Detroit Council Backs Bill to Boost Musicians' Pay on Streaming Platforms Amidst Record Profits for Industry.
A key player in Detroit's thriving music scene has lent its support to a federal bill that aims to overhaul the way artists are paid for digital streams, following suit with other major cities including New York City.
The Living Wage for Musicians Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, seeks to introduce a new royalty stream paid directly to artists, separate from the industry's existing pro-rata system which often prioritizes profits from bigger acts and labels over smaller musicians.
Detroiters say they're fed up with the current system that has left many musicians struggling despite record-breaking profits for streaming platforms. To achieve fairer compensation, Detroit's co-founders of Creative Union, Adrian Tonon and Marcus Miller, claim a new revenue source – a small surcharge on streaming subscriptions capped between $4 and $10 – can ensure artists like Shigeto can build sustainable careers.
Under the proposal, this additional revenue would go into an Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, which distributes payments directly to recording musicians. The fund would also have a monthly cap per track so that artists with massive hits don't absorb disproportionate payouts.
Detroit's music scene has been instrumental in shaping the nation's musical landscape, and it is clear the city recognizes its influence will be essential in driving change. Tlaib stated, "It's only right that the people who create the music we love are paid a living wage, so that they can thrive, not just survive."
The bill would make more artists available for tour dates, recording sessions, and engaging with their fans – crucial steps in fostering a stronger artistic community and ensuring fair compensation for those driving the streaming economy.
A key player in Detroit's thriving music scene has lent its support to a federal bill that aims to overhaul the way artists are paid for digital streams, following suit with other major cities including New York City.
The Living Wage for Musicians Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, seeks to introduce a new royalty stream paid directly to artists, separate from the industry's existing pro-rata system which often prioritizes profits from bigger acts and labels over smaller musicians.
Detroiters say they're fed up with the current system that has left many musicians struggling despite record-breaking profits for streaming platforms. To achieve fairer compensation, Detroit's co-founders of Creative Union, Adrian Tonon and Marcus Miller, claim a new revenue source – a small surcharge on streaming subscriptions capped between $4 and $10 – can ensure artists like Shigeto can build sustainable careers.
Under the proposal, this additional revenue would go into an Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, which distributes payments directly to recording musicians. The fund would also have a monthly cap per track so that artists with massive hits don't absorb disproportionate payouts.
Detroit's music scene has been instrumental in shaping the nation's musical landscape, and it is clear the city recognizes its influence will be essential in driving change. Tlaib stated, "It's only right that the people who create the music we love are paid a living wage, so that they can thrive, not just survive."
The bill would make more artists available for tour dates, recording sessions, and engaging with their fans – crucial steps in fostering a stronger artistic community and ensuring fair compensation for those driving the streaming economy.
I mean, these musicians have been creating music from the heart, pouring their souls into it, and yet they're still struggling to make ends meet. It's not right, fam 
. The current system is all about profiting the big acts and labels, leaving smaller musicians to fend for themselves. But this new bill is like, a breath of fresh air, you feel? 
By introducing an Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, we're giving these talented artists a real shot at building sustainable careers and living wage 
.
We need to recognize that every artist has value and worth, regardless of how big or small they are. And by supporting this bill, we're not just helping musicians – we're fostering a stronger artistic community and promoting fairness in the music industry 
. It's like, what goes around comes around, you know? 
! Artists deserve to get paid fairly for their work, especially when platforms are making record profits 
. This bill is like, totally needed - it's all about supporting creatives who make our favorite tunes 
. If we wanna keep the music scene thriving, we gotta give them a fair shot 
. Those $4-$10 subscription surcharges might seem small, but trust me, it adds up and gives artists a chance to build sustainable careers 
. This is huge for Detroit's music scene, which has been killing it for years 
. We need more cities like this that are all about supporting the arts and giving creators what they're owed 
! Detroit's music scene has always been full of life and talent, but it's heartbreaking to see artists struggling despite record profits for streaming platforms 
. It's about time we give creatives a fair shot at building sustainable careers 
, I mean, who needs more taxes on streaming subscriptions? It's like they're gonna nickel-and-dime us to death. And what's with the $4-$10 surcharge thing? That's just gonna push people away from subscription services. I get that artists should be paid a living wage or whatever, but this is just a bunch of band-aids on a bigger issue. We need real reform, not some small tweak to the system. And what about the labels and the industry bigwigs? They're gonna love this new revenue stream, it's like they're getting away with murder 
. Detroit's got some of the sickest music scenes in the country, from techno to hip hop, and they're speaking out against this unfair system 
. I'm loving this momentum behind the Living Wage for Musicians Act 
, let's make sure those record profits translate into fair pay for the real talent makers! 
. We need more people speakin' up for our artists and demandin' they get the respect they deserve 
but 4-10 bucks extra on a streaming sub seems kinda lame tbh, like shouldn't they just pay us more upfront or something? idk if it's gonna make a difference for people like shigeto who are already getting pretty big 
. Adding a small surcharge on subscriptions might not be ideal, but at least it's something, right? 
especially the idea of a small surcharge on subscriptions - thats something we can all get behind 
i mean i get it ppl need $$ but $4-$10 on streaming subs? that's like adding 1 cent to ur Spotify bill lol 
, and I totally get why they're fed up with the current system. It's not fair to these talented musicians who put their hearts into creating music for us to enjoy 
. This is a huge step forward for the music industry, and I'm rooting for artists like Shigeto to thrive! 
. This bill has some solid points, and I think it's a step in the right direction 
. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out nationwide 
. Do you guys think the music industry would benefit from a more artist-centric approach? 
! It's all about creators getting paid fairly for their work, you know?