Does this sound familiar? You pour your heart and soul into your music, your art and your words, only to find that your creativity is being exploited without you being compensated. You've been told that simply signing contracts without fully understanding them will protect you, but the pain of lost opportunities and stolen ideas tells a different story. It's time to take control and arm yourself with the knowledge to safeguard your creative rights.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the critical role of understanding contracts in protecting your creative rights in the music sector.
Learn how to do your due diligence and evaluate professionals in the music industry to safeguard your interests.
Our special guest is Carmeta "Smiley" Sealy. As CEO of SmileyGirl Entertainment, Smiley skillfully blends her own creative experience as an artist with her passion for auditing, creating pathways for artists worldwide to understand the convoluted world of contracts and creative rights. Her audacious strides as an auditor, speaker, and advocate in the music industry are invaluable, consolidating her as a respected figure in the sector. Smiley embeds her joy, wisdom, and cultural influences into her work, fostering a prolific environment for creatives.
For more episodes of The God and Gigs Show like this, you should check out:
Music Law 101: How to Protect your Rights, Increase your Profits, and Promote with Confidence with Somara Jacques, Esq.
Mastering the Mindset of a Successful Musician Now and Beyond with Trent Phillips
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Smiley Seely,
00:01:31 - Smiley Seely's Purpose and Passion,
00:05:28 - Music as the Foundation,
00:09:13 - Protecting Creative Assets
00:12:05 - The Influence of Caribbean Culture on Dance and Music
00:13:49 - Infusing Caribbean Rhythms into Dance,
00:17:38 - From Dance to Auditing,
00:19:20 - The Importance of Music Education,
00:21:46 - Teaching Artists to Protect Their Music,
00:26:07 - Importance of Due Diligence in Choosing Professionals
00:27:10 - Consideration in Contracts
00:28:09 - Beware of Labels with Empty Promises
00:30:23 - Importance of Contract Review
00:31:55 - Assessing the Value of Record Labels
00:39:56 - Passion for Protecting Artists
00:40:35 - Finding Purpose in the Industry
00:42:29 - Standing Up for Her Artistry
00:44:57 - Fulfilling Purpose Through Different Endeavors
00:48:16 - Pursuing Law to Enhance Impact
00:54:19 - "Smiley's Valuable Lessons"
