The music industry is full of dark truths. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re delving into upsetting and unsettling truths about the music industry.
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00:00 What about when she said leave me alone?
00:01 There were times where she was like, can you leave me alone for the day?
00:05 But it wasn't like leave me alone forever.
00:08 Welcome to Nizmojo and today we're delving into upsetting and unsettling truths about the music
00:16 industry.
00:17 Today's world, everybody's using a streaming phone.
00:20 Number 10, exploitation of artists. Contracts often significantly advantage record labels,
00:28 leaving musicians with a meagre portion of their own earnings.
00:32 These agreements can tether artists for extensive periods,
00:36 severely limiting their creative autonomy and economic freedom.
00:41 You blood-sucking old vampire. You bled me dry and you still want more?
00:48 I'm not an uncaring man, Mr Presley.
00:50 Don't you Mr Presley me, you toad.
00:53 Initially, they might receive advances, which unbeknownst to some, act as loans against future
01:00 revenues. This setup frequently ensnares creatives in a cycle of debt that is challenging to escape.
01:07 All of those points are paid out from your advance and the budget provided you by the
01:11 label, which are recoupable.
01:13 Moreover, the relentless demand to churn out commercial hits leads to overwork and burnout,
01:20 with scant regard for mental and physical health.
01:23 This environment fosters a culture where exploitation is not only common, but also,
01:28 in many cases, systematically embedded within the operational frameworks of the industry.
01:34 Oh yeah? Well, here's what I think of your contract.
01:37 I think it's awful and I don't much care for it at all, my good sir.
01:41 Number 9, lack of creative control.
01:45 A significant dark truth within the music business lies in the limited creative control
01:50 afforded to artists over their work.
01:52 They got our name wrong.
01:54 Hmm?
01:54 We're not Josie and the Pussycats, we're just the Pussycats.
01:58 Oh, no. Josie's the singer, the public needs someone out front to identify with.
02:02 Record labels and management teams frequently exert considerable influence on the creative
02:08 direction, image, and even the personal lives of musicians.
02:12 This control extends to song selection, production styles, and public personas,
02:18 often dictating changes to align with current market trends
02:22 or the label's vision rather than the artist's original intent.
02:27 So you want to be a rock superstar, eh? Live large, big house, five cars.
02:32 Well, you have to do the time. Otherwise, somebody else will.
02:39 Such restrictions not only stifle expression, but can also lead to conflicts between visionaries
02:46 and those who wield power over their careers.
02:49 The result is a landscape where commercial viability often trumps integrity,
02:54 leaving musicians to navigate a precarious balance between their vision and commercial demands.
03:01 That's it.
03:02 Number 8. Gender Inequality.
03:09 The business also showcases a stark gender imbalance, with female artists, producers,
03:16 and executives significantly underrepresented in comparison to their male counterparts.
03:23 This isn't about women's lib, kiddies. This is about women's libido.
03:27 This disparity extends beyond mere numbers. Women often face systemic biases,
03:34 sexual harassment, and discrimination. Opportunities for women to ascend to
03:39 positions of influence are fewer, and their achievements are frequently undervalued.
03:44 It's gonna be just like the last time. No, it's not.
03:47 The industry's marketing practices also tend to objectify female musicians,
03:52 emphasising appearance over talent and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
03:58 Are you exhausted? Yes. Yes, I'm exhausted. All black women are exhausted.
04:02 Such an environment not only marginalises women, but also stifles diverse voices
04:07 and perspectives in creation and production. Efforts to address these issues have gained
04:13 momentum, yet the path toward genuine equality remains fraught with challenges.
04:20 Some people be shocked. They're like, "I didn't realise you guys played your own instruments."
04:23 It's like, "How could you? What?"
04:25 Number 7. Payola.
04:27 Payola, a highly controversial practice in the industry, involves record labels or artists
04:34 paying radio stations or DJs to play their work, thus artificially inflating its popularity.
