Still A Slave in 2007: Ras Kass vs Capitol Records

Anyone who wants to get in the music industry needs to read this open letter just so you can understand how sinister some of these major record labels can get. What Ras Kass describes is a straight up share cropping system. The lawsuit tactic they employed is outright scary. If you think we've made it in 2007 think again-Prince once upon a time had to resort to putting the word slave on his cheek because of a similar situation. Ras Kass may not have that word emblazoned on his body but from what he broke down, he's just that a slave to the corporate power structure.

Read this and learn people

Open letter from Ras Kass to Capitol Records:

As a corporation, EMI/Capitol Records has a financial obligation to it's shareholders to make sure that it's stock goes up each quarter, but at some point isn't there some ethical obligation to it's employees (artists) to be humane and show some degree of moral turpitude? Furthermore, can't these two ideals coexist, especially in my case?

It seems to me and many others that since the year 2000 Capitol is either unable or unwilling to offer me an opportunity to (1) release and market my music and (2) thereby allow me to generate income for myself and the company. So the logical and fiscal thing to do would be to allow a third party capable of successfully translating my talent into profit, do just that. Instead I've been foiled in every attempt to either work within the confines of Capitol; when I've tried to find any amicable way of bringing in any interested third party I've been thwarted by egomaniacal executives who refuse to be the least bit reasonable in my efforts to work out a solution for all parties involved.

For six years EMI/Capitol has enforced a contract that they have breached time after time, paying attorneys thousand of dollars to bind me to a record deal that they themselves refuse to honor. I ask you, how is not allowing me to generate ANY income financially viable for their shareholders? How is not allowing me to work within or outside the company for six years morally justifiable? Now, after an entire decade, one third of my life, watching this label's entire artists' roster change at least five times over, I simply would like to ask why? Why are you doing this to me?


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Venezuela's President Chavez to Allow Companies Minority Stakes in Nationalized Oil Projects

CARACAS, Venezuela Jan 13, 2007 (AP)— President Hugo Chavez said Saturday his government will allow private companies to own minority stakes in lucrative Orinoco River basin oil projects that Venezuela plans to nationalize.

Chavez announced plans earlier this week for the state to take control of the country's largest telecommunications company, its electricity and natural gas sectors and four heavy crude upgrading projects now controlled by some of the world's top oil companies.

It had not been clear whether Chavez intended for the state to have total control of the projects or a majority stake as his government had previously said.

In a speech to congress Saturday, Chavez said the private companies British Petroleum PLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips Co., Total SA and Statoil ASA would be given the option to stay on as minority partners.

"He who wants to stay on as our partner, we'll leave open the possibility to him. He who doesn't want to stay on as a minority partner, hand over the (oil) field and, goodbye," he said.

"Goodbye, good luck and thank you very much," Chavez added in English.

Chavez's government has already taken majority ownership of all other oil-producing operations in the country through joint ventures controlled by the state oil company. Most companies have shown a willingness to continue investing despite the tightening terms, which have also included tax and royalty increases.

Chavez, who was giving his annual state of the nation address, said the joint ventures, which were formed last year, have saved the government some $6 billion in costs.

Venezuela, consistently among the top five suppliers of crude to the U.S., also increased royalties on the four Orinoco projects last year from 16.6 percent to 33.3 percent. Chavez said the move earned the government an extra $840 million in the second half of 2006.

The United States is the top buyer of Venezuelan oil.

China courts Africa with aid, projects

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau - China paid for the marble and tile parliament building soaring above the crumbling homes of this former Portuguese colony, and is also promising a dam and a military hospital — all with none of the political strings Western donors might attach.

Intent on cementing ties across Africa, China is active even in impoverished Guinea-Bissau, a small nation with little industry, no oil and few exports.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing ended a two-day visit here Thursday, part of a tour that includes Chad, Benin, Central African Republic, Eritrea and Mozambique. Li arrived from Equatorial Guinea, Africa's third-largest oil producer, where he agreed to forgive about $75 million in debt.

China is not like the World Bank, they don't attach all these conditions on the money," said Edmundo Vaz, a former adviser to the Guinea-Bissau Finance Ministry who now runs a bank.

"The West makes us wait, but we're a poor country — we don't have time wait," he said.

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