Chappell Roan sparked controversy after her speech at the recent Grammy Awards, where she criticized record labels for not providing adequate support to their artists. Roan, who won Best New Artist, spoke about her own experience being dropped by Atlantic Records in 2020 and having to start from scratch.
Roan called on record labels to offer a livable wage and healthcare benefits to developing artists. Her comments have sparked debates online, with some executives pushing back on the narrative of corporate greed, while others, like Halsey, have backed her up.
The National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings provides health insurance options for recording artists signed to major labels through SAG-AFTRA. However, this arrangement has its limitations, particularly for emerging artists who may not meet the income threshold or are on non-union labels.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explained that some deals can recoup advances against earnings, leaving artists without coverage during certain years. He also noted that many artists are isolated and struggle to access resources and understand their contracts.
Crabtree-Ireland commended Roan for her courage in advocating for artist protections and hopes to work with her to raise awareness about available resources and gaps in protections.
Roan’s comments highlight the need for a better healthcare system, not just in the music industry but overall. The debate raises questions about the responsibility of record labels and unions in providing support to artists, particularly those who are struggling financially or don’t have access to necessary resources.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/chappell-roan-grammy-speech-sag-aftra-1236280873