Detroit Metro Times: Tlaib re-introduces the Living Wage for Musicians Act

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib says musicians deserve their fair share.

On Monday, the Congresswoman re-introduced her Living Wage for Musicians Act. Created with the input of working artists and the United Musicians and Allied Workers union, the legislation calls for major reforms in the music industry including paying musicians more for digital streams, which has become the dominate form of music consumption but currently pays out only fractions of cents per stream.

“Detroit is one of the music capitals of the world, and our artists here have changed the music industry and our culture in so many incredible ways,” Tlaib said in a statement. “Musicians make tiny fractions of a penny per stream, yet platforms like Spotify made over $1.3 billion in profits in 2024. 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.”

According to Tlaib’s office, digital streaming now represents 84% of all recorded music industry revenue in the U.S. But the current model means artists need more than 800,000 monthly streams to equate to a full-time job with a wage of $15 per hour.

The legislation was celebrated by artists including Shigeto, a Detroit artist, producer, and WDET radio host. 

“I’m very grateful for Rashida’s work to bring overdue changes to the music industry that restore equity and a sense of value for musicians all over,” Shigeto. “Artists have been taken advantage of since the inception of digital streaming. The Living Wage for Musicians Act gives voice to independent musicians and could potentially change a lot of artists’ lives by giving them a sustainable revenue stream.”

The legislation proposes taxing digital streaming providers’ non-subscription revenues and adding a small fee to the price of music streaming subscriptions. These funds would be collected and used to pay artists a higher royalty rate.

According to Tlaib’s office, “By creating a fund that directly compensates recording artists and musicians, the bill will allow vastly more artists to achieve a living wage from music, enabling them to pay rent, raise a family, buy a home, and invest in their future.” 

It adds, “The additional income musicians receive will allow them to professionally record more music, tour more extensively, create more merchandise, and make themselves more available to fans. The bill raises the standard of living for these workers which will reverberate beyond just the music industry by injecting more money into our local economies.” 

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver (New Jersey), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Ilhan Omar Minnesota), Delia Ramirez (Illinois), and Bennie Thompson (Mississippi).

Tlaib first introduced the  Living Wage for Musicians Act in 2024.

You can read the full article here.