AceShowbiz - When Chappell Roan used her Grammy win to call out music labels, she ignited a firestorm of debate about the responsibilities these entities have towards their artists. The Hollywood Reporter's criticism of her speech only added fuel to the fire, prompting fellow artist Halsey to jump to Roan's defense.

In a recent column by former music industry executive Jeff Rabhan titled "Chappell Groan: The Misguided Rhetoric of an Instant Industry Insider," Rabhan minced no words in tearing apart Roan's Grammy win speech. He dismissed Roan's call for better healthcare benefits and a livable wage for artists, labeling her speech as "a hackneyed and plagiarized script."

Rabhan questioned if labels should be responsible for artists' well-being beyond the financial agreements already in place, sarcastically asking if "Chris Blackwell [should] put a mint on her pillow and tuck her in at night, too?" According to the journalist, there is no moral or ethical obligation for labels to provide more than advances and royalties.

Roan, however, presented a different perspective during her acceptance speech. She expressed feeling betrayed by a system that did not prioritize her needs as an artist, especially when it came to healthcare.

"If my label would have prioritized artists' health, I could have been provided care by a company I was giving everything to," Roan stated onstage. Her remarks highlighted a significant issue in the industry - artists often feel dehumanized and unsupported by the entities profiting from their work.

This sentiment resonated deeply with Halsey, who publicly condemned both The Hollywood Reporter and Rabhan for what she viewed as a personal attack disguised as critique. In a passionate Instagram post, Halsey wrote, "I hope you're embarrassed of the absolute personal attack that you've ran and disguised as critical journalism."

She criticized the column as being "so far beneath the standard you should uphold as a publication." Halsey further elaborated, emphasizing that if someone profits off an artist's work, the artist should have the basic necessities to feel safe and continue creating art.

"It's a game of investment but the investment is towards producing the materials, the person *the ORGANIC MATERIAL* that is producing that product needs access to things like health care. Shocking, I know," she wrote.

The debate about the responsibilities of music labels towards their artists is far from new, but Roan's Grammy speech, Rabhan's harsh critique, and Halsey's impassioned defense have brought the issue to the forefront of industry discussions. As more artists speak out about their experiences, the question remains: Should the entities that profit from an artist's creations also ensure their well-being?