{"id":310288,"date":"2026-01-29T19:39:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/310288\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T19:39:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:39:47","slug":"mariah-carey-recalls-almost-selling-her-publishing-rights-for-5k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/310288\/","title":{"rendered":"Mariah Carey Recalls Almost Selling Her Publishing Rights for $5K"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tMariah Carey introduced Billboard\u2018s Executive of the Decade <\/a>Jody Gerson, the chairman\/CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, on Wednesday (Jan. 28) in Los Angeles, by recalling the time she nearly sold her own publishing at the dawn of her career.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI almost sold my publishing when I was 18 years old, for $5,000. We remember some of the songs in the catalog, right?\u201d Carey told the audience at Billboard\u2019s Power 100<\/a> event. \u201cBut I was just thinking: If I had someone like Jody there to protect me, it never would\u2019ve gotten that far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tCarey, of course, held on to her rights, continuing in her speech that \u201cnone of us would be in this room today if it weren\u2019t for the transcendent power of one thing \u2014 a song. And no one I know is a fiercer protector of or advocate for songs and songwriters than the woman that I\u2019m here to introduce. Since she became chairman\/CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group a decade ago, Jody Gerson has reigned not just as the most powerful woman in the music industry, but as one of the most influential executives in entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSpeaking after a video montage featuring UMPG artists including Chris Martin, Brandi Carlile, J Balvin and Barry Gibb, Carey noted how Gerson has \u201capproximately tripled her company\u2019s publishing revenue, while championing songwriters and fighting for the value of a song at every turn. In the process she\u2019s shown the music industry how to lead a global music giant with grace, integrity, selflessness and the utmost respect for both songwriters and her staff, while always speaking her mind and using her role as what she calls \u2018a platform to build strategic bridges with influential leaders beyond the music industry.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tAdded the superstar: \u201cAs a UMPG artist myself, I know the power of this woman very well, and I\u2019m grateful to work alongside someone who advocates to steadfastly for songwriters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tGerson then came on stage to accept the honor, calling it \u201ctruly a special moment, accepting this award from an artist and songwriter who\u2019s spent more weeks at No. 1 than anyone in history.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn her speech, Gerson went on to say she has \u201cthe best job in the world, working with and supporting some of the greatest artists and songwriters of all time. They have all touched my heart and enriched my soul through their music. They mean the world to me, and I care about them and their songs deeply.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tGerson then said that everyone in the industry should view creating opportunities for women and doing work that\u2019s important to artist as \u201ca responsibility we should all feel, in fact we should view it as a requirement.\u201d She then referenced her own action as the cofounder of She Is the Music and a board member of mental health advocacy group Project Healthy Minds.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIn a world so fraught with tension, turmoil and uncertainty,\u201d Gerson said, \u201cI am proud to be in an industry that brings music into the world, and with it hope, unity and healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tWatch Carey talk about nearly selling her publishing at Billboard\u2018s Power 100 event below:<\/p>\n

@billboard<\/a> <\/p>\n

An iconic pen \u270d\ufe0f\u2728 @Mariah Carey shares how she almost sold her publishing rights at 18 years old while presenting UMPG\u2019s Jody Gerson with Executive of the Decade at Billboard Power 100. <\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 billboard<\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n


\"Billboard
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