Stop Giving Away Your Rights: Dina LaPolt on AI, Ownership & Artist Power

What does it really take to build power in the music industry?In this episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with renowned entertainment attorney, activist, author, and artist advocate Dina LaPolt for a candid conversation about the evolving music business and what artists need to know to protect their careers.From her unconventional journey as a musician-turned-lawyer to helping shape landmark legislation like the Music Modernization Act, Dina shares the experiences that made her one of the most influential voices in entertainment law. Together, Sarah and Dina discuss artist ownership, negotiating leverage, catalog sales, streaming royalties, the rise of artificial intelligence, and why business education is one of the most valuable investments any artist can make.Whether you're an independent artist, manager, songwriter, or music industry professional, this episode offers practical insights on building a sustainable career and maintaining control of your creative future.You'll also hear Dina's perspective on why artists should focus on creating great art before chasing deals, how to recognize when it's time to partner with a label, and what the next generation of creators needs to know about protecting their rights in an AI-driven world.If you're serious about understanding the business behind the music, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Street Smart - Dina LaPlolt: https://linktr.ee/streetsmartlapoltWatch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DSB7inGE08ATopics Included:Music industry attorney Dina LaPolt, artist rights, music business education, AI in the music industry, artificial intelligence and copyright law, artist ownership, music publishing, songwriter royalties, streaming royalties, Music Modernization Act (MMA), Music Licensing Collective (MLC), mechanical royalties, music copyright law, intellectual property rights, No Fakes Act, AI voice cloning, artist advocacy, independent artist success, record label deals, music industry contracts, entertainment law, music business strategy, catalog sales, music catalog acquisitions, artist leverage, negotiating record deals, music industry trends, creator rights, songwriter compensation, independent music careers, artist development, music management, women in the music industry, building a sustainable music career, protecting your music rights, music industry leadership, future of the music business, digital streaming, music licensing, entrepreneurship for artists, music industry news and insights.