stayc main image

The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

Read more
stayc main image

Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

Read more
stayc main image

Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

Read more
stayc main image

How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

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...

Read more
stayc main image

Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

Read more
stayc main image

Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

Read more
stayc main image

Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

Read more
stayc main image

Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

Read more
stayc main image

Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

Read more
stayc main image

Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

Read more
stayc main image

YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

Read more
stayc main image

Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

Read more

How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

stayc main image

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.