Services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Deezer offer consumers 50M+ songs at the touch of a button. But unlike other music formats, the price consumers pay for a streaming subscription doesn't go directly to the artists they stream.  Instead, the monthly subscription dollars are pooled together and then distributed based on popularity. 

This has destroyed the direct fan-to-artist financial relationship and made it impossible for smaller (often independent) artists to make a living from recorded music. 

Those smaller artists who have survived in the streaming era (and many have not) have done so through extensive touring and merchandising.  Now, the indefinite cancellation of shows, tours, etc. because of COVID-19, represents an unprecedented and existential threat to the livelihoods of these artists.

The easiest way fans can support their favorite artists during this disastrous time should be to stream more of their music. But the current payout model makes this an entirely ineffective solution.

So long as payouts are based on overall popularity, a few thousand extra streams aren't going to help and we shouldn't pretend otherwise. 

It's time to demand that Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer, and all other streaming companies immediately adopt a user-centric payment model. If they refuse, then Congress should act to mandate change.

My dollars should go to my artists! Period.