Mahalia: "I have never made a penny off of my own music"

Mahalia recently released her JoJo collaboration, "Cheat", which followed on from "Terms and Conditions". Both singles are set to feature on IRL – her forthcoming third studio album which comes off the back of 2019's LOVE AND COMPROMISE, and the 2016 debut, Diary of Me.

Yesterday, (29 June) whilst promoting the album and trying to get fans to pre-order it ahead of its release, Mahalia announced some special prizes that fans could win, including a one-on-one manicure with her, invitation to rehearsals and an album launch party, and more.

some cute things for you guys to win if you pre-order irl!!! make sure you pre-order through my official store ❤️ https://t.co/bcf8slsvd6 pic.twitter.com/zE5umFRgaa

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 29, 2023

Just a day later, she took to her socials to admit that whilst she's been "doing the most to try and get people to pre-order it", it is disheartening to feel as though no matter what she does, there will always be a struggle to spread the message and get people to pay for music.

Speaking for artists in the UK who make R&B/Soul music, Mahalia observes that it is harder to "have the same success as our peers in our home country because the industry won’t allow us to". She adds that even though an artist may have the same streaming numbers as a mainstream act, it is impossible for them to have the same accolades.

"Top 10 album? Don’t even think about it. Commercial success? Don’t even think about it. We’re creating and releasing music in a world that doesn’t actually want us to win.."

Do you know how hard it is to sell music in this current climate? Top 10 album? Don’t even think about it. Commercial success? Don’t even think about it. We’re creating and releasing music in a world that doesn’t actually want us to win..

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 30, 2023

I might get shat on for this but I’m really past the point of caring. A UK male rapper will have an album coming and the whole fucking industry will write #___FORNUMBER1 . Where is that energy for the women? We’re all peers. Most of us came up together so where is the disconnect?

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 30, 2023

She then goes on to discuss the differences between male artists and female artists, saying that there seems to be more support for UK male rappers, despite most of them being peers who "came up together".

"WE DESERVE IT. Do you know how many incredible UK R&B/Soul female artists have made incredible projects that have just flown under the radar because of lack of support?," she says.

Mahalia points out that even though she has millions of streams online, she is yet to make any money from her music, due to the contract she has with her label. Until her advance has been paid off, she is indebted to them for the 12 years of developing that they've had with her.

I have been signed to since I was 13. I’m 25 now which basically means I’ve racked up 12 years of debt. I have never made a penny off of my own music. 100 million streams with all money made going to my label. This is pretty standard practice in most major label contracts

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 30, 2023

Explaining the tweet, she continues: "But what that means is when I’m tweeting and posting every day about pre-ordering my album that’s because real life sales make artists more than just ‘pre-saves’ and streams... If you REALLY want to support your favourite artists, buy tickets to their shows and BUY their music".

Answering a question from a fan who asked how she is able to make money, and cover rent, she said that buying music directly from the artist, as well as buying gig tickets and merchandise at shows is the best way, but also revealed: "we can make money from other avenues. Brand deals etc but wouldn’t it be better for us to make money from the thing we actually do? And the thing we love? That would make me happier. Also I barely make rent."

In response to a fan who asked, if she thinks there's a difference between contracts and label splits depending on the gender of the artist, Mahalia replied: "if you mean contracts .. I don’t think that is gender specific. I think any artist can be in this position. But on the stuff I was talking about earlier, yes. I think men get way more support from the industry on their music than women do. In every avenue."

the way this works is the part that ‘goes to artist’ basically is what pays back the label. In my case it’s 20%. So 20% of 0.005 goes back to label to pay them back for the money they put into developing me. Does that make sense? I don’t get my 20% direct until I’m out of debt https://t.co/utf6XoeSK8

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 30, 2023

12 years ago, that was kind of what every artist did. I was young and it was pretty crazy to be from such a small town way outta London and have labels offering me a deal. There was a time when signing a deal was what most artists did. If it was now, it might b a different story https://t.co/VEaagDhmFm

— mahalia (@mahalia) June 30, 2023