Musicians at work in the platform and AI era : evidence from Brazil, Chile, the Netherlands, Nigeria and South Korea

Musicians across the globe are grappling with a shared contradiction: streaming platforms are now essential for building a career – yet they rarely provide enough income to sustain one. The study identifies what researchers call the “streaming paradox”: while streaming has made it easier than ever for artists to reach audiences, it has not translated into meaningful financial returns. Many musicians say they now feel compelled to act as content creators and audience managers, constantly posting, promoting and engaging online simply to remain visible. The report argues that cultural expectations, economic conditions and local industry structures shape how artists navigate the platform era in fundamentally different ways.