Busta Rhymes Calls Streaming Payouts Fractions of a Penny and Urges Higher Artist Compensation
Busta Rhymes, the veteran rapper known for hits such as “Gimme Some More” and “Woo‑Hah!!,” publicly criticized the payout structure of major streaming services in a September 10, 2026 interview with Yahoo! Finance. In the interview, the artist described the current royalty model as a “fractions of a penny” that devalues the work of creators.
Rhymes, who released the collaborative mixtape Dillagence II with the late J Dilla earlier that month, said the music industry has not yet found a sustainable way to compensate artists for the volume of streams generated on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. He added that the only viable path to meaningful change is for streaming services to pay artists more.
According to data cited in the interview, Spotify’s average per‑stream payout ranges from $0.003 to $0.005. YouTube Music is reported to pay between $0.001 and $0.002 per stream, while Apple Music’s rates are higher, between $0.007 and $0.01. Tidal, a subscription‑only service, pays between $0.013 and $0.015 per stream. These figures illustrate the disparity between platforms and the low revenue that many independent artists receive.
Rhymes echoed concerns raised by fellow rapper T‑Pain, who has publicly questioned how artists can audit royalties that are paid in amounts smaller than a cent. The rapper said, “They don’t even have a name for the currency that is called fractions of a penny, ‘cause that name and that currency doesn’t actually exist.” He added that the lack of a clear audit trail makes it difficult for artists to verify their earnings.
The artist also highlighted the importance of diversifying revenue streams. He noted that he continues to release music on physical formats such as vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, and that these channels provide additional income that is not tied to streaming royalties. Rhymes said, “I put the music on the platform, but I make sure that I’m putting it many other places outside of the platform.”
Busta Rhymes’ comments come at a time when the industry is grappling with the sustainability of streaming as the dominant distribution model. While streaming offers a legal alternative to piracy and a global reach for artists, the low per‑stream payouts have led to widespread criticism from musicians, producers, and record labels.
The rapper’s frustration is not isolated. Other artists and industry stakeholders have called for reforms to the royalty calculation method used by streaming services. Some have suggested that a more transparent, per‑stream payment system would better reflect the value of each play. Others argue that the current model, which distributes a percentage of total revenue to rights holders, is inherently inequitable for artists who rely on streaming as a primary income source.
Rhymes’ stance also underscores the broader trend of artists seeking control over their catalogues. He remains the founder of the Conglomerate label, formerly Flipmode Entertainment, and continues to release music under his own imprint. By retaining ownership of his recordings, he can negotiate better terms with distributors and maintain greater flexibility in how his music is monetized.
In the interview, Rhymes emphasized that the industry’s future depends on streaming platforms paying artists a fair share of the revenue they generate. He said, “I don’t think that until they can fix that, we’re not going to see major changes.” The artist’s call for higher payouts aligns with ongoing discussions among musicians, producers, and rights organizations about how to create a more equitable ecosystem for creators.
As the debate continues, artists like Busta Rhymes are reminding the industry that the current streaming model may not be sustainable for those who depend on music royalties for their livelihoods. The next steps will likely involve continued dialogue between artists, labels, and streaming services, as well as potential regulatory scrutiny of royalty calculation practices.
