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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#MusicMoneyMakeover

[@painterantoinejacqueshayes7795]

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

[@HighVibrations22]

💯💯

[@VonDecken97]

Being dead broke make you do the Killing

[@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.

[@SNAITHTOP]

💯

[@GenuineRSA]

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

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Yep

[@dxpdigital5343]

@@MusicMoneyMakeoverlmao “down bad” no it’s because every single thing is about to be tokenized, you guys have no idea what’s about to come. From home ownership to records, if your asset is not tokenized by you, you will not own it. If you do not have a digital id using cryptographic technology as “proof of personhood”, you won’t even own your identity.

[@Gemneye6]

THE FUCCN GREED

[@jasminedtucker]

Labels are nowhere near down bad. They profit Billions a quarter off back catalogs alone. They are just greedy.

[@NateTheNoble]

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

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Thanks

[@EliteTrap23]

And that is crazy

[@FierceLeo.]

He forgot about the conversation behind closed doors about ritual sacrifice , a Faustian contract

[@karlsmith2451]

Well, think about your cars, mortgage, bank accounts, homes, credit cards, license, etc. there is no freedom here as long as we live in a fraudulent federal reserve money system with uncle Sam over taxing everybody accept them big corporations period.

[@RangeWilson]

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

[@principlesofplezhur1918]

That's EXACTLY and All it is 👌😄 #PLEZHUR ✨

[@tburt6551]

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

[@Leeslaughtr]

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

[@marcusgray2799]

Alot will do it because they are unique and special than anyone else

[@NateTheNoble]

@@marcusgray2799no…they’ll do it because they want clout There’s literally NO need for a label for artists who can record and market themselves

[@joco2826]

None of the big labels will ever want to sign you, so you’ve got nothing to worry about

[@jameslight4391]

​@@NateTheNoble labels are like banks they have lots of money and connection and other stuff that you will need to pay out of pocket that they do for you(course you would be paying them back) but until you have that kind of money they provide it for you and the people are professionals who've been doing it for years.

[@amsf1]

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.

[@perrywalker2778]

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

[@HighVibrations22]

U right it’s 2024, It mad easy now compared to back in the day selling cd’s out the trunk of your car , and getting noticed back then was equivalent to making it to the NBA very rare but now you can upload ,become your own label off the palm of your hand(literally) just gotta have a hustle about yourself

[@igotyourback9175]

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.

[@dbaker5036]

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

[@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!

[@tiffanysandoval3209]

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!!

[@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. ❤❤❤

[@TheDogbreath1]

Then there's the artists (usually rappers) getting murdered all the time.-The labels have in their contract a thing called the death clause.

[@BillionzEnt.]

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

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Thanks

[@Leeslaughtr]

Trying to find stupid uneducated artists. Not diamond..staking a monopoly on Independence. Keep your Ownership or be digital slave controlled. You want to be all in the spotlight go ahead sign.

[@jefferylakes388]

Major labels are more interested in disrupting the disruptors than finding new talent!

[@4pokketwalkerhomebaby153]

That's me

[@stevierico5934]

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

[@jasminedtucker]

This comment applies to 90% of artist. It applies to 99.99% of the good ones.

[@ericcurry9515]

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

[@jstarzz3780]

Brother 😮😢I thank GOD that he' shielded ME from ALL that deception I have MORE THAN MUSIC 🎵🎶 TO OFFER ❤

[@user-lg4mc9qy2r]

No that's write ain't using my gift for devil demons and the world it's only used to give God the glory.

[@dmex7777]

You escape this by doing it yourself

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

No by working with a Distro that doesn’t have an upstream situation,

[@tunnookie]

Lmao there is no way to fix it....the listeners are in the labels pockets......we do it ourselves....listeners are trained to care about label promo not upcoming artistry

[@artistaccount]

​@@tunnookiewhy did Jaco Harlow flop then? His albums come home kids missed you flopped. His rap album last year flopped. He was getting the craziest industry push you woulda thought he was the next drake till the sales came back and yeah he was a dud.

[@jasminedtucker]

​@@artistaccounthe flopped because his music isn't good and lacks depth. Great music with mass promotion wins. Mass promotion with even ok music, will still flop. Him and vast majority of major artist are not good, and people know this. This is why old music has risen in streams. Good music last a lifetime.

[@artistaccount]

@@jasminedtucker that was my point. No amount of promo will make a trash album good. Harlow flopped cause he was trash even though he got craziest industry push

[@BLASTMASTERSHOW]

Great you doing this .... these old artists should put their old contracts online so others can learn. They will beef and kill other artist but get extorted from labels and don't kill shit.

