Slashdot Mirror
Recording Deals In The Digital Age
cascadefx writes "There is a really interesting panel wrap-up over at the National Association of Recording Industry Professionals's website. The Incredible Shrinking Profit Margin panel discussion looks like it included some interesting discussion into the deals that are made with performers now that the rules have changed. These notes offer interesting (perhaps hopeful) business predictions about Britney Spears' career as well as answering the (new)-age-old question about just how much an artist makes off of an iTunes download. Check it out."
Something occurred to me recently which I hope is on topic:
Stars lose money on the first couple records-all the down payments for promotion and limosines etc. The record company provides these services and makes money.
When stars are established and put out multiple top selling albums, the Stars become more powerful than the record companies (Madonna, U2).
Most acts don't get to that point because they have no talent. Some acts don't get to that point because they over-dose and self destruct despite the fact that they have multiple examples of how not to handle their career.
Question: Do the record companies encourage drug addiction and over the top lifestyles in the hopes that stars self destruct before reaching the point of financial independence?