I really feel for Ari Lennox

[@AST-erisked]

Remember people. Bandcamp exists. Vinyl, Cds and even cassetes exist. Live shows. Support the art you want to enjoy in the future.

[@easystreetphoto2401]

that shit hurts my heart. she is so talented and so unsupported

[@coryr94]

She sells out shows decent sized venues. Most rappers can't do that

[@johncapo2843]

is she aware there are lay offs every where my advice, get off your butt, go work HARDER

[@easystreetphoto2401]

@@johncapo2843 at a label that refuses to promote as policy it wouldn't matter how much staff there is. she works harder than you do, random youtube commenter.

[@JamsandTea]

As a non musician, I can say this shit permeates ALL artistic fields. Writing and publishing, film, tv, it’s all designed to make artists on whatever scale the ones who shoulder everything. Theres so much talent in the world right now and the industries are working on profit and incentive and marketing and not the actual human beings that make their business go round

[@MechaHood]

serendipity, Earthgang just left InterScope too but stayed with dreamville. hope shes still cordial with the DV artist.

[@open_mike_eagle]

it's possible to be on Dreamville but not interscope??

[@babygrill01]

​@@open_mike_eagleI had the same reaction

[@r.johnson1170]

​@@open_mike_eagle Yes. They had distribution through Intersope. They left and sought distribution elsewhere. They're still with Dreamville.

[@hartfantom]

You need more likes so people can be educated. Sending my energy to you for the spirit bomb

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@open_mike_eagleyes….

[@tylerlevibald420]

Been on her music since ROTD3 documentary. She’s so good it hurts

[@tylerlevibald420]

Hell yeah man. Huge fan of yours as well. The love is appreciated and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your steps into the content creator space.

[@TeezyfolKKz]

That’s actually not that long. Go check her older stuff out.

[@johncapo2843]

was she forced to sign the contract, industry is broke if they spend money on you once, and they lose money....its over for the artist they want to at least double what they spent on you to break even always remember if an artist has a hit 1000 people need to paid first

[@emceeunderdogrising]

I understand money is tight. But after paying for the advance the label should market it. "Industry Rule 4080. Record Company People Are Shady."

[@open_mike_eagle]

of course they should market it. and they know that too

[@johncapo2843]

industry is broke hence the cuts

[@Buckleupbucko]

Such a big artist, so little control, so little freedom.

[@open_mike_eagle]

part of being big is sacrificing a lot of that freedom tho

[@johncapo2843]

was she forced to sign the contract, industry is broke if they spend money on you once, and they lose money....its over for the artist they want to at least double what they spent on you to break even

[@ShannaChristmas]

I just taped my comedy special and I'm wondering if it makes more sense to just put it on KZbin instead of trying to get it on a streaming service. Having control is so important but if you don't know how to do all the other things, you're screwed. You're also screwed if your label isn't helping. Sheesh

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

That's awesome you have a comedy special. What streaming platforms are you looking at? What is the revenue split between yourself and the platform? If you can disclose that information.

[@open_mike_eagle]

if you can get it on a streamer that'll promote it, I do think thats helpful but if all the promotion is gonna fall on you anyway then you might as well get all the money from it too

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

@@open_mike_eagle That's the take that I'm inferring after watching you for a while.

[@dylanclarke2787]

This is old news by now, but it still blows me away how a talented artist like Danny Brown went into debt to make "Atrocity Exhibition", which became a top 10 album of the decade. And somehow, two albums later, the label delays the album commemorating his 40th year of life until dude is 42.5 years old. What is the AFM doing? Multiple times every year, we hear another horror story from an up and coming artist who gets taken advantage of by a record label. something's gotta change.

[@mihneapopa8428]

And the reason he went in debt for AA - his choice not to pocket the money, but rather spend it all on samples and the actual music. Unfortunately, artists never get rewarded for playing like that. It's not a winning game for artists when labels own too much. If you're an artist, learn the game, play it to your benefit, but always look for a way out. Massive respect to OME for speaking on these things.

[@Im_Absolute]

Thank you for tha video. Just discovered that you began making youtube videos which is nice. Been a fan of your music for years and am interested in your thoughts on a variety of different subjects.

