Charli XCX recently addressed speculation about her relationship with fellow artist Rina Sawayama, clarifying that their brief social media unfollowing was due to a personal disagreement. She emphasized that it wasn’t a falling out and that they remain on good terms. Charli was quick to note that Rina never pressured her to take sides in any dispute.
The conversation around artists’ masters has become a hot topic, especially following Taylor Swift’s public battle over the ownership of her first six albums. Charli, who signed a five-album deal with Atlantic Records at the age of 16, revealed that she owned about 15% of her masters, with the label owning the rest. This setup is standard in the music industry, but the term “masters” has gained a more contentious connotation due to Swift’s situation.
Charli expressed frustration over the term being weaponized, noting that her experience with Atlantic was not one of victimization. She recently fulfilled her contract with Atlantic after nearly 15 years and chose to re-sign with the label. She considered other options, including Interscope, but realized that staying with Atlantic would allow her to retain more of her masters.
Charli was adamant that her decision to stay with Atlantic was not because she was forced into it or felt trapped. She pointed out that owning masters is a common aspect of record deals, and it’s what labels pay for. She found the narrative surrounding Swift’s debacle to be unfair and not representative of the majority of artists’ experiences, including her own.
The issue of masters ownership has become a focal point in discussions about artists’ rights and the music industry’s practices. While Taylor Swift’s case has brought significant attention to the matter, Charli’s perspective offers a different view, highlighting that not all artists feel victimized by their record deals.
Charli’s comments shed light on the complexities of the music industry and the varying experiences of artists when it comes to ownership of their work. Her decision to stay with Atlantic, despite the industry’s standard practices, underscores her satisfaction with the label and her understanding of the business side of music.
In the end, Charli’s remarks serve as a reminder that each artist’s journey is unique, and while some may face challenges, others find ways to navigate the industry on their own terms. Her candidness about her relationship with Rina and her stance on masters ownership adds a nuanced perspective to the ongoing conversation about artists’ rights in the music industry.
