An artist development deal (also known as a demo deal) is a
recording artist
A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general term used to designate one who follows music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who w ...
contract with a
record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the prod ...
or music publisher that promises to develop the skills and
public profile of the artist.
In exchange for the development support, the recording label or publisher receives a right to future high
royalties or other desirable rights.
These types of deals are sometimes most helpful to the artist, but the label often takes control of the artist's management and publishing rights. Historically, such deals have been abused by both labels and managers.
References
Music industry
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