[@BatistaInvests]

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

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

It is. However as an artist you’ve got to be careful

[@BatistaInvests]

@@MusicMoneyMakeover 1000% agree. If it wasn't for you I'd be absolutely clueless. Right now I'm building my Body of Work. There's nothing to talk about without a legitimate creation that stands on its own merits even if its unreleased. I'm not ignorant nor am I naive. I know what sounds good and I know what sucks. I'm not biased. At least I absolutely try not to be. But half of this battle is absolutely knowing if you have that "it" factor. As most who have "it" even STILL do nothing with "it". There is a biblical story that talks about the legitimacy of 'If you don't use it, you lose it". That is, absolutely, and mathematically irrefutable true, far, FAR beyond a reasonable doubt to conclude otherwise, as it is, most definite and certain that, the Richest Place on Earth is the Grave of unfulfilled ideas that lead to their regrets. - Michael

[@disciple_deshun]

​@@BatistaInvestsHaving the "IT factor", I agree. I believe I have it.

[@silly6147]

@@disciple_deshun nah, you really dont :/

[@KINGSNAKE-yc3hp]

​@@silly6147stop it 😂😂

[@TheTDFMPodcast]

Symphonic all the way 🏁💯

[@sosothmoor]

The finesse is real💯 thanks Casey your the greatest in this area📜🙏🏾🔋

[@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.

[@nexonsensei]

This channel is so underrated man thanks for all the knowledge

[@djblondi138]

i rather go completely solo ....i dont care about likes,views,comments nor money as long as i can share my unique style of music im satisfied & happy

[@tartootoretto6484]

😅😅😅😅

[@robinxraven4245]

💯💯💯💯

[@SaskiaTheBoss]

Britney Spears & Michael Jackson is all I need to say, any time i hear about contracts & record labels! one thing youtube offers, is independence. Yes, it sucks they take a big cut out of creators earnings, but you can stop any time, & post any time, record your own life as content or music, while others can relate to you & connect with you directly! record labels sell lies & illusions to the public, while in all reality, offers poverty & shelving to their artists…

[@citizentowncrier2]

I think this was a good one Casey. I like the insight, I like the new info, I liked the examples that you went through. good job!

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Prodby.1takeonthetrack]

Im a producer.n I can care less about fame. Even credit long as u pay me up front I'm good on popularity

[@hardwurk2012]

Thanks for this info,im working on my first ep and almost done. You will def be hearing from me.

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Sounds good

[@MichaelSmith-lm5sl]

Here is a summary of the key points from the video in bullet points: Major record labels are acquiring independent distributors to gain early access to emerging artists through "upstream deals" Upstream deals allow labels to invest in artists earlier through distributors and gain ownership and control over their careers The video analyzes an example upstream deal between a distributor and Universal, which gives Universal 50% ownership over masters after certain sales thresholds are met The presenter warns artists to be wary of upstream deals, as they can lock artists into undesirable long-term agreements very early before their career potential is clear He recommends artists focus on independence by building their own label infrastructure without relying on distributors with major label ties The presenter also suggests artists evaluate whether they truly need major label resources like promotional services, or if independent options can provide those services instead

[@TamikaEnglish40]

Thank you so much. 😊

[@freedomtobeintheknow-kryst9705]

Thanks for posting

[@principlesofplezhur1918]

Hey, We need a video of SYMPHONIC vs Other Distributors #PLEZHUR ✨

[@Hotprince]

Thank You Sir 🙂☺️

[@lazyqbiscuit646]

Been following you for years

[@Esotericvaultofgems]

Thanks og 🙏🏼 , a lot 💎’s !

[@QueMusiQ]

15:32 I’ve never seen someone say “Right of First Refusal” for fifteen minutes before.

[@Dbznation2055]

Keep telling the truth great information

[@feyz3hree]

superstar producer who still follow me to this day tried to sign me to this exact deal and I was already hip to the trickery. after I tried to suggest other methods we can keep working together, he started ghosting me lol. he successfully did it with another artist who actually went global but had beef with him afterwards (cuz im sure the artist was now hip to the trickery too) so im pretty confident I made the right decision. he wasn't the first to try and im sure not the last. I just gotta do more work for myself that im very willing to do.stay tuned

[@IllZheanTv]

I bout to switch my distribution rn

[@HighVibrations22]

Who u wit ?

[@alexpalmer496]

Miracles talk is cheap new song out now ❤ big up this channel

[@4pokketwalkerhomebaby153]

Record labels in my inbox now

[@ZeLuJ]

I signed a publishing deal with an indie label. But up till today I haven’t received anything tangible from them. These things happen.

[@NeverIsNoOption]

Just read about the upstream deal in that Donald passman book.

[@CamronWilliams-ii4tl]

Thanks a lot

[@sooesoss6063]

Thanks!

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

No problem

[@browndiamn2345]

Interesting Video

[@nyvids9706]

gotta re visit this... this got my head spinning a bit

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Just think of it as an option to buy with a hold.

[@ZachKopkaZake]

?

[@FierceLeo.]

