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Danny Brown Reveals The Lesson Jay-Z And Ye Taught Him About Songwriting Credits

April 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Danny Brown’s podcast has become one of the must-stop places for rappers to appear. Brown himself is a hilarious host with opinions on nearly every subject you can imagine and a seemingly endless well of wild stories from both his time in the music industry and before. His most recent guest was ScHoolboy Q. Q recently dropped his new album Blue Lips, his first new project in 5 years since 2019’s CrasH Talk. During the podcast, they touched on a variety of subjects, including the way that sampling and interpolation can affect songwriting credits.

In particular, he discussed his 2013 single “Dip.” The song currently sits with over 16 million streams on Spotify, but Danny hasn’t seen much of the payout from that. “With ‘Dip,’ JAY-Z and Kanye killed my ass. They own that whole muthaf*cka. And that’s one of my biggest songs. I don’t get shit from that muthaf*cka!” The song contains an interpolation of Ye and Jay-Z’s “N*ggas In Paris” and the pair received songwriting credits on the song as a result. “I’ll never use a n*gga hook again, man. I learned my lesson, man. Skylar be mad at me to this day, like, ‘Yeah, that was one of the biggest ones, man. We f*cked up.’ Because you know, he made that beat. We don’t get sh*t from that muthaf*cka.” Brown explained. Check out the full new episode of his podcast below.

Danny Brown Isn’t Making Money From “Dip”

Last year, Danny Brown released two new albums. Early in the year he shared a full collaborative project with fellow underground rap darling Jpegmafia. Later in the year he followed it up with the long awaited release of Quaranta. He spoke publicly on his struggles to get the album released multiple times in various episodes of his podcast.

What do you think of Danny Brown having to give songwriting credits to Jay-Z and Kanye West for “Dip?” Are you surprised he makes almost no money off of one of his biggest songs? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Spotify Declares Unpopular Songs Won’t Earn Royalties Anymore, To Help Some Artists And Stop Others From ‘Gaming The System’

November 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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Spotify officially announced some changes to their royalty system today that will be affecting artists: The streaming service will adjust the goalpost for the number of streams needed to start earning royalties.

Starting in early 2024, a song would need to reach at least 1,000 streams within the past 12 months before it can start to earn money. For comparison, the current royalty system finds Spotify paying $.03 a month to any song that earns between 1 and 1,000 plays.

As the company pointed out in a statement, this money reportedly doesn’t even typically reach the artist between the fact that “labels and distributors require a minimum amount to withdraw” and “banks charge a fee for the transaction.” In total, these small royalty payments add up to about $40 million per year.

However, Spotify brings up that “99.5% of all streams are of tracks that have at least 1,000 annual streams, and each of those tracks will earn more under this policy.” The post also notes, “We also believe the policy will eliminate one strategy used to attempt to game the system or hide artificial streaming, as uploaders will no longer be able to generate pennies from an extremely high volume of tracks.”

Spotify is also adding other changes, like devaluing noise tracks: Tracks with just “whale sounds” or “static” will need to be at least two minutes to be eligible for royalties.

More information on the changes can be found here.

Spotify To Remove Royalties From Majority Of Music On The Platform: Report

November 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Spotify is facing major backlash against a policy change that will eliminate royalties from a majority of its musical catalog. According to a report from Music Business Worldwide, Spotify is raising the threshold that needs to be reached before artists can earn royalties on their music. Songs will now have to reach around 200 annual streams before Spotify will pay the artist. If that threshold isn’t reached, any money the artist would have earned will be diverted back into Spotify’s general revenue pool. Essentially, bigger artists would earn the money created by smaller indie artists. Furthermore, while 200 streams a year doesn’t sound like a lot, MBW explained that the figure is a lofty goal for many small, independent artists. Furthermore, when multiplied across the low-play songs on the platform, Spotify is saving tens of millions dollars a year.

Spotify argues that the change will be negligible. The company argued small creators often don’t see the revenue regardless. However, it is a widely hated change. Some have gone as far as to call it a reverse Robin Hood scenario. In essence, Spotify is taking from smaller artists to pay bigger ones. “Right now, streams and revenue are effectively synonymous, but by this time next year, they will mean very different things. [Smaller artists] will be othered, their revenue becoming a new black box for the biggest artists to share between themselves,” theorized industry analyst Mark Mulligan. Spotify said in a statement that nothing had been finalized yet.

