In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mimi Camara, an accomplished entertainment attorney known for her work with rising artists such as Soulja Boy, Gracie's Corner, and Young N' Ace. With a background in business and legal affairs at major labels like Atlantic, Warner Brothers, and Encore Records, Mimi has transitioned to focus on helping independent artists navigate the complexities of the music industry while building sustainable careers.
We kicked off our conversation by discussing the often misunderstood role of business affairs lawyers in record labels. Mimi emphasized that their primary responsibility is to protect the interests of the label, which can sometimes lead to a perception of them as the "bad guys." However, she explained that many lawyers genuinely strive to do the right thing for both the label and the artists, and her unique experience allows her to advocate effectively for her clients.
Mimi shared insights into the day-to-day realities of working in business affairs, revealing that it involves much more than just signing artists. From negotiating brand deals to mediating between artists and label creatives, the role is dynamic and requires constant relationship management.
We also explored the evolving landscape of music discovery, particularly the role of platforms like TikTok and YouTube. While TikTok has been a powerful tool for A&R research, Mimi pointed out that YouTube is increasingly becoming the go-to platform for music discovery, allowing artists to reach a global audience without the barriers of subscription fees.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Mimi Kamara
00:01:18 - The Role of Business Affairs Lawyers
00:03:30 - The Busy Life of a Label Attorney
00:06:25 - The Complexity of Artist Deals
00:09:10 - Trends in Artist Development
00:11:44 - Artist Management vs. Direct Artist Approaches
00:14:07 - Navigating Relationships with Artists and Managers
00:16:12 - The Importance of Trust in Artist Relationships
00:18:44 - Educating Artists on Business Matters
00:21:04 - Common Mistakes Artists Make
00:23:32 - The Role of Copyright in Music
00:26:43 - Songwriting Trends and Collaborations
00:30:10 -
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