Wu Tang Productions Disputes Royalty Disagreement With Group Member Ghostface Killah

The iconic hip hop collective, the Wu Tang Clan, has completely changed the way rap artists approach the music business. Nine individually talented artists grouped together to become a rap super power. However, as likely to happen to any band of musicians or groups of recording artists, problems are bound to arise.

In 2005, a lawsuit had been filed by original Wu Tang Clan member Ghostface Killa, claiming that he did not receive music publishing royalties on early studio albums released by the group. The suit was filed against Wu Tang Clan Productions, owned and operated by the group's legendary super producer the RZA.

This is a recurring problem in the rap music business. Artists and producers work together, with no prior discussions to royalty shares. After much success is achieved by their music, disputes inevitably arise.

Remarkably, surviving members of the group still create and produce music together, and are still committed to the international brand that they have built. For instance group member Raekwon recently released the follow up to his street classic album "Only Built For Cuban Linx, Pt 2" which features many of the Wu Tang Members including RZA, Ghostface Killah, Methodman and Inspectah Deck.

How do we take proper measures to prevent a dispute such as this one from even arising in the first place? GET IT IN WRITING ! You've heard me write about this numerous times, always get your agreements in a tangible written form. Have you ever became involved in a dispute such as this one ?

Chris Brown Gets Some Help From YouTube Video

It's funny, some one asked me the other day, "Do you think Chris Brown will put out a new record?". Being the smart ass that I am, I replied "Not another record for teenage girls,". Well it turns out that, despite my rude jokes, Chris Brown is still receiving some love out there.

This "love" comes in the form of some added plays on YouTube from a newly married couple's wedding day dance, which put Chris Brown back on the chats. The video has earned over 11 million views, a huge boost which earns an increase in sales since the wedding video hit the web. The newly weds were featured on NBC where they re-performed their wedding dance.

Amounting to more record sales and royalty payments from his labels Jive/ Zomba Recordings, this extra exposure through this simple video is a positive note for the singer who has been through some rough tribulations as of late.

Chris Brown has been in the media for his very public assault trial with R&B/Pop sensation Rihanna. Brown, who posted a video apology on YouTube, has been indirectly
featured on a video that spread virally across the net. This video is of two newly weds dancing down the aisle to the singer's smash hit song from last summer, "Forever". The effect that this video has had on this artist in particular is a powerful sign of what YouTube can do to change the career of any artist in the music business.

How do you use YouTube ? Are you taking advantage of the useful ways YouTube helps independent artists market their rap music ?

If leaks persist, maybe the 'roof' needs to be fixed ?

Yet again, another new single leaks before it's release. Really though, is any one surprised anymore ? Eminem's most recent single "Crack a Bottle" from his upcoming album was leaked all over the web before it was even finished ! A rough low-quality mp3 version was made available on a mixtape put together by DJ Big Mike and DJ Neptune.

For more info, feel free to read this brief article from Digital Music News :
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/020409eminem

Obviously, Eminem was not too impressed to say the least, he was pissed. Who wouldn't be ? Artists are always working hard to perfect their tracks, while their fans are always trying to find new songs by their favorite artists online. "Leakers" (people who steal and release new songs before the songs are even done) will always try to supply this demand, as this becomes increasingly problematic for musicians/artists in every genre.

So how do we fix the metaphorical roof, and stop the leaks ? Unfortunately there are no simple solutions to this problem. Keeping new material under wraps until it is ready to be hyped and released has become more difficult with the ease of transferring mp3s. It's just something the music industry has to come to realize and adapt to quickly.

Major labels and other digital media companies are all scrambling to find the next innovative way of trying to turn music down-loaders into digital music consumers. It's just not happening ! For as long as I've been online free music has been one of the best perks of the Internet. Why are people going to start paying for something that they've been getting for free for years.

In my honest opinion, artist's and musicians need to turn this into an advantage. Stop bitching, it sucks that you aren't seeing royalties so turn this into something that can be converted into royalties. Rap artists have been giving away material on mixtapes and downloads for quite some time now.

This worked out great for some artists who used it to leverage more exposure and sales from having their songs leak. Take for instance LiL Wayne and his most recent album which was a huge success in it's first week, after being leaked all over the Internet days in advance.

Rappers, time to step up ya game !