Today I spoke with music artist 3D (Darris Simmons) of Muda Land Records. 3D has been with Muda-Land Records for 2 years now. He is originally from St. Louis and has lived in San Diego for 5 years where he officially launched his rap career. 3D has a nice buzz in the San Diego music scene, opening up for artist like Twister, and even being a judge for local rap competitions. Although not yet the multi million dollar artist, 3D is well on his way, but once he makes it there it will be pivotal that he negotiates a contract that is most beneficial to him. But what about his current contract with Muda-Land Records, how was that negotiated and settled upon? I asked 3D this question during our interview.
3D told me his current contract with Muda-Land was a 5 year contract that will expire in 2014, but the specifics to the contract were interesting. 3D states, unfortunately he did not take negotiating and deal making before he signed the contract with his manager. His manager could have benefited from the class too. Unfortunately 3D only has the rights to his original music and has limits to which producers he can make music with in San Diego. But on the positive side the new producers 3D has found are not included in the original contract and because he has the rights his music he is able to make new music that is his own. Although this could potentially make his manager upset and feel betrayed, 3D has only recently chosen to seek out new producers, as his manager is not doing so. He said, “ I am the artist and my manger is supposed to be putting me in contact with the producers, but when he is not doing his role I have to push my career forward even though that is not my role”. 3D understands his role but it seems like his manager might need to reevaluate his role as manager. The last topic I spoke with 3D about was paying his manager and royalties.
Thankfully this part of the interview seemed more positive for 3D. From the conversation I learned 3D is not paying his manager on a monthly basis but his manager does provide him with information on events that are happening, and 3D does the footwork for ticket sells. At first it may seem a little unfair, but as a new artist in the industry doing his own footwork put a face to the artist and music that may not be seen other wise. As for his manager’s royalties he did manage to negotiate 70% of performance sells to himself and 30% to his manager. I’d say that this an even trade for doing footwork. Overall the interview with 3D was good and it was really good to hear from a new artist that understands some but wants to learn more of negotiating contracts, and even though things are not always in his favor he still remains humble. A humble artist will go a long ways, stay humble 3D and before you sign that multi-million dollar contract, read over some negotiating and deal-making literature…especially the “game theory” we discussed.
To check out more of 3D and his music go to Muda-landrecords.com
