Helene Fischer – just with the sound of this name we think of musical success as it is in the book. Sold out halls, TV shows, prices. One thing is clear: Helene is the undisputed number one on the German music scene. Or not?
Where Helene has no chance
No, there really is an area in which Helene Fischer (and with her many other German artists) is absolutely without chance and chipped. It's about streaming music on portals like Spotify. Here completely different artists have the edge.
Last week, an open letter from the managers of Helene Fischer, Rammstein and Co. caused a stir in the music scene. They sensed unfair treatment – and fraud. Because: Other labels get a lot more money from Spotify and Co. than the German stars, who have a lot on their radar.
Why is Helene so bad?
One of the most successful (and thus highest paid) German artists on Spotify is the rapper Capital Bra. In a large analysis on "Bild.de", the experts do the calculations: while Capital Bra had 1.8 billion streams in 2019 and its label had an estimated revenue of 6.3 million euros, Helene's songs were only streamed 168 million times, distributed an estimated 588,000 euros to the label.
But why is the rapper so far ahead of the pop singer? The reason makes sense: Capital Bra appeals to a young, streaming-savvy audience, while Helene Fischer makes her money mainly through concert ticket and CD sales (also because her older audience is more open to this).
It's about manipulation and fraud
The music managers, who in the current case complain about "unfair" payment rules at Spotify, also sense fraud and manipulation. Spotify is the artist who earns the most, whose songs are most often streamed. Also means: When fans hear songs in a continuous loop, the cash register rings even more.
Many rappers ask their fans on social media to listen to their songs on Spotify on a permanent rotation. And: Managers of established musicians fear that some artists could also use Spotify by programming so-called bots – computer programs would automatically start the songs in a loop, without human ears even listening …
The streaming dispute concerns the German music scene. An exciting thriller – and a field in which Helene Fischer has been left behind for the first time. A very unusual situation for them …
Who is Helene Fischer? Facts & Figures
Helene Fischer is a pop singer, dancer, entertainer, television presenter and actress.
She is one of the most successful singers in Germany.
Her birthday is August 5, 1984.
Helene Fischer was with pop singer Florian Silbereisen for many years. Their separation shocked the whole of Germany.
sources used: bild.de