Feature Articles
MUSIC AND MONEY
On June 30, ASCAP celebrated Black Music Month with an informational panel on black music publishing, addressing the unique aspects of music publishing in the rap, R&B, and dance music genres. The panel was moderated by Eric Coles (owner of Colemine Music and consultant for Dreamworks Music Publishing). The panelists included Karen Durant (Rondor Music), Claude Mitchell (Polygram Music), and Derrick Thompson (BMG Music. Collectively, the participants have decades of experience in music publishing. |
As expected, the main topic of conversation was how a songwriter—especially one without a track record—can get a publishing deal. The answer, of course, is that there is no one way, and the panel instead focused on how writers can better prepare for getting a publishing deal. In fact, preparation was stressed as the most important tool. Writers can do that by making sure their material is as strong as it can be: working on the craft of songwriting, making honest assessments of the songs they have produced, and making the most of the criticisms and critiques they receive from others. Also, writers should prepare the best-sounding demos that their budget will allow.
The next step is preparing for the business side of the music business. The panelists stressed the importance of education in how a publisher works: knowing what they will do (and, just as importantly, will not do) for their songwriters; understanding what a publishing deal is and how it can help a songwriter; and realizing that there are almost as many different types of publishing deals as there are different types of songwriters. Matching the situation of the songwriter to the right type of publishing company and deal is important for the relationship to be beneficial to everyone involved.
The panelists left the audience with the advice that songwriters should do as much possible for themselves to create the buzz necessary to acquire a publishing deal. They stressed networking among peers as one of the most important things the aspiring songwriter or musician can do to further their career. As with so many other aspects of the music business, the right combination of talent and self-promotion can be the key to an artist's success.
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