Contemporary R&B artist Elijah Blake, who broke through as a songwriter for an impressive list of stars including Trey Songz, Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, and Ciara. Most notably, he contributed to Usher’s “Climax,” a hit single that topped Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2012.

Part One of Elijah Blake’s interview with Amaru Don TV #ADTV we delve deep into the politics and strains for songwriters and much more. Credit To Tape London!

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By: wildsPosted on Categories : Categories : UncategorizedTags:

26 Replies to “Elijah Blake Interview: Songwriter Of Usher, Ciara, Rihanna, Trey Songz, Truth Behind Songwriting”

  1. Isn't there an actual lawsuit at the Supreme Court about the rates?

    I remember Dolly Parton talking about how Elvis Presley and his manager tried to do the same thing to her, steal the rights to her song …the difference is she said, "Sorry, No!"

    Here's my thinking + please correct me if you think I'm wrong …Publishing is for the writers/publishing companies (50/50). Sometimes writers do administration deals (maintaining ownership of copyright) and pay a percentage to a company to do the paperwork. A percentage of the Mechanical royalties is for Producers. Points. Another percentage is for the artist(s). Usually the label is taking a majority and leaving everyone else to fight & eat out of the minor cut. Although, bad deals like that are easier to sniff out now, no?

    Ownership of the Master recording (different from the composition) is (should be imo) for the artist – which is either shared with or licensed to the label. *Features and performances get paid a fee + negotiated royalty. *Musicians for hire, like the performers, get paid a fee + negotiated royalty.

    I don't think artists should take publishing away from writers just because they can. Taking advantage of someone because of power imbalances is not okay. More writers need to say no. Sacrifice until the industry understands that writers will not allow that. If people keep on allowing it, the practice will continue.

    Collaboration is cool, but don't try to manipulate by changing a few words or doing the least and asking for what isn't yours/earned. Operating in Bad faith is so trash.

    Respect to all of the artists out there. ??

  2. Thanks for sharing the truth. I understand your frustration. I'VE BEEN ASKING SOME OF THE SAME QUESTIONS BELOVED

  3. Why are attorneys allowing producers to take advantage of the splits? What's a fair split? I feel it's an equal contribution between the producer, songwriter and singer. Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Beyonce and many others have breathe life into the song. That means a lot. We need a fair split – everyone eats. We should all get paid at the same time too.

  9. I've been writing songs for 20 plus years and this is so informative, Although after all that time I decided to take my craft seriously I will make this interview one of my guides in understanding what's what about songwriting and the business side of things, thanks a million.?

  12. I mean it’s not theft if you agreed to it that’s on you. Everyone always wants to be mad after they did what they had to do to get on. If usher never did climax that song would have never been as big as it was and he knew that that’s probably why he agreed to give him a piece of the writing ????? I’m sure that placement got him more work than he could ask for though.

  15. People should talk to a lawyer and write a contract based on that without having any loopholes. Also as songwriters they make the soundtracks to our lives so they need to say I’m not working on anything until we have an agreement. Like Blake said that will make a lot of people the bad guy but fighting for craft isn’t bad.

  16. That's why this lazy ass singers gat so much time on instagram eating off people's sweat in the name of co-writing pure shitt!.

  17. When Elijah talked about friendships ruined by music industry you have to look Ice Cube situation when he was in NWA. Basically, Ice Cube wrote 70 to 80 percent on Straight Outta Compton album and I think he got small amount money. The reason Ice Cube didn't get full amount money because NWA weren't a group yet BY CONTRACTS which is the record label and Jerry Hellar got most of the money. We all know when it comes to making money with people around you, money can make you greedy and selfish at the same time.

  21. A great song is timeless and can be reproduced decade after decade and still resonate with the people even of newer generations. When you look at it that way the producers job is to make it sound current.. meaning to use sounds that are current. A great song survives a trend, that's basically what he's saying and could be re-recorded by other artists to come around even in decades. So indeed, why should a writer give away part of their rights to the first person to sing it? Usually what singers will do is replace 1 line or even a few words of a song so that they can own a percentage of the publishing. I don't think its a fair thing either because the writer originally had to work from a blank sheet to tell the story, replace a word here and there is much easier when the story is already there..

  22. All of skrillex songs charted really well with minimal lyrics just saying… I think everyone is important and has a different job with its own difficulties. Producing the accompaniment is hard work dont knock it.

  24. How can you tell a producer he is asking for too many royalties of a song production?
    I wrote a song years ago and finally spent the money to record. The producer wants 45% ownership, the singer wants 10% for her contributions adding melody (I didn't initially ask for her to add any because it sounds fine without) and singing harmony during the bridge. The song composition and lyrics were written for my late grandfather 15 years ago because he developed ALZ. I just want to get it done and cherish my lyrics and honor my family.
    What would you do in this situation? I feel like I want to re-make this song with another producer.

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