[@chrisgray2824]

NEVER sign to another artist label...it rarely works

[@AnimeProfilePicture]

Facts

[@randymoss789]

It’s been workin for JID, Ari just isn’t marketable she makes a specific type of music and she’s not overly sexualized she won’t thrive anywhere else

[@williedynamyte]

Agreed

[@ks_wallace2324]

Well, Atlantic Records just dropped like 40 artist. I'm pretty sure major labels have a larger track record of failed artist. Whether it's an artist imprint or major label, the music industry is a gamble. Just google any of the major label and look at their rosters. 90% of the artist names you will see you will also have never heard of. Most artist fail period

[@randymoss789]

@@ks_wallace2324 exactly it doesn’t matter it’s all a gamble, you’re better off being independent and then trying to get a publishing or distribution deal with a major and have it be more beneficial to you the artist

[@meechelin5498]

I have one 9hr playlist that is R&B, Alt R&B, and Neo Soul. It's 98% of what I listen to and Ari Lennox was one of the biggest inspirations for it. Like straight up Mereba, Cleo Soul, and Ari Lennox were the main artists in it in the beginning and then it expanded from there. I hate that they're doing her dirty because she deserves so much better. This music industry version of a pyramid scheme that so many new artists are unknowingly getting conned into is such a shame.

[@funde19]

Jesus. I've loved Ari's music since she popped off in 2016. This makes me so sad. I can't imagine how painful this process has been for her. Wishing her peace and success, whatever that looks like now. Edit: also thank you for making this video and giving the perspective of an artist in the industry. A lotta helpful context and detail.

[@open_mike_eagle]

I wish it wasn't such a prevalent experience

[@lucpurdy]

Thanks for shedding some light on the business side of the music industry, always enjoy these insights from you even they're rarely positive. As a marketer by trade, I've always really wondered why so many great, signed artists have terrible or, worse, NO marketing behind their album releases and tours and now I have a bit more understanding into why that is.

[@papertiger9845]

When theres so much hate out there, ppl really dont like to promote stuff. Even famous artists dont promote stuff, their labels do it for them bc it looks “lame”. The ppl that want artists to be these creative geniuses who know how to market and shoot video and edit and be a personality, are really trippin. Artists wanna make music. Most of us dont have supportive circles either so itd just give local ppl more shit to talk, or if they ignore it, then we internalize that. Its really all psychological. Theres a reason so many artists are drug addicts and OD. Its an absolute mindfuck everyday

[@open_mike_eagle]

effective marketing really takes such a specialized understanding of the artist and the market that i legit think there's just not enough professional marketers to go around

[@VonPea]

Mike you’re spitting on this one. Much love to Ari. I hope she can pivot successfully because shes so good. Magic voice.

[@MartyMcFly__25]

Once again appreciate they greet insight from an artist doing it! As a fan of the genre trying to genuine with my respect for art/ artist you give a lot of great nuggets

[@wba6787]

I love and know R&B like no other corner of music and, for me, Ari is a generational voice and talent and I've been continously mystified that she's not quite there in terms of the success that she clearly deserves. It's a depressing pattern across pretty much all creative industries that the people actually making the stuff routinely don't get what their due.

[@paulthesimple7483]

this is where having a team to support ya is really clutch! I work for many artists on labels but can still help them manage and control their own digital marketing. it's definitely a battle against the labels.

[@open_mike_eagle]

im so curious why the labels wouldn't want to help

[@paulthesimple7483]

@ means of production ! Sadly in our internet hellscape the internet is a core way to build a fan base and labels wanna fully control that aspect of artists so they can’t gain independence or leverage against the system

[@val770]

@@paulthesimple7483what is a quick suggestion you’d give an artist without label support when it comes to marketing and building a fan base? Since you get to witness it often. The info would be appreciated 😄

[@shanetaylor761]

Where my ari fans at!? Let's go listen to that single. I don't really follow singles(i normally wait for the album) but I'm all for supporting artist i really like.

[@a_real_one2000]

I started listening to Ari Lennox 4-5 years ago. She so talented, should be so much bigger. These labels & record companies really don’t care to support or develop artists longterm, especially if you don’t have out the box viral hit It’s so sad.

[@bobbyaguilar2453]

You hit every talking point on the head. I hate that this is her current reality. What I am glad to hear is that this conversation of signing to artist labels is popping up more and more. Hopefully to the point where everyone hears and understands what the pitfalls are in signing to an artist. An artist first priority is always going to be their own career. That then leads in to the conversation of how does that artist view you? What are their intentions for your career? Is their intention to make you a star? Do they really see your potential? Did they simply bring you on for your songwriting skills? I feel any artist that is going to approach this type of situation going forward should approach this from the view of an independent artist and should make sure that control of their career and art always stays in their hands.Another thing artists shouldn't over look is making sure they hire and vet their own management/legal representation and not what the label will try to provide.

[@SHIFTKICK]

i really be tuning into Mike every day these days

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

Listening to how the sausage is made, it sounds incredibly defeating because as I've heard, it's not a lot of money in it.

[@open_mike_eagle]

i wish i could say there was

[@emceeunderdogrising]

There is no money in it. I made $600 off my last project. Spent $1600 putting it out. It was #1 on Bandcamp for 3 months.

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

@@emceeunderdogrising How many projects have you put out? I'm just trying to get a read on how many years in the red have you been running. I've been running about 4 years in the red in software development.

