Method Man Reveals He’s Never Earned Streaming Royalties
Method Man, a legendary figure in hip-hop, recently revealed that despite his iconic status, he hasn’t earned a dime from streaming his music.
During a conversation with Wale Ogunleye, the rapper was asked about his thoughts on the rise of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on artists.
Method Man admitted that while he's still trying to grasp the concept of AI, some instances have caught his attention, especially those involving deepfakes of famous artists like Drake, 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg.
However, Method Man’s concerns go beyond AI's ability to mimic real artists. He touched on a deeper issue affecting artists from his era: streaming royalties.
"I mean, I think it goes way deeper than that, especially when it comes to IPs [intellectual properties] for artists that came from my era, because, you know, honestly... I've never gotten a streaming check for any of my music,"
Method Man Admits He’s Never Received a Streaming Check:
He revealed, without delving into why that might be the case. The rapper admitted he’s still trying to figure out the intricacies of AI, suggesting there might be a way to blend AI with creativity, but emphasized that the artistic element should always be at the forefront.
Earlier in the discussion, Method Man was asked to evaluate the current state of the music industry. He didn’t hold back, giving the industry an “F” for its slow adaptation to the streaming revolution.
"The music industry gets an F, Took them too long to adjust to streaming, to a point where they're drowning and fighting for trying to tread water right now. And, I don't think it's really working out. Because the way the industry, or rather, the way music is received, has changed so much that they either have to adjust or get the hell out of the way."
Despite his criticism of the industry's handling of streaming, Method Man praised the current landscape of music as an art form, giving it an "A" grade.
He highlighted the growing trend of genre-crossing collaborations as a positive sign.
This fresh perspective from Method Man sheds light on the evolving challenges and opportunities within the music industry, especially for veteran artists navigating the modern landscape.