MUSIC: Streaming apps like TIDAL and Spotify might actually hurt musicians.
By Chloe Vega, Staff Writer
Millions of people enjoy listening to music. Whether at work, in the car, or at home in the evening, music enhances people’s experiences. Music has changed its form over the years, steadily becoming more convenient for public use. First records, then cassettes, CDs, and now direct streaming through our phones. However, recent controversy has emerged over the use of musical works by streaming apps like TIDAL and Spotify. Many hotly debate whether these apps help or hurt song artists.
Some people feel that the ability to stream music is beneficial, as it allows for increased storage on cellular devices and access to millions of songs. Others disapprove of these apps, arguing that they should be paying artists more in royalty fees in order to use their music. Since the advent of musics streaming, artists have lost millions of dollars in CD sales and digital downloads alone. According to The Wall Street Journal, CDs have seen a 15% decrease in sales and digital downloads followed closely with a 13% drop in purchases, while streaming sites have seen a 54% increase in usage. Spotify pays only six cents per play in song royalty fees, which many artists feel is not substantial. Spotify argues that what it does not provide in cash, it makes up for in giving artists exposure. However, most artists still feel that they’re being cheated by these new and popular streaming apps.
Taylor Swift has actually taken steps against losing revenue in this musical “war.” She removed her entire music collection from Spotify. “I’m not willing to contribute my life’s work to an experiment that I don’t feel fairly compensates the writers, producers, artists, and creators of this music,” Swift expressed. Spotify argues again that they pay at least six cents per play in royalty fees to musicians, yet the revenue is hardly close to making up the $100 million drop in album sales for artists. “Our whole reason for existence is to help fans find music and help artists connect with fans through a platform that protects them from piracy and pays them for their amazing work,” Daniel Ek, Spotify’s chief executive, said. For now, it is up to musicians to decide whether or not apps like TIDAL and Spotify are really being fair with their fees.