Cordae Explains Why So Many Rappers End Up With Bad Record Deals

BY Erika Marie 3.6K Views
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Cordae, Labels, Contracts, Earn Your Leisure Podcast
Some are quick to sign on the dotted line because they're just happy to make it this far.

Many artists that are new to the Rap game are just happy to get recognition. Thousands of artists peddle their music online in hopes of one day making it big—either independently or by being signed to a label. They want to emulate their favorite rappers who they see flashing cash, riding around in fancy cars, jet-setting around the globe, or lounging in luxury homes. Unfortunately, some rappers on the rise get taken advantage of because they're quick to ink a deal without reading the fine print of their contracts.

Cordae is mapping out his future in the music industry and unlike many of his fellow artists, he's meticulously planning a career that goes beyond the release of the moment. It's reported that Cordae launched his own record label, and recently, he sat down with the Earn Your Leisure Podcast where he discussed why so many rappers end up regretting their contracts.

"Most n*ggas get into bad deals 'cause they like, man, f*ck it. 'I know it's a bad deal but n*gga I'mma get in, this gonna get me in the game, I don't got sh*t right now, and I'll cross that bridge when it comes. I'll worry about that sh*t later,'" said Cordae. "Most people don't even have the business acumen or the access to the information, you get what I'm saying, or knowledge."

"You have to do the research and the knowledge on it," he continued. "So, most people come into the game, like I said, not even on that mindset and not having the business acumen to even think about ownership, owning my masters, making sure the percentages are right, the longevity." Cordae's friend and former YBN groupmate YBN Nahmir recently made claims that there were veterans in the industry who took advantage of them, and YBN Almighty Jay also took to his Instagram to call out people who he claimed did him wrong.

Check out Cordae's interview in its entirety below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.