Source: JD Barnes / for Cassius
Method Man claimed in an interview that he’s not received any streaming revenue for his music, where he also shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence.
Streaming hasn’t provided any cash to the iconic rapper and actor Method Man, which he revealed in a recent interview. The interview was for the Beyond The Mic series, a collaboration between HOT97 and UBS, and was held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York before he took the stage for the radio station’s Summer Jam event.
The issue of streaming came up about five minutes into the conversation, where UBS Head of Sports & Entertainment Wale Ogunleye asked Method Man what grade he’d give the music industry. “The industry gets an F,” the Wu-Tang Clan member replied. “It took them too long to adjust to streaming to where they’re drowning, and trying to tread water now.”
“I think it goes way deeper than that, especially when it comes to IPs [Intellectual Properties] for artists that came from my era because honestly, I’ve never received a streaming check for my music,” Method Man stated. He didn’t elaborate further on the claim, but continued: “I’m still trying to figure it all out, because there may be someone who can make a perfect mix of the two where — I’m not saying to accept it, but at least make art out of it, and that’s what I’m always for, the creative part.”
The Tical rapper also spoke about the increasing use of artificial intelligence, or A.I., in Hip-Hop. “I’m still trying to figure out A.I., but I have seen some things that have made me raise an eyebrow,” he said, “The Drake diss with the 2Pac and Snoop [Dogg], the fake Kendrick [Lamar].. It’s a lot to it.” Snoop Dogg has been very vocal about the failures of streaming platforms within the past year, revealing that despite getting a billion streams on Spotify with his music, he hasn’t received much from his publishing. More artists such as Metro Boomin have also spoken up about the lack of revenue they’re suffering from with streaming music services.