80’s Singer Cheryl Lynn Reveals She Owns Her Masters
By Extra-Ordinary Women
In the world of music, releasing a hit song during the peak of a particular genre is a surefire way to create something that stands the test of time. In 1978, the iconic Cheryl Lynn did just that when she unveiled her debut single, “Got to Be Real.”
The success of this single marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would define Cheryl Lynn’s career. Her self-titled debut album, which followed, achieved RIAA-certified Gold status, as reported by AllMusic.
Cheryl Lynn’s musical journey didn’t stop there. She went on to release eight more studio albums, including “Preppie” in 1983, which featured the legendary track “Encore,” penned by none other than Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Astonishingly, despite its age, “Encore” has been making a resurgence on the popular platform TikTok.
According to Music Data, an account on X, “Encore” experienced a remarkable surge of more than 30,000 streams on Spotify in just a single day on November 7, 2023. Overall, it has witnessed a 10% growth in sales and streams.
In response to this resurgence, an X user expressed concerns that artists might not reap the benefits when their songs make unexpected comebacks. Cheryl Lynn, however, took to Twitter on November 8 to set the record straight: “I own my masters so the royalties are lovely,” she declared. “Have been for over 35 years.”
Considering the widespread use of Cheryl Lynn’s music in the entertainment industry, her “lovely” royalties should come as no surprise. Her debut hit, “Got to Be Real,” had people dancing on dance floors around the world in the late 1970s, and it has retained its massive appeal over four decades.
Today, this disco classic can still be heard in TV commercials and has graced numerous films and TV shows, including “Scandal,” “Sex and the City,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” “The Pink Panther,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Paris Is Burning,” as listed on IMDb. Additionally, “Encore” has made its mark in shows like “Atlanta” and “The Photograph.”
In addition to sharing her ownership of her masters, Cheryl Lynn revealed that she is working with lawyers to bring more of her music to streaming platforms.
The concept of musicians owning their masters is a topic of great significance in the music industry. As previously discussed on AFROTECH, artists regaining control of their masters not only empowers them but can also create generational wealth. Cheryl Lynn’s success in this regard serves as an inspiring example of artists reclaiming what rightfully belongs to them.
