DJ Claims Never Say Die “Stole” Their Music Because of Russian Background

Russian DJ, Trinergy, Claims that Never Say Die “stole” his music and refuses to pay.

As we all know, there has been much contention regarding the conflict in Ukraine from citizens to world leaders, but now it has entered the music world. A rising DJ and producer, Trinergy, is claiming that the record label Never Say Die refuses to pay him for his music because he is Russian.

In the statement below, Trinergy said that since February 2022, he has not been paid for his royalties. He contacted the team about why he had not been paid or received any information and they responded with a basic report of what he was owed, still being denied payment a month later.

Trinergy then feeling disrespected by the Never Say Die label, contacted another label to give his music a new home. Never Say Die responded by saying that they would have to wait until the political instability subsided and was stabilized, however, it is uncertain when this will happen. Trinergy mentions that it could be years or never happen at all.

Trinergy does think that this is due to him being Russian, and said he did not choose his heritage or where he was born nor is he a politician making these decisions of war. On the flip side, it opens another conversation on whether he is actually owed any royalties from his music. Another artist, Veer chimed in on the dialogue saying that they have not received payment because the money spent on production has not been recouped.

Veer does mention in their statement that there have been other cases of artists not being paid by their “dream label,” due to the fact that it has not been popularized to the point of pay. Veer references another label that notifies artists of what they are owed, even if the number is minor. Veer also mentions that there are artists that have been paid, however unsure of the legalities around sharing their information. Veer had been left with a bad taste in their mouth during their partnership with NSD.

The artist Protohype puts it simply in his tweet response to the statements made by Trinergy and Veer. He writes, “If a label spends something like 5k on PR for your release and you don’t get enough streams to pay that back, you don’t get paid. Self-release = money back but spend your own money on PR. Big look from a label = no money spent by you, chance of no payment.” Simply put, unfortunately, if the streams and hype are not there, the label does need to recoup the money spent on production, promotion, distribution, etc.

There are both sides to this argument, however, but the correct answer is nearly impossible to come to a conclusion on as no one is in the NSD staff meetings or behind the scenes. Trinergy raises a good point, that it is suspicious that due to the conflict and their nationality, payment is not received, but, we do not know if the music is at the point of payment yet.

To go as far as to say that it is simply due to nationality seems unjust without seeing all the facts, albeit it is suspicious. On the other hand, maybe Trinergy and Veer, and the other artists have not yet seen the popularity needed to receive pay, simply put by Protohype. This is a dilemma that we are just going to have to watch unfold and hope that all parties can seek a resolution.

In the meantime, stream Trinergy and Veer below, and maybe help them reach royalty payment.