Nile Rodgers thinks streaming platforms have created an unhealthy focus on chart music.
Nile Rodgers
The 68-year-old star has told an inquiry hosted by the UK's digital, culture, media and sport select committee that streaming is having a detrimental impact on the industry, warning that it has placed a severe strain on niche genres.
He said: "We'd never have a Kate Bush or a David Bowie in today's music ecology, because it's very risk averse.
"You are making songs for playlists, you are not taking the incredible musical risks that Bowie might have taken years ago."
Nile also accused music labels of withholding money from artists.
The iconic star admitted to being startled by some of the things he's seen in the industry over the years.
He said: "I look at the record labels as my partners. And the interesting thing is that every single time I've audited my partners, I find money. Every single time. And sometimes, it's staggering, the amount of money."
Nile wants the approach to streaming to be reevaluated.
The chart-topping star likened streaming to radio broadcasts, and has therefore argued that artists should receive around 50 percent of the royalties.
He said: "Labels have unilaterally decided that a stream is considered a sale because it maximises their profits.
"Artists and songwriters need to update clauses in their contracts to reflect the true nature of how their songs are being consumed - which is via a licence. It is something that people are borrowing from [the streaming services]."
Meanwhile, Nile previously called on artists to work with streaming platforms to find the best route forwards.
He explained: "I think it's important, first, to acknowledge that thanks to streaming and companies like Apple, Spotify and Amazon delivering our songs to the consumer conveniently, the best days for music and its creators are once again in front of it.
"We need to help them succeed, while ensuring we get our fair and equitable slice of the growing pie."
Tagged in Nile Rodgers