Jonathan Manalo ng ABS-CBN Music nagsalita sa isyu nina Kean, MRLD

NAGBIGAY ng saloobin ang creative director at producer ng ABS-CBN Music na si Jonathan Manalo sa isyung kinasasangkutan ni Kean Cipriano.

Ito'y kaugnay ng viral issue ng OC Records na pag-aari ni Kean, na hindi raw nagbabayad ng tamang talent fee kaya gusto nang umalis ang contract artist nilang si Mariel de Jesus o mas kilala bilang si MRLD.

Base sa paliwanag ng AdProm head ng OC Records na si James Banaag ay may kontrata pa sa kanila si MRLD ng another 5 years kaya hindi siya puwedeng umalis at sinabi ring kung paano ang bayaran sa royalties at talent fees ng bawa't artist nila.

Isa sa reklamo ng Gen Z singer na si MRLD ay, "I deserve more than 5% of the songs I wrote and produced. I deserve more for all the hardwork I put on for my name.

Baka Bet Mo: Jonathan Manalo ipinagtanggol ang BINI: No one is perfect

"Oo, siguro maraming di nakakilala sa mukha ko pero alam kong narinig nyo na mga kanta ko. I didn't go independent because I'm selfish and want revenge. I WENT INDEPENDENT BECAUSE MY FAMILY NEEDS TO EAT AND LIVE. Di kami mabubuhay sa barya lang."

Nabanggit ni MRLD na siya ang nagsulat at nag-produce ng mga kanta niya, ang sagot naman ni James ay ang OC Records ang nagbigay ng funds para ma-produce ito.

Narito naman ang paliwanag  ni Jonathan tungkol sa hinaing ni MRLD laban sa kanyang record label.

"Thoughts on contracts and the evolving music industry. In the matter of contracts, complaining about a signed agreement is often like crying over spilled milk. 

"As artist, make sure you understand the contract you're signing. A signature represents consent.

"At the same time, the reality is that very new artists often have little leverage and are therefore more vulnerable to abuse.

"Two contrasting post-realizations by artists would be: 'Naabuso ako doon ah?' or 'Grateful that they took care of my rights when I know nothing.'

"Kaya modern contracts should evolve in a way that artists won't look back with regret. When they eventually understand the industry better, they will feel empowered, not trapped.

"However, an important point is this: record labels invest significant time, resources, and capital in building and developing artists, often in good faith, making them superstars.

"That investment should never be taken for granted. Of course, when artists succeed, their leverage increases. But it is precisely because labels invested in them, building their careers, giving them platforms, that these artists now thrive.

"When they later operate independently, they can earn bigger, command more, and have the freedom they enjoy today. They gained more control, precisely because the label took that chance on them.

"That gratitude should never be lost. But it is CRUCIAL TO DIFFERENTIATE that from truly predatory contracts.

"The industry is evolving. Fairness, transparency, and mutual respect are becoming the standard. Being cautious about perpetual clauses that offer no corresponding value is valid and reasonable.

"At its core, every agreement should reflect a fair exchange. Value for value. Walang panlalamang.

"Unfair practices and truly predatory arrangements should always be called out and corrected.

"At the same time, it is also important to address the artist bubble that can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations about entitlement.

"The reality is that success in this industry is often built through partnership and shared risk and investment between artists and the people who help build their careers.

"Talagang walang perfect na system/label. What matters most is that both sides act in fairness, full TRANSPARENCY and good faith, clearly reflected in the contract itself.

"Many practices of the past no longer reflect the realities of today. As the industry continues to evolve, both artists and labels must embrace more progressive frameworks that allow everyone to grow and thrive.

"Fellow artists and creatives, let us also look out for one another and create spaces where we can openly discuss issues like these. over time, hopefully we can form a guild or community that can serve as a supportive and trusted space for creatives, while also helping set fair standards for artists AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS, recognizing that each stage comes with different nuances, realities, and needs.

"That is how a sustainable music industry moves forward."

Sana mabasa ito ni MRLD at ng mga kaibigan niya na hindi siguro alam ang kalakaran pagdating sa music industry.  

Baka kasi ang alam nila, sikat sila sa social media at ibang platforms na pinaglabasan ng kanta at maraming followers, kaya dapat malaki na ang kita nila.

Sabi nga ng Adprom ng OC Records, "A record label is not just 'the owners.' It's road managers who travel endlessly with the artists. It's PR and marketing teams pitching day and night. It's photographers, graphic designers, producers, A&R, and many others who spend countless hours helping build and sustain a career.

"For every song that becomes a hit, there are many others that don't. But the people behind the scenes still worked just as hard on all of them."

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