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

​@@emceeunderdogrising Are you releasing your music independently?

[@emceeunderdogrising]

​@@jeremyscheatday7305Software development is similar. Lots of work dedicated to one project. Released independent through Bandcamp. Pitching my next project to labels. It charted well. I was on top of my genre and location for 3 months straight. Did hand to hand promotion. Open mics and shows. Got lots of people to listen to it. It was wildly more successful than I planned. Even after all that I'm running deep in the red.

[@spiritualspencer]

This is so insightful man. I really needed to hear somethin real.

[@roninM87]

Thank you for breaking it down so clearly. When I tried to listen to her talk about it, it was hard to follow. She feels unsupported by her label but doesn’t want to go independent ? 🤷🏾‍♀She even shot a music video showing herself in an asylum but decided against releasing it because she’s tired of the “crazy” label. Maybe she just needs a real breather-go chill somewhere and vibe to Chromakopia ✌🏾

[@moviemalik8325]

As much as i fw Cole, hes like any other rapper that has a label: either they dont promote because they basically see a label as a side hustle and let their artists do whatever with basically NO oversight or they dont promote because god forbid niggas become bigger than their boss thats STILL ACTIVE. I feel like hes the former especially since its confirmed he lets the DV camp do whatever with promo and he barely sees them all outside of ROTD & Dreamville Fest

[@ks_wallace2324]

Well Cole isn't a manager of any of the artist. He has an imprint, signs them and gets them a major label deal. They still would need to do their own work. It's Interscope's job to market and promo, not his. Yet Ari has been giving a lot of opportunities. Ppl acting like she hasn't had any promo at all. She literally gets all the perks of an artist of her tier is able to get. If she wants Rihanna level of promo, she needs to have Rihanna level of hits and connection.

[@achronos178]

Ari has a great discography, insane both her albums get a so little love.

[@Fenilee]

Omg you gotta listen to more ari lennox. Shea Butter Baby is a banger album and also, i don't think she's ever made a bad track!

[@St_Fish]

I wonder if there's something to be said about record companies understaffing to the point where they are only willing or able to support their biggest artists. It really shows how "success" in the industry depends not just on the individual artists, but also on having teams of workers assigned to promote their albums.

[@TheMFYeti]

Just to throw out another artist who’s been super transparent about the issues they’ve had with major labels, Brian Mazzaferi of I Fight Dragons did a massive breakdown a few years ago about working with Atlantic and how it took years to work on a single track and how shitty and frustrating it was. And he had breakdowns and versions to see along side his timeline.

[@withatilde]

ohhh so thats how they did Danny Brown over at warp

[@GOOMASTER69]

"We dont believe in digital ads" wth you got a marketing team for then???

[@open_mike_eagle]

im very curious about that too

[@teemak7380]

Patrice Evra?

[@Clifffields]

i was stressed the importance of ownership in the art field! create your OWN record label, plan your releases for the year yourself, promote everyday with the FREE resources given to all of us! There is no reason why in 2024 ANY artist should be looking for a record deal! There are countless examples of independent artists who have amassed an enormous following just due to their own internal drive and willingness to put in the groundwork themselves! I get so passionate about this because so many of us are told our artistic voices have no value without a corporate backing. Leave the criminals in suits out of your art! Create out of your house with what you DO HAVE!

[@open_mike_eagle]

as an independent artist myself I'm in alignment with this but i do think that some folks want something bigger than that and I dont think it should be impossible for an artist to reach for popularity and mass market accessibility without feeling like they've had their souls crushed by yhe industry

[@Clifffields]

@open_mike_eagle true, how does one ignore the soul crushing reality of trying to market yourself but falling short because of the independence? We hear horror stories of artists who have signed to record companies and then end up never releasing any music due to the company restraints. Record deals end up sounding more fatal than fruitful. We see artists signed to major companies but don't have a cent to their name and no music. It's like what are we supposed to want to work towards. It's all disillusioning

[@Intunewithtmill]

Hear me out. Artists HAVE to learn the business and start reading these contracts. She needs to fire her whole team its not all on interscoope someone on her management team isnt doing their job protecting her and negotiating her deals

[@open_mike_eagle]

what do you think should have been in her contract to prevent any of this from happening?

[@Intunewithtmill]

@open_mike_eagle of her management didn't advise her to not sign then her management is the problem or maybe they did advise her and she signed anyway whatever her grievances are someone should be on her team to advocate for her

[@Intunewithtmill]

@@open_mike_eagle it's not necessarily what should have been in her contract someone on her team should have made sure that the existing contract is being fulfilled and executed and if there's something missing they should be able to renegotiate her terms but I think no matter what their should always be someone on her team to make sure that what she wants to get done gets done now if she's the problem that's a whole different conversation but she sounds very genuine an honest

[@bobbyblazini]

A lot of it is the fans. All them women who buzz for the queen beez dont like to like new artist. Ari has been dropping heat and we all have access to it.

