With over 100 million records sold globally, Beyoncé is one of the most popular musicians of our time. She is a multi-talented artist, and since she worked on the albums, films, and tours, many people have questioned whether she owns the masters. Yes, Beyoncé controls the masters of her recordings, giving her greater control over how her music is utilized and distributed.
However, not all artists operate in this way. Record companies frequently hold onto the masters of the recordings they finance, giving them control over the music’s use, sale, and distribution. For musicians who want to be in charge of their music and how it is distributed to the public, this might be difficult. In reality, some artists have engaged in protracted legal fights to reclaim ownership of their masters.
With the emergence of streaming services in recent years, the music business has undergone considerable changes. Streaming has replaced record sales as the principal means of income for musicians, who formerly relied heavily on album sales. In fact, an artist receives about $4,000 from 1 million Spotify streams, which is almost the same as selling 600 records. This implies that for musicians to make a respectable living from their music, they need to have a sizable number of streams.
So how do artists make a living? Artists can get money in addition to streaming royalties via live performances, merchandise sales, and endorsements. However, it’s important to keep in mind that record labels frequently take a portion of these profits as well, which can be difficult for musicians who want to support themselves through their music.
Some musicians decide to form an LLC (Limited Liability Company) in order to secure their assets and income due to the complexity of the music business. In the event of litigation or bankruptcy, an LLC can offer the artist’s personal assets legal protection. It may also allow the artist more control over how their music is utilized and distributed.
As a result, Beyoncé has more control over her music and how it is used because she is one of the few artists who owns their master recordings. It can be difficult because record labels frequently hold the masters’ rights for numerous artists. Due to the popularity of streaming services, artists now require a sizable number of streams in order to make a respectable living from their music. Creating an LLC can also provide musicians more control over their music and money while also offering legal protection.