More Than a Mic: Building Power, Protecting Rights, and Getting Paid with Prophet and Tammy Hurt

In today’s music industry, talent alone isn’t enough. To truly succeed, creators need more than a mic—they need a map. Join Prophet, Co-Founder, President & CEO of the Black Music Action Coalition and CEO of 50/50 Music Group and Tammy Hurt, Entertainment Executive, Entrepreneur, and Drummer, in conversation with Jamie Dominguez, National Director of Industry Relations at The MLC, live from Atlanta, to unpack what it really takes to succeed in music—protecting your rights, maximizing your royalties, and building a lasting, sustainable career. 

Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or music professional, there’s valuable insight here to help you navigate your journey and take your career to the next level.

Watch all our full episodes on YouTube here and learn more about The MLC and our mission to ensure songwriters and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time here. 

Transcript

[00:00:00] INTRO:

Welcome to Taking Care of Your Music Business, brought to you by the Mechanical Licensing Collective, also known as the MLC. In this podcast, we’ll dive deep into the heart of the music industry—exploring how to get paid as a creative, making sure that you’re receiving all the royalties you deserve.

[00:00:16] INTRO:

We’ll also dive into building a sustainable career, sharing strategies and best practices that creators can use to achieve long-term success. Join us as we bring you interviews with top songwriters and music executives who share their personal journeys and professional wisdom on thriving in the business—all while making a living.

[00:00:36] INTRO:

So get ready for some real talk about navigating the music industry. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode—and be sure to catch all of our full episodes on YouTube.

[00:00:46] HOST (JAMIE):

Welcome back to The MLC’s podcast, Taking Care of Your Music Business, where we dive into the intersection of music, business, and creativity. I’m Jamie Dominguez from The MLC, and I’m thrilled to be joined today live from Atlanta by two incredible industry leaders.

[00:01:00] HOST (JAMIE):

Tammy Hurt is an entertainment executive, entrepreneur, and accomplished drummer. Profit is co-founder, president, and CEO of the Black Music Action Coalition.

[00:01:18] HOST (JAMIE):

In this fireside chat, we’re talking about all the things it takes to succeed in music: protecting your rights, maximizing your royalties, and building a lasting, sustainable career. Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or music professional, there’s valuable insight here to help you navigate your journey and take your career to the next level.

[00:01:36] HOST (JAMIE):

Hello, Atlanta. We’re so happy to be here. We love coming to Atlanta. Every time we come here, people are like, “We need more of this.”

[00:01:53] HOST (JAMIE):

We’re grateful for all of you for coming out—and to these amazing, incredible individuals that we’re going to be speaking with today. We’re here to empower and educate and share stories. I couldn’t be more honored to be on the stage with Tammy and Profit, who are incredible human beings and are doing so much for our music community, our creative community—as activists and advocates.

[00:02:23] HOST (JAMIE):

Two very important words—activism and advocacy—are going to be our running theme for tonight. Artists have always been activists. From Bob Dylan to Kendrick Lamar, artists play such an important role in the world and our society because you’re the gatekeepers of truth and what’s happening in the world.

[00:02:55] HOST (JAMIE):

It’s our job to protect you, but also to empower you and make sure you have all the tools and resources to do so. I’m just going to give a little bit of background on these two—I’m not going to be able to do it all justice because there’s way too much to talk about.

[00:03:09] HOST (JAMIE):

Profit is an activist and music executive. He’s the CEO of 5050 Music Group, a management consultant and publishing company. He co-founded and is president and CEO of the Black Music Action Coalition, a national movement committed to racial equity and justice in the industry and society.

[00:03:32] HOST (JAMIE):

Tammy Hurt is an Emmy-nominated TV producer, music executive, entrepreneur, and drummer. She has built a career at the crossroads of music, media, and brand strategy—bridging art and commerce. She’s also at the forefront of music advocacy, serving as chair emeritus of the Recording Academy, and has led policy initiatives including the Georgia Music Investment Act.

