Kanye West has been on a mission to unshackle himself from his multiple Universal Music Group/Sony contracts. One of his major points of contention has to do with owning his master recordings, which he believes is something that should be afforded to every artist.
On Wednesday (September 23), Kanye vowed to return his portion of all G.O.O.D. Music artists’ masters, tweeting, “I’m giving all Good music artist back the 50% share I have of their masters.”
Ye then challenged UMG to do the same thing, adding, “Now let’s have Universal match me.” The tweet included a screenshot of a text conversation he was having with Elon Musk.
Kanye has been on an extensive Twitter rant for the better part of two weeks. At one point during his spree, he claimed God put him on earth to permanently change the music industry.
“THIS MOMENT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR GOOD,” he tweeted in all caps. “I FEEL SO HUMBLED AND BLESSED THAT GOD HAS PUT ME IN A STRONG ENOUGH PETITION TO DO THIS … EVERYONE KEEP PRAYING … ITS WORKING … I AM ON MY KNEES THIS MORNING.”
Ye has garnered some ardent support from his peers, including Logic, Big Sean and even producer Hit-Boy who admitted he has some personal issues with the G.O.O.D. Music founder.
“I haven’t been a fan of Kanye on a personal/human level since he told me face to face he stopped picking my beats because I worked with Beyoncé,” he wrote in part. “this is after I produced n-ggas in paris , clique, and a myriad of other songs/projects for him and his label GOOD Music in the 2 years I was signed with them. This tweet is something I can agree with though.”
He added, @umpg has held me in what the last 3 lawyers Ive hired have referred to as the ‘worst publishing contact they’ve ever seen’ since I was 19 years old.”
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Kanye quickly responded and assured Hit-Boy it had nothing to with Beyoncé.
“HI GUYS … TRUST ME WE WILL NOT STOP,” he tweeted. “HITBOY FIRST TO STAND UP … I DIDN’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HIM PRODUCING FOR BEYONCÉ … I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FACT HE WAS SIGNED TO ME AND I DIDN’T KNOW BUT I KNEW JAY AND BEYONCÉ AND HIT-BOY … JUST FOR CLARITY.”
Current artists signed to G.O.O.D. Music include Big Sean, G.O.O.D. Music president Pusha T, CyHI The Prynce, Teyana Taylor, Q-Tip, 070 Shake, Francis and the Lights, Valee, Kids See Ghosts and Sheck Wes. Only time will tell if Ye follows though.
Ok seriously fuck Kanye, you go on and on for weeks about owning your own masters. While at the same time benefitting from the same system you claim is wrong? STFU, this should’ve been the FIRST thing you did before going after the labels. Fucking hypocrite
Kanye gave his artists 50% of their masters already when signing and now he is giving them the other 50%.
Most record companies own 100% of their artists masters.
The point is, while not as bad as some major labels, Kanye still benefitted from the same system for years he claims to now all of the sudden hate. G.O.O.D. music isn’t a independent label. So not only does Kanye, get his check, 50 other motherfuckers, you don’t even know what they do, get a check before the artist does. It’s like telling everyone ” hey, we should eat healthier and live healthier lifestyles” but are still chain smoking cigarettes’. Well “I’m not as bad as that other guy who says the same thing but is also 450 pounds”
Powerful example.
This should be followed by all record companies.
Why should it be? If I’m a record company and I invest in you and you’re album flops or doesn’t meet expectations you know who that effects?…the label. That’s why most label owns the masters of their artist. If an artist wants to keep his masters then produce music without a major label behind you. As close as Eminem and 50 are, do you think 50 owns his masters?….hell no!
Em doesn’t own his masters either.
Every artist that signs to another rappers label under a major label is likely falling to this. Some newer contracts may just include distribution, you fund your own album and handle your own touring, we’ll just help you put it out. But these are for artists that have a better business sense, a stronger grind, and a fanbase. Labels wouldn’t invest in any artist if they didn’t own majority of their masters and publishing. Hugely successful artists likely have better 2nd contracts (like Em), they know he will sell, even if its just platinum now. But that first contract for 5 albums give or take was all for the label. Em made bank off it due to how much he sold and major tours early on.
“hip hop whitey” is a trump supporter like kanye, don’t feed trolls
Ye don’t own my booty fingers no more.
If taking ownership of artists masters is so wrong, why did he do it in the first place?
This is all about him, don’t get it twisted.
What an idiot!
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It is UMG’s business to own the masters. Kanye can afford to give the rights back since his sneakers are selling.