record-labels

Nicki Minaj Calls Out Rappers For Signing With White Record Labels

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Nicki Minaj had a bone to pick on Wednesday night. The rapper decided to hop on social media and air out her frustrations with the upcoming generation of artists. She initially made headlines for unfollowing the likes of JT and Ice Spice on Instagram, but Minaj had bigger fish to fry. The Young Money icon had a serious issue with the fact that so many African American artists are choosing to sign with record labels owned by white people. Minaj went on to contrast this pattern with the label she owns, Heavy On It.

“Motherf*cker tell somebody they don’t want to sign with Heavy On It,” she noted. “But then they’ll go and sign with the white peoples. And guess who the white peoples finna call?” Nicki Minaj then names herself. “They always get the attention of the Barbz.” The rapper took things a step further by claiming that the upcoming version of her album, Pink Friday 2, will be limited to Heavy On It signees. The names she considers worth spotlighting. “You will be surprised,” Minaj noted. “And I’m not talking about doing ad-libs on any songs. If your name is not on Pink Friday 2, they’re not a Heavy On It artist.”

Read More: Nicki Minaj Prepares To Embark On “Gag City Reloaded” Tour

Nicki Minaj Wants More Artists To Sign To Her Label

The Heavy On It connection seems somewhat connected to Nicki Minaj’s problems with Ice Spice. It was widely speculated that Ice Spice was signed with Heavy On it in 2023. It was later confirmed, though, that the “Munch” rapper had inked a deal with Virgin Records. Spice’s debut album, Y2K, was just put out through Virgin. Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice experienced joint success with their single “Princess Diana.” That said, there has been nothing but tension between the two since. The fact that Minaj unfollowed Ice Spice on IG is further proof that things are not friendly between them.

It’s worth zooming out and looking at Nicki Minaj’s record deal. The rapper signed to Young Money in 2009. Lil Wayne and Birdman were the figureheads of Young Money, but the label is part of Universal Music Group. Who owns UMG? Lucian Grainge. The same Lucian Grainge Kanye West ranted about when he was dissing Drake on the “Like That” remix. Nicki Minaj may be frustrated with the decisions that younger artists have made, but she’s technically guilty of the same sin she’s accusing them of.

Read More: Nicki Minaj Enlists Cardi B’s Rival Bia For “Gag City Reloaded” Tour 

The post Nicki Minaj Calls Out Rappers For Signing With White Record Labels appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Meek Mill Claims Record Labels Are Benefitting From “Black Murder And Poverty”

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Meek Mill recently took to social media to weigh in on “culture vulture” record labels. The artist called out labels for taking without giving back in return, claiming that they’re taking advantage of Black artists. He also went on to talk about lawyers who prey on young people that don’t have a solid understanding of business. He says that he’s willing to give his all to stand up for the cause, up until his very “last breath.”

“It’s almost to a point where we going to aim artist and their entourage towards the ones taking out money and leading us to bad business decisions,” he began. “F*ck these labels they operating without consequences in the biggest scheme to date.” The rapper goes on, “IF YOU LETTING LABELS TAKE YOUR MONEY HOW YOU BEEFING WITH N***AS IN THE HOOD OVER NOTHING.” He then explains, “Yes I own 100% of my masters and pub as we speak! We catch y’all stealing we in the streets with it.” Meek Mill continues, telling people that they need to stop contributing to the cycle.

Read More: Meek Mill Says Rappers Are Paid More To Sound Ignorant

Meek Mill Says “F*ck These Labels”

“I been had my life on the line in the street,” he explains. “If we gone make life about something let’s stand on something worth it.” He then adds, “IF YOU BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE BY PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD REALLY MAKE CRY TAP IN THIS GOTTA STOP… I’ll die for this or go to jail but take from me shidddddd.” He finishes the post by confirming that he’s willing to give up everything for the cause. “This is for all culture vultures eating off black murder and poverty with out giving back and taking advantage! Til my last [breath]!”

This is far from the first time Meek Mill voiced his thoughts on issues in the industry. Earlier this month, the artist spoke at an NAACP event, discussing his career as a rapper. He claimed that artists actually get paid more to rap about “violence,” “guns,” and “ignorant stuff.” He notes that it’s not really his style, however, saying “The things that fund us, don’t power me forward.”