[00:04:05] HOST (JAMIE):

You both have blazed these very unique trails, and I want to get into how you got there—your roots and background. Are you both from Atlanta?

[00:04:20] TAMMY HURT:

I am. I’m from Atlanta—for all intents and purposes. My mom moved us here when I was 10. She worked for a prolific concert promoter named Alex Cooley. My sister and I grew up backstage at the Omni and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. I went from seeing the Jacksons open for the Osmonds…

[00:04:46] HOST (JAMIE):

Come on!

[00:04:49] TAMMY:

…to Kiss at the Fulton County Stadium. So I’ve had a good swath. I’ve been immersed in music all my life. Music was super important to my mom—she was in an all-girl band called The Body Shop. She played keyboards in a cover band. Upon first laying eyes on a drum kit, that was it for me. I’ve banged my way ever since—every band in high school, garage band, independent band—then getting signed to a label at age 20, living the dream, becoming an entrepreneur, getting involved with the Recording Academy, and eventually leading that organization as chair of the board for four years. But I’ve done it from right here in Atlanta.

[00:05:33] PROFIT:

I’m from the Bronx—the birthplace of hip hop. This was our Hamptons, our Martha’s Vineyard. Every summer I would come from the projects down here and visit my grandmom and fell in love with Atlanta. As I got older, I knew this is where I wanted to raise my family. My wife and I—she was my girlfriend at the time—I convinced her mom to let me bring her to Atlanta. She fell in love with it, and we made a pact that when we built our family, we would move to Atlanta.

[00:06:16] PROFIT:

My main reason for wanting to live here was that I wanted my kids to grow up in an environment where they saw affluent Black people—walk out their doors and see other folks that look like them with homes and in environments that breed prosperity. I’ve been around the world, but I don’t know of another place more receptive to a Black man’s vision than Atlanta. The entrepreneurial spirit here is unmatched. We’ve been here now for 20 years—this is my home. I rep the town as hard as I rep New York.

[00:07:09] HOST (JAMIE):

Tammy, when did being a lifelong drummer shift into being an advocate and entrepreneur?

[00:07:32] TAMMY:

Necessity. As an instrumentalist, I was always on the business side of music—managing the band, booking the band, being the music director. I went to business school, so I had tools in my bag. I realized that to have a sustainable career, I was going to have to get more into the business side.

[00:08:12] TAMMY:

It all happened at once. I started a company called Placement Music around the same time I joined the Recording Academy and became a board member. Georgia’s entertainment investment act brought lots of films here, but music wasn’t a meaningful part of the incentive. So we started talking about equity and representation at the state level for music—because music is a natural wellspring here.

[00:09:35] TAMMY:

We formed Georgia Music Partners, and after years of research and work, we passed the Georgia Music Investment Act—the first standalone music incentive in the state. The state didn’t fully support it, so it came and went, but Georgia Music Partners continues to do important work, including pushing back on harmful legislation.

[00:10:59] TAMMY:

My entry into advocacy was through the Recording Academy. I learned from national initiatives like Grammys on the Hill—building relationships with legislators all year so members can meet with lawmakers. It was powerful to tell the story of how legislation can help songwriters, producers, engineers, and musicians—and to realize you actually can make a difference.

[00:12:39] TAMMY:

To me, it’s about community. We all have to help each other out. It’s always been about service—lifting each other up, talking about each other in rooms we’re not in, and doing things for the greater good.

[00:13:28] HOST (JAMIE):

I want to impress upon people how impactful it can be to build community and support each other—because The MLC came out of advocacy. The MLC was created out of the passing of the Music Modernization Act.

[00:14:21] HOST (JAMIE):

Now, there’s more music being recorded and distributed than ever. Genres are blurred, globalization is happening, and there’s democratization of music. But despite all of that, there’s still a huge disparity between the revenue the music business generates—around $29.6 billion in 2024—and what actually goes into creators’ pockets. Why does that struggle still exist?

[00:15:18] PROFIT:

First, we have to be clear: a little over 500 people—between the House and the Senate—make laws for 300 million Americans and impact global policy. The MLC came out of putting pressure on those people to create infrastructure to protect the artist community. It happened.

