I need to see everybody’s contracts at Universal and Sony

I’m not gonna watch my people be enslaved

I’m putting my life on the line for my people

The music industry and the NBA are modern day slave ships

I’m the new Moses

— ye (@kanyewest) September 15, 2020

“When you sign a music deal you sign away your rights. Without the masters you can’t do anything with your own music, West said, according to The Guardian. Someone else controls where it’s played and when it’s played. Artists have nothing accept [sic] the fame, touring and merch.”

In Prince’s case, the “Purple Rain” singer even pulled his music catalog from Spotify, while continuing streaming services with Tidal, which guarantees higher dividends for artists. 

Prince’s artist message on Spotify reads, “Prince’s publisher has asked all streaming services to remove his catalog. We have cooperated with the request, and hope to bring his music back as soon as possible.” 

There are, however, music artists who have won the war in reclaiming their rights. According to Wonderwall, Dre. Dre reigned victorious following a legal battle with Death Row Records in 2015 after they withheld funds from the rapper.

“We are gratified that the federal court has unambiguously declared that Death Row has no right to engage in such tactics, and must hold all proceeds from these illicit distributions in trust for our client,” Dr. Dre’s attorney, Howard King, said in a statement. “As a result, the rapper received 100% of the online profits.” 

It is not yet clear how long Baker’s battle with her former label will endure or just when she’ll be comfortable with her fans once again freely streaming her music. This is far from Baker’s first legal dispute in regards to her music career. In 2001, she sued an audio equipment rental company alleging that they ruined her tracks. In 2006, Baker was sued by Kenneth”Babyface” Edmonds for not paying for his production services and canceling shows. In 2014, she was sued by her attorney for failing to pay her legal fees.