Self Esteem says current music industry conditions make it hard to “naturally thrive”
Self Esteem has opened up her thoughts about the future of the music industry, particularly with the use of artificial intelligence picking up speed.
The singer was appearing on a new episode of the Mad Sad Bad podcast hosted by Paloma Faith, when the pair began talking about the state of the music industry and their worries for its future.
Self Esteem, real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor, said that the advancement of AI, among other environmental changes to the music industry in recent years, have created a “full stop” where the business is impossible to “naturally thrive in”.
While Faith went on to contextualise to listeners the various issues plaguing the music industry, between the lack of streaming royalties, the cost of living, and the toll of touring becoming increasingly expensive, the pair then discussed how this could have long-term effects.
Taylor said she has always been surrounded by peers in the music industry from privileged backgrounds, but noted that the gulf between this group and working-class artists attempting to emerge is only going to get “bigger and bigger” if the current conditions continue.
To this end, the subject of AI came into prominence within the points she was making, and while the singer insisted that she “hates” the technology and has never used it in a song, she was also aware of the effects this could have on her longevity.
“I’m confused, because I know we’ve got to move with it,” the singer admitted, before adding, “But it’s not really fared well for me, being so indignant about the world being different.”
Taylor released her most recent album, A Complicated Woman, last year, receiving critical acclaim, including a nomination at the upcoming Brit Awards for ‘Artist of the Year’.
She will shortly make her West End debut in the play Teeth N Smiles at the Duke of York Theatre in London, which runs from March 13th to June 6th, 2026.
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