Topline
Sean “Diddy” Combs is reassigning the publishing rights of Bad Boy Records’ catalog to the artists and songwriters behind the music ahead of the music label’s 30th anniversary and his own upcoming album release, a notable move after Combs has faced years of criticism he didn’t treat artists fairly.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is working to return Bad Boy Records artists’ and songwriters’ music publishing … [+]
Key Facts
Instead of selling Bad Boy Records’ catalog to interested candidates, Combs decided to reassign the publishing rights to the labels’ artists and songwriters, including the likes of Faith Evans, the estate of the late Notorious B.I.G. and Mase–who has called out the music executive for allegedly not paying him for his work–a source familiar with the matter told Forbes.
Sources told Billboard the process began in May 2021 with artists being contacted about gaining rights over their publishing, and some have already signed the deal while others are still being contacted.
Publishing rights is a hotly contested subject in the music industry, since the owner is entitled to the money and royalties that derive from it.
While the details of the Bad Boy Records artist and songwriter contracts are not clear, some often have clauses that require some or all rights to the work be returned to the artist at some point.
Billboard reported that EMI Publishing previously handled publishing for Bad Boy Records, and Forbes reached out to them for comment.
Key Background
Established in 1993 as a joint venture between Combs and Arista Records, Bad Boy Records is responsible for several multi-platinum singles, such as the Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy and Big Poppa, Combs and Evans’ I’ll Be Missing You and gold singles, such as Faith Evans’ Love Like This and Soon As I Get Home. Much controversy has ensued over the years surrounding allegations that Combs cheats some of his artists out of rights to their work, including Mase, who called the music executive out for allegedly rejecting Mase’s $2 million offer to buy back his rights, according to Complex. Monday’s news comes as both Complex and fellow hip-hop outlet XXL Magazine reported that Mase received his rights a few days ago.
Further Readings
Sean “Diddy” Combs sets precedent in music: Bad Boy artists reassigned publishing rights (Revolt TV)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Reassigns His Bad Boy Publishing Rights Back to Artists, Songwriters (Billboard)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/darreonnadavis/2023/09/04/diddy-hands-publishing-rights-back-to-bad-boy-artists-faith-evans-mase-and-the-notorious-big-estate/