[00:16:29] PROFIT:

Sometimes ideals like equity feel far away. I want everyone to understand that it actually can happen—and it has. This organization is the result of that. Don’t take it lightly.

[00:17:44] PROFIT:

The reason things are like this is because it was never designed to treat artists like partners.

[00:17:54] TAMMY:

And there are organizations represented here—SONA is here, and they were instrumental in the Music Modernization Act. And BMAC—the “A” is action. What you all have accomplished in a relatively short period of time is incredible. We all should be advocates—it takes the whole village to change this stuff.

[00:19:33] HOST (JAMIE):

What are the biggest challenges prohibiting creators from achieving long-term success and sustainability?

[00:19:58] PROFIT:

Lack of knowledge. This is the one business people feel they can get into without learning it. If you want to be a doctor, you go to medical school. But in music, people just dive in with no understanding.

[00:20:35] PROFIT:

Every musician, every songwriter must understand that you are the CEO of your talent. You have to learn how the money flows, where it flows, and what part belongs to you. Once we understand, we can collectively bargain—find advocacy groups like SONA, the Music Artists Coalition, the Recording Academy, BMAC—and fight for change.

[00:22:15] PROFIT:

If you’re a music person, you’ve got three things you have to do: sign up with The MLC, sign up with SoundExchange, and sign up with a PRO. You have to maintain that.

[00:22:32] TAMMY:

And those databases are huge. If you’re registered with a PRO, you should be listed in The MLC database. If you’re not, you need to go back into your PRO and look at why that didn’t happen.

[00:23:36] TAMMY:

The MLC exists to make sure songwriters and publishers receive the mechanical royalties they deserve—so you can follow the money. I’ve worked with incredible producers who aren’t signed up with SoundExchange. You can be amazing at your craft and still be weak at business. You have to understand the two pies of copyright and take care of your master and songwriting splits.

[00:24:27] TAMMY:

If you’re left off a split sheet and something goes viral, you won’t be able to recoup the money. It’s music business—not just music.

[00:25:31] HOST (JAMIE):

Metadata matters—especially as we enter AI conversations. Accurate metadata can protect you, even as technology changes. It can be as simple as your name not being misspelled.

[00:26:13] HOST (JAMIE):

And copyright basics matter—the two halves: the song and the sound recording.

[00:27:10] HOST (JAMIE):

How did you learn all of that, Tammy?

[00:27:14] TAMMY:

I had a really good attorney early on—Russell Carter—who taught us from the beginning how to handle our business. People say, “It’s too complicated.” But it’s your business—you have to understand it like you learned guitar chords or how to set up your kit.

[00:28:00] TAMMY:

Placement Music represented a catalog, and in 2010 I went to a Billboard conference and met music supervisors. The next year I spent one week a month in LA meeting music supervisors. We learned the business, and that preparation helped when opportunities came—like Fox Sports requesting a custom score for their Super Bowl kickoff.

[00:29:14] HOST (JAMIE):

As AI starts to change licensing and sync, how are you strategizing for what’s coming?

[00:30:06] PROFIT:

If we don’t change policy, nothing changes. Great things in this country have been backed by policy. That’s why the NO FAKES Act is so important. A lot of AI is being trained on stolen IP—that’s part of the problem. We have to put guardrails up.

[00:31:12] PROFIT:

We’re not here to stop innovation, but we have to protect the creative community. We can’t allow IP to be used without compensation. A computer can’t replicate the emotion and feeling that an artist brought to the booth.

[00:32:02] PROFIT:

Everyone in this room has a responsibility to advocate—so laws protect not only your IP, but the next generation’s too.

[00:33:00] HOST (JAMIE):

Are there revenue streams or opportunities creators might not be tapping into?

[00:33:09] PROFIT:

Sync is serious. There are producers and writers making great money in sync without having a top 20 hit. Learn the sync business. Learn who the music supervisors are. You don’t have to sell your IP to create revenue—you can license your music and retain ownership while you build.

