“Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” This was the closing line of Chappell Roan’s speech at the 67th annual Grammy Awards ceremony this past Sunday. Her speech stood out because, instead of thanking record labels for allowing her to create music, she called them out for not providing adequate health care benefits, including insurance, for up-and-coming musicians. This unique perspective prompted me to research the question: do artists have health insurance?
The short answer is no. Most record companies do not provide health insurance, especially for emerging artists who haven’t yet achieved significant success. According to an interview in PopSugar with business and insurance expert Samantha Taylor, “Most artists and singers don’t have a full-time job with medical coverage, so they have to make it work from them in an ad hoc kind of way.”
This means that many artists need to seek aid from various government programs, some which are now facing significant budget cuts due to President Trump’s financial plan. Consequently, artists who typically earn below the average income will likely have to pay for healthcare out-of-pocket.
Fortunately, there are some small steps being taken. Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) introduced the Living Wage for Musicians Act in March of 2024. This Act proposes that new streaming royalties should be established to compensate artists and musicians at a rate of one cent per stream whenever their music is played on various streaming platforms. This initiative would bypass any contracts musicians have signed with record companies in order to ensure fair compensation. Unfortunately, the Act does not guarantee healthcare for artists, and it is still in the process of being implemented. Since it has only been introduced and with a new Congress beginning its term, it could face delays or modifications.
The reality is that the dominant media culture in the United States is exploiting the working class that keeps this country functioning. The U.S. still remains one of the few countries where healthcare is not a guaranteed right but rather a privilege that too few have access to. It’s time for change, and it’s time for change now.
