Many artists over the years have spoken out about the complicated nature of the music industry, particularly as it pertains to ownership. Most can immediately recall Prince and his pull-and-tug relationship with Warner Bros. over the course of his career. As Essence reports, most masters aren’t owned by the artist themselves, with many of them making money largely from record sales and eventually other various extensions such as merchandise, brand deals, and other ventures. And even with things like royalties put in place and streaming revenue, the money made from that doesn’t do much to strongly impact an artist’s pocket unless they legally own their masters outright. It’s an unfortunately sad fact that is well known throughout the industry and one especially known to Ms. Baker, who explained in a series of tweets:

Recordings Streamed & Sold are Inferior & Missing Original Instrumentation. Recording Speeds have been ‘Sped Up’ Bootleg/Bogus ‘Vinyls’ R Not from Original Analog Mstrs. But, from Re-Processed (no Mid- Range frequencies) Digital Copies. Fans Deserve Better.

She added: “Correction 2020 Streaming rate $0.003 - $0.005. 1/3rd - 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream, for Artist minus fees, taxes etc, etc, etc. They need to Leave me alone, fr.”

I know that’s right. Y’all heard Aunty: Run her her masters! (And do it expeditiously because our homes can’t and won’t clean themselves.)