[00:34:36] TAMMY:

If you’re a songwriter—write more songs. Your songs are your assets. Treat songwriting like a job. Build your catalog. And writing to briefs can be freeing—there are people and programs connecting writers to supervisors quickly.

[00:36:01] TAMMY:

There’s a woman here in Atlanta—Briana Shelko—who runs a company called Level Up. Look her up. She’s connected with music supervisors and creates opportunities through briefs and fast placements. Know her, support her, connect.

[00:36:43] TAMMY:

We need the whole ecosystem to make this sustainable—writers, production, post-production—so opportunities exist for music creators locally.

[00:38:22] PROFIT:

A few years ago, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis talked to me about paying it forward. That led to launching the BMAC Jimmy Jam Music Maker Grant, and now we have a suite of Music Maker Grants—with partners like ASCAP and artists like Victoria Monét, plus grants honoring executives and leaders.

[00:39:24] PROFIT:

Economics are important. The phrase “starving artist” shouldn’t exist. Artists give us the soundtrack to our lives, but we’ve made it “cool” for them to be in poverty. We want to provide financial support and mentorship so people can create and sustain.

[00:41:10] HOST (JAMIE):

What does it take to build a successful business around music—success meaning sustainability and longevity?

[00:41:53] PROFIT:

Own your intellectual property. Understand sound recordings, publishing, and licensing. Prefer joint ventures over 360 deals. Build a team—lawyers, managers. Form an LLC or S-corp. Build email and text lists. Merch, ticketing, experiences. Use direct-to-fan engagement. Strategic partnerships over dependence. Financial literacy and diversification. Know taxes and reinvestment. Collective power—find organizations you connect with. Think long-term: catalog, brands. Think like a label and a publisher—because that’s what you are until you partner with them.

[00:43:47] TAMMY:

Everything he said. Treat it like a business. Information is power—know how to follow the money. And it takes discipline. Plan your time. Once a week, do the business tasks you have to do. Prioritize it. You can’t do it without discipline.

[00:44:40] HOST (JAMIE):

From an industry perspective, what needs to change so we don’t repeat history—and we rebuild a more equitable, transparent, sustainable ecosystem?

[00:45:27] TAMMY:

Creatives have to be at the table. Labels re-up their licenses with streaming platforms—so labels make the most off streaming. Streaming compensation has to change. Period.

[00:46:10] TAMMY:

It takes a million streams to make about $3,000. That’s criminal. Performers may have to perform more, sell more merch—because that’s still your IP and a way to get cash in hand. And locally, communities should ensure venues pay respectful wages to artists.

[00:47:42] HOST (JAMIE):

Advocacy matters. Be evangelists—spread the knowledge. Pick your passion. When I joined the Recording Academy, there weren’t many women on the board, and we helped bring in thousands of new women voting members. Diverse groups make better decisions. We’re stronger together.

[00:49:43] TAMMY:

Can we give a round of applause to Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, and the entire Recording Academy team? A lot of people see the awards show, but the work is year-round. Member Welcome Week helped new members understand they’re empowered to do great things in their chapters and in Washington.

[00:51:36] HOST (JAMIE):

We hope everyone learns about The MLC, SONA, the Music Artists Coalition—and definitely lock into the Recording Academy, especially if you live in Atlanta. The conversations are real, and the action is even more real.

[00:52:24] PROFIT:

We’re inspired by advocates like Michelle Lewis and Dina LaPolt. Healthcare for artists is critical. We need collective bargaining and community. BMAC is impactful because the action happens, and because we move as a collective body—unstoppable.

[00:55:14] HOST (JAMIE):

Tammy, Profit—thank you so much. We are so grateful for your energy, your wisdom, your inspiration. If you’re not inspired to join the movement, be part of the process, be the change—take action, be an activist. Take back control. And if you haven’t joined The MLC, join ASAP.

[00:55:48] HOST (JAMIE):

Thanks so much for listening to Taking Care of Your Music Business. Don’t forget you can watch full video episodes on our YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.