John Washington III Tells Spotify His Answer on Remixes of American King Records Masters Is a 'Big No'

John Washington III, a 2028 presidential candidate and the owner of American King Records, has rejected the idea of streaming platforms negotiating deals that would let other people remix his artists' music. He wrote: "MY ANSWER IS NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!" — and added, "SPOTIFY IS NOT MY RECORD COMPANY!"

John Washington III said he did not build his label, invest his money, develop his artists and create his catalog so a streaming platform could negotiate how other people use the label's master recordings. Anyone who wants to remix, sample or commercially use one of those recordings, he said, follows the proper route: "You contact American King Records. You negotiate a licensing agreement. You discuss the upfront payment, royalties, ownership, and terms of use." He added: "THAT IS HOW THE MUSIC BUSINESS WORKS!"

John Washington III said he is not interested in handing over control of the label's masters for an undisclosed streaming royalty, and he urged artists and independent labels to treat their recordings as property: "YOUR MUSIC IS AN ASSET. YOUR MASTER RECORDINGS ARE PROPERTY. YOUR RIGHTS HAVE VALUE!" He closed with his position stated as three prohibitions and one invitation — no unauthorized remixes of the label's masters, no third-party licensing of the masters without the label's approval, and no giving away control of the catalog — ending: "OUR MUSIC. OUR MASTERS. OUR RIGHTS. OUR DECISION."