Shownotes
Mr. Lee breaks down the real economics of modern record deals and why the industry's golden ticket ain't what it used to be. He's talking about how labels front fake numbers, take excessive cuts, and leave artists broke despite multi-million dollar contracts. The conversation gets into the structural problems—360 deals, publishing theft, recoupment clauses—that keep rappers locked in modern slavery agreements even when they got chart success. Lee explains how independent moves, streaming splits, and direct-to-fan monetization have flipped the game, making traditional deals a trap for cats who don't understand the fine print. This is essential listening for any artist thinking about signing or negotiating, and for fans who want to understand why some of the biggest names in rap are still struggling financially despite platinum plaques.