Music isn’t just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of our lives. For me, it’s therapy. It’s the force that carries me through love, grief, joy, and quiet reflection. I may not play an instrument or sing professionally, but music shapes my world. That’s why efforts to protect artists, like the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), resonate deeply. Here’s why this legislation matters and how it could redefine fairness in the music industry.
What Is the American Music Fairness Act?
The AMFA is a bipartisan bill designed to close a decades-old loophole: AM/FM radio stations in the U.S. currently don’t pay performers royalties for airing their music. While songwriters and labels receive compensation, artists and session musicians—whose voices and instruments fill the airwaves—get nothing.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Royalties for artists: Large radio corporations would pay performers when their songs play on terrestrial radio.
- Protections for small stations: Broadcasters with under $1.5M in annual revenue (and parent companies under $10M) pay just $500/year for unlimited music.
- Global reciprocity: Ensures U.S. artists receive royalties when their music plays overseas.
The U.S. is the only democratic nation that doesn’t compensate artists for radio play, aligning it with regimes like Iran and North Korea on this issue.
Who’s Fighting for the AMFA—and Why?
Over 300 artists—spanning genres from R&B to rock—have rallied behind the bill, including Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, and Ozzy Osbourne. Their message is simple: corporate radio profits from their work without sharing revenue.
Voices from the Front Lines
- Boyz II Men: “Big radio companies make billions in ads while denying royalties to the artists whose music draws listeners. This is about right and wrong.”
- Carly Simon: “Radio once offered free promotion. Now, stations profit from our music without paying us.”
- SoundExchange: “This bill corrects an injustice that’s persisted for generations.”
The legislation also enjoys rare bipartisan support, with sponsors like Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) arguing that it’s time to end corporate exploitation of artists. Organizations such as the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, and the American Federation of Musicians endorse the AMFA, calling it a critical step toward economic justice.
Impact on the Music Industry
If passed, the AMFA would:
- Align radio with streaming: Terrestrial broadcasters would join platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in paying performance royalties.
- Support working musicians: Session players and backup vocalists—often overlooked—would finally earn royalties for their contributions.
- Protect local radio: Small stations, crucial for community news and culture, are exempt from heavy fees.
Critics, including the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, warn that added costs could strain local stations. However, the bill’s exemptions aim to shield these broadcasters while targeting corporate giants like iHeartMedia, which dominates U.S. radio.
Music: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
This fight isn’t just about royalties—it’s about respect for the art that shapes us. Music has carried me through breakups, workouts, and sleepless nights. It’s the friend that never judges, the comfort that never fades. When artists create, they pour their souls into their work. The least we can do is ensure they’re paid fairly.
The AMFA isn’t just policy; it recognizes that music holds irreplaceable value. As Boyz II Men told Congress: “Artists create joy. It’s time they’re rewarded for it.” Let’s turn up the volume on fairness.
Note: This post was informed by statements from artists, lawmakers, and advocacy groups. For updates on the AMFA, follow the hashtag #FairPlayForArtists.
