Spoiler Alert: The music industry is suffering or something. There’s a rumor going around that album sales are down and labels are struggling for dough. Because of our tough economic climate, I’ve been really trying to go to the store and support labels and artists with my $9.99 when an album drops so I can keep the music business out of the soup kitchen. But when I read news like this, I realize that the supposed death of the music industry is A.) greatly exaggerated and B.) not at all my fault.
Universal Records just dropped five milli to sign Elvis’ grandson, Benjamin Presley. You know him, right? He’s the one with the song about…umm…oh wait, he’s never put out a song. Ever. But he’s Elvis’ grandson. So he’s obviously going to be great. It’s basically written in stone.
Oh yea, isn’t Universal the same label that signed the hottest new artist in all the land, Drake? And did they sign him for anything close to five beans? Two million floated around the rumor mill, but five?
When Universal sends out some sort of report on their struggles or a bankruptcy hearing, don’t look as us lowly bloggers and bootleggers. Look at little baby Elvis and his quadruple-brick albums they’re about to see zero returns on.
Until then, I’ll be copping my Universal albums (sans Drake’s) from my local Rapidshare retailer.
Elvis Presley’s Grandson Lands $5 Million Recording Contract [Paste]
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The nano liquid orbs in your drinking water will ensure that the people are programmed to purchase at least two copies of Benjamin Presley’s debut album, it will go triple platinum.
Mark my words, new world water is about to takeover.
But really though, dude might actually be good, he is Elvis’ grandson, so well erm, forget it.
You gotta be shitting me.
Universal will never be broke. As long as people still go to their amusement parks and see their movies, and fly on air planes, Universal will have money. Same goes with Viacom (Disney) and Columbia (Sony).
True say DS, they let Kevin Costner blow $200 million (plus) on Waterworld, yet they still keep going strong.
Heck, I purchase my fair share of Universal DVDs and wot not.
BTW, you sure this is Elvis’ grandson? He looks more like that dude from Good Charlotte.
I hear Buddy Holly’s great great great grandson can play a mean banjo, they should sign him next.
rapidshare and megaupload and media fire are my new labels…fuck it
After glancing at the pic, that’s definately Elvis’s blood. He actually may be successful. If he comes out stealing Black artists songs, style, and dance movies, he’ll right up there with his granddad.
The thing that sucks is people have this same attitude towards releases tha aren’t coming out on majors. The music industry is still going down
You saying Elvis stole his style and music from black artists?
Hmm, if you are, then I dunno about that one.
I can’t believe the dude from Good Charlotte is related to Elvis Presley! No wonder their shit is so damned dope.
It always bugs me that cats get hefty deals when everybody knows the shit will not fuckin sell.
While it is very true that Universal may never go broke… just like any other conglomerate with countless assets… when your objective is to ALWAYS pull a profit… you eventually close and phase out the ones (assets) that you lose money on. And trust… it (divisions of conglomerates relating to music closing) is ALREADY happening in the music industry.
So while the corporations may never go broke, they will close ANYTHING that they are investing (i.e. wasting) money on/into and are losing that money in return.
This will happen soon with the music industry UNLESS something comes through I which to save it.
But even though I “work” within it and have made an outstanding living by doing something that has never truly felt like work at all, even I believe it (the industry and the majority of people in control of it) needs to hurt BADLY in order for us to realize that it is not so much about the commodity, as it is the gift of good music being made and shared with the public.
Everyone loves music.
And right now (and for quite some time) good music… great music… has taken a backseat to financial gain.
There used to be a balance – that balance is long gone.
And that is simply wrong for those who have a gift and a talent that they should be able to share with the world… AND get paid for it (i.e. be able to survive and make a living from it solely).
Take a Music Appreciation class. You learn the history of rock & roll, jazz, blues. All Black urban music, later taken and twisted by pop culture.
*This will happen soon with the music industry UNLESS something comes through IN which to save it.
But 5 milli on an unproven talent with name recognition?
Doesn’t seem like good buisness.
At least Drake proved his worth.
@Darius, comments noted, whilst there are influences in all forms of music, and individual makes their own music, with their own ability and identity. (That is unless one is a style biter, of course).
The Presley brand carries more market value than the Drake brand, that’s for sure. Everybody knows Elvis, so I’m sure his grandson will attract attention simply because of the linearge alone.
He is an unproven commodity, who knows he just might have inherited some of his grandpa’s ability.
^yea but the “son/grandson/relative” of a big name is a BAD brand to invest in unless ur name is Miley Cyrus.
@David D, you gotta look at the bigger picture here, this goes way beyond music.
Movies, TV Shows, Board Games, Video Games, Tiger Beat Posters, Calenders etc etc.
They groom and mould this kid right, and the cash registers will be going cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.
Elvis with a Twilight Emo Vamp edge thrown into the mix, millions of teenage girls will be buying that shit, threefold.
We don’t know about the dudes singing ability, but I’m sure they can work around that.
The $5 million dollar down payment, is for a long term return of $40 million, minimum, it’s simple voodoo economics.
@ DAvid…
Great post. Crazy numbers. Just another fucked up story amongst a milli.
He’ll still probably sell.
Let it be noted that — Paw made sense and I almost agree.
Folks forget that Grandada Elvis made big chips via the movies. While this kid might not have the same musical chops, in this day and age all it takes is a name to get recognized and paid. Plus they have kid locked in a 5 album deal and I bet the terms of the deal cover everything he does. If his 1st album hits gold Universal already recovers most of the initial outlay.
And I bet he gets on Oprah’s couch before Drake. Just Saying.
Lisa Marie has denied that this signing took place so I will go with that until the record comes out. They are a talented family.