Chappell Roan has addressed criticism of her speech advocating for artists to receive a living wage while accepting her Grammy for Best New Artist. The singer, known for her hit "Good Luck, Babe!", used her platform at the ceremony to push for more support, including healthcare, for emerging musicians.
Although she received a standing ovation, music executive Jeff Rabhan labeled her as disingenuous for profiting from the industry she criticized and being wildly misinformed. In response on Instagram, Chappell revealed a $25,000 donation to struggling artists and challenged Jeff to match her contribution.
Having been signed at 17, Chappell shared her personal struggles after being dropped by her label in 2020, emphasizing the need for labels to treat artists as "valuable employees" and provide a livable wage and healthcare.
Despite applause, not everyone agreed with Chappell's stance, including Jeff, a former music industry executive. He stressed that labels are businesses, not charities, and defended the industry's role in elevating artists despite acknowledging room for improvement.
Chappell responded to Jeff, suggesting collaboration and actions to back up statements, rather than just words. The article drew criticism from artists like Halsey, who emphasized the importance of artists having basic living conditions to create.
The challenges faced by emerging artists in the industry have been a recurring topic. Chappell has been vocal about industry issues before, and requests for comments from Jeff Rabhan and PMC remain unanswered by news outlets.