For the artists who record the music, that’s a big problem. Their royalty deals pay best when people buy a CD or download a song. If a song is broadcast on the radio or streamed, they get less. If it’s streamed by a customer who doesn’t pay a subscription fee (like three quarters of Spotify users) the royalty is practically peanuts. And streaming itself may be in trouble; growth is slowing and Sony says it's shutting down its Music Unlimited service.

Recording artists want to get their music to as many listeners as possible. But as technology has made it easier — and cheaper — for consumers, it’s also made it harder for artists to make a buck in the ‘business of pennies.’