Eighth Grade Brooklyn Metal Band Unlocking The Truth Inks $1.8 Million Deal With Sony.
Brooklyn-based metal band Unlocking The Truth recently signed a deal with Sony which could net the trio $1.8 million. The news follows the band's recent appearances on the Warped Tour and at Coachella. The historic move for the eighth graders follows their success as viral video sensations on YouTube. According to the New York Post, the exclusive five-album deal with Sony could net the band from the Medina a pretty nice chunk of change if sales of their first release meet the label's contract requirements:
The band’s manager, Alan Sacks, said a Sony exec called him after seeing the viral video.Sacks says the boys have a chance of becoming the new face of rock because they are unique — black artists excelling in heavy metal, a genre typically dominated by white musicians.
The seven-figure Sony contract was submitted for a Manhattan judge’s approval Friday because the musicians are minors.
The deal includes 16 to 17 percent in royalties, a fee that’s slightly above the industry average, said entertainment attorney Richard Wolfe.
The deal is particularly impressive for artists without a track record, added Wolfe, who has repped Mariah Carey and Marilyn Manson.
But there is a hook on the exclusive five-album deal– the boys will only see the real money after an initial $60,000 advance if their first album sells over 250,000 copies.
Check the footage below to watch guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse, bassist Alec Atkins and drummer Jarad Dawkins perform live at Afropunk Fest 2013. Stay tuned for more from Unlocking The Truth.
Spotted at NYP.