[@jasminedtucker]

Fans are a big part. They would rather hear Beyonce or Summer Walker toxic trash. There aren't enough people supporting our best artist.

[@bobbyblazini]

@jasminedtucker that's exactly how I feel. There are so many artist that make music that is genuinely good but they get no mainstream push because they aren't political puppets. This is a deeper issue then labels and individuals. They don't like what ari sells and talks about. It's not rachet or victim enough.

[@bobbyblazini]

@jasminedtucker I checked your channel out the music is good! You are the artist I'm talking about. I wanna see you blow up because that's the kind of soul and art people need to share. I make low grade amv's n music vids on channel. Could I use one of a few of your songs? If not it's cool, I'm gonna sub and follow your progress. Keep it up man. Please.

[@jasminedtucker]

​@bobbyblazini the people who control the labels don't want to invest in high vibrational music anymore. Like you said, it's a deep-rooted issue. And thanks, bro! Never expect people to check my music out. Appreciate you listening, and yea, feel free to use any of it. I checked out your fan made videos, and I enjoy how you piece together the visuals to match the arrangement/sound and vibe of the music. You're definitely an artist and have a talent for production. I can see your art being far more advanced in the future as you continue to release. I'll sub as well🙏👌🏿

[@jeremyscheatday7305]

Right, companies just don't have to support contractors and we live in a society right now where, it's just legal to throw away and use up contractors. Being a contractor just isn't worth the squeeze anymore.

[@captainfalcon2878]

Me too, Mike. Me too.

[@dracogeorge6515]

Shea butter baby❤❤

[@jasminedtucker]

All the arts are suffering now. But for music specifically, WHT daddy at these labels dont want to invest in positve BLK music anymore and its been that way for almost 2 decades now. The best rappers and singers are all mainly underground and get no support. They're locked out of major playlist, and dont get no shine on major platforms that promote their genre. Spotify is predatory and according to the data, Labels own about 90% of the Top 10,000 Playlist on Spotify, which are reserved for their artist. Social media algorithms keep you in 200 view jail, no matter how good it is. Music as a whole is a mess. Ari is simply in the wrong era. She can sing and would have been a star in ANY era prior. I believe this same sentiment for Chloe Bailey as well. They are stuck in a low vibrational time period where negativity and debauchery wins. Mainstream audiences dont support her enough because they're low vibrational and want to hear trash, and labels havent pushed her enough because they dont care about the art, but quick profits. Shes stuck in a hard place and her best option would be the label releasing her to do her own thing, IMO.

[@oftenbanned]

Joe's not touching this one 🤣

[@open_mike_eagle]

why's that?

[@oftenbanned]

@@open_mike_eagle Those two don't get along and Ari pretty much aired him out last time he spoke on her.

[@open_mike_eagle]

@@oftenbanned I see

[@GeronFletcher]

It’s her new video for her song SMOKE. She’s in a straight jacket

[@roninM87]

That was so confusing to me, cause why would someone create content that aligns with an image they are trying to avoid?

[@theofficialvontae]

Great video! I agree with everything you said. I’m a R&B artist. Hope to get your thoughts on my music. 🙏🏽

[@majust1893]

I took a listen because of you and as an Ari Fan…that ain’t it. It’s a cute listen but not a comeback song. She doesn’t connect with her fans well in this day & age that pushes you even further than a marketing machine.

[@sirrom5155]

actually? literally?

[@open_mike_eagle]

pardon?

[@sessiononestudios5255]

The longer I watched this video... the more I wanted to hear the single. I don't like the video, the song is ok... I wish the narrative was more about her music and her talent.

[@shadowaccount]

You cant expect to sign a multi album deal and automatically become rich and recognized. If you make stuff that doesnt resonate with the masses, dont complain about it. You signed the contract. Real fans will listen to everything you do, and show up for shows. She released an album over 2 years ago, has 3M spotify listeners and 2M IG followers... I dont feel bad for anyone.

[@open_mike_eagle]

I feel like you're having a different conversation that what I was having here

[@programme9363]

Her music is ridiculously average, and the market has responded to that reality. She needs to accept it and improve. She's talented, but who cares about potential when we have a million options musically?

[@dapernz]

So many talented singers becoming OF girls. Sad state of affairs 😢

[@open_mike_eagle]

I mean ain't nothing wrong with OF if thats what they want to do. but as a major label recording artist you certainly shouldn't have to find other revenue streams

[@dapernz]

@open_mike_eagle Well said

[@withatilde]

@@open_mike_eagle they more than likely dont wanna do it but Lily Allen made more money off her SFW feet onlyfans than from 8 million listeners on spotify 🤷‍♂ shits getting rough for everyone