Steve Stoute says Drake’s independence could end the music industry.
There’s no doubt that Drake is the most popular and profitable artist of this generation in music. “The Boy,” has changed the sounds of Hip Hop and R&B since his arrival and it doesn’t look like he’s planning to end his reign anytime soon. Steve Stoute has made it his business to keep artists independent and give them ownership. Drizzy’s contract with Cash Money and Universal is about to expire. Drake has the potential to either create a historic partnership deal. Or he could put his career in his own hands and have complete control.
While on a conference during the virtual SelectCon, Stoute told Russ, “If Drake goes independent, the music business is over, If Drake goes independent, the music business is done.”
In addition to Stoute knowing the ins and outs of business deals, Russ who’s an independent artist himself thinks Drake should leave the record labels and “fuck the whole shit up.”
An Independent Drake
“Drake uploads ‘God’s Plan’ on a digital distributor so whatever money it is: less than 10 dollars, right? Fine, pay for the beat, $10K, $20K, $30K, $40k, whatever the fuck it is, and to get mixed: four racks. So you’re all, $50K tops.” Russ continues to explain that Drake would be the one owning the music 100%, and would receive millions of dollars weekly off his independent releases. “If Drake goes independent, this whole industry gets turned upside down”
Stoute also stated that “Drake is about to come out in the next six months, about to get the biggest bag in the history of the music business by far. Both A and B, they don’t want that to happen. Because the day that happens, they might as well close the business down.”
Nevertheless, there’s no secret that most artists of this generation crave their independence and freedom from labels. The music industry better prepare because a change is coming. If the 6-god wants to be completely independent he has the potential to change the music industry into a place that cares about the value an artist can bring and the ownership they can take with them.
Khalyl Gabriel | IG | Twitter @khalylgabriel @khalylgabriel95