Chloe Bailey is strutting the promotional trail in support of her scorching new single ‘Treat Me’ – and her latest stop was the popular YouTube series The Terrell Show.
During the fun-filled sit-down sing-a-long, the performer opened up about some of the behind-the-scenes realities of the music industry that folk may not be as in the know about.
Her words may (or maybe not) surprise you.
See what we mean below…
When asked about a fact about the music industry that people don’t know, the 23-year-old was refreshingly very candid (in comparison to some of her peers when quizzed about the topic).
For, she replied:
“You can create music all day long, [but] – especially if you’re signed to a label – you can’t control your release date.
Also, musicians don’t make a lot of money in the music industry. That’s why you see a lot of people – they have brand deals and brand sponsorships because that’s where the coin comes from. And touring. But [with] music itself, you’re actually losing money”
Expanding on the latter, Bailey said:
“Oh, you wanna know something else? I learned this because I would produce sis and I’s records [Chloe x Halle]. Producers outside will get paid a huge lump sum. But, because I would produce sis and I’s records, I couldn’t get paid because I was a producer within the group.
And also, I don’t know whether it changed within the GRAMMYs, but you know how they have Producer of the Year? I learned from Imogen Heap.. because she produces a lot of her stuff. So does Grimes, so does Bjork. They couldn’t be contenders for Producer of the Year because they were the ones producing their own bodies of work and not [producing] for others. And notice how those are just the women I named.”
Looking at the upsdies, the stage blazer concluded by saying:
“The good is that, even though you lose money in the music business, you get a coin from everything that comes from the music you’re making. So, the music is almost like the ad. It’s a business. And it’s sad to think of it that way, but that’s why tours go big…that’s where you make your money. And the big brand deals.
That’s a fact few people don’t know. They think it’s this huge, high-life thing. Yes, you may get a huge lump sum in the beginning or you might have a huge recording budget and you think the label is paying for it. But, at the end of the day, you’re paying for it. It’s coming out of you [your budget]. Whatever you get from that album, you get that after whatever has been paid off. So, it’s like a loan.
I’m learning – especially now as a solo artist – I have to have multiple hats. Me, as my creative, which is where I want to spend most of my time. But I also have to put on my business mind hat. Because, if you don’t, you could get screwed over.”
Insightful!
We long appreciate acts that keep it 100 while on their grind. Especially when it skews educational, as is the case here.
The music industry has shapeshifted a lot in recent times and, as ever, is not for the faint-hearted.
We applaud Miss Bailey for both her talent and her hustle. She’s laying the groundwork for a long and fruitful career.
Check out her full appearance on The Terrell Show here: