TM88 claims he never received payment for producing Lil Uzi Vert’s “XO Tour Llif3”
The producer is the latest to have some words for Atlantic Records.
To kick off the new year on a no-filter footing, a handful of producers have begun a conversation exposing the harsh realities of what it is like to be a producer in the music industry, particularly when it comes to payment.
After DJ Mustard, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Sonny Digital and London On Da Track spoke exclusively with REVOLT TV about the subject, with the dialogue touching on specific allegations that Atlantic Records markets projects as mixtapes instead of albums as a way to undercut paying producers, TM88 has come forward to reveal he’s had a similar experience as well. However, in his case specifically, he claims he “never got paid” for producing one of the biggest hits of 2017.
Taking to Twitter, TM88 posted a series of posts accusing Atlantic Records of withholding payment for his work on Lil Uzi Vert’s smash, “XO Tour Llif3,” referring to the label as “the worst label in the history of f—k s—t.”
As reported, Uzi’s “XO Tour Llif3” off his major label debut Rage is Luv 2 went on to be one of the highest grossing tracks of the year, with the song earning a reported $4 million and going on to become the rappers first No. 1 record. However, per TM88, he hasn’t seen any money from his work on the song, explaining that he was still “ballin off old checks.”
Hopefully, as these necessary dialogues continue, 2018 may be the year producers finally receive both the respect and the payment they deserve.
Take a look at TM88’s tweets below, and check out REVOLT’s in-depth feature focusing on the matter here.