On Monday, June 12, a panel discussion surrounding the topic of fair pay for songwriters took place at the Gibson Theater in Hollywood, CA. The event, put together by The 100 Percenters, in collaboration with Industry Blackout, provided a platform for industry professionals and songwriters to engage in a meaningful dialogue and seek solutions.
In an era where streaming has become a dominant force in the music industry, the livelihoods of songwriters have been significantly impacted, to say the least. The question of fair compensation from record labels has sparked a growing concern among these creative minds. Drawing inspiration from the recent Writers Guild of America (WGA) Strike, songwriters are contemplating a pivotal question: “Should we strike too?“
The event mainly consisted of a panel discussion, which provided an invaluable platform for songwriters. They used this platform to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and propose innovative solutions. Billboard journalists Colin Stutz and Neena Rouhani actively moderated the panel discussion, which included notable guests and speakers such as:
Bonnie McKee – @bonniemckee – Grammy Nominated Songwriter
Kaydence Krysiuk @kaydence – 2x Grammy Winning Songwriter
Mag Rodriguez – @magisformagic – CEO of @EVEN.biz
Tiffany Red – @iamtiffanyred – Founder of The 100 Percenters & Grammy Winning Songwriter
Tallie Spencer – @talliespencer – Host
Songwriters address the problem with imbalanced revenue
According to a recent report by The Recording Academy, songwriters receive a mere 15.1% of the total streaming revenue in the United States. In contrast, record labels and artists claim a significant share of the pie. According to Variety, the label’s percentage range from 52% to 57%, while Digital Service Providers (DSPs) such as Spotify and Apple Music take home 27.9% to 32.9%. This glaring disparity places songwriters at a significant disadvantage, hindering their ability to sustain themselves financially.
During the panel, Tiffany Red emphasized the need for collective action, stating, “It’s time for songwriters to unite and demand fair compensation for their invaluable contributions.”
The event provided songwriters with a platform to voice their concerns and share their experiences, shedding light on the challenges they face in the industry.
As songwriter Bonnie McKee aptly put it, “We’re gonna get better work out of songwriters when we feel appreciated and seen. “There’s been straight up sessions where I don’t feel safe, it’s the wild west. Something’s gotta change.”
Moving forward, how to get involved and support the #PaySongwriters movement
The conclusion of the event consisted of a Q&A with the panelists and audience members. The Q&A session of the event lasted for about 30-minutes, with various questions being posed and new discussions being had.
Grammy-Award winning and nominated songwriters such as Ink (@spillmyink), Mike Hunnid (@100prf), and many others, were in attendance and took their turns asking questions and contributing to the discussion.
As the dominance of streaming continues to reshape the music industry, songwriters find themselves at the forefront of a battle for fair compensation. The revenue disparity, coupled with diminished royalties and limited negotiating power, has raised significant concerns among the songwriting community.
As the industry moves forward, it is essential for music execs to take action and address the systemic issues that hinder fair compensation for songwriters. By doing so, we can pave the way for a brighter future where songwriters receive the recognition and compensation they rightfully deserve.
Those who are interested in getting involved can do so by staying up to date with The 100 Percenters on Instagram.
And/or donating to the #PaySongwriters GoFundMe here:
