There are many music contracts that cover a wide range of details, but knowing the fundamentals of the popular ones can help you in your music career. Seek legal counsel for assistance with contracts.

360 Deal: The music label receives income from all areas of the artist’s work (concerts, merch, etc.).

Administration Deal: Administrator supervises music publishing for a percentage of the artist’s royalties.

Back-End Deal: Sharing future royalties with the other party (producer ,promoter, etc.) in the agreement.

Co-Writer Agreement: Specifies how ownership of the music should be split.

Distribution Deal: The distributor distributes the artist’s music in exchange for a percentage of the royalties.

Exclusive Songwriter Agreement: Publisher controls the rights to songs & pays an advance to the artist.

Producer Deal: Specifies fees, royalty splits & additional terms.

Publishing Deal: Publisher takes a stake in ownership of the artist’s music for a percentage of royalties.

Record Deal: Music label pays the artist an advance in exchange for a percentage of royalties.

Work For Hire: The artist/songwriter doesn’t retain any rights to the music, but is paid outright.