the ladies. Just naming a few artist from the album purchase era who are still selling.)

[@jevonnedesir9094]

You’re sooooo close to 100k subscribers!

[@Why-bc7wl]

People seem to forget that a lot of these major artists just own a fraction of their music and the label owns the masters, that’s why the payout of their music seems a bit low.

[@PedroTawa]

Wow thank you for breaking it down, though I still believe selling your rights away is still a mistake and short sighted. The music industry is soo shady and demonic they need a Hollywood strike type of restructuring but for some reason artists don't wanna do that, so bizarre. What are they going to do if they change streaming again like we went from mp3 to streaming....

[@superbambam1031]

If you write your own music I imagine it would be harder to sell your music. But also there are so many terms in the music industry that we don’t know so artists selling there music can mean different things for different artists. The pandemic showed us that everyone doesn’t have what they seem. So to get millions off of your music when that’s not happening these days might be lucrative to certain artists. You can’t tour forever.

[@zachbrycen]

The only one of these that really really surprises me is Justin Bieber. He released justice somewhat recently and it was pretty huge, which is why it’s so surprising he sold it.

[@wildanwildan3144]

oh lovely naomi, thanks for the upload!! this is an insightful video

[@musics4me]

Idk who's to blame for physical media dying. As easy as streaming is, music isn't like the way it was. Even worse now that artists are eyeing TikTok virality just to get plays.

[@KPOPZIPP]

im so serious if artist started following the kpop album format albums would be worth buying again. like imagine pulling a nicki photocard and winning a fancall

[@yourlittlebrotherGabrielReview]

Sometimes I wish we’d just get rid of streaming services and just keep the internet and digital stores like in the mid 2000s. The substance of music and the art itself is so important.

[@bunnywar]

Unfortunately billion dollar companies want to legalize slavery and have been working towards that for decades. You see it with Apple's history, how they're constantly profiting from devaluing artists working

[@diamondseries7221]

And they are apparently worth tens if not hundreds of millions 🤔

[@ShaneCM]

Their expenses are crazy! Those drugs aren’t gonna buy themselves 😂

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

@@ShaneCM uhm ok

[@brandoniswhoiam]

Do you think that some artists (specifically the younger ones) sell their music early to prevent it from entering the public domain in the future after they’re all gone?

[@naomi.cannibal]

It will eventually enter the public domain regardless! I think they just do it usually bc the offer is more than they can expect to make off it. And the investment companies are willing to pay that bc if they play their cards right and promote the music everywhere, they could potentially make way more than the millions they bought it for

[@brandoniswhoiam]

@@naomi.cannibal, I didn’t think about the inevitability of the songs entering the public domain! 😂

[@thelovergirljasmine]

Why did I think this was a video on Artists Who Sold Their Soul 😭🤣🤦🏽‍♀️ too eager to click lol

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

Cuz you apparently cant read

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

Because you're a weirdo christian.

[@christopherholmes7313]

This was so informative and well researched girl! You did that! Thank you for breaking it all down with the differences between publishing, catalog and masters. I’m team Katy and Bieber, why not sell your old “classics” for a huge chunk and be set for life?! Streaming has ruined the music industry for artists sake.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you 💕

[@marissawilson4644]

The music industry is..... vicious and creepy.

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

For someone who has no idea how to play the game

[@Cleanframe]

You are very informative, I instantly subscribed. I wish you good fortune on your KZbin career👏🏾💐🥰

[@jontaedouglas7244]

Artist like Justin Bieber played it smart. He knows he only had fleeting hits, “Baby”, “Boyfriend” for example. The fans who bought his stuff and stanned him did because they were sexually charged teenagers. Now they’re grown adults with their own lives who could care less about a Justin Bieber.

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

Not true at all.

[@exaggeratedswagger7485]

A lot of Justin’s fanbase have grown up with him and are quite loyal lmao

[@lizethgutierrez9397]

Any news on Lana’s catalog? Why doesn’t she release most of her leaked songs like she did with ‘Say yes to heaven’?

[@ZeLuJ]

The best thing to do (ie if you can) is to find a part time job while doing your music. There’s always a business side to it.

[@hisokamorow1816]

I think this argument of "losing what you created" is so stupid to me because everyone still knows it's your song. You still have the noteriety and respect of being the progenitor of your art. If you can get 9 figures for your catalogue, nothing even matters anymore because you will never have to work again. I would just make sure I don't lose credits or anything like that.

[@Dagune]

Nah, having ownership of your work, your art, your projects that you poked your soul into is important too. Like selling your family house of business that your family created. Sentimental attachments are powerful and good attachments. I probably be like Mariah

[@marissawilson4644]

It's just weird considering how much MJ and Prince fought for their Master's.

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

No it's not. Prince and MJ were their own people if an artist wants to sell their catalogue they can do what they want to do they don't have to be weirdos like Prince and MJ.

[@ArchThaBoss]

With the state of streaming and the revenue artists earn from it, I’d sell my publishing/masters too. It’s very likely that the amount of money that the artists were offered for their catalogs would have never made it into their pockets in their lifetimes. Not to say they wouldn’t be well off, but $70 million now or MAYBE $50-$70 million (or more) over my lifetime? It’s not guaranteed. I can’t blame anyone for doing what they did. And for the younger artists they can always just make more music that still has value

[@orlock20]

I believe it's a smart move because music, on the business side, is worth less. In the '80s, current music was all over those movies and used to promote those movies. Now TV shows and movies use either classic rock from the '60s and '70s or standard mood music. Even commercials are light on traditional music.

[@ahmeddamdami5569]

Incredible video, so informative even for people that know a lot about this subject (learned at lot more thankkkk youuu❤❤❤❤❤) I can tell you put a lot of effort into it and it’s so appreciated, keep going you’re incredible

[@noelmsp007]

SHAKIRA?!

[@avicobb9450]

Keeping us fed !!!!

[@amberalert451]

can you do an eras analyzed of the emancipation of mimi

[@esseverytime]

14:36 belief is a beautiful but strong thing!

[@richmaxmchalliwchester1984]

It´s kinda crazy to see artists randomly selling their catalogues and then see someone like Taylor Swift who is doing everything she can to get ownership and control over her music. I don´t want to judge those who sold their music, cause they probably had a reason for it but it shows how little attached they feel to their music and think about it only as a business. On the other hand you have Taylor who felt like not only her music but also her past and her life was taken from her when her masters were stolen. Like i understand how she feels, for example i feel very attached to some of my projects i did for school because of how much work i put into them. And that´s just school projects, something so meaningless so i can´t even imagine how she feels about music which she wrote about herself and her life and how much work she put to them. It makes me respect her even more. Taylor is a businesswoman who always wants to sell the most she can and get as much money as she can, that´s true but at the end of a day music is what she deeply cares about and she still makes music just because she loves music.

[@craishon]

my thing after selling your catalog and taxes are taken out. yes that was guaranteed money but folks like Katy and Justin catalogs arent even 20 years old yet. They have no other lucrative business venture or investments that would make more than what they sold their catalogs for. It truly doesn't make sense...Its not like they built a yeezys or Fenty or a roc nation. selling your catalog to me means your downsizing your career and life. Getting a one-time payment vs a buyer making more in the long run off your music.

[@fabriceeofficial]

Naomi posted runnn

[@naomi.cannibal]

🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️

[@nashwagemakers]

well what people dont realise when asking for "fairer pays for streams" is that that would mean a incredible price jump for streaming services

[@alext9215]

Bieber is in so much debt after he had to cancel his tour. He owns Live Nation 50 concerts. It's sad to see all the mismanagement.

