Music by people who kept their rights. Played by a station that has kept its independence.
An example.
In 1972, Bob Marley signed with Island Records. Founder Chris Blackwell recognized what he had in front of him. He made Marley a global star. Later, Blackwell sold Island Records to PolyGram, which became Universal—today the world’s largest music company. Marley’s recordings have belonged to Universal ever since. The family sued and lost.
But the compositions—the songs themselves—never belonged to Universal. From the start, Blackwell handled Marley’s publishing through his own company: Blue Mountain Music. Independent. Separate from the label deal. For over forty years. When he finally sold it in 2018, it went to Primary Wave. Also independent.
“Redemption Song.” “No Woman, No Cry.” Everything Marley wrote—free of major labels. Not because it was luck. But because someone decided that some things aren’t for sale.