Are you one of the many artists who’s wondering where the hell your streaming royalties are? If so, you’re not alone. The truth is, the music industry is rife with shady practices that are designed to keep you in the dark while your record label rakes in the cash. And here’s the kicker: they’re banking on you never finding out.

The Dirty Secret Behind Streaming Royalties

You’d think that with millions of streams, you’d be rolling in money, right? Think again. Labels have been exploiting artists for decades, and now they’ve found a new way to do it—through streaming. Legends like Method Man and Snoop Dogg have recently spoken out, Method Man revealing that he's never seen a dime from streaming royalties. Yes, you read that right—never.

How is this even possible? The answer lies in the contracts and the complex web of accounting that labels use to confuse and underpay you. Labels are making backdoor deals with streaming platforms, and the result is that artists are left out in the cold. Even worse, if you’re not actively pursuing your royalties, your money is just sitting there, fattening the label’s bottom line.

The Numbers Don’t Lie—But the Labels Do

Method Man gets over 3 million listeners a month on Spotify alone, but his royalty checks are nowhere to be seen. Why? Because the label is sitting on that money, and they’re not going to hand it over unless you force them to. If you think the label is going to send you a nice email letting you know they’ve got your cash, think again. They’re betting on you not doing the work, not following up, and not knowing how to navigate this convoluted system.

The Solution: Take Control of Your Money

The first step to getting what’s yours is understanding how much you should be earning. Tools like streaming calculators can give you an estimate of what you’re owed based on your streams. But that’s just the beginning. You need to be diligent—set up your artist portal, keep your information up to date, and go through your royalty statements with a fine-tooth comb. If something doesn’t add up, don’t hesitate to escalate the issue.

And here’s the reality: if you don’t take control, the label will continue to profit off your hard work while you get nothing.

Don’t Let Them Steal From You Any Longer

The music industry isn’t going to change overnight, but you can protect yourself by arming yourself with knowledge. Don’t be another artist who gets screwed over because they didn’t understand the game.

That’s why we wrote The Musician's Guide to Music Copyrights, The Musician's Guide to Music Publishing, and The Ultimate Guide To Forming Your Own Music LLC. These books are your ultimate weapons against the exploitation that’s rampant in the industry. They break down the complex world of copyrights and royalties in a way that anyone can understand, giving you the tools you need to fight back.

Don’t let the labels win. Get your copy's today from our site or on Amazon, and start taking control of your career. Your money belongs to you—make sure you’re the one who gets it.