Behind the hit song: Why many playback singers still struggle to make money

playback singing remain skewed. Most singers are paid a one-time fee, while ownership and much of the long-term digital earnings stay with producers and music labels.Industry experts say the issue is particularly acute for newer names, even though the debate has been triggered by established voices.Depending on popularity and stature, established singers can earn upwards of ₹25 lakh per song.

In contrast, new voices may be paid only a few thousand rupees.According to a Ficci-EY report, the Indian music segment declined 2% to ₹53 billion in 2024, even as streaming volumes and soundtrack valuations continued to rise.A hit song may generate massive numbers on YouTube and audio streaming platforms, but revenues are split across multiple stakeholders. If contracts are not structured well, singers often receive only a one-time fee instead of long-term royalties.“A hit song may generate massive numbers but the revenue is divided across multiple stakeholders - labels, producers, platforms, publishers.

If contracts aren’t structured well, vocalists may receive a one-time fee instead of long-term royalties and sometimes not even that,” singer and songwriter Aastha Gill said.“A lot depends on awareness and negotiation power. Many artists are creative first and business later and that gap can cost you.

The system is evolving but financial literacy and transparency are still areas we need to strengthen for the artist community,” Gill added.Singer Benny Dayal shared that film songs typically involve a large collaborative ecosystem, with many contributors shaping the final outcome, which can make the overall structure quite layered. He added that independent music feels more straightforward and creatively fulfilling, as it allows