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This Artist Turned Down $250,000 to Go Independent
turning down a quarter million, Moog sells out, a must-have plugin for balanced mixes, and, of course, our track of the week.
The Producer
June 23, 2023
Hey there! Ernesto here. Today, the story of turning down a quarter million, Moog sells out, a must-have plugin for balanced mixes, and, of course, our track of the week.
This Artist Turned Down $250,000 to Go Independent
Imagine being on the cusp of success as an aspiring artist, with major record labels knocking on your door, waving a hefty $250,000 advance in front of you. It sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, for Brent Faiyaz, the allure of the big payday wasn't enough to sway his decision.
Brent Faiyaz is a name that resonates in the world of R&B. From headlining shows to racking up hundreds of millions of streams, this Grammy-nominated artist has been on a winning streak.
Back in 2014, Faiyaz met his manager, Ty Baisden. As Faiyaz's star was on the rise, he started receiving multiple offers from major labels. One of these was an alleged $250,000 advance. However, despite not initially wanting to be independent, Faiyaz decided to stick to his guns and stay on the indie course.
“I always said that it was never about the money. It was always about the terms,” his manager Baisden declared. “I look at everything from 100 percent of a pot,” he continued. “I’m thinking to myself, I’m like 18 percent [of royalties] out of a hundred. So if we do a two album deal, that means that if both of those albums combined makes, let’s say, $10 million in profits, I’m getting paid 18 percent of that. That doesn’t make sense to me.”
Faiyaz's decision to turn down a quarter-million-dollar advance in favor of maintaining control over his music is a powerful testament to the value of independence in the music industry. It's a reminder that success isn't just about the money; it's about the terms, the control, and the ability to shape your own artistic destiny.
In today's music industry, the opportunities for independent artists are greater than ever. With the right mindset and a commitment to your craft, you can carve out your own path, just like Faiyaz.
Track of the Week:
Industry News: Moog's Business Sale to InMusic
In a surprising move, legendary synth maker Moog Music has been acquired by InMusic, a parent company with a portfolio of instrument, audio, and DJ brands. The sale marks a shift from Moog's employee-owned structure, with InMusic now owning 100 percent of the company. Moog's brand director, Logan Kelly, assures that the acquisition will help ensure the continued production of quality instruments while safeguarding the company's future. Despite recent challenges, Moog remains committed to manufacturing in Asheville, North Carolina. The sale brings both opportunities and questions about the future direction of the iconic Moog brand.
This week, I want to highlight Izotope's Tonal Balance Control plugin. This tool provides real-time feedback on your mix's frequency balance and helps you achieve a well-balanced sound across different listening environments. It's especially useful for those of us who don't have perfectly treated studio rooms (which is most of us, right?).
Tonal Balance Control shows you how your mix compares to target curves derived from thousands of professionally mastered tracks, so you can aim for a balanced sound. You can also create your own custom targets based on tracks you love. Plus, it can communicate with other instances of Neutron 3, Nectar 3, and Relay to make adjustments to your mix directly from the Tonal Balance window. Try it out!
Upcoming Events:
The Wednesday Roast - Twitch stream at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on June 28th, 2023. Get feedback on your track mixdowns and ask production questions!
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Listen: Top 10 Tracks of the Month | Spotify | Apple Music
The Label: Broken English Traxx
Meme of the Week:
