The Daily Show – The video explores the effects of music streaming on the music industry and musicians themselves. While streaming services like Spotify have made music more accessible, they have not necessarily been beneficial for artists financially.
Musicians receive only a small fraction of the revenue generated by streaming platforms, with some earning as little as $0.004 cents per play. This has led to many artists struggling to make a living wage, while even subway performers can earn more money.
The video highlights the disparity in revenue allocation, where top artists receive the largest shares, leaving indie bands and musicians with less. Some artists are advocating for renegotiating contracts, changing royalty structures, or finding alternative ways to earn revenue.
However, this exploitation is not a long-term solution, and artists are urged to raise awareness about the unfairness of the current system among their fans. The host concludes with the song “I Need a Dollar,” highlighting the desperation and frustration felt by struggling artists.