Rolling Stone - "Songwriters Are Tired of Having Their Money Taken — By Artists"

Top pop writers are asking their peers to support the Pact, an open letter calling for fairer treatment in an industry that often takes them for granted

As an elite pop songwriter, Emily Warren breathes rarified air — she’s co-written several songs with more than a billion streams each on Spotify alone, including Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” and “New Rules” and the Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down.” But Warren still found herself in an uncomfortable situation last year: A high-powered singer was demanding a “crazy” fraction of publishing — the income that writers earn from creating the lyrics and melodies for songs — in exchange for recording a tune penned by Warren, even though that artist had not contributed to the writing process in any way. 

When Warren tried to negotiate a fairer deal, that artist turned to what she describes as “bully tactics and threats.” “I’m down to stand my ground,” she continues, “but if I can’t say no at my position, then baby writers with less leverage have no shot.” 

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