Pharrell Slams Label Advances: "No One Should Own You"

The award-winning artist discussed the pitfalls of label advance loans with Steve Stoute.

BYErika MarieApr 29, 20213.4K Views

Dimitrios Kambouris/Child 13 / Contributor / Getty Images

Over the last two days, United Masters has hosted SelectCon over on Twitch. Steve Stoute's distribution company has helped artists reach new audiences, and today (April 29), Stoute sat down with Pharrell Williams to discuss various aspects of the industry. Throughout music history, there have been artists who have grown disenchanted with their record labels over money or contracts and even recently, well-known rappers have shared how they haven't received a penny from their labels.

One issue that many newly signed artists face is paying back their labels' advances that they received when they first inked their deals. Some of these artists haven't seen that many zeroes on a paycheck and don't understand that the cash isn't a gift and needs to be paid back. Stoute asked Pharrell what he thought of these dealings.

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"You shouldn't walk into a company and say, 'I'm gonna make this record.' They give you an advance then for the tenure of that, the entire time you're album's out, you're working to pay back that advance," said Pharrell in a clip of their conversation. Stoute interrupted and added, "It's illegal." Pharrell continued, "No bank gives a company a loan to start a company and walks away with the trademarks."

Stoute doubled down that it's against the law. Elsewhere, Pharrel said, "No one should own you. No one should own your actions. No one should own your creations. But you." Check out the clip of the conversation and let us know if you think label advances are helpful or harmful to an artist.

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About The Author

Erika Marie

Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.