Meaning: This quote by Jam Jay, a musician, touches on the complex and often challenging dynamics of the music industry, specifically in relation to publishing and record ownership. Let's break it down and explore the various elements involved.

First, the quote mentions "Profile" having half the publishing and controlling and administering it. In the music industry, publishing refers to the ownership and control of the musical composition itself, including the lyrics and the underlying musical composition. When a musician signs with a record label or a publishing company, they often enter into agreements that involve sharing the publishing rights. In this case, it seems that Profile, likely a record label or publishing company, has a significant stake in the publishing rights of the music created by Jam Jay and his group. This means that Profile has the authority to exploit and administer the music composition for various uses, such as licensing for films, commercials, or covers by other artists.

The quote also mentions Profile distributing and owning the records. This refers to the master recordings of the music, which are distinct from the publishing rights. The master recordings are the original recordings from which copies are made, such as CDs, vinyl records, or digital files. When a record label owns the master recordings, they have control over how the music is distributed and used, and they also stand to profit from its exploitation.

The mention of the group being a "10-point crew" likely alludes to the group members sharing the remaining 50% of the publishing and potentially retaining some level of control or ownership over their music. However, it's important to note that even within the group, there may be further divisions of publishing rights depending on individual contributions to the compositions.

The latter part of the quote highlights the group's ability to generate revenue from live performances, stating, "But we got a lot of money off of the shows." This is a common scenario for many musicians, particularly independent or smaller acts. Live performances, including concerts, festivals, and tours, often serve as a significant source of income for artists, especially when other revenue streams, such as record sales and streaming, may be limited.

Now, let's consider the implications of the quote. It sheds light on the reality that many musicians face – the trade-offs and negotiations involved in signing with a record label or a publishing company. While these entities can offer valuable resources such as funding for recordings, marketing support, and access to distribution channels, they also often acquire a substantial portion of the rights to the music created by the artists. This can impact the artists' long-term earnings and creative control over their work.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement among artists advocating for fairer contracts and greater transparency in the music industry. Some have pushed for more equitable sharing of revenues and rights, as well as increased autonomy over their creative output. This has led to discussions about the need for artists to understand the business aspects of their careers and to seek legal and financial guidance to navigate contracts effectively.

In conclusion, Jam Jay's quote encapsulates the intricate interplay of publishing, record ownership, and live performance revenue in the music industry. It serves as a reminder of the importance for artists to carefully consider the terms of their agreements with industry entities and to explore ways to maximize their earnings and creative autonomy.