This was sent to my mail this afternoon from one of our constant readers, as a Nigerian Music Lawyer he was concerned about the contract and well being of most up coming Nigerian Artiste and decides to write this article on : Things An Up-Coming Nigerian Artist Must Know .
Read Below :
Firstly, i want to introduce myself. Am a first of its kind Nigerian Music lawyer, who has a passion for music so am branching out soley into entertainment law.
Most Artists in Nigeria are poor and that’s a fact but why is Lagbaja rich? Because he was smart enough to consult a music attorney to handle his contracts. Am well versed in the business to help you out with your problems in this forum.
Let me give you 5 free tips before you enter a music contract or deal with any label or individual:
1. Never sign a contract beyond 3 years with any label in Nigeria unless your f***ked financially, ask 2face, all that glitters is not gold
2. Never ask for too much sign on fees because there is nothing like a sign on fee, it’s a loan which has to be recouped instead, fight for future royalties %, live performance profit sharing and album sales %. You ask a label to sign you up for N5 MILLION, it simply means that, all the proceeds of the album must be sold without you getting a dime till they hit the N5MILLION mark + all your live performance profit sharing and any future royalties coming out from radio, t.v and movies.
3. Don’t believe the myth that if Channel O plays your video, they are helping you out. On the contrary, for playing your video, they must pay you your royalties; and don’t be afraid that they will blacklist you, it’s a music video channel, if they have no songs, there would be no channel and no advertisers for them. They need you more than you need them.
4. Never sign a contract that licenses your name and likeness or image to any label. Tomorrow, your name could be worth more than gold in terms of merchandising. For example, if MTN wants to sponsor your show because they love your voice or act, you get nothing from the deal because you have mortgaged you name and image to the label.
5. Lastly remember to read and sign any agreement with your label, distributor or producer no matter how small, whether it’s just for N5,000 or N5 million. That could be the difference between you being a Lagbaja or a Danny wilson.
In addition, and this is the Ultimate free fact, involve GOD in all you do!!!
Disclaimer: 2 FACE was just used as educational examples to make things clearer.