Steve Stoute Speaks On The Evolution Of The Music Industry | Sway's Universe

#SteveStoute #SwayIntheMorning #SwaysUniverse
Subscribe to Sway’s Universe for More
bit.ly/SubscribeSU
About SWAY’s UNIVERSE
Exclusive interviews from Sway Calloway and the Sway In The Morning/ SwaysUniverse.com team with some of today's biggest celebrities, like Kevin Hart, Kanye West, Eminem, Usher, Jessica Alba, Steve Aoki, Torey Lanez, Julia Stiles and so much more.
Watch the Best of Sway In The Morning
bit.ly/BestOfSITM
Check out More From Sway’s Universe
swaysuniverse.com
/ swaysuniverse
/ swaysuniverse
/ swaysuniverse

[@trac1Digital]

This gentleman just declared the end of the traditional record label. 2019 will be the year of the independent artist! Shout out to Empire and United Masters.

[@hardworkplayerzincPGE777]

United Masters is the truth.

[@josephpaul8911]

Independent artists have been number 1 for years now. Youre a little late.

[@VegasElement]

Can you direct me to Empire Records social media info?

[@trac1Digital]

@@VegasElement www.empi.re/index.php

[@joanwatts663]

This why recording artist need a Prince Documentary.

[@MoneyOverFame]

Joan Watts facts.

[@40teeve]

👍🏽👍🏿👍speak on it

[@ralphbraden830]

Ryan Leslie spoke about this theory at around 21:00 mark a few years back. True visionary. Communicating directly with fan base. Shout out to Ryan and Steve.

[@makavelidelacruz]

His energy is progressive and one of the best panels at A3C and it was great to be in his presence...🧠

[@adriannamckenzie5829]

Slaves, masters, and sharecroppers...history always repeats

[@vanessah4545]

Yeah it's a power in words. It's a reason why they name these things this... "Masters" "slaves", you can always be owned by someone else no matter what.

[@adriannamckenzie5829]

@@vanessah4545 facts

[@Loo9331]

only cuz we let it

[@Blazin718]

Love u sway keep it up🔥👽🌊

[@purposepassionandlovetv863]

Man I miss Liner Notes...so much info. I miss being able to read who played the horn solo on a song or who laid the scratch patterns or who is on background vocals. That info would lead to recognizing new artist "oh he sang background on that DeAngelo song" or whoever. It is why I bought Jill Scott's first album before I heard the first single when I saw it in yes the record store, because I read in The Roots liner notes that she wrote the I Got You hook that Eryka Badu sang originally...the good old days.

[@dot.O]

Interesting, I guess now liner notes can be looked at as interviews I guess. I'm younger than you, I found out that 'I Got You' fact from an interview. In today's time everything's digital, so aslong as KZbin exists and other platforms exist, physical things are minimal

[@purposepassionandlovetv863]

@@dot.O Yeah that's true but digital to me is only better in terms of convenience. I understand that not everybody is into music on that level especially nowadays when all you have to do is upload music online and if the views get right you're a singer or rapper just like that. Interviews can be monotonous and tend to ask the same questions from interview to interview but those liner notes I tell you. I remember when the remix to It Ain't hard to Tell dropped and it had the Biz Markie sample "highly recognized as the king of disco and..." I forget who did the remix but in the liner notes we found out that recognized had been slowed down to sound like "Nas Nas Nas is the king of...". This was back when only a piece of a horn would be looped or someone's voice or a note from a piano and guessing where the sample came from was a thing and when you couldn't narrow it down you pull out the liner notes to see what records where used and what part. I could go on an on youngblood about the nostalgia of liner notes and many downloads do come with digital books but not with as much info. There is a Hip-Hop jazz collective called Groove Collective that put out some masterful work back in the 90s that I found when they played some for the late great GURU of GangStarr on the first Jazzmatazz release. I found out about them in the liner notes. They helped me stay ahead on music. Days long gone homie. Just reminiscing a little.

[@dot.O]

@@purposepassionandlovetv863 I guess you can say music was more interactive. With how you're describing it, there should be a whole youtube channel of someone going through liner notes and discovering rare facts. I get what you're saying. When I was younger, with Cd's, I would only use the booklets for reading the lyrics and would get mad when there wasn't any lyrics. Nowadays I couldn't care less about reading lyrics, I guess some do, since Rap Genius is popular. Some artists today are recording and uploading the creation process of songs, for example, you have Doja Cat who live steams herself making the beat, writting and recording her songs. Or Alessia Cara who uploads a video of her voice notes, each stage of the way for a song to be completed. It's safe to say that the future of liner notes is sharing the process behind creating a song or an album.

