Dwindling sales and an unwillingness to sign a 360 deal, Sean says, are the reasons for his dismissal from Atlantic. "Every year that we renegotiated the contract, they offered a 360 deal and if I had said yes, I would probably still be there, at least for this year. In business meetings they would say we are losing off of this dude because we are only selling his records, we want to sell his **** too! Because I tour a lot, that would have been a lucrative deal for them."
Commenting on Sean's dismissal from Atlantic following his 12 year association with the label, Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman, who signed Sean in 2002, told Billboard in a statement: "Sean is a transformational figure in reggae and a pioneer in bringing dancehall music to the global mainstream. Since he joined the Atlantic family he has made a series of hugely influential records and I know he will continue to make brilliant music for many years to come. We wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter of his phenomenal career."
"I am happy to be off of a label because I don't want someone who at this point is way younger than me, has never written a song, performed on a stage or produced a riddim track, telling me they aren't feeling my song so try again," Sean concluded. "It is better that I feel what I want to release; if the public doesn't want it, at least I know I put my best into it."
What an intelligent and sad reality of the business. Record CEO's in their 20s are now telling these VETERAN performers that what they're doing isn't good enough. It's sad that they aren't backed, based on previous sales, but rather how they can appeal to the new and short attention spanned demographic.
What an intelligent and sad reality of the business. Record CEO's in their 20s are now telling these VETERAN performers that what they're doing isn't good enough. It's sad that they aren't backed, based on previous sales, but rather how they can appeal to the new and short attention spanned demographic.
But young people are the ones who mainly buy music! It's important if artists can appeal to them or not.