[@WingStorm]

*I heard that Katy Perry could be switching labels or signing a new contract, hense why she released little EP's on Spotify with music that wasn't new, and selling her catalog now gives her the freedom to sign a new contract and do what she pleases*

[@duladee8412]

Idk... but the 70-95 years after an artist's passing thing is SO CREEPY.

[@ethypoo]

omg new post 😍

[@ValerieAbena]

Your new (or old) videos never get recommended on my home page even though I regularly watch your vids. Does this happen for anyone else?

[@Psshyeahbby]

who tf would want iffy azuzu’s catalogue ?

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

Apparently someone who paid her big chunks

[@Jadorelainie]

Why I didn't knew this, SHAKIRA?!!!

[@Victorcolongarcia]

I am surprised Michael Jackson is not even mentioned here. His catalogue gossip and stories are so interesting (and sad).

[@naomi.cannibal]

I talk about it at length in my “artists fighting their label” video

[@Victorcolongarcia]

@@naomi.cannibal 👍👍👍

[@bperez8656]

Unsustainable lifestyle of rich people!!!

[@Sonar_125]

I think the reason is they dont make as much money like they used to before streaming took over plus relevant factor. They arenr relevant or popular anymore.

[@keshaalbusaidy2929]

Can you make a video on artists who still own all their publishing and masters.

[@DenelsiaWalker]

Good question and idea! It would be nice to know. Maybe give artists alternate insights to what may happen once they arrive at the promised land.

[@jaydenm14x]

honestly my opinion might change but for now i would never sell my music and just let them go into public domain when i die but if i start a career off of it i probs would

[@rayy4pres194]

8:18 I wonder how much Nelly is sharing that 50 mil since his friend wrote him a now diamond album?

[@LeeLyanKing]

AI killed everything

[@omarhoward758]

What’s surprising to me is how Black rap artists like Nelly and Future received less than 100 mill for their catalog while artists like Bob Dylan and Springsteen received 200 mill plus - obv Nelly/Future is vastly different from Dylan/Springsteen but I think it sets a worrisome precedent regarding the value of Black art. I also think Black artists should try at all costs to keep their music/ money within other Black music companies but due to music monopolies I’m sure this is hard to do. All in all, I don’t think artists should sell their catalogs unless it’s for estate planning.

[@ceceobinwa6746]

Those are awful comparisons that don't even hold water. Bob Dylan has a catalog going back to the 60s, Bruce Springsteen to the 80s. Their careers are, quite literally, two-three times longer than Nelly and Future's. And I say this as someone who's never even listened to a Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen song.

[@omarhoward758]

@@ceceobinwa6746 I acknowledged the differences between the artists - if you actually took the time to read rather than reply… My point is that rap and hip hop is often exploited by mainstream industry giants and then undersold and undervalued when not in fashion.

[@ceceobinwa6746]

@@omarhoward758 I read the whole thing. It still doesn't make sense. You can make the point of the undervaluing of black artists, but when you then compare them to artists that broke out in the 60s-80s, that are in an entirely different league, it intensely devalues your main point because the comparison doesn't match AT ALL. Like you wouldn't compare Beyonce to Dolly Parton, because she has a thirty-year headstart, you'd compare here to Britney or Taylor. You don't put Nelly against Bob Dylan, you put him against like solo-Justin Timberlake or something.

[@omarhoward758]

⁠@@ceceobinwa6746By comparing Taylor Swift to Beyoncé, you’ve done the exact thing you’ve criticized me for. Therefore your point is moot. Have a good day, Cece.

[@DenelsiaWalker]

Dang! I had grabbed my 🍿🥤. 😔

[@brayanvillanueva7527]

How does Naomi do it to constantly do good research n all videos????

[@marissawilson4644]

Remember that 100 streams equals one penny for the artist (before taxes).

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

1000*

[@ricardoacosta6570]

I loved Katy in her witness era

[@user-qf5oy3lp1s]

if an artist sells their catalogue, can they still perform those songs on tour? (amazing video btw ❤)

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

Technically no since the music is no longer theirs, i mean It is but not in the contract

[@abolishdrake]

I like your outfit!

