The Biz

Stumbling into a certain American Pop music artist’s CD, I popped open the case, fixed the disc into the Home Theater and hit play. While the music cranked, I took the CD cover apart and looked closer at the contents of the case (also known as liner notes). Amongst the colorful artwork, photos and track listings were the lyrics for each song and of course, the credits for whoever had a hand in the creation of this CD.

Looking at a lot of music artists and bands here, more often than not, this simple information is not available. Given the type of economized packaging used (i.e. CD Jackets) to put out music on the streets, one cannot expect to see lyrics and a lot of photos. Even still all other information should be made available and even if that artist did most of the work him or herself, credit information clears the air.

There once was a little band from Liverpool called the Beatles where songwriters John and Paul came to an agreement in their partnership to take shared credit in all their works, whether they were written alone or together, or one added more than the other, as Lennon/McCartney. This did work for a length of time with much success and royalties were evenly shared. There came a point where branching off and various other elements started tearing a riff in the duo. Some of these issues are still in discussion today, even though John Lennon has long passed away.

It has been proven time and again to discuss legal issues with your collaborator(s), band or group before the first kobo(or dime) is made on a CD or song sales begin and certainly before the hoped for juicy deal lands on your plate. Though it may be uncomfortable, you must tackle this subject to avoid problems long term. Not only discuss these issues but get it in writing. A letter of agreement signed by all parties involved on percentages on earnings, credits and name order is all you need and should cover every single song produced. Get ALL your issues with credits settled from the get go, covering all your bases.

I also remember an incident, between friends and former band mates 2Face and Blackface. In which Blackface co-wrote the award winning monster hit, African Queen. There was no co-writer credit on the CD for Blackface, then when the accolades, trophies, and money started coming, word on the street was Blackface was the original and only writer of that song, even though he actually co-wrote the song with 2face. Now we’ll never know if Blackface was well compensated, but it sure showed the need to do the right thing at the right time.

Those credits then should be applied online in your music Discography. Credits show upfront, in print, who owns and has rights to which parts of the song and/or music created. The listener will then know up front WHO to contact if they have a project in need of that person’s contribution.

Music Discography – your Album Credits:
Produced by, Arranged by, Recorded by
Recorded at
Mixed by, Mixed at
Distributed by
CD cover concept/artwork by, Photography by
A&R, Publicity, Management…(Stuff like “females pls use this number” and “omo I don hammer…” in the credit line is exactly why the music business looks more like play than business).

What to include for Song Credits:
Written by
Vocals, Backing Vocals, Vocals recorded by
Published by, Produced by
Mixed by, Programmed by, Engineered by
Additional by, Assistant,
Recorded at
Special thanks to or Courtesy of,
List of instruments played, with who played them…

Finally, Special thanks to/ Appreciation

Things happen in music, just as they do in marriages, other jobs and living life. Credits establish acknowledgement, recognition, and ownership of the work done as wells as give thanks to those that helped get the job done. It’s the professional way to do business.