Chappell Roan hits back at criticism over Grammys speech

Chappell Roan, a rising star in the music industry, recently made headlines after her acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards where she won the title of Best New Artist. During her speech, she boldly asked music labels, 'Labels - we got you, but do you got us? ' This statement highlighted her concerns about the treatment of artists in the music industry. Chappell, known for her vibrant curly red hair and striking silver dress, held a notebook in one hand and her Grammy trophy in the other as she addressed the audience. She used this prestigious platform to advocate for better support for artists, including fair wages and healthcare. While many in the audience applauded her passionate plea, not everyone was in agreement. Music executive Jeff Rabhan criticized Chappell's remarks, calling her 'disingenuous' and claiming she was 'wildly misinformed' about the industry she benefits from. In response to his comments, Chappell took to Instagram to share that she has donated $25,000 to help struggling artists and challenged Jeff to match her contribution. Chappell's breakout hit 'Good Luck, Babe! ' propelled her to fame last year, and she expressed her gratitude for the recognition at the Grammy ceremony. On stage, she shared her personal experiences, stating that she had always dreamed of using her Grammy win to speak to the 'most powerful people in music' about the need for labels to provide a livable wage and healthcare for artists. Chappell revealed that after being dropped by her label in 2020, she faced difficulties finding work and could not afford health insurance. She described the feeling of being committed to her art while feeling betrayed by the system as 'devastating. ' Chappell emphasized that labels should treat artists as 'valuable employees' and questioned whether they truly care about their well-being. Despite receiving a standing ovation, Jeff Rabhan, who has a background in the music industry, expressed his disagreement in a column. He acknowledged that while Chappell's intentions were noble, he believed she was not well-informed enough to be a true agent of change. Jeff pointed out that music labels operate as businesses, not charities, and they take risks on new artists in exchange for a share of the profits. He argued that Chappell, who is no longer a struggling artist, should take action rather than just speak out. In her response, Chappell invited Jeff to collaborate and put his money where his mouth is, suggesting they work together to support artists. The conversation around Chappell's speech has sparked discussions among other artists as well. Halsey, a well-known singer, criticized the article that questioned Chappell's speech, stating that it generalized the experiences of artists. Halsey argued that if someone profits from an artist's work, that artist should have the basic means to live comfortably and create their art. Many emerging artists have shared their struggles in the industry, and a survey by the charity Help Musicians found that a significant number of artists face barriers to sustainable income. The survey revealed that 44% of artists reported a lack of sustainable income as a major challenge, and 23% stated they were unable to support themselves or their families. Chappell Roan has been vocal about the issues within the music industry, and her Grammy speech has reignited conversations about the treatment of artists. BBC Newsbeat has reached out to Jeff Rabhan for further comments but has not received a response yet.