Anita Baker posted on Twitter last week that she’d outlived all of her recording contracts and that the right to her masters should legally revert to her. Baker is referencing copyright reversion, which allows musicians to retain their copyrights after 35 years.
via: Revolt
Anita Baker is asking her fans not to purchase or stream her music as she currently battles with her label for the right to own her masters.
On March 9, the legendary singer took to Twitter with her request. “Miraculously… I have out-lived ALL, of my Artist Contracts,” the Rhythm of Love songstress tweeted. “They no longer ‘Own’ My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30-year-old masters are to be returned to Me. Unfortunately, they’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared 2 do that. Please Don’t advertise/buy them. ABXO.”
A fan said that they would dedicate a Spotify playlist to her and Baker replied saying the music streaming service doesn’t pay artists what they are worth.
“Hello Sweetheart,” she tweeted. “Thank You 4 Sending Me Your Love. But, let’s not Advertise Spotify Streaming, which is a Publicly Traded Company with a $50 Million Valuation… but doesn’t pay Artists/Creators what they’re Worth. ABXO.”
After fans continued to question her instructions, Baker gave them a quick lesson on how the industry works when it comes to paying artists. She broke down what each musician actually gets paid from streams. “Correction. 2020 Streaming rate: $0.003 – $0.005, [which is] 1/3 – 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream for Artists minus… *fees *taxes *ect. ect. They need to leave me alone fr,” she wrote.
Baker later used a GIF of the late Prince to describe the music industry as “thieves.” As many fans can recall, the “When Doves Cry” singer publicly fought his record label for the rights to his masters. He did not allow his music to go on YouTube and he only did a streaming deal with TIDAL before he passed away.
“Love, hugs & Convo, Always Welcome on Our TL,” Baker tweeted. “I Am Just No longer Free Advertising for the Thieves in The Temple. #JoyRising.”
Check out Baker’s tweets below.
?Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts? They no longer "Own", My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me? Unfortunately, They're gonna make me Fight 4 it. I'm Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO?? pic.twitter.com/PXe9xzsJK0
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
Hello Sweetheart? Thank You 4 Sending Me, ?Your Love. But, let's not Advertise *Spotify Streaming, which is, a Publicly Traded Company, with a 50 Million$ Valuation… but doesnt pay Artists/Creators what their Worth.
ABXO? https://t.co/74vGjm00GY— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
Love, HugZ & Convo, Always Welcome??on Our TL… I Am Just, No longer ?Free Advertising, for the ?Theives in The Temple. #JoyRising? pic.twitter.com/UjXVU19Tf5
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
Baker broke down the hard numbers of streaming services and what an artist actually gets from each spin.
*Correction
2020 Streaming rate
$0.003 – $0.005
1/3rd – 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream, for Artist.
minus…
*fees
*taxes
*ect. ect. ect.
They need to Leave me alone? fr— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
And furthermore, Baker wants you to know that streaming audio is not as high-quality as it should be:
https://twitter.com/IAMANITABAKER/status/1369397625200513037?s=20
Do right by the legend.