[@purposepassionandlovetv863]

@@dot.O Yo that You Tube idea is dope! Yes, there are other ways letting us into the creative process are evolving.

[@fatpapi331]

as always great interview... i remember seeing him in Bermuda with this GORGEOUS girl... she looked like a painting she was soooo beautiful.

[@kasjerry4115]

Fat Papi that’s what money gets you lol

[@foreverseethe]

Wanna see. Got links? Names?

[@msdjones30]

White chick

[@bigtrevdogglbc]

It is funny these old record execs and artist are just now realizing all this. Prince was telling you fools in the 90's what was going on. But they thought he was crazy for going against the music industry.

[@roaslynkady2568]

👍

[@dot.O]

It's not that their now realizing its, it's that their veil has been lifted so there's no sense hidding anymore. When Prince did it, they still had the oppertunity to cover it up. Now we're in the age of transparency and internet. Labels don't have as much control anymore, the people do. There's less money in labels because nobody buys physical, they have to learn SEO, analytics and such, find ways to siphon money digitaly. There's no more barriers everyone has access to each other.

[@Kevinschart]

i love steve stout interviews.

[@anthonidavis2378]

I would’ve liked to hear his opinion on the Young Dolph deal and how he turned down 22mil

[@rodfranc7597]

Never believe rappers when they start talking "deals" and start throwing random numbers around,

[@zncuentertainment712]

Yeah Dolph turning down The 5th Sense was a foolish move. So much crime fighting and penetration.

[@SilvaFoxMC]

I need to speak to Steve Stout. This has become a goal...

[@Ecdubble]

Thnx for the invite Steve and United Masters💯

[@horaceward1657]

People like Dame Dash and Ryan Leslie are ahead of their time. Stoute is the Big Brother every artist need. 360 is the brain child of Culture Vulture Lyor Cohen

[@user-ik5ze1sh7i]

Sure, I wouldn't call him a vulture, because in any business if you allow others to take advantage of you they will, let's not get it chopped up as predatory as those 360 deals are people have been able to take care of themselves and there family so relax

[@horaceward1657]

leo so what would you call Lyor?

[@user-ik5ze1sh7i]

@@horaceward1657 I would call him a aware business man that doesn't have a problem being a predator in business, it's no one's business to teach you business, is it surprising that these companies would take advantage of these rappers? let's be clear the older generation of hip hop didn't do its job of teaching the next generation about the importance of ownership, they took the deals made there money and said fuck the next ones coming up, not all of them there has always been guys preaching that knowledge about the industry, but it doesn't matter if you have the message if no one gives a fuck, it's a two way street, everyone has to be accountable for signing there name on that contract.

[@horaceward1657]

leo So you are saying he is a Predator on Young Hip Hop Artist?

[@user-ik5ze1sh7i]

@@horaceward1657 sure the music industry in general is predatory hip hop is no different.

[@thanksfornothing5636]

"STOUTMAAAAN🙌" long time no see STEVEN, its still our little secret.

[@hotsaucenchicken09]

It’s always good to hear from Stoute. He knows a thing about a thing!

[@patricklandond1]

What an interview... so many gems that can be applied to any artist in any medium!

[@SheilaMakena]

No doubt Steve is a genuis. But he did his fair share of dirt in the music industry in the 90s and 2000s maybe further. Now he is rebranding himself as "for the culture" cos that's the 🌊 right now. Like I said, genius!

[@SheilaMakena]

@Luvon Griffin your decision to insult me rather than give your opposing point of view shows your level of intelligence. Thank you though for your response.

[@sickvokals]

@@SheilaMakena Don't pay them any attention. Anyone that knows that business knows what Stoute is about. I think he bas changed but he was who he was during his come up.

[@SheilaMakena]

@@sickvokals indeed, the man is about business, not emotion. He has used the vast wealth of knowledge and data he has amassed over the years to re-brand himself. Can I be honest with you? I really don't think he has changed. I think he understands the current climate and has figured out a way to capitalize off it, which is what shrewd, successful businessmen do.

[@SheilaMakena]

@@sickvokals thanks btw. Nice communicating with level headed people. Peace!

[@TGF25]

I get what your saying but the guys who had past issues with Stoute also did their share of dirt too(Puff, 50 Cent, Dame Dash etc), so now they're all trying to rebrand themselves now that the industry is changing & doesn't hang on their every word or move like they did in the 90s-early 2000s!

[@TupacNation]

Great interview Sway, very interesting. Yo Sway been around for a min man I always remember that great interview he did with the legendary Tupac Shakur, yo those were the days Pac was so raw.

[@sdream4832]

Absolutely fantastic information

[@EastEZ82]

Love his interviews and discussions

[@jonesthecomedian]

Great interview @Sway...'ppreciate cha @SteveStoute

[@Jprincepotc]

Stoute a legend that always reinvents

[@apostleraw]

Very excited to see this

[@DarrylN2UPhotography]

New era in music, this social media is in beaat mode!

[@inkorea2750]

Holy Shit!!! I needed to see this today!!! Thank you Sway and Steve.

[@EdenCroft]

"Billboard has a legacy relationship with your brain." So apt and such a great way to put it.

[@trov2011]

Dope interview

[@1PurposeMime]

He's not dropping any new game. He saying everything Dame was trying to push years ago.

[@nnamdi602]

Steve is right the music industry us turning into a media based industry

[@Nina-je4mf]

Say it again! Tidal is amazing and idk why more people don’t have it.

[@CG1224_]

Nina Pasha they got caught for inflating numbers too a few months back lol I saw it on hbo vice

[@JaliyahDW]

@@CG1224_ im confused, so that means what exactly?

[@whoisbabysavage]

bro im so glad yall talked about billboard because my obsession with getting on the charts was to spend 25 to 50k indie...now i understand and it seems like i should have been understood...but sometimes u need to hear it! #gog

[@JCR1992]

Tell Stoute to holla at me man!!!

[@njtrukitfukit]

Hes telling us all, if u take what Steve is saying and think about your job, I'm a trucker he was speaking to me

[@thefocuschannel5941]

Thank you steve stout for inviting me to Unitedmasters #salute

[@emcallis57]

Why are you still going to apple and spotify??? When you have Tidal!! If you going to move different, move all the way different !!

[@RobThaBank]

Bro apple n spotify is worth more. It's not about who you like it's business

[@emcallis57]

Aaron Price the conversation is about blacks owning their own. Listen. They got more because we give them more. If we move to Tidal ( which i have already), than we got more. Get it ! Got it!

[@d.edwardsfreelanceeditorvi4212]

I stayed with Tidal after trying Apple. Really didn't see that big difference and I liked tidal.

[@nastynate838]

.... because I like that shit

[@NickCTaylor]

Tidal pays the Indie artist more than Spotify and Apple. And Tidal sounds better.

[@jayblaine5628]

The thumbnail picture has him looking like a master jedi from Star Wars. Which makes sense cause this guy is like a master yoda in this game with all the knowledge and experience he has.

[@toddgoode2275]

The Commissioner is in the building....

[@kennethjackson1771]

Profeesor griff said the same thing yrs ago.

[@purposepassionandlovetv863]

Pop Art, Sleeping Bag. What label was that Cut Master DC was on...? When they started naming those old labels it brought back memories.

[@klccostello1273]

Dude, probably been knowing about these trashy deals but didn't speak of it.

[@HelenaYago]

omar epps mixed wit malcolm jamal warner(theo hugstable)

[@robcinq5956]

There's some missing pieces I had to leave out Had lost trust for Steve Stoute at some point til I got to know him We old friends, but what's loyal? #IfYouKnowYouKnow

[@paultaylor3841]

Exactly! People forget those lyrics by Nas.

[@billionabil]

Well I look at it like food. There's food on all points of the spectrum from the cheapest (canned/fast food) to the gourmet shit that still takes time and skill, that remains memorable like you'd remember a bomb ass meal

[@StrayxSerse]

IM a artist who been rapping his whole life im 28 and this shi has rapidly changed from when i was 21 i let a lot of illegal shi get in my way but now im fully focused and im happy im talented because us with talent are winning right now i cant wait till they change the laws because we getting robbed on streams we need more transparency i know they making a killing under the fcking radar because the laws are slower then technology but we will be apart of this revolution........

[@tremaynewilliams1977]

I'm glad he mentioned Prince and Master P

[@royallen2110]

ryan leslie : Superphone app is a answer to independent advertisment, distribution, events and so on.

[@WAVYMCFLY2]

The Greatest Mind in Hip Hop today

[@walterpope4996]

Listen I 've been waiting to get on sway always have respect 53 year old OG spittin Off the Top Still 50 Shades Of Ugly POPE Utube And Instagram

[@mydebby2hot]

Hey I love dis

[@Jomonoupapjanmbliyew]

Revolutionary Steve stoute

[@alexhiraldo1845]

Dope peace and love......

