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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

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How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

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As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency.

Blackpink, consisting of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, first signed with YG Entertainment in 2011 and made their debut in 2016 with the single "Boombayah." Since then, they have become one of the most successful girl groups in the world, with hit songs like "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du," "Kill This Love," and "Ice Cream" featuring Selena Gomez.

However, as the group's contract with YG Entertainment comes to a close, many are questioning if they will renew their contract with the agency or move on to other opportunities.

On one hand, YG Entertainment has been a major factor in Blackpink's success, providing the group with the resources and support needed to become one of the biggest girl groups in the world. The agency has also allowed the members to pursue individual endeavors, such as solo music projects and acting roles.

On the other hand, Blackpink has reached a level of success that could potentially allow them to branch out on their own. The members have already begun to establish themselves as solo artists, with Jennie releasing her debut solo single "Solo" in 2018 and Rosé releasing her debut solo single "Gone" in 2021.

Some speculate that they will be joining producer Teddy’s label called The Black Label due to the close relationship that was fostered in the studio when working on their albums.

It is uncertain what the future holds for Blackpink and their relationship with YG Entertainment. While the group has been successful with the agency, they may choose to explore other opportunities in the industry.

10 Factors for Artists & Creators When Negotiating a New Record Label Contract:

Whether Blackpink renews their contract with YG Entertainment or take their careers in a new direction, the following are 10 factors they should consider when negotiating with the other party:

When it comes to music business contract negotiations, there are several key factors that should be taken into consideration. Whether you're an artist, manager, or record label executive, it's important to be well-informed and aware of your rights and responsibilities. Here are the top 10 things to consider during music business contract negotiations:

  1. Royalty rates: This is one of the most important factors in any music contract negotiation. Royalty rates determine how much an artist will be paid for each album or single sold. It's important to negotiate a fair rate that is commensurate with the artist's level of success and popularity.
  2. Advance payments: An advance payment is a sum of money paid to an artist upfront, before any royalties are earned. This can be a significant factor in contract negotiations, as it can provide an artist with the financial stability they need to continue working on their music.
  3. Ownership rights: It's important to clearly define the rights and ownership of the music in the contract. This includes who owns the master recordings, the rights to use the music for different purposes, and who will get the revenue generated from the use of the music.
  4. Touring and merchandising: Many contracts include provisions for touring and merchandising. It's important to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both the artist and the label in these areas.
  5. Promotion and marketing: A successful music career requires effective promotion and marketing. It's important to ensure that the contract includes provisions for promoting the artist and their music, as well as the budget for marketing and promotion.
  6. Length of contract: The length of the contract should be negotiated based on the artist's career goals. Some artists may want a shorter contract in order to have more control over their career, while others may prefer a longer contract for stability and security.
  7. Termination clauses: It's important to include termination clauses in the contract, in case either party wishes to end the contract early. This should be negotiated carefully to ensure that both parties are protected in the event of termination.
  8. Legal representation: It's important for both parties to have legal representation during contract negotiations. A lawyer can help to ensure that the contract is fair and legally binding, and can advise on any potential issues that may arise.
  9. Digital rights management: With the rise of streaming and digital music, it's important to include provisions in the contract for digital rights management. This includes how the music will be distributed and marketed online, as well as the revenue generated from digital sales.
  10. Flexibility: Finally, it's important to ensure that the contract is flexible and allows for changes as the artist's career develops. This includes the ability to renegotiate terms and make adjustments as needed, to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the agreement.

By considering these factors during music business contract negotiations, artists & music creators like Black Pink can ensure that they are protected and that the agreement is in the best interests of all parties involved. With a well-negotiated contract, an artist can focus on creating and performing music, while the label can focus on promoting and marketing the artist's work.