Singer-Composer Is Fed Up With All The Choosing Beggars Who Want His Songs For Free And Posts Screenshots Of The Conversations

Believe it or not, exposure doesn't pay the bills

Chelsi

• Published in Funny
• November 11, 2021

We are sad to report that even after thousands of artists have explicitly said they don't accept exposure as payment, it's still happening! Yep, people still want artists to spend hours creating things for free.

One UK-based artist who have no shortage of these ridiculous requests is Jamie Mathias. He is a singer and a song writer who gained popularity because of the bespoke songs he writes for soon-to-be-married couples.

Mathias shared that he's been in the music industry for about 10 years now. He has released several tracks and singles that have charted.

It also earned him a loyal following. Several years ago, the singer decided to try writing custom songs for other people and his business took off.

He mostly create songs that the couple intend to use during the ceremony, the speech, for the reception, or the first dance. Mathias writes them songs that encapsulates the unique relationship between them.

Aside from recording the song, some couples even choose to fly Mathias out to perform the special song during their wedding. His popularity naturally lead to more inquiries about the services that Mathias offers.

Not all of those "business transactions" come from people who are willing to pay for his skills though. From time to time, Mathias gets ridiculous offers from people who expect him to give away his songs for free, exposure, or a free meal.

When Mathias turns down their audacious offers, these choosy beggars are genuinely shocked that the artist would pass up on this opportunity. Well, you just have to read these yourself to believe them.

Here's the first conversation that Mathias tweeted:

An actual person told him to write a song for free and fly overseas in his own dime just for food and a video

A song in exchange of a bridesmaid

If you want a free song for your business, give me a horse

This quick exchange

I have 2,000 followers

I am shocked that you want to be paid to do your job!

LOL, a reggae CD is better

Rich in irony

I have no words

This fan that crossed the line

Here's a free song:

I put the decimal wrong!

If the previous conversations made you want to face plant on a wall then these paying clients will lower your blood pressure

I am sick and if you don't write me this song for free, I will die. My son has cancer and your song will heal him but only if it's free

A lot of artists shared the same sentiments under Mathias' tweets.

Majority agree that unfortunately, these type of interactions are all too common in their trade. Somehow, when people learn that you're a photographer, a videographer, an editor, a dancer, a painter, a singer, or any other kind of creative — they immediately think they deserve your services for free.

For whatever reason, they don't believe that these artistic trades are not real jobs therefore do not require any kind of monetary payment. They offer you exposure, advertising (they have 1,000 Instagram followers), and a shout out.

Another artist rallying behing Mathias

...another one

Mathias shared that he eventually stopped feeling angry whenever he received this kind of offers. He just plays with them then post the conversation on his socials to share the experience as well as get exposure organically.

Reality check for the choosy beggars out there

Right?

Maybe their tactics work in other industries

This correct summation

It goes both ways, bucko

It's the bare minimum

Once you say no to their demands, they feel they have the right to disrespect you further

To all the creative people out there, never diminish your worth. You dedicated years of your life to hone your craft and you deserve to be adequately paid for it.

To the choosing beggars: No, just no. Artists and all types of professionals in the creative field deserve to be compensated for their labor.

The exposure you're offering them won't pay their rent and believe it or not, it won't put food on their tables either. No more demanding free stuff or offering exposure to your followers!

Chelsi