Chappell Roan won the Grammy Award for best new artist, and used her moment to speak out for all struggling artists.
The โPink Pony Clubโ singer took the stage holding a notebook where she read her speech. After making a few general thank-yous, she struck a serious note about the lack of benefits emerging acts receive.
โI told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists,โ she said, as the crowd roared in approval.
The โGood Luck, Babe!โ singer then talked about the struggles she endured and how her label couldโve stayed by her side by offering her health insurance.
โBecause I got signed so young, I got signed as a minor, and when I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt and, like most people, I had a difficult time finding a job in the pandemic and could not afford health insurance,โ she said.
โIt was so devastating to feel so committed to my art, feel so betrayed by the system and so dehumanized to not have help. And if my label wouldโve prioritized artistsโ health, I couldโve provided care by a company I was giving everything to,โ she continued, as the audience once again cheered.
Roan ended her speech by issuing a challenge of sorts for the record companies, pleading with them to take care of their artists.
โSo, record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage, and health insurance protection. Labels: We got you, but do you got us?โ she said before taking her award and leaving the stage.
