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Nothing in Life is Free...Or is it? - Page 2

© Paula Chase-Hyman

Apparently they forgot that some of us are well aware that before the CD ever hits the store, the label most likely screwed the artist out of 90% of their profit. Some artists barely make $1 from the sale of each CD. No, music swapping and CD burning hurts the label - the multi-billion dollar empire that has bankrupted many an aritst even before music was the huge industry it is today.

And I want to be clear - I'm all for the artist getting compensated. I realize that making music is their job, just like I get up and go to mine everyday. But I love the fact that music labels are squirming over this issue. For once, the consumer has the upper hand and they can't stand it.

But the road ahead will be rough. Until a happy medium is reached, the music labels will likely increase CD prices and begin developing more CDs with copy-protection restrictions. It could get ugly.

In the meantime there are alternatives, that help to ensure that the artist is paid and you get your tunes.

Fairtunes.com allows users to send money to their favorite artists in payment for downloading music. Fairtunes actually tracks down the artists and sends them a check. Some artists cash the checks, some direct Fairtunes to send it to charity and some ignore the checks altogether.

You may pay as little as a dollar - after all, without the fancy packaging and marketing, most CDs cost no more than a dollar to make anyway.

Another alternative, Chuck D - former head man of Public Enemy - operates Rapstation.com. This music source allows users to download MP3s of over 4,000 rap artists, onto CDs. Fifteen percent of the artists found on Rapstaton are signed to labels. The site also allows artists to link to the site to sell their CDs.

Consumers have history on their side here. The music industry has had to learn to deal with - and in most cases made money from, every new technology since the days of the gramophone. And after the bumps and trips, they'll find a way to live with CD burning - just as they did mix tapes.

Until then, us consumers are stuck in the crossfire. My advice? Enjoy the freedom technology has afforded us, but don't get greedy. Remember - if your favorite artists aren't making any money, likely they won't make any more music either.

The copyright of the article Nothing in Life is Free...Or is it? - Page 2 in R&B/Soul Music is owned by Paula Chase-Hyman. Permission to republish Nothing in Life is Free...Or is it? - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.