Kanye West said in a recent post on Twitter that he plans to give back the 50 percent share he owns of G.O.O.D. Music artist’s masters. The announcement comes in the midst of West’s plans to gain ownership of his own masters from Sony and Universal.
I’m giving all Good music artist back the 50% share I have of their masters
— ye (@kanyewest) September 23, 2020
“I’m giving all G.O.O.D. music artists back the 50% share I have of their masters,” West said in a recent Twitter post.
West first founded G.O.O.D. Music in 2014, and has signed several big-name artists, including John Legend, Common, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Pusha-T, Teyana Taylor, 070 Shake, Kids See Ghosts, Sheck Wes and more. Big Sean responded to West’s Tweet and thanked the label founder for promising the return of his masters.
Thank you!!! This would help so much 🙏🏾 https://t.co/6yR3fAKlwB
— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 23, 2020
“Thank you!!!” Big Sean said in a Twitter post. “This would help so much.”
West also shared his plans with tech entrepreneur, Elon Musk, with West posting a screenshot from the two’s conversation onto Twitter. West had been describing the contracts to Musk, with Musk saying “Will you change them? This would be powerful.” West promised to change the contracts now. He also shared a screenshot of the Twitter post where he announced his plan to give back his music shares to artists on the G.O.O.D. label, challenging Universal to match him.
Now let’s have Universal match me pic.twitter.com/ui7D8kyPQR
— ye (@kanyewest) September 23, 2020
Over recent weeks, the rapper has been vocal on Twitter about his own contracts with Sony and Universal, sharing that he felt he had the right to own his own masters and pass them on to his children. West had shared all of his alleged contracts on Twitter last week, with West explaining that many of the label contracts allegedly include hidden costs. The rapper also stated he does not plan to release any more music, including his highly-anticipated new album, Donda, until he’s released from his label.
The announcement to relinquish his share of artist masters on the G.O.O.D. Music label sees West following up with his initial claims that he plans to help not only himself, but all music artists, to regain control of their masters. In a recent interview with Billboard, West said he plans to “help set precedents” and “help develop better royalty portals and deal shapes” so that artists will have more control over their music. Since first taking to Twitter in an attempt to buy back his masters, West has managed to consult with Universal Music. The rapper told Billboard during his interview that he and Universal are in discussions, but he wants them to fix everyone’s situation, and not only his own.