Diddy Returns Publishing Rights: Sean “Diddy” Combs, head of Bad Boy Records, returns publishing rights to artists and songwriters. A source says artists like Faith Evans, Mase, The Lox, 112, and The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate have signed deals to regain their rights. Despite multiple multi-million dollar offers for the printing rights of the label, which has sold over 500 million records since 1992, this decision was made. Combs aims to support Black musicians in increasing their earnings.
Combs founded Bad Boy Records in ’92. Since then, it has sold over 500 million records, made 38 platinum hits, and won multiple Grammy Awards. The label impacts record sales and is a cultural touchstone in the music industry. Albums like “Ready to Die” by The Notorious B.I.G., which sold 2 million copies by 1995 and went six times platinum, “Faith” by Evans and Mase, which sold 1 million copies, and “Harlem World” by Mase, which sold 4 million copies, highlight the label’s significance.
Due to past issues, returning publishing rights is crucial. A former Bad Boy singer, Mase, criticized Combs on Instagram in 2020. He said the mogul exploited singers who signed with the label, especially after Combs won the Industry Icon award at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala. Mase criticized Combs’ business practices, claiming he unfairly mistreated artists who contributed to the label’s success. The post has been removed.
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The estate of another Bad Boy Records artist, The Notorious B.I.G., had no comment on Combs’ recent decision. Recent signees include artists like French Montana, Janelle Monáe, and Machine Gun Kelly. Combs’ move means a change in music sales. He prioritizes artist pay and intellectual property rights by returning copyright rights to artists and songwriters. This move could inspire other labels and executives to follow suit in the music industry’s ongoing discussions about artist payment and rights.
Combs’s refusal of lucrative publishing offers is part of a broader Black community discussion on fairness and financial mobility. By returning rights to black artists, Combs aims to promote a fairer distribution of wealth and fame in an industry historically lacking. In conclusion, Diddy’s decision to return publishing rights to Bad Boy Records artists could be a game-changer in the music industry. This could impact how artists and labels collaborate and how wealth is shared in the cultural world. Combs appears ready to challenge business models, promoting fairness for artists and potentially reshaping the music industry.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Why did P. Diddy give back publishing rights?
He felt the urge to return it as a token of gratitude to the writers who assisted him on his journey. The concept is straightforward: he performed a kind gesture out of pure goodwill. Meiselas admitted that Combs’ legal expenses for the extensive two-year effort to transfer those rights were significant, without delving into specifics.
Did Diddy give the lox their publishing?
Earlier this month, news broke that the Bad Boy CEO turned down a massive deal to sell the Bad Boy music catalog. Instead, he chose to give back to the people who played a role in building his company. Artists such as Mase, Faith Evans, The Lox, 112, and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. all signed agreements to reclaim their publishing rights.
How much does P. Diddy pay sting in royalties?
At the interview, Sting faced questions about whether Diddy gives him $2,000 every day for using the sample of The Police’s 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take” in the 1997 collaboration “I’ll Be Missing You.” This adds up to $1.8 million annually.
Does Diddy own Biggie’s music?
As per Revolt TV, the tycoon shook up the music industry by shifting the label’s publishing rights to all signed artists, like Faith Evans, Ma$e, The LOX, 112, and Biggie Small’s estate.