10 Times Singers EXPOSED the Music Industry
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VOICE OVER: Kirsten Ria Squibb
From unfair contracts to exploitation, artists have bravely spoken out against industry practices. Join us as we explore shocking revelations from musicians who dared to challenge the system. Our countdown features powerful statements from legendary artists who fought for creative freedom and fair compensation. Watch as we highlight game-changing moments from Prince's symbolic protest to Taylor Swift's masters battle, Kesha's legal struggles, and TLC's financial revelations. These artists didn't just speak up - they changed the industry forever.
Top 10 Times Singers EXPOSED the Music Industry
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most memorable instances when musicians pulled back the curtain on the shady inner workings of the recording industry.
Before releasing her debut album, British singer Raye was primarily known as a songwriter, penning hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Charli XCX and John Legend. However, she longed to put out her own music, but her own record label turned out to be her biggest obstacle. In a Twitter thread from June 2021, Raye accused Polydor Records of preventing her from releasing an album because they didn’t believe she was ready. The thread not only garnered support, but also shed light on an all-too-common industry struggle. The following month, Raye parted ways with Polydor, finally gaining the freedom to drop “My 21st Century Blues” in 2023. The triumphant debut earned her six Brit awards and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Despite disbanding in 2018, Fifth Harmony still holds its place as one of the best-selling girl groups in history. Their music has been streamed billions of times across multiple platforms, so you’d think they are raking in steady paychecks, right? Well, not quite. In 2023, former member Ally Brooke made a shocking revelation on “The Zach Sang Show” podcast, that the group earns nothing from streaming platforms. The only silver lining is that they still pocket about $5,000 per month in royalties, thanks to SoundExchange, the nonprofit set up by the U.S. Congress to ensure artists get paid for their recordings. Bandmate Lauren Jauregui[a] backed up Brooke’s claim, adding that most of the money actually goes to the songwriters and producers.
Despite some progress in tackling sexism in the music industry, certain incidents surface that prove there’s still much work to be done. English musician Jade Thirlwall, who rose to fame as a member of Little Mix, has spoken about the intense pressure women face in the industry. In a 2018 interview with ASOS Magazine, Thirlwall recalled attending a radio event in the U.S., where a record label executive advised her to flirt with “important men” to secure airplay. She also revealed that a well-known producer once discouraged the group from writing their own songs. A similar situation occurred with English singer Cher Lloyd, who alleged that her record label urged her to “get with” Justin Bieber to promote her album in the U.S.
There’s no denying the impact TikTok has had on the music industry. Songs that go viral on the social media platform are almost guaranteed to become pop hits. But it seems record labels are beginning to rely on it a little too much. Singer Halsey suggested this in 2022 when she posted a TikTok video venting that her label was blocking the release of a song until they could first create a viral moment on TikTok out of it. Ironically, Halsey’s rant went viral, garnering over eight million views, which made many suspect that it was staged. Halsey, however, refuted those claims. Record labels’ increasing demands for TikTok visibility have also drawn complaints from other artists like FKA twigs and Gavin DeGraw.
Although it is centered around entertainment, the music business is still a business, one where exploitation is quite common. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion believed she was on the receiving end of that stick due to the terms of her early recording contract. Megan disclosed in a 2020 Instagram Live that she had signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment without fully grasping the fine print. When she later tried to renegotiate, the label allegedly fought against it and attempted to prevent her from releasing new music. In 2022, Megan sued 1501 and eventually reached a confidential settlement, allowing her to part ways with them. She has since launched her independent label, Hot Girl Productions, through which she now releases her music.
Few artists had a better 2024 than Chappell Roan. The campy singer-songwriter from Missouri shot to superstardom, thanks in large part to her breakout single “Good Luck, Babe!” But her success was not overnight. Roan spent years as a struggling artist, during which time she felt neglected by her record label. After winning Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys, Roan used her acceptance speech to make a statement. She called out the record labels, challenging them to pay their artists liveable wages and provide them with comprehensive health insurance. In doing so, Roan not only shone a light on a very important issue in the industry, she also fulfilled a promise to her younger self.