Spotify’s Full 2024 Changes

Spotify will no longer distribute royalties to songs that do not meet a minimum number of annual streams starting in 2024. https://t.co/nuiD59Ar85

— Talk of the Charts (@talkofthecharts) October 25, 2023

While the royalties was the biggest and most controversial change, it wasn’t the only thing that Spotify proposed changing next year, citing two other potential changes. The first is a widely welcomed change, bringing fines to distributors who enable fraudulent activity on tracks they own and distribute. Streaming fraud, be it through bots, click farms, imposter tracks, or ghost artists, has become a widespread issue. A crackdown on the practices that enable the fraud is seen as long overdue by the industry.

Elsewhere, Spotify also plans to crack down on royalties for “noise tracks”, i.e. such as background noise like rain or white noise. Currently, Spotify grants royalties on playtime over 30 seconds on these tracks. However, this has led to a spate of creators releasing full albums comprised of 31-second tracks to maximize their revenue. The new change will raise the minimum playtime from 30 seconds to an unspecified number.

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Nipsey Hussle’s Brother Faces Intimidation Accusations Amid Royalty Legal Battle

October 26, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Nipsey Hussle’s legacy will never fade, and though recent developments when it comes to his catalog seem disheartening, hopefully they can resolve to honor the respect he showed other artists. Moreover, in a legal battle concerning songwriting credit and royalties, his brother faces accusations of mishandling the whole ordeal. For those unaware, the rapper’s family member is in control of his estate, which means he has a say in his discography. In this specific case. Tasleema Yasin motioned to receive profit shares of the song “Hussle & Motivate” shortly after Nip’s passing in 2019, alleging that she helped write it three years prior. Also, she claimed to additionally perform an “ascending four-note vocal phrase featured throughout the song’s runtime, as well as a countermelody in [her] higher register featured prominently during the song’s chorus.” Both parties previously indicated that they reached an agreement last year.

However, in new court documents reportedly obtained by Radar Online, Yasin apparently accused Nipsey Hussle’s brother of not following up on their settlement. “Regrettably, the opposing party has thus far delayed the fulfillment of their obligations under the contract,” the lawsuit allegedly reads. “They are in breach of its terms. Hence, Yasin is under no ongoing obligation to refrain from submitting her claims against the aforementioned parties and estate. The original agreement with the Estate is deemed void due to multiple breaches. Ms. Yasin no longer seeks enforcement of this breached agreement. Instead, she is seeking damages as a result of these breaches and wishes to negotiate a new agreement that will protect her interests moving forward.

Nipsey Hussle At The 2019 Grammys

Nipsey Hussle Brother Intimidation Royalties Songwriting Hip Hop News — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 10: Nipsey Hussle attends the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Furthermore, Yasin claimed that Nipsey Hussle’s brother attacked her with “profanity, insults and derogatory language.” In addition, she alleged that he used “pressure tactics such as threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, insults, gaslighting.” Back in April of this year, the Los Angeles MC’s estate dodged Yasin’s $5 million lawsuit over this. While she initially filed this in December of last year, a judge dismissed it when she didn’t respond to a court order to explain why authorities should hear her out. “The file in this case lacks the papers that would show it is being timely prosecuted, as reflected below,” Judge Stephen V. Wilson ruled. “Accordingly, the Court, on its own motion, hereby orders plaintiff(s) to show cause in writing no later than April 4, 2023 why this action should not be dismissed as to all remaining defendants, for lack of prosecution.

Regardless of all this conflict, the Crenshaw legend still serves as a model of inspiration and praise. Hopefully this reopening of this matter results in proper compensation and preservation of these artistic integrities. If not, we could be in for a nasty redo. For more news and the latest updates on Nipsey Hussle, keep checking in with HNHH.

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R. Kelly & UMG Ordered To Pay $500K In Victim Restitution From Royalties

August 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

It seems like, despite R. Kelly’s failure to comply with victim restitution, the court is still able to get the money victims deserve. Moreover, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, a judge signed an order into effect that garnished $500K from the convicted singer’s royalties amid his twenty-year prison sentence for sex crimes. Apparently, Universal Music Group held a lot of his royalties and hadn’t yet paid this amount in victim restitution, for which legal authorities had to intervene. In addition, reports suggest that much of these unpaid royalties stem from the R&B artist’s older hits that UMG hadn’t cashed in yet. Specifically, the company has over $567K in royalties.

