American singer-songwriter Anita Baker has taken to Twitter to complain about big streaming companies making a lot of money from artists, but don’t pay them their worth. She also complained about how hard it is to get one’s own music rights.
Hello Sweetheart? Thank You 4 Sending Me, ?Your Love. But, let’s not Advertise *Spotify Streaming, which is, a Publicly Traded Company, with a 50 Million$ Valuation… but doesnt pay Artists/Creators what their Worth.
ABXO? https://t.co/74vGjm00GY— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
The music veteran, who started singing in the 80s, says that although she has “out-lived” her contracts, the music companies won’t return her rights to her without her having to fight.
She said she was prepared for the fight.
“Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists ContractsBalloon They no longer “Own”, My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 MeMusical score Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXOBalloon,” she wrote on Twitter.
?Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts? They no longer “Own”, My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me? Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO?? pic.twitter.com/PXe9xzsJK0
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
How much do artists make per stream?
Baker said the streaming rate pays $0.003 – $0.005 per stream. That is less than 1 cent in South Africa.
She says the artist will still need to pay the taxes etc from that money.
*Correction 2020 Streaming rate $0.003 – $0.005 1/3rd – 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream, for Artist. minus… *fees *taxes *ect. ect. Ect,” she wrote on Twitter.
*Correction
2020 Streaming rate
$0.003 – $0.005
1/3rd – 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream, for Artist.
minus…
*fees
*taxes
*ect. ect. ect.
They need to Leave me alone? fr— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
Baker is not the first artist to complain about artists getting paid less than what they deserve.
A lot of South African artists have pointed out how much the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) robs them when it comes to royalties.
In 2018, Hlengiwe Mhlaba accused SAMRO of foul play, claiming they paid millions of Rands for her song to a mysterious composer called “DP”.
How are royalties paid out?
“Royalties are calculated based on how active your song/s have been in different mediums including but not limited to broadcast, film, live performance, restaurants, pubs, clubs and shopping malls,” reads a statement on Samro’s website.
“Members receive royalties every year through four main payouts: Grant of Payment, Radio and General, Television and Films, as well as Foreign Royalty distribution.”
According to an article by The Kiffness.com, one spin of your song on a prominent radio station can pay you between R60 to R200, however, smaller radio stations with less listenership pay much less.
