Derrick
Thompson, Vice President of Urban Music, BMG Songs, A&R Urban
Music and RCA Records has worded with a host of urban performing artist
such as Nelly, Tyrese and Mobb Deep. He has signed
impressive writers and producers and in addition to artist development
and signing new talent, Derrick Thompson oversees and maintains the
careers of the entire BMG Song urban roster and is involved in setting
up writer and producer collaborations. I spoke with Derrick mainly about
the misconceptions of publishing and the importance of publishing.
BUZZ:
What are some of the major misconceptions artists have about the business
that you have encountered?
DERRICK: I think when kids are home
dreaming of being an artist and they are seeing all these images on
television; they tend to glamorize the lifestyle images. The cars and
jewelry that is a misconception. Someone at home who doesn't know better,
wouldn't have any idea how much an artis has to work to make a hit record.
It's a 24-hour commitment. The demads of a recording career are enormous.
BUZZ:
Publishing is a really big word I feel artists really do not understand.
Can you explain what publishing is and the importance of it?
DERRICK: Yes. Publishing is extremely,
extremely important. I always explain it like this, People who write
the hit songs make all the money. If you are an artist and you don't
write your won songs, 9 out of 10 times down the road you're going to
be in trouble. It is really cool to be self-contained. Hit songs become
lifelines or income lines forever.
BUZZ:
When you hire a writer or producer for a project how are they paid?
DERRICK: The writers and producers
are paid by the label directly. They are paid to come up with a song
in the studio. On top of that, if the song turns out to be a single
then they are paid again from sales, or one of th esongwriters organizations
such as ASCAP, BMI or SEASAC as far as airplay is concerned.
BUZZ:
Are you the person I would come to if I had a song and wanted to get
it to, say, Tyrese?
DERRICK: Yes! Generally if you were
a writer and you had a song you could come to me and sek a publishing
deal. I always encourage people to try to hang on to their publishing,
it is really valuable.
BUZZ:
What is key about publishing, writing, producing and royalties?
DERRICK: It's all about the money.
It's a business and a lot of people forget that. And it is very important
to think of it as a business amd make sure your business is in order.
A lot of times there are writers out there who do not have their publishing
in order and there is a lot of money out there to be collected. If people
knew how much money was out there to be collected, they would wake up.
I always tell writers do not leave the studio without knowing what your
contribution to the song was.
BUZZ:
Thank you Derrick for sharing with us about the great publishing world.
You have given us a lot of good information. You
are a real Key Player in the business. Keep the music playing.
To
reach Derrick Thompson, contact the Urban Buzz Magazine
