Daxx Kartel has weighed in on the ongoing debate over streaming revenue and performance fees, arguing that live performances remain a more reliable way for musicians to generate money and sustain their careers.
Speaking in an interview with Galaxy TV, Daxx acknowledged that streaming platforms such as Spotify contribute to an artist’s income but said the money cannot be considered separately from the costs involved in maintaining a music career.
According to the musician, artists have to continually invest in promoting their music, maintaining their visibility and rebranding themselves in order to remain competitive on streaming platforms.
“Streams are good because they are part of income but what’s different is that you have to invest back because you have to promote on those platforms because they aren’t free. You have to keep rebranding all the time and work with different agencies,” Daxx said.
He further argued that achieving significant visibility on streaming platforms can require additional investment, pointing to promotional opportunities such as Spotify billboards.
“For Spotify to give you a billboard, it takes a lot because you have to put in money and those are things they never tell people,” he said.
For Daxx, performance money offers artists a more direct financial resource that can be reinvested into their careers, including the various costs associated with developing and promoting their music.
“That money (performance) develops an artist but the money that would make an artist rich comes from endorsements,” he added.
His comments therefore draw a distinction between three major income streams: streaming, live performances and brand endorsements.
While Daxx recognizes streaming as part of an artist’s income, he believes performance fees can play a more immediate role in building a sustainable music career, with endorsements potentially offering the biggest financial opportunities.
The debate highlights the different ways musicians can monetize their work beyond simply counting streams, particularly in an industry where promotion and maintaining visibility can require significant investment.