Amid Kanye West’s public war against Universal Music Group with the plan of buying back his masters, Russ weighed in on the conversation on Twitter.
Before clarifying that he owns his masters and was merely providing suggestions for other artists, Russ gave props to Nipsey Hussle, stating, ” He was really changing the game and movin’ the sh*t forward. He sold mixtapes for $100 and $1000 and people bought them. What brings you more value? A Balenciaga shoe or music.” Russ also tweeted Kanye a recent video he did with Steve Stoute where they discussed what would happen if Drake went independent.
Ownership is step 1
What also needs to be discussed is that the price point of music is being set by people who don’t make music
Why is a single $.99 or $1.29 ? Says who?
Why is the pay rate for streams what they are? Says who?
— RUSS (@russdiemon) September 16, 2020
Artists/Labels sometimes spend millions of dollars making an album and then are told to sell that same product for $14.99 lol
What other product gets made for a price that is far higher than what it’s sold for?
— RUSS (@russdiemon) September 16, 2020
And Spotify and Apple, whenever y’all fix the pay rates for streams it needs to be retroactive. Save this tweet.
— RUSS (@russdiemon) September 16, 2020