The Music Industry’s Blind Spot: Fair Deals for Sustainable Success. By Femi Knows and Ally Oceans

The Music Industry’s Blind Spot: Fair Deals for Sustainable Success.

By Femi Knows and Ally Oceans

Abstract.

Record labels often lack a deep understanding of the business side of their industry. Imposing slave contracts may seem beneficial in the short term but can ultimately backfire. Labels need talented artistes to generate revenue, so it’s crucial to negotiate fair deals that benefit both parties. As entertainment lawyers, we face the challenge of educating labels and artists about the music business, emphasizing that a win-win approach is essential for long-term success. When one party benefits at the expense of the other, it can lead to dissatisfaction and harm the partnership. By working together to create mutually beneficial agreements, we can foster healthier relationships and more sustainable careers in the music industry.

Introduction

If the music industry were a song, it would have plenty of hooks, some killer beats, and a few lyrics that don’t sit quite right. Beneath the glitz and glamour, the million-dollar contracts and streaming gold rushes, lies a simple truth that keeps getting autotuned out of the conversation: fairness.

We talk a lot about fame. We rave about followers. But fairness? That’s the backstage crew that keeps the lights on ; unseen, underappreciated, and often unpaid.

The industry is full of loud voices chasing the next chart-topper, but it’s oddly quiet when it comes to fair deals, agreements that respect the artiste, value their creativity, and build something more enduring than a viral moment.

So let’s pull back the velvet curtain and spotlight the part of the industry that’s been hiding in the shadows for too long. Let’s talk about the music industry’s blind spot.

The Fine Print That Silences the Artiste: The Problem with Slave Contracts

There’s a name that echoes through green rooms and afterparties like a ghost in the machine: “slave contracts.” No, it’s not hyperbole, it’s a nickname used to describe 360 deals or other predatory contracts that squeeze artistes dry while padding the pockets of labels and execs. Imagine pouring your soul into a record, only to find out later you don’t even own the rights to your own voice. Sounds dystopian? It’s all too real.

Let’s rewind to a headline you probably remember: Kesha vs. Dr. Luke.

Kesha signed with RCA Records via Dr. Luke’s imprint when she was just 18, young, ambitious, impressionable and ready to take on the world. But the contract allegedly gave Dr. Luke sweeping control over her career: her songs, her tours, her public image. Later, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of emotional abuse, manipulation, and worse. What followed was not just a legal battle, it was a public cry for artiste autonomy.

The Kesha case is the cautionary tale everyone whispers but few act on. It’s the musical equivalent of signing a record deal only to find you’re locked in a box with no volume control. In a system where one party holds the remote and the others just stuck on mute, something’s broken.

Rewind Further: Brymo vs. Chocolate City

And this isn’t just a Western drama, Nigeria has its own verses in this song of control and conflict. Take the case of Brymo, the soulful singer-songwriter whose poetic lyrics and unconventional sound set him apart in the Nigerian music scene.

Brymo was signed to Chocolate City, one of Nigeria’s powerhouse labels, but things soon soured. He accused the label of neglecting his career and restricting his creative freedom. When he tried to leave and release music independently, Chocolate City slapped him with a legal injunction, claiming he was still under contract.

The result? A fierce legal battle that, for a while, muted one of Nigeria’s most promising voices. Brymo eventually regained his freedom, but the ordeal highlighted a now-familiar melody: artistes often don’t know the fine print until it’s choking their creative spirit.

Brymo’s story is a Nigerian verse in the global chorus of artistes fighting for independence, respect, and the right to write their own stories.

Fast Forward: Mohbad and the Marlian Music Tragedy

Then came a newer, more heartbreaking beat in the conversation, the tragic story of Mohbad, a rising star formerly signed to Marlian Music, a label owned by Naira Marley.

Mohbad left the label in 2022, citing threats, physical abuse, and an environment that stifled his freedom. He made several emotional public pleas and videos where he expressed fear for his life. At first, many thought it was an industry drama, until he died in 2023 under deeply controversial circumstances that shook Nigeria and the global Afrobeats community.

