After more than a decade of unpaid dues, the producer behind one of Lil Wayne‘s most iconic tracks on “Tha Carter III” has finally secured payment from Universal Music Group (UMG). Bangladesh, the producer credited with crafting the beat for the hit single “A Milli,” reportedly leveraged legal action to compel the music giant to fulfill its financial obligations related to production royalties.
Justice served after a decade as “A Milli” producer Bangladesh finally collects overdue royalties from UMG.
Released on June 10, 2008, “Tha Carter III” represented a pivotal moment in Lil Wayne’s career and featured contributions from numerous producers including Swizz Beatz, David Banner, and Cool & Dre. Bangladesh’s production on “A Milli” stood out as particularly influential, helping to define the album’s signature sound and contributing remarkably to its commercial success. The track appears as the third song on the album, with a runtime of 3 minutes and 41 seconds.
The dispute highlights persistent issues within the music industry regarding producer compensation and contract enforcement. Despite the album’s massive commercial success, Bangladesh reportedly went nearly ten years without receiving proper payment for his work. The album’s impressive eight-times platinum certification by the RIAA in 2020 underscores the significant revenue generated since its release. The case underscores the challenges producers often face when attempting to secure royalties from major labels, particularly when seeking retrospective compensation for older projects.
Music production credits in hip-hop present complex contractual landscapes, with agreements covering publishing rights, mechanical royalties, advances, and backend payments. For producers working with major labels like UMG, which manages extensive catalogs across multiple artists, ensuring proper compensation often requires persistent advocacy and sometimes legal intervention. Producers may need to register their compositions with performance rights organizations to ensure they receive all royalties owed for public performances of their work.
The settlement, while details remain undisclosed, likely represents a substantial sum given the track’s popularity and the album’s cultural impact. Industry observers note that such high-profile cases may prompt labels to review their compensation frameworks and potentially revise approaches to producer contracts. This case illustrates why many producers now seek to establish diverse income streams rather than relying solely on label payments.
The resolution may signal increased scrutiny of producer agreements across the music industry, potentially influencing future negotiations for producer rights and financial protections. For Bangladesh, the payment represents long-overdue recognition for his contribution to one of hip-hop’s most celebrated albums of the 2000s.
