The New Music Business with Ari Herstand Hit Songwriter/Producer on Publishing Deals and Artists Taking Credit for Songs They Didn't Write
Jun 18, 2025
Justin Gammella is a hit songwriter and producer with over a billion streams, known for viral hits like Bella Poarch's "Build a Bitch." He discusses the complexities of songwriting credits, the financial structures in the streaming era, and the growing influence of AI in music creation. Gammella shares insights on the importance of fair recognition and the evolving nature of publishing deals. They also explore the delicate balance between human creativity and technology, highlighting the need for industry safeguards amidst rapid changes.
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Justin's Songwriting Journey
- Justin Gammella became a professional songwriter after years of producing and writing in bands, leading to sync success and a publishing deal.
- His band Royal Tongues’ accidental breakout on SoundCloud helped him move to LA and transition into songwriting and producing full time.
How Publishing Deals Work
- Publishing deals split the publishing rights, typically 50% in co-pub deals, while administrative deals take a smaller cut.
- Publishers help signers by pitching songs, finding syncs, and developing careers, especially for songwriters needing support.
Publishing Deal Terms Evolve
- Publishers now often use time-based terms and financial advances rather than song release counts to define contract options.
- This shift favors fairness for songwriters in the streaming era, avoiding outdated album-length criteria.
