Youth Music reveals alarming misogyny, unsafe workplaces, and unfair pay in the music industry. Young creatives suffer; 70% feel unsafe, 90% can't speak out.
- February 16, 2026
AceShowbiz - New findings from a report by Youth Music reveal alarming issues of misogyny, unsafe working environments, and unfair pay in the music industry, particularly affecting young creatives.
The study, titled Just the Way It Is?, was produced in collaboration with the Musicians’ Union and Music Guardians. It combined insights from 19 detailed focus group testimonies and responses from a social media poll involving 50 participants, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by emerging artists and professionals.
According to the poll, more than 70% of respondents said they had felt unsafe while working in the music industry. Even more striking, 90% reported feeling unable to speak out against unfair practices, highlighting a culture of silence and fear. Additionally, the same proportion of young creatives indicated they experienced unfair payment for their contributions, which contributed to 75% contemplating giving up their ambitions altogether.
On a more hopeful note, 85% of those surveyed expressed inspiration from artists like RAYE, whose activism has been pivotal in raising awareness about rights and accountability in the industry. RAYE has been outspoken about exploitative practices, calling out manipulation of songwriters and the “evil” aspects within the music business.
At Coachella 2024, RAYE highlighted a common issue where record labels pressure songwriters to accept a 10% royalty split with no master royalty points, exemplifying the systemic challenges artists face. She also shared with NME in 2022 that signing with a record label often feels like working for the company rather than being supported by it, and spoke candidly about the personal costs she endured to advance her career.
The report’s release follows concerns raised in 2023 by various industry figures about the mental health risks linked to touring, particularly its “dangerous” impact on musicians. This aligns with findings from mental health charity Mind, which states that those working in music are significantly more vulnerable to mental health issues compared to the general population, with musicians being up to three times more likely to suffer.
Youth Music hopes the report will empower more young creatives by providing clarity, confidence, and actionable steps to foster safer and fairer work environments across the music industry. The full research is publicly available for those seeking to understand and address these widespread challenges.
