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Blake, Wm. The Progress of Poesy- Page 5. 1797.

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A new bill introduced into Congress proposes a minimum streaming payout of one cent per stream for music artists, a rate significantly higher than Spotify’s.

The Living Wage For Musicians Act includes a funding mechanism through platform subscription fees and a 10% levy on non-subscription revenue, with a cap on earnings for tracks after reaching one million streams to ensure equitable distribution.

The act comes in response to challenges faced by artists in the streaming era, where many struggle financially despite their music being widely accessed online. Spotify’s latest policy change, which ends compensation for tracks with fewer than 1,000 streams, has further spotlighted the need for reform to ensure artists are fairly compensated.

Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib: “Streaming has changed the music industry, but it’s leaving countless artists struggling to make ends meet… It’s only right that the people who create the music we love get their fair share so that they can thrive, not just survive.”