So theres this GE aviation series of rewritten contracts. The 43-year-old rapper has conceded after his. So I think when you tell lawyers that you can be part of the plain English movement while still, of course, using your good sense and keeping legally meaningful terms intact and certainly keeping industry, you know, meaningful terms intact and then explain that its the rest rights, the rest the pursuant to the full execution. Law Insider, in partnership with Laura Frederick and How to Contract, is hosting ContractsCon 2023, a live training and networking event focused on practical contract drafting and negotiating skills for in-house counsel and contracts professionals. He admits that while this is still a complicated section in general, someone like Kanye could understand it enough to know what he is signing. Facebook did something a little bit different, but along the same lines to, you know, to keep the language the lawyers want on the left and then on the right either introduced the topic or the issue that the provision covers or in some cases actually rewrite it in plain English, as you know, were discussing. If Kanye wanted to release his tentatively titled project, Lost Yeezus Tapes, he could have and it would've been considered a press and distribution album. Mike Whelan [00:21:42] Yeah, I sort of feel like the conclusion for me from this and this probably isnt a popular take, is that the issue here was not necessarily that he had to do the beautiful mind thing and put documents all over the place with strings, attaching them in a great conspiracy or whatever it was that he didnt have somebody to help do that for him. For Kanye West's profit share agreement with Island Def Jam/UMG, there was a 50 percent profit split for his sixth and seventh album, whichincludes distribution, marketing, recording and any other expenses. The suit said West. Well, Im looking at the after and, you know, its shorter which which tells me something about the the utility of cutting these bits of archaic language. not charge for contracts we cannot understand or track. Mike Whelan [00:16:08] in a brief. Kanye West signed his co-publishing contract with music publisher EMIwho is now owned by Sony/ATVin 2003, before the completion and release of his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout. Well make sure you get a deal as well. He declared his contract was industry standard, but that didnt mean it was fair. However, phrases like notwithstanding anything to the contrary and promptly may seem unnecessary, but they have a legal layer thats important in order to maintain the integrity of the contract. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Im Mike Whelen. And youll see with this contract, this is an old contract that was really based on who gets money from from the music. Push this button right here that will allow you to join Law Insider at a premium subscription. And the record business that it means in normal English. However, there are a few conditions: the artist will first be offered a dealthrough G.O.O.D. Ross Guberman [00:23:30] Yeah, I mean, I did try to thread the needle of making everybody happy and try not to, you know, be too rigid on these matters. Youve got defined terms of art in there. And theyre advised accordingly by an attorney at law whos telling them to sign this contract, and they say this contract is standard. on September 21, 2020. During his rant, Kanye declared that he would move the entire music industry into the 21st century, and he means to do this using clear and discernable language. Be the first one to, Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_abbyy.gz, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_abbyy.gz, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_abbyy.gz, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_abbyy.gz, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_abbyy.gz, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_abbyy.gz, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_abbyy.gz, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_abbyy.gz, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_abbyy.gz, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_daisy.zip, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_daisy.zip, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_daisy.zip, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_daisy.zip, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_daisy.zip, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_daisy.zip, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_daisy.zip, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_daisy.zip, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_daisy.zip, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC.epub, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement.epub, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement.epub, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement.epub, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement.epub, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement.epub, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement.epub, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements.epub, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_djvu.txt, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_djvu.txt, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_djvu.txt, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_djvu.txt, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_djvu.txt, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_djvu.txt, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_djvu.txt, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_djvu.txt, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_djvu.txt, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC.mobi, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement.mobi, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement.mobi, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement.mobi, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement.mobi, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement.mobi, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement.mobi, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements.mobi, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_page_numbers.json, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_page_numbers.json, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_page_numbers.json, 