Top artists such as Lil Jon, who once made about $80,000 per track, now are grappling with the fact that they may get half that sum if they’re lucky, said Bryan Leach, senior vice president of urban music for RCA Music Group. And while most Americans may not weep over the fact that famous rappers may make only $35,000 per song, the price cuts — and layoffs — are sending shocks through the recording industry, Leach said.
“Every major label has been laying people off,” he said. Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that hip-hop record sales are declining relative to other genres, according to a recent report from the Nielsen Co. Last year saw rap album sales decline nearly 20 percent compared with 2007. While other genres also took dives, only classical, Latin and country music fell by a greater percentage than rap, according to the report.
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If you make that kind of money and can’t manage to live and have something saved, then I have no sympathy for them…but damn, stop taking people’s jobs!
But still give a rapper some money…he goin to spend it. Image is everything in hip hop these days. Thats why a watered down hip hop society runs our clubs radio and concerts. I’m sure Big L, big, and pac are turning in their graves. Soldja Boy. ha!