Making it big in the music industry usually requires the backing of a label and a team of specialized professionals. Aspiring musicians, singers and pop stars often seek exposure online and through local performances to gain the attention of fans, which can lead to contact from agents and labels.
They may then eagerly sign a contract that commits them to a specific career path. Unfortunately, many new and young artists may sign agreements that leave them in a relatively vulnerable place. They remain independent contractors with limited rights, while the label may largely control their careers.
When Chappell Roan accepted the best new artist award at the Grammys, her acceptance speech focused more on the protection of young artists than on her own success. Her speech opened up a major conversation about how powerful entertainment industry businesses leave vulnerable new artists struggling for basic support in some cases.
Artists may not realize how vulnerable they are
Teenagers and other young adults looking to break into the music industry are still developing mentally. The human brain doesn’t stop growing and changing until the mid-20s. Until that point, young adults may have a hard time truly recognizing the long-term implications of their choices.
Someone approached by a label and eager to break into the music industry might sign a contract that doesn’t include health insurance or other benefits. They may give up creative control over their original works while receiving very little in return. These young artists may take their health and success for granted, not realizing that they may be in a difficult position if they sustain an injury or develop a significant medical condition.
Some artists can bring support to the table when negotiating their contracts. They may be able to secure insurance and other concessions from executives at the companies hoping to sign a contract with them. Other times, young artists who signed contracts before they understood them may need help renegotiating those terms or seeking relief from unfair and imbalanced entertainment industry contracts.
Recognizing warning signs of an imbalanced and unfair contract could help artists seek relief or push for better terms. Those feeling concerned about music industry employment agreements and similar contracts may need help negotiating the terms of an agreement or evaluating a contract to see if terminating it may be an option, and that’s okay.