His passing sparked widespread outrage, protests, and renewed demands for regulatory reform in the Nigerian music industry. Fans, fellow artistes, and advocates began asking hard questions: What rights do artistes really have? Who protects them when the labels meant to nurture them turn into cages?

Mohbad’s story is not just a cautionary tale, it’s a wake-up call. It reminded everyone that behind the catchy hooks and chart-topping singles are human beings, sometimes crying for help behind the studio glass.

The Importance of Fair Deals

If the stories of Kesha, Brymo, and Mohbad hit you in the gut, it’s because they reveal the true cost of unfair contracts—the cost isn’t just financial, it’s human, creative, and deeply personal. That’s why fair deals aren’t just a “nice to have” in the music industry—they are the foundation for real, sustainable success.

Fair deals respect the artist as a partner, not a product. They recognize that behind every hit, every viral video, every sold-out show is a creative mind with dreams, families, bills, and a legacy to build. The right deal isn’t about squeezing every last penny out of an artiste or locking them into a soul-crushing agreement; it’s about creating a win-win partnership where both sides thrive.

Here’s the truth: when artistes are treated fairly, they flourish. They invest more time, more energy, and more creativity into their craft because they know their efforts won’t be stolen or wasted. When labels offer fair terms, they build trust, loyalty, and a reputation that attracts top-tier talent. This isn’t just about ethics—it’s smart business.

Fair deals also create a healthier industry ecosystem. When contracts are transparent, royalties are paid promptly, and creative control is shared or respected, artistes and labels can focus on what really matters: making great music and growing audiences. No one wins when the artist feels exploited or powerless—because that pain always leaks out into the music, the media, and the market.

We need to stop glorifying the “get rich quick” mentality that slave contracts represent. That model is a ticking time bomb that ultimately destroys careers, relationships, and trust in the entire industry. Instead, let’s champion a future where fairness, respect, and sustainability take center stage.

At the end of the day, fair deals mean freedom. Freedom for artistes to express themselves boldly. Freedom for labels to build authentic brands. Freedom for the music industry to grow into the powerhouse it was meant to be—without burning out its brightest stars.

Comparative Analysis: Fair Deals vs. Slave Contracts

Let’s put it on the table—the music industry’s legal battleground often looks like a David vs. Goliath fight, but with contracts. On one side, you have fair deals—the solid, balanced agreements that honor both the artist and the label. On the other, the infamous slave contracts—those one-sided traps that drain artistes dry and boost label coffers at their expense.

Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown so you can see the difference clearly, because knowing the gap is the first step to closing it:

Factor	Fair Deals	Slave Contracts
Royalty Splits	Transparent, equitable, often reflecting true contributions. Artists get their fair share—sometimes even ownership stakes.	Artist royalties slashed to a minimum (think: 10-20%), with hidden deductions and murky accounting.
Contract Duration	Defined terms with clear exit options. Contracts allow room for growth and renegotiation.	Endless, multi-album binds that feel like a life sentence with no parole.
Creative Control	Artists have a meaningful voice—shared control or full autonomy depending on the deal.	Labels call all the shots—from song selection to image, leaving artistes boxed in.
Recoupment & Advances	Upfront advances are clear, with reasonable recoupment terms ensuring artistes aren’t trapped in debt.	Advances feel like a blessing but are a debt trap, with labels clawing back every penny before artistes see real income.
Ownership of Masters	Often shared or retained by the artiste, giving them future leverage and income streams.	Labels typically own masters outright, controlling how music is used, licensed, and profited from.
Transparency	Regular, clear financial reports and open communication channels.	Opaque accounting, delayed or no royalty statements, leaving artistes in the dark.
Dispute Resolution	Fair, impartial mechanisms like arbitration or mediation to settle conflicts.	One-sided clauses favoring labels with costly legal hurdles for artistes.

Simply put: fair deals build legacies; slave contracts build resentments.

Fair deals create a partnership that thrives on trust, collaboration, and mutual benefit. Slave contracts turn the relationship into a zero-sum game—where one party wins only by the other losing.

