James McMillan, Esq. on Artist Leverage, Deal Architecture, and Owning the Long Game
Jeffrey Sledge sits down with James McMillan, Esq. — entertainment attorney, label executive, and CEO of Art @ War Records (in partnership with Warner Records) — for a real conversation about power, ownership, and how leverage actually works in music.
James breaks down the mindset behind creative dealmaking, why chasing fees isn’t the same as building equity, and how his path evolved from entertainment law into management and label ownership. Along the way, he shares stories from the Swishahouse era, building with MGK, navigating high-stakes negotiations, and what artists need to understand about streaming, hits, and the next wave of AI-driven rights issues.
He also speaks on his leadership with BMAC and The Living Legends Foundation — and why protecting creators requires both cultural fluency and boardroom strategy.
This is Mixed and Mastered with James McMillan, Esq.
