What's even worse is that so many artists are now like "All my fans don't need to pay!" so that they don't get backlash. Of course, what they say and what they do are two separate things, but they're still making fans feel justified for illegal downloading and such.

Super rich artists either genuinely don't care, or don't want bratty tumblr users bitching at them.

I agree with everything Tymps. has been saying. Art should be supported financially.Except I've snuck into the LA County Museum of Art a couple times.

Edit: Also, is it just me or did some posts disappear?

Like this is a quote from a Lady Gaga interview that's being thrown around Tumblr: "How much money do these artists really need?"

That's so disgusting. You don't need more, because you're rich. However, the vast majority of musicians aren't drowning in money. Everyone's supporting her because she's supporting their cause. I mean, if you're really so against big artists being "greedy" because they want more money than they need, support smaller artists. It's so stupid.

I didn't know Gaga said that. I like her her, but I disagree with that. I doubt the average person is going to distinguish between downloading a Lady Gaga or Katy Perry song and something by Sufjan or any smaller, just starting out artist.

Yeah and even the money made off the big pop stars could be put toward signing and supporting smaller more niche acts or developing new musicians.

Sent my song to a few of you. The idea just came to me randomly today and the structure is a biT of an experiment.

I know right! Like art is more than passion, it's a job. Blood, sweat and tears are put into it and it deserves to be compensated. I don't care if you're a new indie musician playing local dive bars or an international pop star with diamond albums. You still deserve to be compensated. And I have an entire argument about the "not in it for money" speil.

Scorpio popping out of nowhere to fight the good fight though

Even as a serial illegal downloader, I have to agree that artists should be compensated. I've seen the error of my ways and I'm slowly making up for all of my wrongdoings. Just recently I've purchased EPs from Bonnie McKee and Colette Carr through iTunes, as well as Zara Larsson's single "Lush Life", and last night purchased 'The Fame Monster', 'Born This Way', 'Kiss' and 'E•MO•TION' physical albums.

I've illegally downloaded too when it's not available in iTunes, and when it gets put on iTunes I legally download it then.

I mean imo the issue isn't in people illegally downloading entirely. That will always happen and only some people ilegally download everything, although it still is an issue. A very large part of the problem is that everything thinks it's okay, and that now artists have to agree with them because if they disagree the Internet turns against them. See: Taylor Swift.

Well the internet needs to take a minute to think about what they're actually saying.

People aren't turning against Taylor Swift because she doesn't agree with illegal downloading. They're turning against her because she can't seem to realize that a lot of people who stream music through services like Spotify will simply resort to illegal downloading if they can't legally stream something.

Also, it's her choice to not want to be a part of streaming services, but for her to believe that someone streaming her music through paid-royalty stream services is "stealing" kinda makes her seem greedy to me. I also don't think she's doing it to "send a message" or "start a movement"; she's just sucking every penny she can out of people. Not that I can blame her, like get money bitch, but I will never find it to be a cute look.

Anyway, I just sent my song. Not expecting too much to come of it, but it'd be great if it was sufficient to pull me through to the next round.

Good night, everyone!

@Hugamari I get that to an extent, and you can't consider streaming stealing at all since it's completely legal and artists have to agree to it. However, most people I know that used to buy music made the switch to streaming because for the consumer it's basically a no-brainer and it's completely legal as well. For the artist however it makes much more sense to not put music up on those streaming services.

For me Taylor pulling her stuff from Spotify is more of a symbol. I wouldn't say I support her specifically, but the massive hate for her is ridiculous. Even if she's not trying to actually send a message, it is sending one. If people are so incredibly against someone/people/industries being "greedy", they should start supporting smaller artists and (if they want to take it even farther) smaller businesses. Streaming wants to exist? Fine, but all artists reserve the right to say no without being dragged to the pits by every dot tumblr dot com.

I guess it's rather stupid for me to be so vehement about people making adequate amounts of money off their work when I'll never meet them. But I know a lot of struggling musicians and their opinions have influenced mine.

When did the Taylor hate start? I've seen nothing but praise since the Apple Music publicity stunt.

Really? Maybe it's just all the blogs I'm following.

Mess I thought everyone was dragging her left and right. I haven't checked the thread on ATRL but I figured people would be trashing her here.

Yeah, I don't use Tumblr or anything like that. But the ATRL Swifties have had me believe that Taylor's impacted the industry in some imaginable way or something and that her power is unparalleled, even by iconic artists such as The Beatles. But I guess the GP aren't here for her money-milking shenanigans? Surprised tbh. I wonder if this will affect her next remixed single.

Why not remix a single with an artist you respect who also respects you and has mentioned they want to collaborate with you if it'll change the entire sound and production of the song, thereby creating what is essentially a new song?

Much better than lazily adding a subpar rapper onto your song and cranking it out for no reason other than tying some record that apparently means so much.

A large part of the reason for the Taylor backlash is that she is a massive public figure. Whether she's doing it selflessly or not (she's not) people have formed their opinions on her already and will allow that to cloud their judgement over the symbolic meaning of what she's been doing.

Tymps you made great points and I pretty much agree with you.

The thing is, we've been exposed to free music for a long time now, it's basically all we know. Music is consumed for free all around us including radio. That has built up into entitlement, we believe we deserve music for free. In reality, like you said, it's the same as visiting an art gallery for free because we believe we are entitled to do so.

If a painter created art, you wouldn't expect to 'consume' it for free, otherwise where is the value? It's the exact same thing for a musician. WHat they're creating is art, so it should be paid for and they should be compensated. Taylor being the big superstar means that people see her demanding for HER music to be paid when she's clearly getting money, but what about independent singers who have their art as their source of income? I don't deny that she isn't doing this entirely selflessly but if you ask me she had every right to ask for fair compensation, this is her work, she has the right to do what she wants with it. If it affects your impression of the person that's up to you but it isn't fair to judge artists differently when they all basically want the same thing - their work to be appreciated for it's value.

/rant

Just my thoughts on this whole thing though... Usually I avoid the stan-fuelled arguments