NYC Officially Backs the Living Wage for Musicians Act
In a bold show of solidarity with working artists, the New York City Council has passed a resolution urging Congress to enact the Living Wage for Musicians Act—a federal bill that would transform how musicians are paid in the streaming era.
The resolution calls on the federal government to deliver something musicians have been demanding for over a decade: a fair cut from streaming profits.
Streaming Pays Pennies
Streaming has become the default way most people consume music—accounting for 84% of all recorded music revenue in the U.S. But artists see almost none of that money. A 2020 Business Insider report found that most musicians earn as little as $0.0033 per stream.
NYC
More than 14,000 working musicians live in New York City, according to the NYC Comptroller. Many contribute to the city’s legendary arts ecosystem—clubs, theaters, parades, protests, subway platforms, and more. But their work is chronically underpaid and increasingly precarious.
Musicians often operate as freelancers or contractors, navigating volatile gig schedules and few protections. As digital streaming becomes the primary source of music consumption, their income has dwindled even further.
Organizations like Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) have been campaigning for fair streaming royalties for years. Now, they have the country’s largest city on their side.
The Living Wage for Musicians Act: What It Proposes
Introduced in March 2024 by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, the Living Wage for Musicians Act would reshape the digital music economy. Here’s how:
A Minimum of $0.01 Per Stream: That’s triple or more than what artists currently earn. It ensures that even modest traction can lead to real income.
A Public Royalty Fund: The Act would impose:
A subscription surcharge on streaming services (estimated between $4–10/month).
A 10% levy on ad-supported streaming revenues.
These funds would go into a non-profit, artist-run pool that distributes money directly to musicians, cutting out the labels and middlemen.
A Monthly Cap: To prevent monopolization by mega-artists, payouts would cap at one million streams per track, per month. Any excess funds get redistributed, ensuring that independent, niche, and emerging artists also benefit.
The resolution is symbolic—but the fight is real. For the Living Wage for Musicians Act to become law, it needs broad support in Congress, national media attention, and massive backing from artists and fans alike.
Musicians in New York and beyond should be organizing, testifying, and making noise. This isn’t just about money. It’s about cultural labor, worker dignity, and reclaiming the value of creative work in a tech-dominated economy.
