Judging by the sweeping success of indie artists like Chance The Rapper, Tech N9ne and Macklemore both underground and mainstream, labels aren’t always the way. As of recently, for some artists labels are both unnecessary—take the chosen indie route for 50 Cent, Trina and Ashanti—and, at times, downright annoying. Waka Flocka Flame is the latest to express frustrations with his musical home.
The Brick Squad rapper took to Twitter to spell out in great detail how Atlantic Records has been stifling his creativity as an artist. Basically, he wants out ASAPtually.
I fucking hate my label
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Atlantic Records —– LET ME BUY-OUT 😡😡😡😡 FUCK!!!! — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Labels don’t do shit for the artist #FACTS Labels don’t invest #FACTS Labels hire a bunch of amateurs to keep cost down #FACTS
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Waka feels as though he’s just a dollar sign to the label, and that his well-being is never the first thing on the agenda.
The first thing the label asked after I got shot is — “can you go to the studio” — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
From that day forward I knew my label didn’t care I’m just another dollar sign #GetChaMoneyYoungNigga
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
You mother fuckers woke the beast back up #pressure — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
He even had a schooling session on how record labels run, but not to the benefit of the artists.
Corporate laws require that corporations be structured into classes of superiors and subordinates within a centralized pyramidal structure:
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Chairman, directors, chief executive officer, VPs, division managers, and so on (based primarily on military models). — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Unlike the freedoms of an entrepreneurial business, large company decision-making must pass through layer upon layer of management.
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
This makes the process of product development slow and ponderous. — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
For example, from the time a band is signed it can be a full year or longer before their first record is finally released owing —-
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
in part to this dense hierarchical management structure. A lot can change in a year. #UnderstandLife — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Furthermore, high executive turnover and frequent management “purges” at large —
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
record companies can often delay or even derail a recording project indefinitely, leaving artists in the lurch. #UnderstandLife — Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Yall woke up a sleeping giant — thank you #WakaFlame
— Waka Flocka Flame (@WakaFlocka) October 22, 2015
Atlantic Records has yet to respond via their socials.