[@MeltWithU]

The problem is, unless you are a touring musician anymore… You’re not making much of anything off of the recording themselves. The deal that the record companies signed with these streaming services, essentially rapes the artists and songwriters everything, but fractions of a penny on the dollar. Whereas, before when there were album, sales and people actually bought their music… there was more legitimate cash flow. Record companies have been ripping off artists since record companies were formed. Songwriters now, unless you find a legitimate superstar to buy and record your music… There’s no real financial future unless you do something like KZbin and Patreon, and even that is spotty. The good thing is, new artists don’t have to worry about gatekeepers anymore. So they can release their own music the second that they finish recording it. The bad thing is, since everybody can do that, they are doing that so it saturates the market and makes it harder for any one person to breakthrough to the mass market. Unless you’re a marketing whiz and can draw peoples attention to it. The point being… if I was an artist and had a back log of music that somebody was offering me eight figures or more… I would be selling it too. There’s no point in holding on to it, as it would take you an eternity to make as much money via streaming services. And maybe, and I wouldn’t put it past them… the record companies created this streaming situation specifically to buy catalogs from these artists. Which, if the record industry were to say that streaming were done, or in order to listen to certain music… You have to pay a monthly fee to their streaming service, and they make all the money. after Michael Jackson and many others realized that their catalogs were worth a ton of money and started buying other artists catalogs up.. The record companies lost power over those artists and the music that they purchased. Which doesn’t bode well for the bottom line, because it allows those Like Michael Jackson to control the market for that music. Not to mention, reap all those profits. But again, with streaming… unless you were the owner of those rights, you are making nothing. I think it was Ye or somebody else who posted one of their royalty checks from streaming… the check was for like $150. Which is ridiculous, considering people probably streamed his songs, millions upon millions of times.

[@jasmine22104]

someone theorised that's why they killed michael.

[@IsomerMashups]

If I were a musician, I would sell my rights as soon as I'd be able to never work again.

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

Thats because you only make music for the money and not for passion

[@IsomerMashups]

@@JiafeiProducts6969 I don't make music for money.

[@markigirl2757]

@@JiafeiProducts6969and what’s wrong with that should we be doing music for free LOL

[@alexandermildener7220]

Shakira is big in the streaming world, so I don't get why she did what she did.

[@kumjumba1377]

Maybe to reduce her tax liabilities

[@ohsnapitzdee6797]

i’m not sure why justin sold his publishing rights but it was a smart decision for the long term whether that was the intention or not. because his music can now be used on more platforms, it has allowed basically his entire discography to go viral. he’s been in the top 10 artists of spotify for the past year despite his last album being released in 2021, and the demand for new music and live performances is guaranteed success for his next era

[@siennasamuel]

Girl, it’s a lot

[@bobdunkan7224]

Timecodes? Why not

[@superbluerock8327]

I can already tell you Mariah’s catalog worth is in the billions.

[@VeronikaIronic]

Because of 1 song. Her impact is amazing

[@blairhassan9089]

we're close to 100k subscribers.

[@gloreymi]

Now if your song ends up in movie about hitler that’s your fault don’t complain

[@JiafeiProducts6969]

How could any song fit in a movie about him

[@omarnoble4788]

I'd sell too. Generational wealth with no extra work, and investments could be far more lucrative again with little effort.

[@obscurefm]

14:52 Johnta Austin*

[@winehousted90]

can someone please help? i want to know something i dont feel like is discussed and/or explained; how do music artists make money while they arent touring, making music or, any side jobs? for example im speaking of azealia banks: she isnt really making music or doing much touring but she does have this small side business called CheapyXo and im sure it doesnt generate enough money to cover her assets so what else can they do for money?? or what other jobs have they been known to do thats maybe behind the scenes ..?🧐