In a bold move during her Best New Artist acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards, rising star Chappell Roan used her platform to advocate for better treatment of developing artists by record labels.
The "HOT TO GO!" singer shared her personal struggles after being dropped from her label, highlighting the precarious position many young artists face in the music industry. "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," Roan revealed.
Speaking from a yellow journal on stage, Roan described feeling "betrayed by the system" and "dehumanized" during her early career experiences. She emphasized how being signed as a minor left her particularly vulnerable when her contract ended.
The artist, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, received strong support from the audience of industry professionals as she called for concrete changes. Her demands included livable wages, healthcare benefits, and better protection for artists, particularly those in development deals.
"Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees," Roan declared, challenging the industry's current practices. She concluded her powerful message with a pointed question to music executives: "Labels, we got you, but do you got us?"
The speech marks a notable moment in the ongoing conversation about artist rights and fair compensation in the music industry, particularly for emerging talents who often lack basic employment protections.