SuperStar!

As the three men sat in the luxurious office, the atmosphere was tense yet tinged with excitement. Lucian Grainge, the imposing CEO of Universal Music Group, leaned forward, clasping his hands on the sleek glass desk. His sharp, tailored suit exuded authority, and his voice carried the weight of someone accustomed to making monumental decisions.

"See, gentlemen, I hear your points loud and clear," Lucian began, his tone measured and thoughtful. "Ethan has a promising portfolio, no doubt. But let's face facts—he only has three songs under his belt. Complete creative control is not something typically afforded to an artist so early in their career. That's usually reserved for world-class legends."

Ethan's heart sank. The words hit him like a reality check, and for a moment, he felt the thrill of the last few weeks fading. Beside him, his agent, Bill Miller, remained composed, his expression unreadable. The room seemed to still as they waited for Lucian to deliver what seemed like inevitable rejection.

Then, the conversation took a sudden, unexpected turn.

"But," Lucian continued, a slight smirk playing on his lips, "thank God Universal Music Group isn't a normal record label."

Ethan blinked in surprise. Bill straightened in his seat, sensing the shift.

"We agree to your terms," Lucian said confidently. "And to show how serious we are about Ethan, let me present the contract we've prepared."

From his drawer, Lucian pulled out two crisp copies of a contract, sliding one across to Ethan and the other to Bill. The sound of paper against glass was the only noise in the room.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before picking up the document. His hands trembled slightly as he began to read the terms, Bill already scanning his copy with the practiced eye of a seasoned negotiator.

Recording Agreement

Parties Involved

Record Label: Universal Music Group

Artist: Ethan Jones

Key Terms

Ownership & Rights

Ownership of Masters: The record label will retain ownership of all master recordings created under this agreement.Artist's Rights: Ethan Jones retains full creative control over his music, including songwriting, production, and collaborators. The artist may use the songs for personal or promotional purposes with prior notice to the label.

Financials

Revenue Sharing: Ethan will receive 25% of net profits from all revenues generated by his music, including streaming, downloads, physical sales, and licensing.Advances and Costs: Universal Music Group will cover all upfront costs, including production, marketing, and distribution. These costs will not be recouped from Ethan's share of profits.

Performance Earnings:

Ethan retains 100% of earnings from live performances unless the label directly sponsors the tour or event, in which case terms will be negotiated separately.

Creative Control

Ethan retains absolute authority over songwriting, collaborators, and production choices. Any proposed changes must receive written approval from him.

Term and Deliverables

Duration: Three albums or five years, whichever comes first.Deliverables: Each album will consist of a minimum of 10 songs.

Additional Benefits

Marketing: The label will provide comprehensive branding and promotion, including social media campaigns and merchandising. Ethan retains a 50% profit share from merchandise sales.Legal Support: Universal will handle copyright compliance and royalty collections.

Exit Clause

Either party may terminate the agreement after the completion of one album, provided both parties agree in writing.

Ethan blinked as he finished reading. The words swam in his mind like a surreal dream. Bill, on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear, visibly impressed.

As both client and agent were viewing the contract Lucian was also lost in thought his eyes widened at the opportunities laid out in black and white. His mind began to drift, imagining the kind of money this deal could generate. He envisioned arenas packed with screaming fans, streaming numbers in the hundreds of millions, and merchandise selling out within minutes. Each dollar sign seemed brighter than the last. If even half of what this contract promised came true, he would be set for life. 

Bill, meanwhile, finished reviewing the contract and leaned back with a small, satisfied smile. It was rare to see a record label offer terms like this, especially to a new artist. While he didn't say it aloud, he knew this was a golden opportunity. This kid is going to change the whole game, he thought, stealing a glance at Ethan.