Chappell Roan Calls Out Record Labels During Grammy Win for Best New Artist
The outspoken artist used her Grammy acceptance speech to demand better treatment and compensation for musicians.
LOS ANGELES — Chappell Roan’s breakout year reached a stunning peak on Sunday night when she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Fresh off a successful festival circuit and a record-breaking year, the singer-songwriter continued her tradition of bold statements, using her acceptance speech to take a stand against the music industry's treatment of artists.
Roan, known for her unapologetic and candid personality, began her speech by offering heartfelt thanks before making a promise to herself come true. Holding up a diary, Roan addressed the room: “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.”
The moment was a defining one in Roan's rise to prominence. With her signature cone hat falling off in the midst of her speech, she laughed off the mishap and continued with determination. Roan shared her personal journey of being signed at a young age and how the experience led to disappointment. “I was dropped from my label with zero job experience under my belt,” she said, referencing the challenges she faced during the pandemic. “Like most people, I had a difficult time finding a job and couldn’t afford health insurance.”
The artist then opened up about the emotional toll the music industry had taken on her, describing how devastating it was to feel betrayed and dehumanized after pouring so much of herself into her craft. “If my label had prioritized my health, I could have been provided care by a company I was giving everything to,” Roan said.
Her message was clear: record labels must treat artists as valuable employees, offering them fair compensation, health insurance, and proper protection. Roan concluded her speech with a powerful question: “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”
The crowd responded with a resounding standing ovation, with applause and cheers echoing throughout the venue, as her peers in the music industry showed their support for her words.
Roan’s debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, has been a breakout success, topping charts and earning her widespread recognition. This year, the album earned her a nomination for Album of the Year at the Grammys, and her single “Good Luck Babe!” was up for Record and Song of the Year. She was also nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Although she didn’t win in all categories, Roan’s Grammy victory marked an important milestone in her career, not just for her musical achievements, but for the voice she’s establishing in an industry where artists' rights often go unspoken.