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"The Price of a Dream: Artist Exploitation in the Modern Music Industry"
Merlano Catalan, Andres E.
Merlano Catalan, Andres E.
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Ricciardi, Laura R.
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2025
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This research critically examines the systemic exploitation within the modern music industry, spanning from its early 20th-century foundations to the contemporary digital age. Centered on the guiding question—how has the music industry structured itself to economically, legally, and socially exploit artists over time—the paper traces a historical arc of labor abuse, restrictive contracts, and financial marginalization, particularly impacting Black, immigrant, and working-class musicians.
This project also critiques structural inequities affecting marginalized communities and outlines the broader psychological and social consequences of artist exploitation. Finally, it evaluates models of resistance, including independent production, fan-funded platforms, blockchain technology, and unionization efforts, while proposing a vision for ethical transformation through legal reform and industry accountability.
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