14/04/2021
Many people have been asking where do our entertainers, musicians or DJs get it wrong. One of the impediments is business structure.
I have been approached by many musicians some who want me to sign them some who want me to manage them. Many artists I have met do not have a sound structure that's is backing their careers up.
1. They have not registered their stage names at Register of Companies as businesses. Remember the Mantle Brown fiasco? Where there was Amantle Brown the artist and Amantle Brown the MC..It was realized Amantle Brown the MC was her real names while the Amantle Brown we all know and love was just a stage name. What we can learn here is a simmilar case like the Bafana Bafana name dispute. So an artist, DJ, Promoter etc must start by registering you business name. If you are an artist, dj, promoter and your company or event is not registered as a business then you are doing music as a hobby you are not into the business of music.
2. When you go to studio and record make sure you sign a producers contract with your producers, imagine having a huge hit and the producer gives the same beat to another artist and when you complain he tells you he gave you the beat on a "Beat hire" arrangement. Also sign featured artists agreement and session artists agreements this will allow you to have total ownership and control of your songs.
3. Guys I say this all the time as a creative you don't need to worry about contracts or receipts etc. You need a good lawyer and an accountant. Many people will tell you I don't sign agreements or contracts just like that unless it's drafted by my lawyer or he has read it. Also am bad at record keeping so I have a box in my office where I throw receipts either for petrol or any invoice every month I give them to my accountant.
Having a Lawyer and an Accountant helps you focus on your Craft. Lastly if you are trading in the creative industry you need the following or you can do it yourself if you are good:
1. Photographer
2. Stylist
3. Digital Strategist
4. Graphic Designer
5. Videographer
In future I see the industry becoming more and more digital and you are going to need an IT Manager their role will replace an artist manager role.
Musica closed shop because they did not change their business model. They were too traditional. They relied in people walking into their store to buy a CD that was dumb. They should have started a delivery service or even an online music store years ago. Don't be like Musica change your strategy..
