New hip-hop listing (gritty contemporary rap) question

[CharlesLorenMusic]

Hey friends-

For years I've been producing and creating tracks with a rapper from my hometown, we have lots of great tracks we've put out and a new EP in the making. The #U150928HH listing's references describes our style perfectly (one of the first times I've been familiar with every example haha); but I'm not sure how things work when I've collaborated on these tracks with a non-taxi member. Should I submit a couple songs and do my research afterward? The deadline is Monday.

If anyone has experience with submitting songs that you've collaborated with people on, please fill me in. (Should I have my friend create a BMI account? Does he need to be a taxi member? etc)

Thanks,
- Charles Loren

[andygabrys]

In my experience:

One of the writers has to be a TAXI member and all communication will be through that person if a deal if offered. Specifics as far as co-writes etc get sorted out with the Publisher when the time comes.

Assuming you get offered a deal - yes your co-writer will need a PRO account. If its library music with no up-front earnings when (and if) its placed, then that is the only way they will get paid.

Good news is that writers accounts are free and quick to sign up for.

If you are hoping to sign pieces with publishers (non-exclusive or exclusive) it saves work on everybody's part to NOT register the songs with your PRO before being signed. That is one of the publishers duties - to register the songs properly.

OTOH - if you are submitting directly to music supervisors, or are keeping the tracks in yor personal library to submit person-to-person to ad agencies or to film producers / directors etc, then go ahead and register then with the PRO.

make sense?

[CharlesLorenMusic]

Sweet. Thanks Andy!