Is It Time to Take Back the Power—And Change the Rules?

Let’s be honest—the music industry was never built for artists. It was built to profit from you, not with you. From the first record to the digital streaming platforms of today, artists have been the heartbeat of this industry. And yet, for far too long, you’ve been treated as expendable. You’re told you’re lucky to be here, like your work doesn’t deserve more than a few streams and a pat on the back.

But it’s time to set the record straight. The power was always yours. You are the value. You are the brand. You are the culture. And the industry knows this—it can’t survive without you. You’ve been playing by the wrong rules, but those rules are changing. And when you understand the game, you get to rewrite it.

The Roots of Exploitation

It all started with control. The birth of the phonograph turned music into a product, and record labels emerged as middlemen, controlling everything from distribution to image. Artists were sold a dream, but when they signed contracts, they gave up the rights to their work. Labels owned the masters and took the lion’s share of the profits. These deals were designed to keep you in the dark, struggling to make sense of it all.
And then, as new technologies—radio, TV, CDs—emerged, the labels adapted, but artists were left behind, often drowning in debt due to “recoupable” advances and exploitative contracts. Black artists, who shaped entire genres like rock, blues, jazz, and hip-hop, were often the most underpaid and under-credited.

The Digital Shift

Then came Napster. Then iTunes. The floodgates opened. For the first time, artists could reach their fans directly. No gatekeepers. But with that came piracy and a rush to profit from the new model. Streaming platforms promised to level the playing field, but instead, they favoured the big players—the labels with the vast catalogues and the power to dominate playlists and algorithms. Today, artists get fractions of a cent per stream, while the same labels that profited from physical sales continue to control the game.

Why Artists Are Still at the Bottom

It’s simple: they’re not giving you a seat at the table.

  • Lack of Ownership: Most artists still don’t own their masters or publishing.
  • One-Sided Contracts: Deals are designed to benefit labels, not you.
  • Control of Gateways: Radio, sync, PR, and playlists—still under the control of the majors.
  • Capital & Data Advantage: Labels hold the purse strings and the data that shape trends.
  • Outdated Infrastructure: The system was built in a different century, for a different time.

But Here’s The Good News: There’s a Shift Happening

The tide is turning. Artists are waking up to the fact that they don’t need labels to survive. Platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and DistroKid are putting the power back in your hands. You can release music, build communities, and earn on your own terms. Your fans? They’re more than just listeners—they’re supporters. And they’re ready to invest in you, directly.
More artists are realizing that they are the brand. They are the business. They are the future.

What Needs to Change?

  • Artist Education: It starts with understanding contracts, royalties, and ownership. Know your worth.
  • Creative Independence: Build direct relationships with your audience. Own your data. Own your masters.
  • Artist-Led Communities: Stop competing for scraps. Collaborate. Build together.
  • Fairer Models: Push for transparency. Demand ethical deals. Advocate for policies that support creators.

The Blueprint is Changing—and You’re the Architect

This system wasn’t built for you—but you have the power to rebuild it. The major labels won’t tell you this, but the truth is: they need you more than you need them. When you understand your value, you stop asking for permission to succeed. You own your career, your work, and your future.
The blueprint is changing. And it’s time for you to take your seat at the table—not as a beggar for scraps, but as the force that drives this industry forward. So stand tall, speak up, and start building the future you deserve.

Collaboration Over Competition: A New Era of Unity

In a world where the industry has conditioned artists to view each other as competition as a threat, it’s time to rewrite that rule too. The truth is, collaboration is more powerful than competition. When we compete, we separate ourselves; when we collaborate, we elevate one another. By sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities, artists can build a collective strength that outshines individual success. The old model of fighting for a seat at the table is over. The new era is about creating a community where everyone thrives together. Stop fighting for crumbs—let’s build tables where we all have a seat at the head. When artists work together, we amplify our voices and our impact. We rise together, and we transform the industry for the better.

Because here’s the truth they don’t want you to realize: the power was always yours.

The power is yours. The industry was built without you in mind—but it’s time to change that. Stop waiting for permission. Stop asking for scraps. Take ownership of your work, your brand, and your future. It’s time to rewrite the rules and build the legacy you deserve.
Start now. Own your masters. Build your audience. Educate yourself. And take your place at the table. The future is in your hands—and it starts today.

Take action: Join the movement. Own your career. Stand up for your worth. The world is waiting for you—are you ready to step up and lead?