David Banner laid out a hard truth about how hip-hop was stripped of its power through the rise of streaming. He explained that just as independent artists were starting to find financial freedom through CDs, mom-and-pop stores, and direct sales, the industry shifted — and not in their favor.
Streaming, according to Banner, was a trap. It reduced artist payouts from pennies to fractions, all while pulling control away from creators and handing it to corporations. The real turning point came when distribution companies, once concerned about artist rights, got their share of the profits and suddenly went silent.
He also revealed that his God Box album didn’t stream because he refused to play into a system that exploits artists. That stand cost him commercial success, but he believes the bigger loss was cultural. The fight to create a hip-hop artist union fizzled because too many key players gave in to corporate interests.
David Banner’s message is clear: hip-hop didn’t get taken — it was handed over.
#DavidBanner #StreamingExploitation #HipHopUnion #TheGodBox #ArtistRights #MusicIndustryTruth #FightForOwnership #IndieArtists #HipHopIsNotFree
Streaming, according to Banner, was a trap. It reduced artist payouts from pennies to fractions, all while pulling control away from creators and handing it to corporations. The real turning point came when distribution companies, once concerned about artist rights, got their share of the profits and suddenly went silent.
He also revealed that his God Box album didn’t stream because he refused to play into a system that exploits artists. That stand cost him commercial success, but he believes the bigger loss was cultural. The fight to create a hip-hop artist union fizzled because too many key players gave in to corporate interests.
David Banner’s message is clear: hip-hop didn’t get taken — it was handed over.
#DavidBanner #StreamingExploitation #HipHopUnion #TheGodBox #ArtistRights #MusicIndustryTruth #FightForOwnership #IndieArtists #HipHopIsNotFree
- Category
- Hip-hop

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