04:42 Zach Yankovic, my right-hand man and head of Payola. I mean, promotions.
04:48 Despite being illegal in many jurisdictions, Payola persists under the guise of complex
04:54 promotional strategies, making it difficult to detect and regulate. This under-the-table
05:00 financial incentive skews what gets airplay, favouring those with the means to pay over
05:06 potentially more talented artists lacking financial backing.
05:10 A radio station was technically allowed to accept payment in exchange for airplay,
05:15 but they would need to say something like, "The following song is from our sponsor, Chess Records."
05:21 As a result, the diversity of expression reaching the public is significantly reduced,
05:26 and the chart success of songs may not accurately reflect genuine public interest.
05:32 The practice undermines the meritocratic ideal of the business,
05:36 where success is supposed to be based on talent and hard work, rather than financial clout.
05:42 Mr. Taylor, we're planning to go to the federal authorities.
05:45 Yeah, we're gonna tell the feds how you killed Effie's record. Payola, man.
05:49 Number six, lack of financial security.
05:53 The allure of a career in a creative industry often obscures the harsh reality
05:59 of financial instability faced by many artists.
06:02 ♪ Give me some money ♪
06:06 ♪ Oh yeah ♪
06:08 Unlike traditional professions, where steady incomes and benefits like health insurance
06:13 are standard, musicians frequently navigate a landscape of irregular income streams
06:18 without the safety net of employment benefits.
06:22 The digital age, while democratizing production and distribution,
06:26 has also led to decreased earnings from recordings due to streaming services' low payout rates.
06:32 ♪ If I wanted to sing and not get paid ♪
06:35 ♪ I'd be on Spotify ♪
06:38 Live performances can provide a significant source of income,
06:42 but these opportunities are not consistent and often depend on an artist's popularity
06:48 and market trends.
06:50 Additionally, the initial costs of producing music and touring can be prohibitive,
06:55 leaving many in precarious financial situations, struggling to sustain careers in the long term.
07:02 ♪ Dollars, dollars, dollars is what I need ♪
07:07 Number five, pressure to maintain an image.
07:11 Musicians and stars often face immense pressure to maintain a specific image
07:17 dictated by genre norms, fan expectations, and marketing strategies.
07:22 "To many, you are a contradiction. On the one hand, you're a sweet,
07:26 innocent, virginal type. On the other hand, you're a sexy vamp in underwear."
07:33 "I wouldn't say in underwear."
07:35 This can lead to a constant cycle of physical transformations,
07:39 lifestyle changes, and personal sacrifices to fit an idealized persona.
07:45 Such expectations are not only mentally exhausting, but can also lead to serious
07:51 health issues, including eating disorders and substance use,
07:56 as artists strive to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty and coolness.
08:02 "She said, 'I don't want anyone touching me. I'm tired of everybody touching me.'"
08:07 The digital age exacerbates this pressure,
08:10 with social media serving as a double-edged sword that offers visibility,
08:15 while also facilitating immediate and sometimes harsh public scrutiny.
08:21 The requirement to uphold an image often overshadows talent,
08:25 leading to a culture where appearance can trump artistry in determining success.
08:31 ♪ You say she's stupid, now she's too flimsy ♪
08:34 ♪ You want a piece of me ♪
08:35 Number four, monopolization.
08:38 Increasingly characterized by monopolization,
08:41 the music industry features a small number of major labels
08:46 controlling a significant portion of the market.
08:49 This concentration of power, again, limits diversity in the work that gets produced and distributed.
08:56 "Now, I saw last night a real MC. This cat deserves a shot.
09:00 He came with the real, original, real, real hip-hop."
09:03 "I don't give a damn. I'm trying to sell records."
09:05 These conglomerates often prioritize stars and genres
09:09 that guarantee financial returns over experimental or niche music.
09:15 Independent labels and artists face significant barriers to entry
09:20 and struggle to compete on a level playing field,
09:22 with limited access to distribution channels, marketing resources, and radio play.
