SoundCloud - SoundCloud’s Repeated Failures: A Betrayal of Independent Artists

★ SoundCloud: Hook ★
For years, SoundCloud has marketed itself as a champion of independent artists, a platform where musicians can freely upload their creations and directly engage with their audience. They have proudly claimed to be the "first" platform to offer such freedom. However, this self-proclaimed savior of independent music has repeatedly failed in one critical area: paying artists their due royalties on time

SoundCloud's distribution arm, SoundCloud For Artists, is supposed to pay out royalties every month on the last business day. Yet, this promise has been broken time and again, leading to a pattern of missed and delayed payments that have wreaked havoc on the lives of the very artists they claim to support

The latest incident in June 2024 is a glaring example of this ongoing negligence. Despite numerous pleas from artists on social media platforms like X, SoundCloud has remained conspicuously silent. There has been no explanation for the delays, no apology, and certainly no commitment to rectifying the issue. This is not an isolated event but rather part of a disturbing trend that exposes SoundCloud’s cold, uncaring attitude towards its user base

Imagine dedicating your life to your art, relying on the income from your music to pay bills, feed your family, and sustain your livelihood. Now imagine that income being inconsistently delivered, with no communication from the company responsible for those payments. This is the reality for many independent artists who use SoundCloud. Each missed payment is more than an inconvenience; it is a source of stress and instability that can have serious real-world consequences

★ SoundCloud: Verse ★
The ripple effects of SoundCloud's unreliability are profound. Artists miss bill payments, face eviction threats, and struggle to provide basic necessities for themselves and their families. The mental and emotional toll of this financial uncertainty cannot be overstated. Independent artists look up to platforms like SoundCloud, only to find themselves repeatedly let down by a company that seems indifferent to their plight

What makes this even more infuriating is the silence. In the face of widespread concern and frustration, SoundCloud's lack of transparency is not just unprofessional—it is deeply disrespectful. It sends a clear message to artists: “We do not care about your struggles. We do not value your contribution.”

SoundCloud’s failure to pay artists on time is not just a logistical oversight; it is a betrayal. It is a stark reminder that despite their branding, SoundCloud is not the ally of independent artists they claim to be. Instead, they are a company that, through repeated negligence and apathy, has shown a blatant disregard for the very individuals who make their platform possible

The time for excuses is over. SoundCloud must take immediate action to rectify their payment system and offer a sincere apology to the artists they have wronged. Anything less is unacceptable. Until then, their reputation as a supporter of independent music remains in tatters, overshadowed by their ongoing failures and the damage they have inflicted on countless lives