Black Artist – Ownership of master recordings determines who controls how music is used, licensed, and monetized. Black artists across genres have struggled to secure that ownership, often losing out on long-term earnings and control of their own art. But recent shifts in law, industry practices, and artist empowerment are finally changing the landscape.

What It Means to Own Your Masters

A master recording is legally and financially powerful: whoever owns it decides how the music is exploited. From streaming, film placement, commercials, and licensing, and receives most of the revenue that follows. Traditionally, record companies funded studio time and marketing, and in return claimed ownership of the masters. Artists kept a small royalty percentage in exchange.

For many Black artists, this meant giving up control of their body of work early in their careers. Essentially when they had the least bargaining power. Contract terms were often opaque. lawyers prioritized upfront advances, and many artists didn’t fully understand the long-term implications.

A History of Inequity and Exploitation

Long before streaming and digital distribution. Black musicians faced systemic disadvantages in a white-dominated industry that frequently exploited their creativity without equitable reward. This exploitation can be traced back to early blues, jazz, and soul recordings. Artists often sold recordings outright or signed contracts guaranteeing little beyond an advance. Artists such as Anita Baker and De La Soul spent years fighting to regain control of their catalogs. Labels retained control of their masters long after the music became profitable.

Modern Legal Tools — Artists Can Reclaim What’s Theirs

U.S. copyright law allows artists to terminate copyright transfers and reclaim ownership of their master recordings after a set period. In 2026, a significant number of hip-hop and R&B catalogs became eligible for termination. Giving creators a legal window to reclaim rights.

But exercising that right is not automatic. Artists must know the law, act within precise timelines, and often engage experienced counsel. That’s part of why reclaiming masters remains a challenge even today.

Several artists have used these legal tools or industry leverage to regain or retain control:

• Anita Baker successfully reclaimed her master’s after years of public advocacy, emphasizing the importance of artistic ownership.
• De La Soul eventually regained their music through a rights transfer, giving them autonomy over their catalog.

Empowerment Through Independence

Parallel to legal avenues, some Black artists and executives forged their own paths by establishing independent labels that prioritize ownership:

• Pioneering labels like SAR Records and Curtom Records were founded by Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield. Both protested against mainstream control.

Today, artists like Chance the Rapper have built careers around owning their masters and their publishing rights. He’s demonstrating that independence doesn’t just retain creative control — it also builds generational wealth.