09:28 "That's my vision, alright? No shiny suits, no bling-bling, no spotted furs.
09:35 It's the real deal."
09:36 The dominance of streaming platforms, which tend to favor agreements with major labels,
09:41 further exacerbates this issue.
09:43 The monopolistic environment stifles innovation,
09:47 narrows consumer choice, and can lead to a homogenization of culture.
09:52 ♪ So won't the real Slim Shady please stand up? Please stand up, please stand up ♪
09:57 Number three, manipulation of streaming numbers.
10:00 The manipulation of streaming numbers has emerged as a concerning practice,
10:06 distorting the true popularity of songs.
10:09 "While French Montana was one of the few that got caught,
10:11 there are many other artists in the music industry faking their streams,
10:15 followers, likes, and so much more."
10:17 Techniques such as streaming farms, where large numbers of streams are artificially generated,
10:24 and the use of bots to repeatedly play tracks,
10:27 inflate streaming data to enhance chart positions and royalty payments.
10:33 This manipulation not only misleads fans and professionals about popularity,
10:38 but also diverts revenue from deserving musicians.
10:42 "We're in a major, major industry, and that industry is ran by a machine."
10:46 Furthermore, it skews the algorithms that recommend music to listeners,
10:51 affecting the organic discovery of new artists and songs.
10:55 The integrity of streaming charts and the fairness of the digital ecosystem are compromised,
11:01 undermining the merit-based system that should reward talent and hard work.
11:07 "They act like I'm the guy that created this sh*t, you know?
11:10 I'm just the one that optimizes and figure out how to do better than the guys that did create it."
11:14 "Don't hate the player."
11:15 "Hate the game, right?"
11:16 Number two, fan exploitation.
11:19 Fan exploitation manifests through practices that excessively monetize relationships.
11:26 Exclusive merchandise, VIP meet-and-greets, and limited-edition releases
11:32 often come with exorbitant price tags capitalizing on fans' loyalty and emotional investment.
11:39 "And I owe it all to my fans, who I share everything with."
11:43 Additionally, the secondary ticket market sees prices for live events
11:48 skyrocketing due to scalpers making access to live music prohibitively expensive for average fans.
11:57 "How did you manage to secure so many tickets?"
11:59 "I simply used a code that I wrote. You can call it the scalping boss."
12:03 Crowdfunding campaigns can also veer into exploitative territory when artists or labels
12:09 with sufficient resources solicit funds directly from fans for projects.
12:15 While engaging with an artist's work financially supports their career,
12:18 the line between support and exploitation blurs when fans are pressured into spending
12:24 beyond their means to maintain a connection with their favorites.
12:28 "The thing about me that's so impressive is how infrequently I mention all of my success."
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12:50 Number 1 - Mental and Physical Toll of Touring
12:55 Touring is a fundamental aspect of a musician's career,
12:59 but comes with a significant mental and physical toll.
13:02 "Just a reminder, you know you guys have that AP interview today."
13:07 "Are you serious?"
13:11 The relentless schedule of performances, travel and media engagements can lead to
13:17 chronic fatigue, sleep disorders and physical injuries related to performance or travel.
13:23 "This was an interesting run. It was short, but tough. This is one of the more
13:28 just physically and logistically demanding runs I think I've done in a while."
13:34 Isolation from family and friends, along with the pressure to perform night after night,
13:40 exacerbates mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
13:46 The lack of a stable support system on the road further compounds these challenges.
13:52 Despite the glamour associated with touring, the reality for many artists is a gruelling routine
13:59 that takes a heavy toll on their well-being, often with inadequate attention to the necessity of rest
14:06 and recovery in the pursuit of profit.
14:09 "We need a break on a tour. We finished this one like what an hour ago."
14:13 What do you think is the most disturbing aspect of the music business? Let us know in the comments.
14:19 "She said, 'I don't want my father to be the conservator.' That was her one request."
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