When it comes to the music industry, we have heard a lot of speculations about artists being robbed of their work and not getting any royalties.
South African businesswoman, songwriter, and singer Duduzile Ngwenya, professionally known as Lady Du, shared eye-opening information for upcoming artists based on her experience.
Taking to Instagram, she shared the “411” on business and captioned her post, “I wish to help at least one artist. I post my mistakes so you can learn from them.”
Her tips are detailed as follows:
- Don’t record anything before you sign any paperwork and discuss your percentage, people change when songs are hits, print out contracts and make sure you take them to the studio.
- Record yourself if you can it saves you a lot.
- Understand the music business and how royalties work.
- Before you start buying designer clothes, make sure you have secured yourself via investments outside of music, also learn to buy property instead of renting at the peak of your career. By the time you gig, you focus solely on finishing it.
- Start a business to help you even when you are not gigging.
- As you grow as an artist, it is important to understand that streams no longer make money.
- Learn to build a stable career with no debt.
- Be true to who you are and the universe will be true to you.
Lady Du also added, “I made the biggest mistake when I started music but I was smart, I always used texts to communicate with people, never calls and today when I have to fight for my royalties I gave the lawyers my text messages.”
She then added that verbal agreements do not count in court and she was lucky to have recorded her vocals herself. “Know what you signed up for, especially with your managers, some of them destroy what your vision is because of greed, never allow people to make money on your behalf, let them pay you, and then you pay them, I learned this the hard way.”
“I’ve been running my own business so well I’ve made enough to build businesses outside of music. Knowing your worth is so important in this business. I was lucky enough to save all my booking expenses to afford a good lawyer, also I thank Uncle Oskido for introducing me to a great woman to help me with my royalties, experienced the most selfish behaviour from people I trusted, but I fought. They are still under audit, the reason I like posting is that I’m older and wiser, I need to help all of you keep track of your career,” she said.
Lady Du continued, “Most artists make money from bookings, also be aware of the artists that sell your dreams knowing they live off advances from major companies, signing contracts that bind them. In art, you can never have a perfect life, you’ll make money, lose money, and some will steal your money, but I want you all to know the purpose. Know why you’re doing what you’re doing, and follow that not trends, not brands, not the luxury lifestyles lived on socials.”
Before concluding, she asked people to take care of themselves.
“From your big sister, I love you and thank you so much for your support. I am LADY DU because YOU chose to stream, book, and support me. I’ll never take any person for granted. YOU MADE ME THE BRAND I AM TODAY,” she concluded.
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Also see: ‘May God continue to bless you’ – Lady Du sends her dancers love