[@mjallen4031]

He was definitely dropping jewels. But the reference to how old contracts were written with Masters, slaves and share cropping😟 .. that's absurd.

[@Msboochie2]

I’m not sure what you mean. Do you mean it’s absurd that they use that language, or is it that you don’t believe what he’s saying? He’s definitely speaking the truth.

[@mjallen4031]

Msboochie2 that they use that language. I know he's speaking the truth

[@karimbennett5651]

MJ Allen, He's being wildly inflammatory here, suggesting the "masters" and "slaves" terms referred to people and relationships. The terms refer to data storage and distribution devices. Has nothing to do with people.

[@foreverseethe]

@@karimbennett5651 Karim, they are general use and are in fact neutral in any field, if used right, these terms should help to understand a concept in either a contract or a system. The term master and slave belong to neither the music industry nor hardware/software industry, nor to a time period, as such it shouldn't it offend you. We were not the only slaves in history .

[@walterpope4996]

Real Talk Fam always off top 53years old

[@BunziD]

never liked steve stoute much, but today he spoke some truths that make me wonder why now???? Is he now against the industry?? dropping a few gems for those that are running the long race!! intresting nonetheless. Btw....Did mention to many friends a while ago that LBJ's insta broke Tee Grizzley (thats where I 1st heard of Grizzley).....they where with me watching this interview when steve said the same thing!!!! The look in their eyes was priceless. Enjoyed this interview so much....Knowledge is WOW!!

[@MoneyOverFame]

RIP Prince!

[@pharowsmith3712]

So why do we need u if it’s better for us to do it ourselves

[@holygroove2]

Does the Music Modernization Act do anything since it's been signed?

[@iamdamontdiggs]

Tory Lanez name is spelled wrong in the line up description of celebrities on the show.

[@DLewis-wt9np]

The expression is “few and far between”.

[@PoliticalP2070]

Dope

[@Nil13ification]

Very interesting...

[@lilbpack1]

Steve ! - Lil b

[@dot.O]

Thank You

[@liqquasippa28]

I always said Drake should have gone independent. Had he done that, he would've made so much more money AND he would have influenced a generation of young up-and-comers to do it themselves rather than signing deals. He could have changed the game. Just a thought.

[@pedrogates3189]

Arteest1 I don’t think he would have been as big independent having a major deal put drake in a lot of places he wouldn’t have been without a major push

[@liqquasippa28]

@@pedrogates3189 Possibly. But I think the Lil Wayne cosign really did the most for him and he could've gotten that regardless, cause they'd been in communication for quite a while before he was signed. His music spoke for itself. Hell, his mixtape songs charted. That was unprecedented. I think he would've been just fine without the major label push as long as he kept making great music and networking like he'd BEEN doing.

[@pedrogates3189]

Arteest1 yeah you’re 100 percent correct I believe he would have been around making good music but that Wayne co-sign took him to the next level because Wayne was the biggest thing in the world at the time , n remember they re-released so far gone with verses with Wayne on it and shit took off !

[@patrickmartin2689]

He went on tour with MJB from only a mix tape let that sink in with technology being a independent artist is your best bet...🤔🤔🤔

[@pedrogates3189]

Patrick Martin nah thank me later was already he out when he did that lil promo Tour with her , the tour was September 2010 thank me later dropped in June

[@preciousgorgeousralf137]

Prince is Prince's government name.

[@jordanbester5254]

Shout out to dame and rles

[@mikejwomack9597]

Shout out to Stoute he been taken a knee...well..both knees since the 1990's.

[@odizzle15]

There’s one thing selling your soul or selling others... I pray my people wake up.🙏🤦‍♂️

[@Stickbo]

12:20 Brand Opportunities 20:22 Artist we be "Mini Media Properties" Like Channels 22:09 Artist find who their Fans are an communicate with them 22:29 Fat Joe's Story 500,000 records sold with no respect, but making more $ selling less 23:36 Prince did it and he was buggin, Travis Scott does it and it's normal!

[@ivarb629]

Last time he came up 50 roasted his ass hahaha

[@LjFrazierVideos]

Music today is throw away you put it out then they want what’s next that’s why you got to constantly keep recording it’s actually moving to fast

[@JWill951]

LjFrazierVideos and as much as I love streaming, streaming has played a part in that. We constantly want new music every week and nobody actually takes the time and digest an album like we used to.

[@neworleans7166]

It's moving so fast ,to the point where some artists, aren't even taking time to be creative ,go figure, just rush and put it out, just to keep up

[@musixmattaz5951]

Musix Mattaz Fact: Guys like Steve Stoute thats behind the scenes made this game what it is they need more love its about time for that the artist haven't made this game they did.

