Record Deals And Contract Tips: Part 2

In my article Record Deals and Contract Tips: Part 1, I provided some thoughts on record deals in 2022 more generally. In short, the decision to enter into a recording agreement with a label is a commercial decision that should be considered very carefully. Even before looking at the contract, an artist should understand the business of recorded music in 2022, their goals, and determine whether the label is the right partner to assist in achieving those goals.

This article focuses on some common provisions within recording agreements and tips to consider. Of course, this overview is only meant to scratch the surface as there are many more issues to consider in every deal. Furthermore, there is no "one size fits all" recording agreement, so artists should always contact an entertainment lawyer before signing anything. Here we go: