At a major music festival, it’s no surprise that the headliner earns significantly more than the early-afternoon acts. It’s not just about talent — it’s about magnetism. The big names sell the tickets, fill the fields, and bring the buzz.
It’s a similar story on streaming platforms. Big-name artists don’t just bring in massive play counts — they help build the platform’s identity and attract users in the first place. In that sense, it makes sense that they have stronger deals and earn more per stream. They’re foundational to the ecosystem.
But even though the logic holds, for many independent artists, it still feels off.
Because despite building loyal audiences, releasing high-quality music, and often carrying entire creative projects alone — it’s still incredibly hard to earn enough to cover basic production costs. And that’s where the imbalance becomes painful.
The Hidden Stage of Creativity
Emerging artists bring something irreplaceable to music culture: they take creative risks, explore fresh sounds, and connect deeply with their niche communities. They are the source of innovation — the sparks that keep music evolving and exciting.
And yet, they face a hard truth: the financial structure of streaming simply doesn’t support them sustainably. Even artists with tens or even hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners often struggle to break even. Recording, gear, videos, artwork, touring — it adds up fast. Without additional support, many promising careers burn out too soon.
It’s Not About Blame — It’s About Balance
This isn’t about pointing fingers at streaming platforms. They’ve democratised access, made global discovery possible, and helped millions of people enjoy music every day. But it is fair to say: while the current model rewards the artists who built the system, it needs to evolve to better support the ones who are building what’s next.
In short: smaller artists need more support per stream to keep bubbling with creativity.
Enter Tipino: Fair Play for Music
That’s where Tipino comes in.
We’re a fair play support initiative for music — designed to help artists during the most fragile, make-or-break phase of their journey. We believe in a more balanced music economy, where fans can directly support the creators they love, and where creative careers are more than a shot in the dark.
If you’re an artist or music lover who believes in a better future for music, join our waitlist. You’ll be the first to know when we open our beta phase and launch the platform.
Let’s build a better stage — together.
Photo by Martin Robles on Pexels