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Chappell Roan responds to writer who criticized her Grammy speech

BBG News

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: “In response to the criticism leveled against my Grammy Awards speech, I, Chappell Roan, have dared the op-ed author to join me in generosity. Let’s show solidarity with our struggling artists by donating a collective $25,000 each.

On several Instagram posts shared on Friday, the popular singer, who had recently won the title of Best New Artist at a ceremony over the weekend and advocated for record labels to offer emerging artists a fair income and healthcare, mentioned Jeff Rabhan in a picture of an article he wrote this week for The Hollywood Reporter. In that article, Rabhan characterized Roan, aged 26, as “inexperienced and uninformed,” questioning her ability to bring about the change she aims for today.

In simpler terms, Rabhan, who previously led New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, stated that Roan seemed to have a simplistic grasp of the inner workings of the music industry. He explained, “There is no ethical or moral duty, by any standard, that requires labels to provide extra funds beyond what’s given as an advance and royalties.” Instead, he advised Roan to take action instead of simply discussing the issue.

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On Instagram, Roan posted, “Mr. Rabhan, I’m really impressed with your quote in the article, ‘put your money where your mouth is.’ Brilliant! Let’s collaborate and see if you can deliver on that promise too.” She also promised to share proof of her donations and recommended a few artists who she believes deserve more recognition: Hemlocke Springs, Sarah Kinsley, Devon Again, and Baby Storme.

Prior to Roan’s explosion into the limelight in 2024, she had already been contracted by Atlantic Records when she was still a teenager. Later, she was let go by the same record label, an experience she shared during her acceptance speech at the Grammys.

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She shared that she lacked job experience and struggled to find employment during the pandemic while also being unable to afford health insurance, which drew cheers from fellow artists such as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Benson Boone. She expressed her deep sadness about feeling dedicated to her art yet betrayed by the system, and further lamented the dehumanizing experience of not having health coverage. If her record label had prioritized artist’s health, she could have received care from a company she was giving all her efforts to.

She stated, “Therefore, it’s crucial for record labels to view their artists as essential workers, offering them fair wages, benefits like health insurance, and necessary protections.

In his opinion piece, Rabhan questioned, “When do labels’ responsibilities for artists’ earnings, healthcare, and general welfare stop, and when does individual accountability start?” He also noted, “Requiring labels to compensate artists similarly to regular employees disregards the basic economic framework of the industry.

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2025-02-07 21:31

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