The 2025 Grammy Awards should have been a moment of pure celebration for Chappell Roan. However, instead of delivering a traditional thank-you speech, Roan used her platform to address a pressing issue within the music industry: the treatment of artists by major record labels. Her bold statement about musicians deserving a livable wage and proper healthcare has ignited a major debate, drawing both support and criticism.
During her speech, Roan reflected on her own struggles in the industry, particularly after being dropped from her first record deal. Signed at just 16 years old, she later found herself in financial hardship, lacking job experience and health insurance. She described the experience as “dehumanizing.”
Roan declared, “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry, profiting millions of dollars off of artists, would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.”
Her plea resonated with many artists who feel trapped in an exploitative system. However, not everyone was in agreement with her stance.
Backlash from Industry Veterans
One of Roan’s biggest critics was veteran music executive Jeff Rabhan, who dismissed her argument in an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter. Rabhan argued that record labels are not traditional employers, but rather financial backers who take risks on artists. Advances given to musicians, he pointed out, are not salaries but loans, meaning artists must recoup those funds before seeing any real earnings.
Supporters of Rabhan’s perspective stress that the record business has always involved financial risks and rewards. If an artist succeeds, the payoff is significant. If not, the deal ends—harsh but expected. However, many are now questioning whether this traditional model is truly fair.
Industry Figures Rally in Support
Despite the criticism, Roan has found strong support among industry figures, including musician Kay Hanley. In a scathing response to Rabhan’s take, Hanley criticized labels for exploiting artists while refusing to provide basic protections.
“The music business is the toughest business on earth: brutal, mercurial, unfair,” Hanley wrote. “The losers give up the best years of their lives trying to figure out a magic trick, while the winners take all the marbles.”
Her words struck a chord, prompting numerous artists, songwriters, and producers to share their own experiences of financial instability despite contributing to multimillion-dollar hits.
The Reality of Record Deals and Artist Struggles
Roan’s speech has drawn attention to the financial instability plaguing many artists, especially new ones. While major labels provide advances, the money is often illusory wealth—artists must pay it back through sales, streaming, and touring before they see real profits.
Additionally, many musicians are expected to fund their own marketing, touring, and some recording expenses, with these costs deducted from their royalties. This means even relatively successful artists can struggle to make ends meet.
The rise of streaming has worsened the problem, as platforms pay notoriously low rates per stream. While labels secure lucrative licensing deals, artists frequently see only a small fraction of those earnings.
A Moment That Could Lead to Industry Reform?
Roan’s speech may mark the beginning of an industry-wide reckoning. The conversation surrounding fair pay, job security, and healthcare is now louder than ever, with artists using their growing platforms to demand change.
With streaming services and record labels under increasing scrutiny, the pressure to reform outdated business models is growing. Whether real change happens remains uncertain—but there is no doubt that this debate is far from over.
The Future of Artist Treatment in Music
More than just a discussion about money, this debate is about fairness. The music industry thrives on creative talent, yet many artists struggle financially despite their contributions. Roan’s speech has inspired a growing wave of musicians advocating for better contracts, livable wages, and healthcare—things considered standard in other industries.
Systemic changes in entertainment industries don’t happen overnight, but if Roan’s speech is any indication, momentum is building. The question now is: will record labels listen and adjust, or will it take sustained pressure from artists to force meaningful reform?
One thing is certain—Chappell Roan’s message will not be forgotten.