Top 10 Worst Music Industry Practices

Major platforms pay artists fractions of a cent per stream, meaning even millions of plays often generate less income than a single sold-out club show.

Labels routinely retain ownership of master recordings, as infamously illustrated by Taylor Swift's battle to reclaim her catalog from Scooter Braun's acquisition.

The practice of paying for radio play evolved into playlist placement fees, where access to major streaming playlists can be bought through middlemen and promotion deals.

Labels structure advances so artists must repay recording, marketing, and video costs before seeing royalties, keeping many acts permanently in debt despite commercial success.

Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model allows concert ticket prices to skyrocket based on demand, with fans paying hundreds above face value through the official platform.

Uncredited songwriters and producers create hits for major artists, often receiving one-time flat fees while the performing artist receives ongoing royalties and acclaim.

Songwriters are pressured into signing away publishing rights early in their careers, losing long-term royalty streams that often become their most valuable assets.

Labels release dozens of vinyl variants, deluxe editions, and format-exclusive tracks to inflate chart positions and extract maximum revenue from dedicated fan bases.

Record contracts often include options allowing labels to lock artists into multi-album deals while retaining the right to drop them at any time without reciprocal protection.

Major platforms pay artists fractions of a cent per stream, meaning even millions of plays often generate less income than a single sold-out club show.

Labels routinely retain ownership of master recordings, as infamously illustrated by Taylor Swift's battle to reclaim her catalog from Scooter Braun's acquisition.

The practice of paying for radio play evolved into playlist placement fees, where access to major streaming playlists can be bought through middlemen and promotion deals.

Labels structure advances so artists must repay recording, marketing, and video costs before seeing royalties, keeping many acts permanently in debt despite commercial success.

Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model allows concert ticket prices to skyrocket based on demand, with fans paying hundreds above face value through the official platform.

Uncredited songwriters and producers create hits for major artists, often receiving one-time flat fees while the performing artist receives ongoing royalties and acclaim.

Songwriters are pressured into signing away publishing rights early in their careers, losing long-term royalty streams that often become their most valuable assets.

Labels release dozens of vinyl variants, deluxe editions, and format-exclusive tracks to inflate chart positions and extract maximum revenue from dedicated fan bases.

Record contracts often include options allowing labels to lock artists into multi-album deals while retaining the right to drop them at any time without reciprocal protection.