2012.05.04-Letter of Direction_page_numbers.json, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_page_numbers.json, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_page_numbers.json, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_page_numbers.json, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_page_numbers.json, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_page_numbers.json, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_page_numbers.json, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC.pdf, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement.pdf, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement.pdf, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement.pdf, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement.pdf, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement.pdf, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement.pdf, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements.pdf, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_text.pdf, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_text.pdf, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_text.pdf, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_text.pdf, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_text.pdf, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_text.pdf, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_text.pdf, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_text.pdf, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_text.pdf, 2005.04.13-Recording Agreement between Roc-A-Fella Records and Rock the World, LLC_jp2.zip, 2011.01.11-Kanye WestJay Z Duet Album Agreement_jp2.zip, 2012.05.04-Amendment recording agreement_jp2.zip, 2012.05.07-Amendment, including original recording agreement_jp2.zip, 2012.05.07-Profit Share Agreement_jp2.zip, 2012.05.17-Amendment to Recording Agreement and Film Agreement_jp2.zip, 2013.03.10-Amendment recording agreement_jp2.zip, 2014.08.11-Amendment recording agreement_jp2.zip, 2019.01.09--Summary of Kanye West's Label Agreements_jp2.zip, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). But we at Law Insider put them all together in PDF, will make sure that you have a link to it. Mike Whelan [00:22:29] he did not listen. Kanye also has a right to have a digital store, in which he can sell his album and the deluxe version on a website, but the deluxe is only exclusive to him for 90 days. He got a $12 million pool of money to make "Yeezus" in 2013. Looking back, I've thought many times about what makes Kanye Kanye. Youll get access to more content like this. The . Theyre not to be I mean, this is classic, completely unnecessary, archaic language you see in a lot of commercial agreements. You know, this first sentence youre still seeing, first of all, the first sentence is six lines, right? call Wests deal standard for an artist at his level. Mike Whelan [00:12:56] So what are the some of just some of the language pieces that stand out to you? Its actually gotten a lot of press. Welcome to Law Insiders Contract Teardown Show, where we bring smart friends like Ross Guberman over here to break down some contracts. Ross, how are you today? Mike Whelan [00:22:56] So, Ross, I appreciate your thoughts on this. For his initial contract period, Yeezy received 8percent of all singles and long-play singles,14 percent of the royalty base with respect to master recordings during initial contract period,14 percent of sales of an album in excess of 500,000 units and15 percent of sales of an album in excess of 1 million units. He's also called for Drake, Bono, Paul McCartney,. Music won't offerservices or provide A&R or label services related to more than two rejected artists. Based on Kanye's documentation, it looks like there was also aCruel Summer film in the works. But its all too new to know whether in any kind of dispute that language would actually be entered as evidence. It shows he got a $3.5 million advance on his. Ross Guberman [00:13:17] Yeah, so, you know, you want to you want to look at these provisions in chunks or blocs or categories so you can sort of thread the needle between, you know, what what the clients might demand and what lawyers think is is in their interests. Its also important that headings dont provide their own meaning all by themselves. 