Youth Music Industry Reform Initiative

Youth Music, a UK charity supporting marginalized young creatives, has released a groundbreaking report titled 'Just the Way It Is?' that exposes unsafe and exploitative working conditions affecting young music professionals. The report highlights systemic issues including harassment, discrimination, low or unpaid labor, and a pervasive culture of silence that prevents young artists from speaking out about mistreatment.

The research reveals alarming statistics: 72% of surveyed young creatives have felt unsafe in music industry working environments, 90% report being paid unfairly, 90% felt unable to speak up about unfair practices, and 75% have considered abandoning their music ambitions. Women, LGBTQ+ artists, disabled creatives, global majority musicians, and working-class artists face particularly harsh conditions.

Victoria Canal and GIRLI are among prominent young artists joining the call for industry-wide reform. The report was produced in collaboration with the Musicians' Union and Music Guardians, drawing on testimonies from 19 young creatives and responses from 50 survey participants.

This initiative represents a shift toward what Youth Music calls 'The Raye Effect'—inspired by BRIT Award-winning artist RAYE's public advocacy against misogyny and label exploitation—wherein more young artists feel empowered to speak publicly about mistreatment. Carol Reid, interim Co-CEO at Youth Music, emphasizes that while legal measures like the new Employment Rights Bill are welcome, real cultural change requires the entire music community to move from 'quiet acceptance toward a culture of shared responsibility.'

The initiative calls on industry professionals, labels, venues, and organizations to implement protective measures, create safe reporting mechanisms, ensure fair compensation, and actively support young artists' wellbeing and rights.