Voice of London

Alan McGee, the former record label owner of Creation Records, commends Taylor Swifts “tremendous” attitude in demanding music ownership and artist royalty payout in her new Universal Music Group contract.

In an interview with Voice of London, McGee said he has never seen an artist making these types of contract demands especially “never for the benefit of anyone else other than themselves”

“They don’t usually try and do that. They don’t care,” he admitted. “I think the fact that she cares enough to worry about some little band – more power to her.”

Oasis, Primal Screams, My Bloody Valentine, and The Jesus and Mary Chain are just a few of the bands signed with Creation Records during the 1990s. McGee split the profit 50-50 with bands signed under the label.

However, he recognizes the role streaming services play in the modern music landscape as Spotify has “never been a space as a music industry before. It’s all about fan power.”  

“The NME and the music I’m involved in use to make or break bands. Now what someone says about a band in the media – nobody cares.”   

Although Swift has backlashed against streaming services, McGee is for them as people have access to a collection of music for a small fee.

Last week, Taylor Swift announced she’s signed a new deal with Universal Music Group.

“As part of my new contract with Universal Music Group, I asked that any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artist, non-recoupable,” the singer shared with her Instagram followers.

This means that artists will still receive royalties from streaming even if they are in-debt to record labels. Usually, the artists would not see royalty until they have finished paying back the label.

Word: Earyel Bowleg | Subbing: Jake Woods 

Photo Credit: Jana Beamer