WHY THE ROMANCE ENDS - RECORD LABELS AND ARTISTES

The phenomenon of record companies parting ways with artistes is not new. Since music assumed the features of a business, with music executives having eyes on recouping investments and making profits to sustain their investments, artistes have been recruited (signed), groomed and turned into superstars or brands just like any other products one can imagine.

At some point, there’s a break up. Either the label drops the artist or the artiste leaves the label. And in Ghana such situations are not rare. One major example was the acrimonious break up between Mark Okraku Mantey’s Slip Music label and Lord Kenya. The reasons for their dispute are still murky till date.

This article is going to explore the bigger issue of what accounts for such ‘divorce’ between labels and artistes. And the case study will be the Skillions (JaySo) and some erstwhile members of the ‘New Generation”. NOTE that this isn’t about Skillions as a label. Rather using recent happenings to discuss a bigger issue that bedevils the music industry most times.

The ‘New Generation Skillions” comprised Lil’ Shaker, Rumor, Killmatic, Graffik, Joey B, Bra-KevinBeats, Gemini, Padlock. Later Adina, Sandra, Edi Young and Paapa joined the ranks. All have exited the label except three-Sandra, Paapa and JaySo himself.

Why do artist leave labels or labels drop their artistes? Let me attempt a breakdown.

Contractual Issues:  Sometimes artistes feel their record labels don’t do their best to satisfy the terms in their contracts. For example, an artiste might feel record executives aren’t doing their best to promote his/her album or support their career so may quit.

A label may also cut loose an artist if they feel his/her behavior is affecting the brand. An artist with many ‘devils’ that can’t be exorcised may be left to his/her fate. 

New Act Emerges: Music labels are constantly in search of new talents and once a new act is signed attention most often drift towards making that person a star. Here, the old ‘’star’’ might feel uncomfortable and if not handled well may breed a frosty relationship between them. If differences are not resolved, one may move to a new label where he/she might feel like a boss.

No binding Contract: There are cases where the label may not hand the artiste a concrete agreement. Here the relationship is not so binding and that the artist can walk away at anytime he/she desires. That’s the reason Rumor and Lil’ Shaker adduced when they walked away from Skillions.

Low Album Sales: Labels are not charity organizations. They are there to make money so if after their massive invest. If for a while the artist isn’t pulling good numbers from album sales, concerts he may find himself out of the door before he may know it.

Personal Reasons: This can range from schooling and work related issues (a la Adina Thembi) or relocation (Edi Young who felt he wanted to stay in Nigeria) or could be issues with family, where parents may not agree with career choice.

It takes a lot for an artiste to stay with a label throughout their careers or for labels to keep artiste for that long. But many times, it is never the case.