Furthermore, this would cover R. Kelly’s outstanding debt of $506,950.26 to victims- and then some. Of course, these royalties mostly relate to his past material because, when it comes to new music, the Chicago native did not see a lot of success. Labels and imprints quickly dropped him among his trials and controversies. Regardless, many fans still hold on to his classics and big tracks, and even with all of this legal reckoning in mind, they still hold a lot of weight for listeners.

R. Kelly In Court

R Kelly Garnish 500K Royalties Victims Hip Hop News — CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images)

In fact, the 56-year-old’s chances of ever returning to the musical realm seem quite slim. While many support him in terms of still listening to and praising his music, they also acknowledge that things are too far gone. Dame Dash is one of many industry titans who spoke on the R. Kelly situation and thought justice came to light. “I think he’s where he belongs,” the Roc-A-Fella affiliate explained. “I know Aaliyah, so I know what he did, I can’t be objective about that, you know what I’m saying? But he definitely seemed like he needed some help.

“I couldn’t believe [Jay-Z] did a project with R. Kelly knowing that he had r*ped my girl,” he added. “I was like, ‘Just don’t put my name on that, I don’t want no money from that. If it is, put it to Aaliyah foundation.’ Like, they did this s**t twice.” For more news and the latest updates on R. Kelly, come back to HNHH.

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Charleston White Speaks Up About Lil Uzi Vert Sample Use

July 6, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Speaking on the We Are Florida podcast, YouTube personality and comedian Charleston White opened up about the current events in pop culture, especially the hip-hop community. After dismissing the 2023 BET Awards — “I ain’t into that bullsh*t” — they got onto the topic of Lil Uzi Vert. His latest album, Pink Tape, dropped recently. The second track on the list, “Suicide Doors,” features a rant White did speaking on Lil Uzi. “But I know he a sissified-looking n*gga that put fingernail polish on his motherfucking nails and wear dresses,” White says in the intro to the song.

While Lil Uzi Vert could’ve been really mad about Charleston White going after his manhood, he instead used it as the intro to one of the most important tracks on his album. Not only that, he has to pay him royalty checks for using his voice. “Yeah, I’m happier than a b*tch,” White says on the podcast when asked about his reaction. He explains that Vert’s people contacted him for permission to feature his rant on the song, and they ended up cutting White a “pretty nice check,” with future publishing checks on the way.

Charleston White & Lil Uzi Vert Collab

Charleston is incredibly grateful for the rapper including him on the tracklist, saying that he really blessed his game. “Shout out to [Lil Uzi Vert],” Charleston White said on the pod. “Cause I wasn’t speaking [favorably] of him, right? So he could’ve got [offended] and be like, ‘Nah, f*ck that [guy].” Getting paid by a guy you were dissing not too long ago? That’s one hell of a flex by the number-one rapper in the world right now.

The podcast episode features a lot of White-hot takes, including being out on award shows. Charleston White is also not a fan of football or basketball. Considering he just had five shows in Jacksonville, FL, it seems like he’s too busy to worry himself about other areas of popular culture. However, he’s overall pleased to be on a Lil Uzi Vert track. (Especially if the money keeps pouring in.)

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R. Kelly Victims To Receive Over $500K In Royalty Payments

July 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Universal Music Group has been ordered to release over $500,000 in R. Kelly royalties as part of continuing compensation to the disgraced singer’s victims. Court documents from the United States Court in the Northern District of Illinois show that UMG held unpaid royalties totaling $567,444.19. The money will now be distributed amongst Kelly’s victims, who have only received a reported $27,000 in restitution so far.

Reportedly, the restitution debt owed by Kelly in one case stood at $504,289.73 on June 1. This was according to a separate court filing in Brooklyn. However, Kelly also reportedly owes millions in several other court rulings. Heather Williams, one of the most prominent victims of Kelly, was awarded $4 million in damages in 2020. Elsewhere, an Illinois property management company won $3.5 million over unpaid rent on a Chicago studio owed by Kelly.

Williams Made Priority In Restitution

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly covers his mouth as he speaks to members of his entourage as he leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The ruling by the United States Court in the Northern District of Illinois not only established how much UMG was holding, but who it should be granted to. The court named Williams as the priority benefactor for the royalties money. This is due to her being the first to properly file a claim for restitution. It is believed that Williams will receive the entirety of the $567K. Furthermore, she will be continued to be paid Kelly’s royalties until the restitution is settled.

When approached for comment by HipHopDX, Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean said she had “no opinion” on the latest ruling. Bonjean had previously worked to get Williams’ $4 million figure quashed. “I’ve never in my career seen such a flouting of the rules to deny him even the opportunity to defend these civil cases, even when the courts were fully aware that Kelly was incarcerated, unrepresented at points, and facing multiple criminal indictments,” Bonjean said. “Indeed, much of these civil proceedings occurred without Kelly’s knowledge.”

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Erica Banks Claims 1501 Owes Her Money In New Snippet

June 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Erica Banks is the next in a long line of artists to take issue with her label. A new unreleased snippet of her music emerged where she called out the label. “And they owe me some money, they greedy,” the song’s lyrics read. She followed up the snippet by saying that she is no longer with the record label. Each of her 3 most recent projects were released on 1501 Certified including her breakout 2020 mixtape Erica Banks. Her debut studio album 2022’s Diary Of The Flow Queen was also released on the label, but it could be her last.

In the comments under the post, many pointed out Megan Thee Stallion’s similar issues with 1501 certified. “Meg tried to tell it but she was so pressed to be the new head female of that label she ignored it..well a lesson learned,” one comment read. “Megan Pete baby add this to your court docket and y’all team up to take his a*s straight to the bank because everybody need to see this label for what it really is and you can tell they have absolutely no respect for women!!” another comment says.

Erica Banks Takes Shots At Her Label

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Erica Banks recently received some praise from high places when Ice Spice gave her her flowers. In response to the praise Banks’ called Ice Spice “everything.” The interaction started when it was announced that Banks’ would be joining Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta.

The biggest story of the year so far for Erica Banks has been her ongoing beef with recent XXL freshman Finesse2Tymes. After the pair had a short-lived relationship they started a beef. The conflict saw the pair exchanging increasingly NSFW shots back and forth publicly. While the beef ultimately didn’t lead to anything particularly dramatic Banks seems to have had no problem moving on. She was recently on Twitter flirting with fellow rapper Sukihana. What do you think of Erica Banks calling out her label? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Pusha T Still Cashes In Royalties For The Arby’s Commercial Theme Song

June 20, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Pusha T’s skills as a rapper are well-documented over a 20-year career. You could talk about his solo albums, the Clipse discography with his brother Malice (now known as No Malice), his diss tracks, his features- but don’t forget his fast food contributions. Moreover, former G.O.O.D. Music executive Steven Victor explained during a recent interview how King Push still gets royalties for the song that sandwich chain Arby’s uses in all its commercials- a track with him and Yogi. Furthermore, as someone who’s worked a lot with the Virginia native, Victor labeled it as one of his best business moves.

“I think convincing Pusha to rap on Yogi’s beat, and it ended up being the theme song for Arby’s,” he stated with a smile when asked about what creative decisions he’s proudest of. “If you watch an Arby’s commercial, at the end of it, it goes, ‘Arby’s- we have the meats!’ That’s the song! They don’t even use Pusha’s part. But they have to pay him, because he owns 50 percent of the song. So, every time they want to sync the song, they have to come to us for approval.”

Steven Victor Explains Pusha T’s Arby’s Royalties

At the time of writing this article, the track “Burial” by Yogi and Pusha T soundtracks Arby’s commercials- and has done so for seven years. While it’s unclear exactly how much the 46-year-old has made as a result, we can imagine it’s quite a lot. What’s more is that he also worked with Arby’s to write and record a diss track against McDonald’s’ Filet-O-Fish. The “Spicy Fish Diss Track” sees the MC go way harder than he ever needed to for it to be good.

In fact, for those unaware, the “Diet Coke” artist has quite the history with McDonald’s, involving yet another jingle. He and his brother wrote the iconic “I’m Lovin’ It” tag in 2003 and got paid a one-time fee with no royalties. Considering that Justin Timberlake received $6 million to record it, they felt cheated out, and thus, Push waged war in the fast-food realm. Talk about a hunger for revenge. For more news and the latest updates on Pusha T, log back into HNHH.

Read More: Pusha T’s Best Songs

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