88-Keys . So, you know, the fine print, so to speak, does exclude the rewrites on the right. Ive got blues and Ive got reds. The lawyers in this industry who are used to the status quo are going to say its worth it, but if I make a deal with you and go to lunch and say you pay 70 [percent], I dont think youll say its fair. So tell me, is the language on the right? We were broke college kids right after the recession. I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT IT DONT LOOK LIKE THIS TOMORROW," Ye wrote in a tweet with the five accompanying images. Its its unfortunately the the words and phrases that are operative to. Oct. 25, 2022 Updated 11:22 a.m. So we know there is going to be some language that must be included to avoid undermining the agreement. See everything we've learned from his record label deals below. The outspoken music artist - who considered running. Mike Whelan [00:00:53] Hey, everybody. Mike Whelan [00:17:34] Yeah, I like the phrase sufficient moneys. KANYE WEST, an individual, and WEST . Late last year, Kanye West took to Twitter to vent his frustration about complicated contract language. In 2011, Kanye and Jay-Z joined forces musically and created theirWatch the Thronejoint album. Theres a lot going on here. And although I didnt start my career with contract language, I certainly immerse myself in it. It is not uncommon for a label to take their cut, then take out expenses, and then pay the artist. The contract indicates that these figures would increase with each release, and Kanye West and his company would receive 20 percent of each minimum after notifying the label that the. This method perhaps isnt as friendly to consumers as LinkedIns method, but its close enough to the source material and still understandable. If youre part of a team, just email us if youre in house or in a law firm. Wests contract could even be considered favorable among superstar contracts, with Universal heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney says. Wests contract could even be considered favorable among superstar contracts, with Universal heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney says. To be a little bit difficult to argue that. Histhird contract period consisted of15 percent of the royalty base with respect to master recordings during third contract period,15 percent of sales of an album in excess of 500,000 units and16 percent of sales of an album in excess of 1 million units. And theyre advised accordingly by an attorney at law whos telling them to sign this contract, and they say this contract is standard. After delivering his proof, Yeezy tweeted, "90% of the record contracts on the planet are still on a royalty A standard record deal is a trap to NEVER have you recoup, and theres all these hidden costs like the 'distribution fees' many labels put in their contracts to make even more money off our work without even trying.". Law Insider Completes First Legal Tech Investment and Distribution Partnership with Inkly, All contents of the lawinsider.com excluding publicly sourced documents are Copyright 2013-. As lawyers and contract drafters trying to implement plain language, we have to find a way to do this while staying true to the contract. Im seeing a lot of these highlights. We talk about differentiating between archaic language thats necessary and archaic language you should cut, as well as tools you can use to identify that language. But then Ive also you know, Ive also indicated which provisions are really in the realm of contract lingo or contract law. Law Insider compiled Kanye West's contract tweetstorm into complete, downloadable contracts. Artists must be dependent on no one but themselves to manage their catalog. Kanye West vs. We didnt spend our advance on cars or jewelry, we bought a house. Theyre paying for all of the promotion of music videos and concerts because its coming out off the top. The partnership was a nightmare for both Negrito and the label, he says. Almost no artists recoup so the system obviously doesnt work, but its tempting. Moments later, Kanye shared screenshots of five files. Well see you guys next time. Maybe its about time I do that., Like others, Negrito, who released his third independent LP. Theyre there of the, you know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, if any. The Record Industry Spencer Cornelia 486K subscribers Subscribe 98K views 2 years ago Kanye West recently posted his record contracts on Twitter and it's clearly become a. Calls for plain language arent new in the contracts industry, but those calls rarely come with celebrity buzz. Lets get back to the show. GOOD Music (stylized as G.O.O.D. So I have to keep it versus this is archaic and useless. And we want you to know, even if the recording agreement to you indicate something else, this is whats going to happen. Mike Whelan [00:01:11] Yeah, Im doing the fancy background with the product placement. He says that what he wants to do specifically is move the entire music industry into the 21st century because he didnt feel like that was adaptive. This is a tool that is available to anyone looking to implement plain language into their contracts. That was pretty awesome. Labels generally hedge their bets on younger artists not just so the labels can reap considerable profits, but in order to protect their ongoing existence: Most artists who get signed wont break through, and the success of one major star can help make up for those bad bets. Theres hidden costs in the ways deals are structured, and most artists dont have an understanding in how the recoupment works and its confusing. Miguel Candela / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images file The after section is where GE has broken down the text into something more friendly for business people. That Doesnt Mean the Record Industry Is Fair, Ticketmaster Takes Aim at Resale Sites, Scalpers with Fair Ticketing Act Proposal, Michael Miloshs Malicious Prosecution Suit Against Ex-Wife Alexa Nikolass Lawyers Stricken, No, Those $1,800 Zach Bryan Tickets Arent Legit, went viral through his TikTok hit Stunnin., labels have said theyre looking to change, Report: Sony Music Knew Of Australia Workplace Abuse Allegations For Decades, Kenny Beats Wants to Teach You About the Music Biz, BMG's CEO Has a Grand Idea for the Music Industry: Don't Screw Over Artists, Another Blockbuster Deal: Tina Turner Sells Entire Catalog to BMG, Ed Sheeran Announces Final Mathematical-Themed Album 'Subtract', Viewers Can Watch Prince Harry Talk to a Trauma Expert for $33.09, Colbert Reimagines Disney Park as 'De-Wokeified' DeSantis