In 1996, girl group TLC was on top of the music world. Their multiplatinum album “CrazySexyCool” had spawned two number-one singles and earned them two Grammys. But while talking to the press at the award ceremony that year, the group dropped a bombshell: despite selling millions of records, they had no money. Apparently, they had been tied down with an unfavorable contract, which saw them receive only 56 cents per album sold. In addition, their label deducted money for expenses like airline travel, hotel stays and music videos from their earnings, leaving them with less than $50,000 a year each. This, combined with their personal financial struggles, left one of the biggest girl groups of the decade nearly penniless.
Pop singer Kesha was only 18 when she signed a six-album deal with producer Dr. Luke. To the public, their partnership seemed successful, but behind the scenes, things were allegedly much different. In 2014, Kesha sued Luke, accusing him of discrimination, sexual assault and violation of business laws. Her 2017 album “Rainbow,” served both as a comeback and a statement, featuring songs that addressed the situation and subtly called Luke out. The lawsuit was finally settled out of court in 2023, following which Kesha cut ties with Luke and founded her own label. Now, she has unveiled a 10-year plan to shake up the industry by creating a digital platform designed to protect artists and prevent others from facing what she endured.
Before Big Machine Records officially launched in 2005, it had already signed its first artist—a fresh-faced singer named Taylor Swift. Eventually, Swift became a global sensation and her recordings, which the label owned the masters to, turned into a goldmine. In 2019, Big Machine was sold to music executive Scooter Braun, giving him control over Swift’s masters. This move infuriated the singer. Swift took to Tumblr to condemn the sale, accusing Braun of harassing her in the past, and claiming she was never given the chance to buy her own catalog. Her posts received widespread support from fellow artists who agreed that musicians should own their work. Determined to reclaim control, Swift began re-recording her first six albums and releasing them as “Taylor’s Version.”
Prince was a musical genius, but he was also a fierce advocate for artists’ rights. In the early ‘90s, he famously clashed with his record label, Warner Bros., where he had been since he was 18. Frustrated by their refusal to let him release music at his own pace, Prince made a decision that many saw as outrageous: he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol. However, this didn’t stop Warner Bros. from selling his records and delaying new releases. As a result, Prince doubled down, by performing in public with the word “slave” boldly written across his face. Although his sales took a hit during this period, Prince’s bold protest exposed the industry’s exploitative practices and reshaped the conversation around musicians’ rights.
[b]HAWL-zee
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most memorable instances when musicians pulled back the curtain on the shady inner workings of the recording industry.
#10: Raye
Before releasing her debut album, British singer Raye was primarily known as a songwriter, penning hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Charli XCX and John Legend. However, she longed to put out her own music, but her own record label turned out to be her biggest obstacle. In a Twitter thread from June 2021, Raye accused Polydor Records of preventing her from releasing an album because they didn’t believe she was ready. The thread not only garnered support, but also shed light on an all-too-common industry struggle. The following month, Raye parted ways with Polydor, finally gaining the freedom to drop “My 21st Century Blues” in 2023. The triumphant debut earned her six Brit awards and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
#9: Ally Brooke
Despite disbanding in 2018, Fifth Harmony still holds its place as one of the best-selling girl groups in history. Their music has been streamed billions of times across multiple platforms, so you’d think they are raking in steady paychecks, right? Well, not quite. In 2023, former member Ally Brooke made a shocking revelation on “The Zach Sang Show” podcast, that the group earns nothing from streaming platforms. The only silver lining is that they still pocket about $5,000 per month in royalties, thanks to SoundExchange, the nonprofit set up by the U.S. Congress to ensure artists get paid for their recordings. Bandmate Lauren Jauregui[a] backed up Brooke’s claim, adding that most of the money actually goes to the songwriters and producers.
#8: Jade Thirlwall
Despite some progress in tackling sexism in the music industry, certain incidents surface that prove there’s still much work to be done. English musician Jade Thirlwall, who rose to fame as a member of Little Mix, has spoken about the intense pressure women face in the industry. In a 2018 interview with ASOS Magazine, Thirlwall recalled attending a radio event in the U.S., where a record label executive advised her to flirt with “important men” to secure airplay. She also revealed that a well-known producer once discouraged the group from writing their own songs. A similar situation occurred with English singer Cher Lloyd, who alleged that her record label urged her to “get with” Justin Bieber to promote her album in the U.S.
