New York City Council Passes Resolution 368 in Support of a Living Wage for Musicians

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In a major step toward addressing the financial exploitation of musicians in the streaming era, the New York City Council has officially passed Resolution 368, throwing its weight behind the proposed Living Wage for Musicians Act. Spearheaded by Council Member Shahana K. Hanif and co-sponsored by 12 additional council members, the resolution urges Congress to reintroduce and pass the Act, and for the President to sign it into law. This legislation was created in partnership with United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) and local and national artists who have been directly impacted by the lack of oversight in the music industry.

The music industry has undergone a seismic shift over the last decade, with streaming now accounting for a staggering 84% of recorded music revenue in the United States in 2022. But while platforms rake in billions, the artists fueling those streams are left with crumbs, earning as little as $0.0033 per play. That means a musician needs over 800,000 monthly streams to match a minimum wage job.

Originally introduced by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI) and Jamaal Bowman (NY) in 2024, the Living Wage for Musicians Act proposes the following key reforms:

  • A minimum one-cent-per-stream royalty for artists across all streaming services.
  • A non-profit distribution fund that reallocates a portion of streaming profits to working artists based on play counts.
  • A monthly cap per track, aiming to level the payout playing field and ensure support reaches a wider base of artists, not just the elite few.

While the bill hasn’t yet been reintroduced in the 119th Congress (it was in the 118th Congress bill), NYC’s formal support makes for a powerful statement from one of the world’s most influential music cities.

Backing Hanif’s resolution are Council Members: Chi A. Ossé, Carlina Rivera, Julie Menin, Tiffany Cabán, Justin L. Brannan, Farah N. Louis, Gale A. Brewer, Kevin C. Riley, Amanda Farías, Erik D. Bottcher, Carmen N. De La Rosa, and Jennifer Gutiérrez.

As the live music economy continues to recover and musicians increasingly depend on digital revenue, this resolution signals that New York is ready to stand with the artists, not just the algorithms.

Read the full legislation here:
NYC Council Legistar – Resolution 368