He forgot about the conversation behind closed doors about a rituals or blood sacrifice , a Faustian contract .. hint hint

[@bubblegumboyfriend]

Usually they’re 50/50 split. It’s not bad but if you don’t have good communication with the A&R then it can fall under

[@karlsmith2451]

Hey look, if you are the artist who writes your own lyrics, & music, you already have that 100% rights. If you sell one copy of your product, that makes you the publisher already. Who told them ( the labels) that they can take that other 50% of your copy writes in the first place? They are in the way of your money already, so what you need an advance for from them? Think.... Why be a slave to debt period. Is it worth it? You name and likeness is yours only not theirs. Most artist fail because of lack of knowledge in their craft, signing without the right lawyer present, & because of temptation & greed. God is not pleased with the proud so watch it, young wannabe rappers, etc.

[@bubblegumboyfriend]

@@karlsmith2451 I agree. You must always have a attorney

[@quranmujahid-jones8426]

A distributor? What are they distributing?

[@Frank_Alexander]

Evil

[@chulotired4895]

The surprise witness, I love this show. What was the other guy name who also did some research on the young girl? Love

[@nemonbuckery5512]

Thanks.✝️👍🏿🎸

[@hereandnow1439]

got offered two of these deals offered to me twice in this past week

[@nocopyrightmusicbyme2610]

The only reason one would wanna sign to a record label is tv and radio plays, who knows watches tv or listens to radio anymore? The only reason the record labels still about if the industry plants, real talented artists will never go that route

[@depressed_weighted_B1anket]

Basically youre saying get the fork and plate before you get the cake. Can't eat cake without a fork or plate... it'll get messy! *got it

[@OfficialKingKulin]

Counter this by investing in stocks and cryptos and even Livenation Shares to make some money back off these labels

[@mauricemcgary10]

can you do a story on the contracts for movie deals because a lot of people want to know. me too

[@chulotired4895]

I'm going to make you an Emmy. If something happens to me. I want you on my case. Godbless

[@jackielaurens]

It would be a good deal if you weren’t signing away your masters & potentially your royalties.

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

You’re going to sign the masters away in many cases unless your lawyer puts in a clause to have them revert back to you.

[@maxwelltreasuresegodi4013]

Then what are you willing to share?

[@CharlesLouisRosario]

How do you deal with split sheets when working with symphonic?

[@Jody_Lo]

Sony got AWAL too. Awal moved to orchard then they dropped my distribution

[@user-ld4xq9nh3s]

l think this has been going on for decades. It's just now that everything is coming to light on this record companies and management ripping of their own clients, and l think contracts are to benefit the record company and management, not the Artist's

[@NazzytheMic]

yeah, SMG has The Orchard and AWAL. I'm on both. Same dashboard and everything. I put out on AWAL it still says The Orchard.

[@troylee3997]

It's all about merging conglomerates coming together , big business! They see the artist as commodity or a product! You fucked from the beginning because they see you as collateral 😒

[@bubblegumboyfriend]

The only problem is it’s not for enough songs. It should be for any amount of music not just 5 songs.

[@johnisrael5183]

Horrible...what a financial nightmare

[@MichaelSmith-lm5sl]

The video didn't go into specific examples of independent promotional service options, but based on the context here are some that could be possibilities: Independent digital distributors like Symphonic that offer promotional services like playlist pitching and marketing campaigns alongside distribution. Independent promotion and marketing agencies that work directly with artists on social media promotion, playlisting, advertising etc. Using independent consultants or freelance professionals individually for services like social media management, playlist pitching, publicity/PR. Doing promotional activities independently through building a fanbase organically on platforms like KZbin, TikTok, Instagram rather than relying on third parties. Crowdfunding platforms that offer promotional services as part of a campaign to build awareness and funding. Partnering with independent booking agencies and promoters to get shows and tours booked which can help promote releases. Hiring an independent publicist on a project basis to help with media outreach.

[@joco2826]

IS THIS MAN REALLY SHOWING US A CONTRACT FROM 18 YEARS AGO?? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😂😂

[@FierceLeo.]

He forgot about the conversation behind closed doors about a rituals or blood sacrifice , a Faustian contract .. hint hint

[@shatnerhasselhoff]

@@FierceLeo. fanfiction

[@SabineConnectionZydeco]

This is why these greedy s.o.b's are trying to cut out TikTok. Because the music artist and people are becoming independent and they don't want that. Y'all better fight to keep TikTok

[@user-pd9qs9ju1t]

Joint venture distribution deals or admin deals are the best way to go and never do a deal that is based on units it should be on a percentage structure. I made sure of that when doing this. The business has to be audited but this is not anything I would ever sign off on without scrutiny and going over with an entertainment and litigation attorney. I do too much business to ever fall for such a scam or predatory deal.

[@10Flowermuzik]

Does this deal go into effect if they do see you msking revenue?

