JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR
Graphic: Joseph DeBell
With Donald Trump as the incoming president, musicians’ progress toward fair compensation is at risk.
The Living Wage for Musicians Act — designed to secure better wages for artists in the music industry — is in danger of being sidelined. This legislation could become one of the casualties of Trump’s administration.
For years, musicians have weathered mounting financial pressure — especially at a time when streaming platforms like Spotify dominate the market. These platforms have revolutionized how we enjoy music, but often at the expense of the artists.
Meager royalties and strict control by major labels have left independent artists struggling to make ends meet.
Spotify’s proposal to reduce royalties to smaller artists speaks to the music industry’s continued exploitation of creative labor.
The Living Wage for Musicians Act, championed by U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, proposes a much-needed lifeline by guaranteeing artists a penny per stream — enough to make a
difference for struggling musicians.
With Trump in office, it’s unlikely that he will support legislation focused on fair compensation or economic justice for artists. Trump’s record suggests a preference for big business interests over worker protections.
Under his leadership, the delicate momentum for a fairer music industry could die — leaving artists further marginalized for reasonable streaming revenue.
Artists like James Blake have long warned about the dire reality musicians face.
“Streaming services don’t pay properly, labels want a bigger cut than ever and just sit and wait for you to go viral,” Blake posted on X.
Without the safety net proposed by the Living Wage for Musicians Act, the creative future for many musicians hangs in the balance.
As Damon Krukowski of the Union for Musicians and Allied Workers said,
“Streaming platforms and major labels have already had their say for more than a decade, and they have failed musicians.” The Act provides a new, artist-centered solution — but only if it survives the political headwinds of Trump’s presidency.
With Trump in office, advocacy for the artists who mold our cultural landscape is more vital than ever. The music industry deserves someone more progressive in the White House than Trump.
debelljb22@bonaventure.edu