If the industry wants to stop losing its brightest stars to burnout, silence, or scandal, it has to choose fairness—not just because it’s right, but because it’s smart business. Long-term success isn’t about squeezing artistes for every dime; it’s about empowering them to create, grow, and inspire.

As creatives and legal experts, it’s on us to call out the bad, champion the good, and rewrite the rules for a future where fair deals are the industry standard—not the exception.

The Unsung Heroes: Entertainment Lawyers

If the music business is a wild west of paperwork and power plays, Entertainment Lawyers are your sheriffs. These legal pros aren’t just there to read the fine print, they’re there to translate it, challenge it, and fight for your future. A good lawyer doesn’t just negotiate a deal. They protect your voice, both literally and metaphorically.

Here’s what they bring to the table:

• Decoding Jargon: Turning legalese into English. “Perpetuity” should raise a red flag, not a question mark.
• Negotiating Like Pros: Pushing back against bad terms with knowledge, tact, and data.
• Updating the Deal: The music industry moves fast. Contracts should too. Lawyers help renegotiate when success outgrows the original terms.

Think of your entertainment lawyer as a creative co-pilot, someone who makes sure you don’t crash while chasing the clouds.

Wake-Up Call: Why the Industry Needs Education, Not Just Exposure

The path to fairness starts with education. Because let’s be honest: how many artistes know what a “recoupable expense” really is? (Spoiler: it usually means you’re paying for it, not them.) We need a movement that empowers creators to understand the business behind their art, not just the art itself.

Here’s how we fix the blind spot:

1. Industry-wide Education

Workshops. Webinars. TikToks, even. Whatever it takes. Everyone from indie hopefuls to execs needs a crash course in ethical deal-making.

Let’s be real: way too many artistes are out here trying to freestyle their way through the music industry like its open mic night at a shark tank. No floaties, no safety net, just dreams, desperation, and vibes. It’s like being thrown into the middle of the Atlantic with nothing but a pencil and a prayer, told to “make waves” without even knowing which way the shore is.

That’s where Creatico Academy jumps in, not to rescue you once you’re already gasping for air, but to teach you how to swim with rhythm before you even dip a toe in the water. Think of us as the industry’s long-lost instruction manual… finally found, dusted off, and remixed for the next-gen creative.

We’re not just handing out theory like cold leftovers from a textbook buffet, we’re serving up hot, real-world knowledge with spice: the kind that’s street-smart, stage-tested, and studio-certified. Stuff like:

• Contracts decoded like lyrics so you actually understand the fine print before you sign your soul away.
• Copyrights, royalties, and revenue: not the boring way, but like beats you can build on.
• Branding with flavor so your image pops louder than your chorus.
• And of course, business smarts that help you turn “talent” into “legacy.”

Because here’s the beat most people miss: passion without knowledge is like a fire with no direction, it burns bright but fizzles fast. At Creatico Academy, we’re helping you channel that fire. Not just to survive the industry storm, but to surf it, ride it, and maybe even change its tide.

2. Standardized Contracts

Create baseline contracts that are fair, clear, and artiste-friendly. Let lawyers customize from there, but start with a template that doesn’t trap.

3. Artiste Advocacy

Artistes need support networks, mentors, and legal aid. Power comes from community + knowledge, not just clout.

4. Reinvent the Label-Artiste Relationship

We need fewer “owners” and more “partners.” Labels should evolve from gatekeepers to co-creators. Think equity, not authority.

Final Verse: The Future Sounds Better When It’s Fair

Let’s face it: talent is everywhere. But the pipeline to success is often built like a funnel, wide at the top, but only a few artistes make it through, and even fewer make it out whole. The artistes who survive the system often do so despite the deals they signed, not because of them.

We can do better. We must do better. The future of music doesn’t belong to labels. Or streaming giants. Or managers in corner offices. It belongs to the creatives. The dreamers. The lyricists and loop-makers. The ones who turn heartbreak into harmony and chaos into chorus.

Give them fair deals. Watch them build empires.

Because the real money isn’t in owning artistes. It’s in building with them.

�Writers:

Olorunfemi Adewale Oyekanmi, Esq. (Femi Knows).

Blessing Alice Inyang, Esq. (Ally Oceans).