[@rahsaanhill5781]

The Commissioner

[@lowwcookproduction5845]

Hot. I've been telling my clients that it won't be any record labels in the next 5 to 10 years for a few years now and they think I'm joking smh.

[@workaholick]

what he's saying isthe same thing metalica was addresing during the Nabster situation, yet everyone just stayed on "they don't want to let us share our music, they're selfish millionares"SMH🤦‍♂️😢

[@josephpaul8911]

And theyre white. White man bad. Ignore any and all white warnings/knowledge.

[@nasircooper3236]

What did Steve mean by ESPN selling advertising against themselves?

[@pyeiworld]

sounds like rock in the 70s

[@pyeiworld]

watch a documentary and see where this matches up

[@JADub87]

The Commissioner Stoute

[@ExistNNature]

No their not skipping the steps, their skipping the crooks..

[@isidrosalas5088]

They're... You're welcome

[@marengolordoftheearth]

naa the crooks still there

[@donnibaby1]

You can't skip the crooks i.e., 6ix9ine. They skip the fundamentals, originality, mastering skillsets.

[@1lifestyle112]

they're still getting robbed don't let the jewelry fool you

[@dmoney8695]

360 deals.. they aren't as independent as advertised

[@KingQuayus]

What I took from this conversation and what I already felt is that Bill Board is not credible , showing clear bias consistently. I also question the relevance / genuine honor of winning a Grammy. What is it really worth if the winners are chosen with phantom bias, leaving the deserving artist put away salty and wet. Wtf

[@eurojay4847]

Ryan Leslie been doing this for a decade

[@nikkiknowship-hop1466]

“F*** I’m doing in parties with Hova and Steve Stout?” -J.Cole

[@MrGrace]

He's a snake but he has amazing insight on the business.

[@dot.O]

A snake has to know how to maneuver through and around every corner...

[@bernardtyler526]

Talk that real

[@sleepytheproducer8789]

preach!!!!!!!!!! Dolph Voice!!!!!! 21:00

[@yourgod]

dood is a snake but goddamnit his interviews is always 🔥🔥

[@QGTM868]

Elaborate

[@WizeOwl764]

He truly is a snake ! I know from personal experience ! Don't mess with Steve ...

[@MoneyOverFame]

One Two elaborate.

[@kidperk334]

The commish in the flesh

[@AngelicTroubleMaker-LaVooDoo]

#MESSAGE

[@saynomoreinternationalreco7926]

djsaynomore.bandcamp.com was here

[@thomaskg1198]

Dame dash put you on this Steve stoute. U never preached this. Just saying.

[@toddtollfree5659]

I believe stoute is using this United masters...more as a branding company he'll get that artist "information" flip it to corporate..and monetize both end..so in Laymen term he going to be like a planet fitness model low cost gym..buy in for 10$ . the trick is selling and tracking your information by signing up 🤔 $$$will flow

[@uanip1341]

ugh! Why do I hate the idea of artist selling advertisement instead of selling their art/craft/talents? SMFH

[@kizz9391]

LeBron broke Tee Grizzley?! No the fuck he didn’t! That joint was getting played like crazy nationwide before that gym video. 😂

[@tommybrown8775]

"Im focused man, tell Stoute to holla at me man" Jay

[@josephpaul8911]

Its funny, hes talking master, slave, sharecrops. He looks like hes had a few slaves, himself. Hmmm

[@conspiracyjen85]

Wow Charlie Chapman started the remastering process... Music is the reason I am a business buff but I damn sure missed the slave part. Damn the revolution will be viral. I just want a Black person to open a conglomerated television service. You won't lose money if we have a cable t.v. service. Call my bluff. Build a cable network where we can put all of our content on. I will give you a reserve key or the monetary key just build the company. Use the coders from the Black coding schools.

[@Tbcz]

We the need labels the labels need us

[@1Richiey]

he definitely dropping gems.. anyone here looking for beats? i got the most fire BLUEFACE x MEEK MILL x abraham lincoln type beats on my page lol

[@ofasanmi7511]

My favorite rapper doesn't own his masters on Illmatic ???? 😩 My whole childhoods been fucked up😭😭

[@itspokernotpitypat4619]

A lot of thanks got to be given to Trump for signing that new music bill on Oct.11th, my b'day!! The same day Kanye went to the WH!!

[@murieloduro1274]

Is this the same person who dealt with immature and kriss kross?