Iconic singer-songwriter, Anita Baker, has asked fans to stop buying her music while she is battling for the rights to her masters from her label. 

“Miraculously… I have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts. They no longer “Own,” My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me,” Baker said in a Tweet, foreshadowing a lengthy fight.  

?Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts? They no longer “Own”, My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me? Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO?? pic.twitter.com/PXe9xzsJK0

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021

“Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO.” 

The Detroit native said that by law, she has fulfilled all of her artist contracts over 30 years and that her masters should be returned.  Masters are the original recording of musicians’ work which recording labels use to make vinyl records, tapes, CDs, and stream through different service providers, such as Spotify and Apple Music. 

Artists don’t usually have the rights to their masters at the beginning of their careers as labels cover distribution costs. Artists usually receive royalties from the sale.

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? pic.twitter.com/EaMNzZcgEw

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021

Baker has joined a laundry list of artists who feel that they are not receiving a fair share of the revenue from streaming services entering long-drawn-out fights label executives. 

Most notable was the very public, contentious fight between industry giants and Prince for rights over his masters, with the late artist taking down his music from all streaming services and having his fanbase boycott his own music. 

Baker claims that while streaming services rake in millions of dollars, she is getting the bargain’s short end. 

Baker broke down streaming services rates calling the giants “thieves in the temple” who use her name and likeness for advertising. 

*Correction
2020 Streaming rate
$0.003 – $0.005
1/3rd – 1/2 A PENNY Per Stream, for Artist.
minus…
*fees
*taxes
*ect. ect. ect.
They need to Leave me alone? fr

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021