wikipedia wrote:A recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records) for the label to sell and promote. Artists under contract are normally only allowed to record for that label exclusively; guest appearances on other artists' records will carry a notice "By courtesy of (the name of the label)", and that label may receive a percentage of sales.
That is the standard definition of a record deal.
This is what you got:
wikipedia wrote:A recording slavery agreement (Sometimes mistakenly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records) for the label to sell and promote for their own gain, with absolutely no monetary compensation. Artists under contract are only allowed to record for that label exclusively, with no chance for independent success; You may sometimes also go along on tours to help carry heavy gear, clean out vans, and other jobs nobody wants to do. They receive no pay, but they get to "meet professionals" as you take their heavy bags from them.
And MetallicaMan, him getting payed would require them to actually invest in him.
I worked in the acting industry for a while, this kind of deal sucks in all kinds of clueless people, and leaves them burned. You have no negotiating power, as there are hundreds of victims to fill your place if you say no.
Unless you have had some success as an indie, or are incredibly talented beyond belief, these deals are just n00b-traps.
