By Olumide Adesida
In the June 27 issue of Billboard magazine, singer/producer, The-Dream speaks on race and how it relates to the music industry.
The singer, who recently launched his own record label, was first questioned about Taylor Swift pulling her music from Spotify. He revealed that he supports Swift for what she did, but then stated that he could not pull off such a move as a black artist.
‘I can support it, but I could never do the same,’ The-Dream said before adding: ‘I’m black. It’s a race thing. It’s always going to be a race thing. For one, if I took my records off of Spotify, it would affect the people who listen to my music for free and may not have the means otherwise.
‘Taylor Swift fans probably have the means to go and buy a Taylor Swift record.’
When asked what role race plays in how artists get paid, The Dream says artists are treated like slaves, elaborating that there are no limits for what a white artist who has at least one hit can do with his or her music career.
‘If you got a hit and you’re white, there are no limits to what you can do. If you’re black and you have a hit today but can’t do it again tomorrow, then your ass is out of here.
‘When the industry uses you up, that’s it. You’re gone. It’s a constant battle for our culture. We can’t say no to radio, we can’t say no to Spotify, and we can’t have a concert because nobody will come.’
