Spotify, Netflix, Patreon: The New Labels Are Here (And Creators Don’t See It)

Hip-hop might be the culture… but the industry version is still built to own you. In this episode we break down why Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit got dismissed, what “work for hire” really means, and how artists can spend decades building a legacy—only to find out the paperwork never had their name on the value. If you’re signing through a manager, a company, or a “team,” we explain how secondhand deals can leave you with no masters, no publishing, and no leverage.Then we pivot to the new warning sign for creators: AI music platforms changing terms mid-game. Suno’s updated rights language raises the question—can you monetize a song but still not own it? We connect that to the bigger media play happening right now: podcast networks moving like labels, video rights becoming the real asset, and why Joe Budden’s business model proves most creators are building “shows,” not businesses. Plus, we talk Copyright Royalty Board rate-setting (2028–2032) and why the smartest creators stop waiting on streaming checks and start building direct-to-consumer income.

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