Hip Hop publicist Arie Goode is here every week answering your email
questions on industry how-to's and important Do's and Don'ts.
This week's question:
Dear Arie,
I'm an indie artist and my buzz is getting good where different contracts
and stuff are being presented to me. I Would like to know if you think it's
important to have a lawyer review my contracts when I work with producers
and labels?
and stuff are being presented to me. I Would like to know if you think it's
important to have a lawyer review my contracts when I work with producers
and labels?
As we all know the music industry has a stigma of being very shady and cut throat.
Heck sometimes I feel people need contracts just to ensure they walk back out of
meetings [laughing]. The reality is as more and more independent artists promote and
manage their own careers on shoe string budgets, having the money to hire proper legal
representation isn't always at the top of the list.
Heck sometimes I feel people need contracts just to ensure they walk back out of
meetings [laughing]. The reality is as more and more independent artists promote and
manage their own careers on shoe string budgets, having the money to hire proper legal
representation isn't always at the top of the list.
If you are unable to retain/hire a private music/entertainment attorney, I definitely
recommend locating a reputable pre-paid legal program in your city or town and having
them review any documents that could legally make, break or bank your career.
recommend locating a reputable pre-paid legal program in your city or town and having
them review any documents that could legally make, break or bank your career.
The majority of pre-paid legal programs offer a wide range of services, from reviewing
the first 10 pages of any contract for free to going to court with or for you. That's a win
win if you're working on something with a contract only 8 1/2 pages long and can't make
a court date because you're on tour [laughing].
the first 10 pages of any contract for free to going to court with or for you. That's a win
win if you're working on something with a contract only 8 1/2 pages long and can't make
a court date because you're on tour [laughing].
Also, something to remember, most programs only charge a flat monthly membership fee
between $18- $35 or more a month depending on what you need. What are the perks of
these legal programs?
between $18- $35 or more a month depending on what you need. What are the perks of
these legal programs?
1) You always have a reputable attorney when you need one.
2) With membership you get certain services [that normally cost an arm and a leg] for 'free'
3) It's cheaper to pay a small monthly fee as you would insurance, instead of waiting until
something goes wrong and having to dish out a huge retainer to protect your interests and
possible livelihood.
something goes wrong and having to dish out a huge retainer to protect your interests and
possible livelihood.
It would stink to be contracted to some BS label for life or not get your points on a song that
goes platinum, because you didn't cover you 'ass'-ets.
goes platinum, because you didn't cover you 'ass'-ets.
At the end of the day no one is going to look out for your interests like you. So when the ball
starts rolling in your career where it actually counts to have representation. GET IT.
starts rolling in your career where it actually counts to have representation. GET IT.
Good luck!
Do you have a question for me or something you'd like to know? I'm here every
week answering your emails on industry how-to's and important Do's and Don'ts.
Send me an email: contactsaidarie@gmail.com and follow me on twitter
at: www.twitter.com/leirapr_ceo
week answering your emails on industry how-to's and important Do's and Don'ts.
Send me an email: contactsaidarie@gmail.com and follow me on twitter
at: www.twitter.com/leirapr_ceo