Mayne you really had me looking into this dudes fucking deals/labels.....
OVO Sound has been a subsidiary of Warner from 2012 - 2022..... it went fully independent in 2022
For all of Drake's releases since 2012, OVO Sound is listed, but distribution is through Republic/ UMG.
That is why Drake was able to renegotiate a new deal directly with UMG in 2022. Drake always moved through the UMG system for distribution.
As long as I can recall, even when CM was on "Motown," Drake and Wayne were listed as UMG artists....... not sure what cut WB got out of the deals, but it couldn't have been significant if UMG says they own Drake's masters. Which is probably why WB was willing to part ways with OVO Sound as an imprint.
There was never a "solo deal" with WB, their imprint deal was around since 2012....... Drake's obligation to WB was completed in 2022, he then renegotiates directly with UMG.
It appears Drake's obligations to YMCMB was completed in 2018, all of his albums after that only credit OVO/ Republic.....
So if he negotiated a 4 album ($400M 360°) deal in 2022 and was able to knock out all the provisions by early 2025*.... how could a massive increase not be on the horizon for 2025?
*That may explain all the damn touring. What if that was part of his deal.......?
you are misunderstanding how the music industry and copyright works
please re-read my previous post
As long as I can recall, even when CM was on "Motown," Drake and Wayne were listed as UMG artists....... not sure what cut WB got out of the deals, but it couldn't have been significant if UMG says they own Drake's masters. Which is probably why WB was willing to part ways with OVO Sound as an imprint.
again - That is not how recording contracts nor distribution contracts are structured...
Based on what you wrote here - How can WB legally get a cut of anything Drake made when YMCMB/ Universal had
complete exclusive rights to Drake and
everything he makes?
An imprint deal is just another way of saying a distributor put up an advance or an investment to acquire or create a subsidiary label that will be locked in for exclusive distribution -
Exactly how SoSo Def LAFace or Bad Boy got funding from Arista
There was never a "solo deal" with WB, their imprint deal was around since 2012.......
It doesn't matter that it wasn't a solo deal -
it was a deal that required Drake to provide commercial recordings to an entity not named YMCMB....
that is the basic thing his recording contract was built to prevent
----
Lets add some context
Drake needed money to start his label -
like most in the business, he went around to different labels seeking a deal of
upfront funding and future marketing PR etc support in exchange for exclusive distribution
The problem in Drake's case was he didn't yet have a track record of scouting new talent, developing artists, A&R-ing projects other than his own and breaking new acts.
So the offers were few and very low $$$
by adding to the deal a Drake project along with a guarantee of future appearances, and collabs with his new artists on OVO
(along with the necessary future clearances from himself and YMCMB)
This was the incentive that increased the $$$ offers
But before any deal like that could be made- WB and Drake each had to negotiate seperate deals with YMCMB