Read More: Drake Reflects On Beef With Meek Mill At Philadelphia Concert: “He Got Us Up Out Of Philly Real Quick”

[Via]

The post Meek Mill Claims Record Labels Are Benefitting From “Black Murder And Poverty” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ebro Says Labels No Longer Want To Sign Rappers

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Ebro hopped on Twitter this morning, sharing a hot take on the current state of the music industry. According to the personality, labels have fallen back in prioritizing rap artists in favor of some other genres instead. He says that African and Latin music have moved to the forefront lately, and that it’s also rappers’ own fault. Apparently, the switch-up has to do with them looking for TikTok fame and overall becoming “boring.”

“I got a call saying …. ‘It should be noted many major record labels have deprioritized signing Rappers,’” his post begins. “‘The focus is now African Music & Latin Music. Rappers better stop being boring and talking about the same sh*t over and over, chasing TikTok success and comment sections.’” As expected, the controversial post has gotten social media users talking.

Read More: Ebro Laments The Lack Of Artists Thanking Hip-Hop On Its 50th Birthday

Ebro Says Labels’ New Focus Is African And Latin Music

It’s no secret that with the rise of social media as a marketing tool, labels have far less control than they once had. It’s opened the door for artists with less connections and resources to promote themselves, meaning that oftentimes, consumers have the final say in who makes it big. Gone are the days of success only being determined by who makes it on the radio, as people can simply listen to whatever they want on streaming services. With that being said, there’s far more competition than there used to be, and the battle to become or stay relevant is more fierce than ever.

Some commenters claim that Ebro is ragging on artists while the real problem lies in the industry as a whole. “As usual they followin the money,” one Twitter commenter writes. “Can’t even be mad at it. At the end of the day it’s understood artists of any genre with a legit fan base will have priority. That will never change.” Some argue that rappers have simply evolved with the industry, while others claim that “the downfall of rap is near.”

Read More: Joe Budden Comments On Ebro’s Hip-Hop 50 Thoughts

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Jadakiss Believes Labels Should Be Held Responsible For Violent Lyrics

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The call for record labels to be held accountable for how they navigate artists’ careers is ongoing, and Jadakiss is speaking on how those executives move. There have been conversations about rappers being money-makers for labels after they’ve died. We’ve seen how bigwigs have capitalized on the deaths of our favorite artists. Contracts and deals have also been disparaged by entertainers stuck in loops of debt. Jadakiss recently visited the I Am Athlete podcast to share thoughts on labels taking a gamble on artists’ lives.

“[There was] a song about it, and it was able to get a lot of streams, and that became a thing with the whole Drill [scene],” the Rap icon said. “They actually going out, gettin’ active and doin’ stuff and then go into the studio and make a song about what they just did.” Drill music has been under a microscope from the public to politicians. Mayor Eric Adams even called for a ban on Drill as he lamented over the ongoing violence in New York City.

Labels Are Taking A Gamble

CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 20: Jadakiss attends All Star WKND Finale at Galleria at Erieview on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

“That sh*t get nipped in the bud as soon as it got created,” Jadakiss added. “But nobody’s going to these labels saying they wrong for this. We just blaming it on the kids. So, like my brother [Styles P] said, he don’t like to just put all the blame on these young artists because the radio stations are making them the top songs of the playlist. And the labels are still signing them.”

“They even got it—they puttin’ out life insurance on these young kids now.” Others were surprised at the revelation, but it’s been common for some time. “The labels. ‘Cause they gamblin’ on you to do something dumb, so they can profit after you die. So, this is getting ridiculous.” Rappers have complained about how labels move after one of their artists dies. Posthumous albums are quickly put together, and special edition merchandise is sold.

Vince Staples Said Similar Last Year

It was around this time last year when Vince Staples shared similar thoughts during an interview with Hot 97. “It’s money in it and they gonna keep selling it and we gonna keep perpetuating it and we gon’ be hurt when somebody dies,” said the Long Beach star. “I don’t necessarily know if they care. If they did, man the album ready in four weeks once you die. You get more press on the album after you die.

“When it comes to these systems, they look at you like, ‘Oh, you’re dead, now we got something to move with.’ To the people that’s running music: just treat these people with humanity. You’re worth something before you die.”

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