MJ Cole, a well-known British producer, has sent an open letter to major labels and publishers, requesting free artist labour to be stopped. The letter explicitly calls out companies such as UMG, Sony, Warner, and others. It was published on social media on Sunday the 21st of April. The letter asks artists to stop working for free in the music industry, stating that “as music creators, our core mission is simple: to help artists attain their greatest creative and commercial potential”.
The letter goes on to say that to achieve their mutual goals, music creators work alongside major labels and publishers from around the world. MJ Cole and other creators don’t believe they are being respected or fairly compensated and are unhappy about the continued use of free artist labour.
The call to action comes in the wake of many artists, producers, and other creators voicing their opinions on getting the credit they deserve, and tackling the long-standing issue of fair payments. Free artist work is often used as a way for companies to save money on their budget, but the practice denies the creators the monetary value they deserve for their work and expertise.
The letter has gone viral on social media, with many other musicians and creators, pledging their support for MJ Cole’s stance. Superstars such as Pharell Williams and LMFAO have even joined the conversation, calling out record labels for the same issue. It remains to be seen if the labels and publishers will take action and respond to this call to action in the near future
Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More