#7: Halsey[b]
There’s no denying the impact TikTok has had on the music industry. Songs that go viral on the social media platform are almost guaranteed to become pop hits. But it seems record labels are beginning to rely on it a little too much. Singer Halsey suggested this in 2022 when she posted a TikTok video venting that her label was blocking the release of a song until they could first create a viral moment on TikTok out of it. Ironically, Halsey’s rant went viral, garnering over eight million views, which made many suspect that it was staged. Halsey, however, refuted those claims. Record labels’ increasing demands for TikTok visibility have also drawn complaints from other artists like FKA twigs and Gavin DeGraw.
#6: Megan Thee Stallion
Although it is centered around entertainment, the music business is still a business, one where exploitation is quite common. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion believed she was on the receiving end of that stick due to the terms of her early recording contract. Megan disclosed in a 2020 Instagram Live that she had signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment without fully grasping the fine print. When she later tried to renegotiate, the label allegedly fought against it and attempted to prevent her from releasing new music. In 2022, Megan sued 1501 and eventually reached a confidential settlement, allowing her to part ways with them. She has since launched her independent label, Hot Girl Productions, through which she now releases her music.
#5: Chappell Roan
Few artists had a better 2024 than Chappell Roan. The campy singer-songwriter from Missouri shot to superstardom, thanks in large part to her breakout single “Good Luck, Babe!” But her success was not overnight. Roan spent years as a struggling artist, during which time she felt neglected by her record label. After winning Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys, Roan used her acceptance speech to make a statement. She called out the record labels, challenging them to pay their artists liveable wages and provide them with comprehensive health insurance. In doing so, Roan not only shone a light on a very important issue in the industry, she also fulfilled a promise to her younger self.
#4: TLC
In 1996, girl group TLC was on top of the music world. Their multiplatinum album “CrazySexyCool” had spawned two number-one singles and earned them two Grammys. But while talking to the press at the award ceremony that year, the group dropped a bombshell: despite selling millions of records, they had no money. Apparently, they had been tied down with an unfavorable contract, which saw them receive only 56 cents per album sold. In addition, their label deducted money for expenses like airline travel, hotel stays and music videos from their earnings, leaving them with less than $50,000 a year each. This, combined with their personal financial struggles, left one of the biggest girl groups of the decade nearly penniless.
#3: Kesha
Pop singer Kesha was only 18 when she signed a six-album deal with producer Dr. Luke. To the public, their partnership seemed successful, but behind the scenes, things were allegedly much different. In 2014, Kesha sued Luke, accusing him of discrimination, sexual assault and violation of business laws. Her 2017 album “Rainbow,” served both as a comeback and a statement, featuring songs that addressed the situation and subtly called Luke out. The lawsuit was finally settled out of court in 2023, following which Kesha cut ties with Luke and founded her own label. Now, she has unveiled a 10-year plan to shake up the industry by creating a digital platform designed to protect artists and prevent others from facing what she endured.
#2: Taylor Swift
Before Big Machine Records officially launched in 2005, it had already signed its first artist—a fresh-faced singer named Taylor Swift. Eventually, Swift became a global sensation and her recordings, which the label owned the masters to, turned into a goldmine. In 2019, Big Machine was sold to music executive Scooter Braun, giving him control over Swift’s masters. This move infuriated the singer. Swift took to Tumblr to condemn the sale, accusing Braun of harassing her in the past, and claiming she was never given the chance to buy her own catalog. Her posts received widespread support from fellow artists who agreed that musicians should own their work. Determined to reclaim control, Swift began re-recording her first six albums and releasing them as “Taylor’s Version.”
#1: Prince
Prince was a musical genius, but he was also a fierce advocate for artists’ rights. In the early ‘90s, he famously clashed with his record label, Warner Bros., where he had been since he was 18. Frustrated by their refusal to let him release music at his own pace, Prince made a decision that many saw as outrageous: he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol. However, this didn’t stop Warner Bros. from selling his records and delaying new releases. As a result, Prince doubled down, by performing in public with the word “slave” boldly written across his face. Although his sales took a hit during this period, Prince’s bold protest exposed the industry’s exploitative practices and reshaped the conversation around musicians’ rights.
Which of these revelations about the music industry shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments below.
[a]LOH-ren HOW-reh-gee[b]HAWL-zee
