What's a fair cut for a "feature" artist?

[jonathanm]

Hey all. Got a question I'm sure you can help with.

I'm working on an album project now that has nine tunes on it. I own copyright/publishing on all the songs. One of the tunes will be sung by another artist making a guest appearance on my album.

I know I could negotiate to pay him a work-for-hire fee for his appearance. This would give him his money up front in exchange for him releasing all claims to royalties.

However, if I were to instead give him a share of revenue, what would be fair? Is there a rule-of-thumb percentage?

The main form of sales with this project is going to be CD and digital download sales. No TV or movie is expected (although I suppose the agreement should address that split too in case it happens?)

Thoughts?

[jonathanm]

Anyone ever have a similar situation? How did you work the deal?

[Tree]

I've never done this before, I usually try to do just work for hires so I don't have to worry about the math later. Did this person help in the creation of the part or was it just singing the part you had written? If he had input I personally would give him a higher percentage, 25-50%. If he just sang I would keep it lower like 10%. I don't know what the standards are, that's just what my initial thoughts are about it.

Another way to look at it would be how much would you normally pay him if you paid him upfront? Then how much do you plan to make selling the song and figure the percentage that way.

I would include something in the contract about tv and film just in case, better to be optimistic and ready for it

[jonathanm]

Thanks for the reply, Tree. That's kind of the direction I was thinking. They're singing only; no writing, etc.

Anyone else have experience with this?

[musicliner]

"Singing only" - well, if it is a popular music (pop, rock, country, rnb, etc.) vocal performance is what sells a song. A great vocal is worth much more than 10% IMO.

George Solo
http://musicline.ca
http://georgesolo.com

[Kolstad]

I'd say no mechanicals, but 50% of the license/sync fees. I agree, vocals are a big part of selling a song.

[mojobone]

Guest artists? Triple scale, at most; no points, unless the artist is huge enough to put the project on a national or international map. You really wanna be fielding calls from this girl's accountant ten years from now? You want to sweeten the deal, there's other ways, like putting their name on the front cover or their picture and a link to their website on the inside. As it happens, I'm negotiating such a deal at the moment, via email, with a well-known Austin Americana artist. I'm about to offer her twice what she asked and then some, to cover recording costs; I doubt you could give away points on a recording with an initial pressing of less than 100,000 units.

[jonathanm]

Good replies. Thanks all.

It sounds like the market really drives this (i.e., popularity of the artist, marketability of the project, etc.) so it's just going to be a negotiation.

Thanks again.