Music videos where the artist doesn't sing but is listed

onedayatatime12
onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
in Chit-Chat
I understand that since DJs (Calvin Harris, etc.) produce the tune, they get the credit. But I'm talking about, for example, the song Rehab by Rihanna. It is entitled Rihanna - Rehab ft. Justin Timberlake, and Justin Timberlake only sings one or two lines throughout the entirety of the song. I'm just curious as to what the logic behind this general concept of naming artists who don't sing is. Does this mean that the definition of featuring is anyone who was involved in the production of the song? Then, how come music directors, etc. aren't featured? It doesn't quite make sense to me.

Replies

  • ScatteredThoughts
    ScatteredThoughts Posts: 3,562 Member
    It it probably about trying to get more listeners, who otherwise might not bother with the song.
  • itsscottwilder
    itsscottwilder Posts: 317
    it's a win for both artists. Maybe JT makes some new fans out of Rihanna fans, and maybe Rihanna will get some new JT fans.

    Also it's free promotion for JT every time the song gets played.

    But (and this is the big but) the name of the game in the music business is royalties. JT is a smart guy. His deal to be on the track was probably not a one time pay check, but a percentage of any and all royalties that come from the song being used. Radio, TV, Movies, Advertising. It's a perpetual paycheck for "one or two lines"

    The guys who played on all of Billy Joel's early hits are still getting royalty checks to this day.
  • onedayatatime12
    onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
    Oh I see. So it's basically a marketing strategy. Huh.

    Thanks for sharing your opinions!

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