Why Your Favorite Musician Is Struggling in the Streaming Era (And What You Can Do About It)

The way we listen to music has changed dramatically over the last two decades. From buying CDs and records to streaming songs on demand, the industry has undergone a digital revolution. But while consumers enjoy unprecedented access, many musicians face a harsh reality: their income has plummeted.

One iconic drummer and singer saw his royalty income fall from about $100,000 a year to nearly zero after piracy and streaming upended the industry. Streaming services like Spotify pay artists less than half a cent per track play, forcing many to rely on live performances or alternative income sources.

The rise of peer-to-peer platforms such as Napster introduced tens of millions of users to free music sharing, which, while revolutionary, devastated recorded music revenues, cutting them by nearly two-thirds. The industry struggled to adapt, and many artists found themselves caught in the crossfire.

Despite these challenges, artists continue to innovate, collaborating with fans via social media, crowdfunding, and new cooperative platforms that aim to return control and revenue to creators.

Supporting musicians today means more than streaming; it involves understanding the economics behind the scenes and advocating for fairer compensation models. As listeners, our choices can help shape a sustainable future for music.

Sources: Moritz Law Review on digital disruption, Brookings Institution on market impacts, The Atlantic on artist struggles, ResearchGate on streaming economics