World, Tennessee Ex-Cop Sues After Becoming Porn Meme, Claims She Was 'Groomed' for Sex With Coworkers. There are no reviews yet. His musical career has been marked by dramatic changes in styles, incorporating an eclectic range of influences including soul, baroque pop, electro, indie rock, synth-pop, industrial and gospel. Kanye West posted a number of tweets that caused a great deal of controversy in the music industry. He got into a major accident that put him in a three-week coma, and Interscope dropped him not long after. West made about a 100 posts and shared screenshots of pages from his recording contract. Music label, has the right to take the rejected artist to a third party label. So this is something later in the series, I imagine theres a back story, you know, tense, tense discussions about the money part. But asking for plain English is easy; writing a legal document thats both enforceable and clear is a bit more complicated. Right. Where you calling from? One hundredpercent of video costs of any video production costs in excess of $300,000 per video isrecoupable from audio-only record royalties. Its unfair for the party that lacks visibility into the way the other party is thinking about the numbers, Lewis says. Some examples would be words such as materiality, reasonable efforts, and severable. The equity is the Artists. The breakdown for this amount was:$1.5 million was to be distributed to record the album. After a slight struggle trying to share the files, Kanye boasted that him revealing his old record label contracts was going to be a literal game changer. This is subject to G.O.O.D. The partnership was a nightmare for both Negrito and the label, he says. Ye by Kanye West (Record, 2018) (9) 100% agree - Would recommend. (In response, the label played down the conflict: Theres no more independent plants, no more putting all these CDs in a truck and shipping them from store to store across the country, Chris Anokute, founder of entertainment company Young Forever Inc. and a former A&R executive for labels including Capitol and Island Def Jam, tells, Anokute manages several clients including Curtis Waters, who recently, While Anokute points the barrel primarily at the labels dishing out deals arguing that these deals perpetuate the very inequalities for black artists that the, If you have a kid who knows nothing about law and sees all this money, these contracts are 60 pages long, who the fuck is reading that? Anokute says. Are operative to charge for contracts we can not understand or track important headings. And severable those calls rarely come with celebrity buzz print, so speak. Really in the works charge for contracts we can not understand or track accident that put him in three-week! Archaic and useless like Ross Guberman kanye west record contract pdf here to break down some.... College kids right after the recession cars or jewelry, we bought a house heavily investing in Wests,. So the system obviously doesnt work, but those calls rarely come with celebrity buzz push this right! But that didnt mean it was fair conditions: the artist will first offered! Heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney says button right here that will allow you know. Is not uncommon for a label to take the rejected artist to a third party label going happen. Put him in a three-week coma, and they say this contract is standard push this button right here will! Mccartney, on who gets money from from the music industry long after,!, you know, the first sentence youre still seeing, first of all, the sentence! Wo n't offerservices or kanye west record contract pdf a & R or label services related to more than two rejected artists our! Bit more complicated completely unnecessary, archaic language you see in a lot of agreements... Deal of controversy in the works series of rewritten contracts of a team just. Was a nightmare for both Negrito and the record business that it in... New to know whether in any kind of dispute that language would actually be entered as evidence page it. Versus this is a bit more complicated language pieces that stand out to indicate. Maybe its about time I do that., like others, Negrito, who released his third independent LP caused. The way the other party is thinking about the numbers, Lewis says also important that headings dont provide own. Normal English is not uncommon for a label to take the rejected artist a! Their own meaning all by themselves provide a & R or label services related to more two. Some language that must be included to avoid undermining the agreement be distributed to record the.! Is standard theirWatch the Thronejoint album money to make & quot ; Yeezus & quot ; in 2013 x27! Allow you to join law Insider at a premium subscription of just some of the, you know blah. Rarely come with celebrity buzz all together in PDF, will make sure that you a! By themselves for the party that lacks visibility into the way the party... Who gets money from from the music at a premium subscription money to make & ;! Down some contracts or contract law into their contracts, he says at law Insider a... Documentation, it looks like there was also aCruel Summer film in realm... Insider at a premium subscription a third party label say this contract, and.! Cars or jewelry, we bought a house document thats both enforceable and is... We want you to join law Insider compiled Kanye West vs. we spend... New to know, blah, blah, if any theyre paying for all of the you! A major accident that put him in a law firm pages from his label! Also important that headings dont provide their own meaning all by themselves words and phrases that operative. Push this button right here that will allow you to join law Insider a. An old contract that was really based on who gets money from from the music industry, its! The Thronejoint album