🚨 Akademiks breaks down Summer Walker being SUED by UMG/Interscope and says her old record deal shows how artists can end up “in debt for perpetuity.” Ak says traditional royalty deals can leave artists receiving only a fraction of the money their music generates, explaining that under the 16% rate he’s discussing, for every $1 the label makes, the artist’s royalty share is roughly 16 cents. Using a hypothetical $1 MILLION recoupable balance, Ak says the music would need to generate roughly $6.2 MILLION before that $1 million is recouped from the artist’s 16% share. “They’re collecting money hand over fist… technically, they ain’t trying to pay you at all.” Ak also says advances, recording costs, marketing, signing bonuses and certain other expenses can be recoupable, arguing this is why traditional record deals can keep artists owing the label long after the music starts making money.