The BIGGEST issue in music distribution & streaming EXPLAINED (it’s not AI or royalties) 🤯

Summary

In this video, the artist discusses the significant issues in the music industry, particularly the lack of consent when it comes to music distribution. From unauthorized releases on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to the exploitation of vocal sample packs, the artist sheds light on how anyone can upload music to someone else's profile without their consent. The video emphasizes the importance of consent and suggests solutions for a more secure system where artists have control over their releases, calling for platforms to step up and address these problems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unauthorized music uploads on streaming platforms are a major issue, allowing anyone to upload content under another artist's name without consent.
• 🎧 Independent artists, especially those not signed to major labels, are particularly vulnerable to these unauthorized releases.
• 🚨 The lack of security and approval processes on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud leads to fraudulent releases appearing on artists' profiles.
• 🔍 Once a song is uploaded fraudulently, there is no guarantee the issue will be resolved quickly, leaving the artist’s profile cluttered with unauthorized content.
• 💡 There are two main ways someone can tag an artist in an unauthorized release: as a main artist or a featured artist, with no consent required.
• ⏳ Even if an artist notices a fraudulent song, taking it down can take time, often after the official release date, causing potential confusion among fans.
• 🔄 The music distribution process is flawed, with third-party distributors and platforms relying on unverified metadata and offering no system to verify or approve releases before they appear.
• 🎤 Sample pack creators, especially vocal sample pack designers, are heavily impacted by this issue, with users often violating the terms of use and releasing unauthorized works using their samples.
• 📉 The lack of proper attribution or credit when using royalty-free samples in music releases leads to issues with misrepresentation and exploitation of artists' work.
• ⚖️ The solution proposed is a system where artists receive notifications before their name is tagged in any release, allowing them to approve or decline the collaboration.
• 🔐 Platforms like YouTube and TikTok have figured out ways to prevent unauthorized posts on artists' profiles, suggesting that music streaming services could implement similar measures.

Q & A

What is the main issue the artist is addressing in the video?

The main issue being addressed is the lack of control artists have over their music on streaming platforms, specifically unauthorized releases appearing under their name without consent, and the platform's failure to prevent this from happening.

How can unauthorized uploads occur on streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music?

Unauthorized uploads happen when someone tags an artist's name on a release without their permission, and the platforms have no system in place to prevent it, allowing the song to appear on the artist's official profile.

What is the problem with the current music distribution system?

The problem lies in the fact that music distribution platforms do not have proper security measures to verify the authenticity of uploads. As a result, artists often find fake songs listed under their name, which causes confusion and damage to their reputation.

How does the artist describe their experience with unauthorized uploads on their Spotify profile?

The artist describes instances where fraudulent songs appeared on their profile, with no notification or approval process. One example includes a fake song being released on the same day as their original song 'Underwater', leading to significant stress and confusion for their fans.

What does the artist suggest is the root cause of unauthorized uploads?

The artist suggests that the lack of a proper approval or consent system within music distribution platforms is the root cause. Without any verification process, anyone can tag an artist and upload music under their name without permission.

What impact does the issue of unauthorized releases have on independent artists?

Independent artists are most affected, as they often lack the resources to constantly monitor their profiles. Unauthorized releases can lead to a muddled profile, loss of credibility, and fan confusion, negatively impacting their career and earnings.

What solution does the artist propose to address the issue of unauthorized uploads?

The artist proposes a system where, before a song is released with an artist's name, the artist receives a notification from the distribution platform to approve or decline the collaboration. This would ensure that the artist's consent is obtained before any music is officially released under their name.

How should royalty-free samples be used correctly, according to the artist?

Royalty-free samples should be used in music without crediting the sample creator in the title, artist tag, or cover art. The artist wants users to create their own music with the samples but without misrepresenting the relationship between them and the sample creator.

Why does the artist stress the importance of not tagging the creator of a royalty-free sample as a collaborator?

The artist emphasizes that royalty-free samples are meant to be used in a way that the buyer keeps all the credit and earnings. Tagging the creator as a collaborator misrepresents the actual relationship and is a violation of the terms of use.

What is the artist's stance on music platforms like YouTube and Instagram compared to music distribution services?

The artist acknowledges that platforms like YouTube and Instagram have systems in place to prevent unauthorized content from being posted to someone's profile, unlike music streaming platforms, which still lack these security measures, resulting in more issues for artists.