Artists discuss the dark side of the music industry

Taylor Swift's open letter shines a light on some shady business

Stars Insider

03/07/19 | StarsInsider

MUSIC Industry secrets

It's a dream shared by millions around the world: become a world-famous musician. Who hasn't turned on the TV, seen an iconic performance, and wished they were in that position? Well, you might soon be relieved that you're watching from the other side of the stage. The music industry is rife with shady business and unspoken hardships.

Take the scandal and controversy over Taylor Swift's music, for example. She recently came out with a scathing open letter detailing a long and failed struggle to own her master recordings, claiming that her former label Big Machine Records had offered her a deal to "earn" her first six albums back, and arguing that there was malice in the label's sale to her alleged longtime bully Scooter Braun.

Music executives and other artists like Justin Bieber and Halsey have come forward on either side, but no matter whose side they're on, the debate about an artist's right to own their musical catalogs has erupted. One thing is clear: the industry is hiding some shady business.

Swift isn't the only one who doesn't own her master recordings, a music executive speaking to The Blast revealed. Some of those artists reportedly include heavy hitters like Drake, Katy Perry, and Bruno Mars.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Click through this gallery to discover the dark side of the music industry.

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