Let’s cut to the chase: the music industry has some major issues, especially when it comes to developing songwriters and artists. Pressure to create mainstream hits, restrictive contracts hindering young creatives without much say in their careers, and unfair compensation are just a few of the problems that creatives face in the music industry.
Back in April 2024, UK singer-songwriter Raye sat down with Rolling Stone at Coachella, and during the interview talked about the dark side of the music industry that people don’t often see. “There are some incredibly, stupidly, ridiculously talented people who can’t pay their rent, who are writing these songs, and it’s incorrect and it’s wrong. It is just evil,” said Raye referencing the poor compensation creatives receive. “It’s this narrative, and then all of a sudden, you’ve got songwriters competing with each other, like, trying to fight over little silly percentage splits.” Raye goes on to talk about artists with larger platforms needing to stand up for themselves and smaller artists, as well as labels paying creatives for the cost of travel and food at a minimum.
Another artist calling out the music industry is singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha. Rexha has had more than her fair share of negative experiences in the industry, from being left off the credits for a massive hit song her voice was featured on to facing sexism from top people in the industry. She has called out those in power in the music industry multiple times and has expressed that she could expose a lot of corruption. I could bring down a BIG chunk of this industry. “I AM frustrated. I Have been UNDERMINED. I’ve been so quiet for the longest time. I haven’t seen the signs even though people constantly are bringing them up and they have been SO OBVIOUS. And when I have spoken up I’ve been silence and PUNISHED by this industry Things must change or I’m telling ALL of my truths. The good the bad and the ugly” said Rexha in a post on X on July 2, 2024.
Raye and Bebe Rexha are not the only artists who have called out those in power in the music industry. There are countless stories from other artists who have experienced the effects of the corruption in the music industry, and with more and more allegations coming to light, it is only a matter of time before real change happens and those who work in music are treated fairly and with the respect all hardworking professionals deserve.
