So I talked to a label exec about Frank Ocean just now...
Apparently, Frank Ocean had never had a good relationship with Def Jam.
Secondly, he paid off the label for the Endless visual release.
Thirdly, Apple paid 10 million dollars for the Blonde album.
This label exec had a very favorable opinion of what Apple is doing for the market. He said it puts the artistic control back in the hands of the artist. Apple underwrites the content like videos and recording of the album. He said Spotify can't help fund musicians projects and that's why they don't like exclusives.
He said the bad side is that the labels still control what gets radio AirPlay...which extends the life of an album.
He also noted that the label wasn't out any money. It's all about the labels ego and them loosing leverage over what the artist chooses to make.
Discuss.
