Andre Yoskowitz
21 Nov 2009 19:10
According to a report today from Expressen.se and translated by TorrentFreak, blockbuster star Lady Gaga made a measly $167 USD (SEK 1150) from the STIM (Swedish Performing Rights Society) after her song "Poker Face" was played one million times via Spotify over a 5-month period.
Spotify, the digital music service seen by some as the best chance the labels have to slow down piracy, appears to not reward the artists, while at the same time adding to the bottom line of the labels that control about 12 percent of the company.
Adds Swedish rapper Dogge Doggelito on the situation: “It is totally sick. We musicians have no rights, you may not charge [for music] anymore." Doggelito adds Lady Gaga could have made much more money driving "an illegal taxi cab."
From the other side, the Swedish music producer Alexander Bard said anything is better than what she made by having her music on The Pirate Bay and other torrent trackers. At least the number was “…more than zero,” he said.
Both have points, but the real questions should be who is making the money off these services and how could any artist of less popularity than Lady Gaga expect to make any money off them.