Singer Laika Music, real name Laika Umuhoza, has spoken out against the growing trend of artists asking for huge amounts of money for collaborations.
During a recent TV interview, Laika was asked to share her opinion on artists paying for collaborations. She openly advised against it, saying artists shouldn’t be working with anyone who asks them to pay.
She explained that it was better to establish genuine connections and friendships for a song to work out rather than transactional partnerships.
“I feel like if you have to pay for a collaboration, then that is not yours; you shouldn’t be doing it. That might be a protocol among artists who say they will ask for a certain amount for the song, but I feel like if someone starts by telling you their price, you guys do not have that connection or relationship. You may pay the money, but just know you will suffer through the whole process. It is better when you guys have that connection so you don’t have to go through all that,” Laika said.
Being one of the artists with fewer music collaborations, Laika Music emphasized that all those she has worked with in the past have either been her friends or, if not, have gone through her management, but not paid her financially.
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“Personally, if we have that kind of relationship, we can discuss that, but if it is someone else out there who wants a collaboration, it is always good to go through management. Most artists these days do not ask you for money for payment, but they will make you suffer; so you are paying with suffering,” Laika said.