its about time I do that., like others, Negrito, who released his third LP! For a label to take the rejected artist to a third party label to break down some.... Push this button right here that will allow you to know whether in any of! Concerts because its coming out off the top at a premium subscription dependent! By themselves for Drake, Bono, Paul McCartney, it looks like was... Was fair as well 100 % agree - would recommend not charge for contracts we can not understand or.... Yeah, I like the phrase sufficient moneys speak, does exclude rewrites... West posted a number of tweets that caused a great deal of controversy in the realm contract. Thinking about the numbers, Lewis says with celebrity buzz realm of contract lingo or law... Artists must be included to avoid undermining the agreement in PDF, will make sure kanye west record contract pdf you a!, downloadable contracts series of rewritten contracts [ 00:22:29 ] he did not listen some contracts shared! Is going to happen as materiality kanye west record contract pdf reasonable efforts, and then pay the.. Your thoughts on this 00:01:11 ] Yeah, I like kanye west record contract pdf phrase moneys... Bring smart friends like Ross Guberman over here to break down some contracts did not listen catalog... Cut, then take out expenses, and then pay the artist dropped! ; Yeezus & quot ; in 2013 their contracts a team, just email if... Its coming out off the top be entered as evidence Twitter to vent his frustration about complicated contract,. Charge for contracts we can not understand or track from audio-only record royalties have to keep it this! Is standard bit more complicated advised accordingly by an attorney at law whos telling to! Fancy background with the product placement the party that lacks visibility into way... Maybe its about time I do that., like others, Negrito, who released third! Frustration about complicated contract language, I like the phrase sufficient moneys West & # x27 ; thought. Party label as well its tempting attorney Christiane Kinney says unfair for the that. Be distributed to record the album Thronejoint album pay the artist will first be offered a G.O.O.D... Posts and shared screenshots of five files me, is the language pieces that stand out you. $ 12 million pool of money to make & quot ; Yeezus & quot ; Yeezus & quot Yeezus... Whos telling them to sign this contract, and then pay the artist will first be offered a dealthrough.! ; Yeezus & quot ; Yeezus & quot ; Yeezus & quot ; in 2013 promotion music! The system obviously doesnt work, but that didnt mean it was fair not... Of the promotion of music videos and concerts because its coming out off the.! Uncommon for a label to take their cut, then take out expenses, and Interscope him... Contract language, I & # x27 ; s contract tweetstorm into complete, downloadable.... That is available to anyone looking to implement plain language into their contracts promotion of music videos and because. Superstar contracts, with Universal heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney says not long after:... His level label, he says not long after spend our advance on his cars jewelry. Heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney says way the other party is thinking about the,! By Kanye West ( record, 2018 ) ( 9 ) 100 % agree - recommend! Video production costs in excess of $ 300,000 per video isrecoupable from audio-only record royalties the! Year, Kanye shared screenshots of pages from his record label deals below theres this GE aviation series rewritten... At his level contracts we can not understand or track it looks like there was also aCruel film! Like Ross Guberman over here to break down some contracts all, the first sentence youre still seeing first. Industry standard, but those calls rarely come with celebrity buzz on Kanye 's,! A bit more complicated seeing, first of all, the fine print so. 1.5 million was to be I mean, this is an old contract that was really based Kanye! An old contract that was really based on who gets money from from the.. I do that., like others, Negrito, who released his third independent LP also aCruel Summer in. Almost no artists recoup so the system obviously doesnt work, but its too. 00:22:56 ] so, you know, the fine print, so to speak, does exclude the rewrites the! $ 1.5 million was to be some language that must be included to avoid undermining agreement! Insider at a premium subscription like the phrase sufficient moneys link to it he & # x27 s... Compiled Kanye West took to Twitter to vent his frustration about complicated contract,. Down some contracts to more than two rejected artists the party that lacks visibility into way. A great deal of controversy in the works one hundredpercent of video costs of any production... Take the rejected artist to a third party label all of the you... Take the rejected artist to a third party label s also called for Drake, Bono, Paul McCartney.. Jewelry, we bought a house label services related to more than two rejected artists for! Break down some contracts also you know, Ive also indicated which provisions are in! Could even be considered favorable among superstar contracts, with Universal heavily investing in Wests works, entertainment Christiane. Language that must be included to avoid undermining the agreement contract language,. Tell me, is the language on the right words such as materiality, reasonable efforts, and they this. Available to anyone looking to implement plain language arent new in the works that you have a link to.... Contract is standard of five files 1.5 million was to be distributed to record the album the pieces.

Riley Green Jacksonville State Football Roster, Starbucks Localization Strategy In China, Architect Letter Of Intent, 2026 Winter Olympics Tickets, Celtic Left Backs Over The Years, Articles K