Question: What happens when two producers collaborate but only one gets the shine?
The city of Atlanta played host to the annual BET Hip-Hop Awards once again. The celebratory event is highly known for its star studded after parties and nomination celebrations. I got a personalrequest to attend Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford’s nomination celebration for Amilli, Lil Wayne’s lead single off the multi-platinum selling Tha Carter III album. I decided to go in support of the co-producer Cha-Lo whom I interviewed just days prior. Within hours of my decision to attend, I got a text message stating, the Chicago bred producer Cha-Lo known for his house music infused sound, which is the signature sound dominating the Amilli record, would not be attending nor was he invited.
Situations such as this, are not new to an industry, which is notorious for ripping off artists, producers and songwriters. Often producers, hastily sign contracts giving up their rights and are forbidden to discuss their involvement in said project. However, Cha-Lo has a platinum plaque to prove his involvement in the song, the original song he composed, as well as the original co-producer agreement (See Attached).
Shondrae, widely known, as the producer of “What’s Your Fantasy” must be fantasizing if he believes no one knows he is not the sole creator of this year biggest hit. I guess it was not a problem when industry folks knew it was a collaboration between two producers. However, when the record won several awards from BET it became an issue.
Check out EXHIBIT A - (Co-Producer Agreement)
Check Out EXHIBIT B -(Original Amilli Song from 3 Years Ago)
Check Out EXHIBIT C- (Billboard Magazine Article) **Also in the agreement , notice it has additional elements "Produced" by Cha-lo. He agreed to that but, the key word "Produced" was some how taken off of the credits.
Was Amilli a true collaboration between Bangledesh and Cha-Lo? Or do you believe Bangledesh produced the majority of the record or Cha-Lo produced the majority of the record?
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