[@Belairboy]

where can you find sample contracts and actual contracts?

[@SabineConnectionZydeco]

Forget a deal. Making them folks rich

[@SabineConnectionZydeco]

I can't imagine how much they're making from streams

[@theatlantaspectator]

Now the major labels are gonna start buying radio stations and they gonna take over the streaming game.

[@dtown_sounds]

Did you know the very contract you sign is what finances and provides funding for the entire deal? Did you know it's impossible to not be qualified for a contract because no matter what the contract is worth, all of that funding is coming straight out of your social security number? Did you know without your signature the contract isn't worth what the company says it's worth UNTIL you put your signature on that contract? Do you know why the contract is worth whatever you agree the contract to be worth? It's because without your signature dollars can't be printed and credit cannot be issued Did you know you can have $0 in the bank in your name and you can still sign a $250,000? Did you know they'll still give you the money? If you know anything about contract law You would understand the money comes from your authorization out of your social security and not from anywhere else Because once that contract is signed the holder of that contract is going to take it to the federal reserve bank and sell that contract for the amount the contract is worth to the federal reserve banks so the Fed banks can print out the exact amount of funding that contract is worth. It doesn't matter what type of contract it is. All contracts have to be sold to the federal reserve banks Did you know because your the signer of the contract, that makes the contract your financial asset? Did you know the company who got you to sign the contract can only act as a fiduciary? And they have no real equity in the contract? Did you know that you can pay off the balance of what you supposedly owe by using the contract itself? you put the community on contract law and consumer law game and we won't have this issue with talking to the labels The labels need every single one of us so we can sign contracts that open lines of credit for the label to continue to do business. As soon as you know what to do with that contract the entire label works for you and there's nothing they can do about it, all they've been doing is putting terms in your contract so you agree to keep accumulating debt because they know as soon as you realize what's going on they lose all power. They don't want people who understand contracts because then the label become slaves, they want you to be their slaves so they don't have to work for the money you granted them But learn contract law and you'll understand it's impossible to owe a debt when our economy is bankrupt That's why everyone poor as hell Cause our economy went bankrupt about 90 years ago and the media won't tell you because as soon as you know what's up they can't lie to you anymore and play you

[@drekarteristhekovanant]

They said We gunna due it!!😂😂

[@marymotherofgod4861]

They have death clauses in those contracts ☠️

[@raysky0001]

If Yu put your music on Spotify and yu sell a lot... They have to paid Yu right.. But no because they will change the numbers..is call streaming

[@ry2dxhfhf]

Love this. (The pounding of your hands triggers me.)

[@madam472]

Universal owns or has a partnership with a lot of labels like most then there's Sony.

[@SPL87042]

Facts

[@nondelusional]

NEVER sign NO contracts with Distrokid

[@SNAITHTOP]

That ridiculous artist needs to read 📚 a contract in fine detail!.

[@andretownsel2989]

I got a offer from B&R Music Group

[@1Perspecktive]

Is venice distribution run by troy carter a similar upstream structure owned by majors?

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

Troy is the first person I ever heard mention this 2 years ago.

[@thearthuralexander5374]

Best lie the devil told was he doesn't exist

[@Thenumiami]

What do you think about Vydia? Too Lost? Platoon?

[@ptyaudio]

I use too lost, straight to the point that analytics are great everything and every tool you need for one price

[@FresnoTMelFresh315]

i need to link with you

[@AnotherBumAssVeteran]

At best: $1,050,000 for 7 albums (before taxes). I can see many, here in Austin, getting swept up within this mess, solely out of desperation. 7 albums for so little... There are squeezing blood from stones, now.

[@kevin2400]

Is rather form a tribute band instead of a regular band

[@DTW_TV]

Ngl, I thought the grim reaper was bendin dude over in the thumbnail. No Diddy 😅

[@brianjohnson4780]

Nah, that’s what the record labels are doing to unknowing artists

[@EricJones-rk2tv]

I want to sign up

[@johnjohns440]

Tour support

[@Top5TheLabel]

So tht means that we shouldnt attach to a major to offer more label services for our artists?

[@MusicMoneyMakeover]

You can you just have to weigh the value for both sides. A white label solution may be the best option to maintain integrity.

[@Sydgekd]

GO INDEPENDENT. if you sign with a label have a lawyer go through your papaer work. To save your life make sure it not a life insurance policy on you in the contract.

[@m.j.mcintear793]

Oh heeeeeeeckkk no to Symponic. Just watched a lawyer go over the terms on service. Oh no. That's why it's good and bad to recommend. So glad you did because I was eating out your hand until then lol oh no. I'll just skip that part and keep eating because you do be giving the facts and breakdowns on the rest.

[@staceydelbucchia2576]

💜🎶

[@amotzbarakben-israel2691]

SonicBids started it all