RAYE, a singer-songwriter who battled to release her debut album, talks about her challenges in the music industry, writing for Beyoncé, body dysmorphia, unfairness in royalties for songwriters, cultural differences, and excitement for upcoming shows and creating more music.
The podcast highlights the challenges faced by songwriters in receiving proper credit and compensation for their work, advocating for record labels to give songwriters more recognition and financial compensation.
The episode discusses the pressures faced by artists in the age of social media, emphasizing the impact of unrealistic body image standards and the importance of distinguishing between real-life experiences and social media comments.
The podcast interviews a successful independent artist who shares her experience of breaking free from a label and emphasizes the freedom and challenges that come with being an independent artist.
Deep dives
The challenges of being a songwriter
The podcast discusses the challenges faced by songwriters, particularly in terms of receiving proper credit and compensation for their work. It highlights the disparity between the royalties received by artists versus songwriters, and advocates for record labels to give songwriters more recognition and financial compensation, especially with the rise of streaming platforms.
Navigating the pressures of social media
The episode delves into the pressures faced by artists in the age of social media, focusing on body image and negative comments. It explores the unrealistic standards imposed on women's bodies and the impact of social media on self-esteem. The discussion touches on the importance of distinguishing between real-life experiences and the comments made on social media.
The journey of becoming an independent artist
The podcast interviews a successful independent artist who shares her experience of breaking free from a label and taking control of her career. It explores the freedom and challenges that come with being an independent artist, including the need for financial backing and the ability to make creative decisions without seeking permission.
The Challenges of Being a Musician
Ray discusses the difficulties of being a musician, including the fear of being judged and the importance of creating music that she loves. She shares how initially she had no intention of achieving chart success, but when her songs reached number one, she experienced overwhelming emotions.
The Unfairness in the Music Industry
Ray sheds light on the unfair payment practices in the music industry, particularly for songwriters. She highlights the lack of royalty points given to songwriters compared to producers and the minimal income earned from publishing. She advocates for change and encourages artists to stand up for better compensation.
Singer songwriter Raye tells Sideman and Zeze Millz about her hard-fought battle to release her debut album, singing about body dysmorphia and writing for the likes of Beyoncé.