Detroit City Council Unanimously Supports Federal Push for Higher Musician Pay on Streaming Platforms
The Detroit City Council has endorsed a federal proposal aimed at boosting musicians' pay on streaming platforms. The Living Wage for Musicians Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), seeks to overhaul the current system that often leaves artists with paltry earnings from digital streams.
According to the resolution passed by Detroit's council members, streaming accounts for 84% of all recorded music revenue in the United States, yet artists frequently earn as little as $0.003 per stream. This translates to a staggering 800,000 monthly streams needed to generate a full-time income equivalent to $15 an hour.
Supporters argue that Detroit's significant influence on music makes it essential for the city to join the push for higher streaming royalties. The proposal would introduce a small surcharge on streaming subscriptions, with platforms contributing a share of their advertising revenue. These funds would be directed towards the Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, which would distribute payments directly to recording musicians.
Tlaib's goal is to ensure that musicians driving the streaming economy can afford to build sustainable careers. The legislation aims to correct an unfair system that has left many artists struggling while streaming platforms report record profits.
Detroit producer and WDET host Shigeto has publicly backed the plan, describing it as a long-overdue correction to an outdated system. Advocates claim that this bill would empower more artists to create music, tour, and engage with fans while enabling musicians in cities like Detroit to make a living wage.
Artists, including those in Detroit, have expressed support for the proposal, citing the need for fair compensation in the streaming economy. With Tlaib's reintroduction of the legislation, advocates plan to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for its passage, highlighting the importance of collective action and grassroots efforts to bring about meaningful change.
The Detroit City Council has endorsed a federal proposal aimed at boosting musicians' pay on streaming platforms. The Living Wage for Musicians Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), seeks to overhaul the current system that often leaves artists with paltry earnings from digital streams.
According to the resolution passed by Detroit's council members, streaming accounts for 84% of all recorded music revenue in the United States, yet artists frequently earn as little as $0.003 per stream. This translates to a staggering 800,000 monthly streams needed to generate a full-time income equivalent to $15 an hour.
Supporters argue that Detroit's significant influence on music makes it essential for the city to join the push for higher streaming royalties. The proposal would introduce a small surcharge on streaming subscriptions, with platforms contributing a share of their advertising revenue. These funds would be directed towards the Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, which would distribute payments directly to recording musicians.
Tlaib's goal is to ensure that musicians driving the streaming economy can afford to build sustainable careers. The legislation aims to correct an unfair system that has left many artists struggling while streaming platforms report record profits.
Detroit producer and WDET host Shigeto has publicly backed the plan, describing it as a long-overdue correction to an outdated system. Advocates claim that this bill would empower more artists to create music, tour, and engage with fans while enabling musicians in cities like Detroit to make a living wage.
Artists, including those in Detroit, have expressed support for the proposal, citing the need for fair compensation in the streaming economy. With Tlaib's reintroduction of the legislation, advocates plan to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for its passage, highlighting the importance of collective action and grassroots efforts to bring about meaningful change.
Just saw that Detroit City Council is all for a new bill that could give musicians on streaming platforms a fairer shake... 
I mean, 84% of music revenue comes from streams yet artists are still getting pennies per stream? That's just not right 
. It's time for these platforms to step up and give the people who make their money in the first place some real compensation. 
! finally some movement on getting fair pay 4 musicians streaming platforms r making a ton of cash but artists r struggling 
. It just feels unfair, you know? And Detroit being a city with such a huge influence on music history makes it even more important for them to step in and support their own musicians 
. The idea of adding a small surcharge to streaming subscriptions is actually kinda cool 
. Maybe it's not the most perfect solution but at least they're trying to shake things up 
.
I'm all for giving musicians a fair shake on streaming platforms, but we gotta think this through - introducing a surcharge on subscriptions might not be the most palatable solution 
. Artists already struggling to make ends meet don't need another hurdle to jump over. How about a platform-by-platform audit of their royalty distribution systems? That way, we can hold them accountable for what's being taken from creators without saddling listeners with more fees 
. Now we just gotta get the government on board and make sure those streaming services start paying their fair share 
.
It's time for streaming platforms to step up and give artists a fair deal. I'm all for that small surcharge on subscriptions, it's not like people are going to break out their wallets in protest 