The main controversy that has messed up the music industry has to be the issue about Royalty Rates. Royalty Rates plays a very critical role in prices and consumer bargaining power. Music labels seek higher royalty rates while music fans demands for lower CD prices. This is where the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) made a blunt decision to lower Artist Royalties and price fix the music. While the Music Labels are laughing all the way to the bank! This led music fans to purchase music online and most of them turned to P2P File sharing. Even so, RIAA raised prices in digital music in effort to capitalize on the demand for legal online music. RIAA doesn’t realize that digital sales will help to boost the music industry. Where do you stand in this issue? Do you really think that lowering the Artist Royalties and having price control will save this industry? Before you make your decision, take a few minutes of your time and check out this video.
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Many countries around the world, including Malaysia and surprisingly the US, bans music in assorted ways. Censorship is particularly severe in a number of developing countries, where music can have a big impact on those who hear it. But we all have to admit that Malaysia has some of the toughest censorship laws in the world. Can you imagine that every Radio stations in Malaysia have been told to submit scripts of live programs before they are broadcast?
The reason for this censorship law is because the government is keen to insulate the largely-Muslim population from what it considers harmful foreign influences. But I truly believe that each and every individual has the right to decide what music he or she –or does not want- to hear or create.
Censorship would just even weaken the growth of the Malaysian music industry. This statement is supported when censorship caused problems for music labels attempting to ship merchandise in/out of Malaysia. DemonZend, a prominent independent label based in Malaysia, reportedly lost US$5,000 due to customs confiscation and Bilharzia, a local metal band, said that they were placed under surveillance, resulting in an inability to receive mail from outside of Malaysia if it related to their music scene. I do fear that musical talent is being repressed like never before.
Freedom of expression for us requires freedom of expression for others. It is at the very heart of our democracy.
Music has always been the biggest influence in my life. Growing up with songs from the days of when Sam Cooke was being played on the vinyls to the latest songs blasting through stereos all the way to the top of today’s billboard charts, inspired me to be a part of the vast, growing music industry. However, during my early teenage years, my dreams were hit by the reality that I didn’t have the talent to sing or even the patience to learn to play any musical instruments. People tend to think the music industry is all and only about the lyrics,the melody and most of all, the performers but behind all the glitz and glamour of every head bopping and sappy tunes and their lyrics that has toped the billboard charts, stands a brilliant mind and his associates of where the art of business comes alive.
For those who has no clue to what i’m talking about, a music entrepreneur is a person who coordinates, operates, markets and assumes the risk for a music business venture. Most businesses started by music entrepreneurs, just to name a few, are: Recording Studio Facility, Booking Agency, Artist Management, Music Retail, Music Publishing Company, Record Label, etc. These are the people who are also earning big bucks! This is the reason to why Simon Cowell became so famous without even humming to a tune. There are also musicians these days who manages and market their own music. This will be only for a short period of time until they are signed to a major Record Label. However, in a small country like Malaysia, managing and marketing your own music could be possible on a long run because all you need is excellent business knowledge and skills!
Rythem Malice 