Wu-Tang. The claws, not the cheque.
The Wu-Tang Clan signed their first deal for 60 grand between nine of them, the worst offer on the table. They didn't want the money. They wanted the claws.
THE GIST ON WU-TANG: "36 Chambers of Commerce"
What was the deal?
The Wu-Tang Clan signed their first deal for 60 grand. Split between nine of them, that was less than seven grand each. Every label in America wanted them, and they took the worst deal.
In 1993 nine MCs from Staten Island released Protect Ya Neck and the whole industry was circling. But Wu-Tang had one condition: you can sign the group, but every member walks free for solo deals. Every label said no. Except one.
What was the plan?
Loud Records offered the 60 grand. RZA, the leader, had a five year plan. Method Man to Def Jam, ODB to Elektra, Ghostface to Sony. Each to a label with no hip hop roster, so no competition.
Five of the six major labels were promoting Wu-Tang's sound without realising it.
Did it work?
Wu-Tang Forever dropped in 1997, sold 613,000 copies in a week and went straight to number one. The industry had spent four years building a brand and didn't even know.
Death Row was locking in an artist and falling apart. Wu-Tang did the opposite, because every other artist in the game was chasing the advance.
What is the lesson?
The cheque is what they give you to stop reading. The claws is where the power lives. Every industry is full of people fighting over the number on the front page while someone else writes the terms on page nine.
RZA was 24 years old with no money and no leverage, and he outmanoeuvred the six biggest record labels in the world. The most powerful move in hip hop history wasn't a lyric. It was a contract.
Would you take the big cheque or the better terms?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
What was Wu-Tang's condition?
You can sign the group, but every member walks free to do solo deals with other labels.
Why did the plan work?
Each solo artist went to a label with no hip hop roster, so five of the six majors ended up promoting Wu-Tang's sound.
How did Wu-Tang Forever do?
It sold 613,000 copies in its first week and went straight to number one.
See you on the next one.
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