Veteran singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan clarified that his recent remarks about no longer receiving “royalty checks” referred only to earnings from physical music formats such as CDs, cassettes and vinyl records, not to all forms of music royalties.
The clarification came after comments he made during the media conference for his upcoming concert, “Afterglow: Seasons of the Heart”, which sparked discussions online after some interpreted his statement as meaning he no longer earned royalties from his music.
Universal Records Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go explained that Chan was specifically referring to the decline of royalties from physical album sales as music consumption shifted toward digital platforms.
“We would like to clarify that Mr. Jose Mari Chan was referring specifically to royalties from CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records. As physical music formats have gradually declined over the years, so have the royalties associated with those sales. His statement should not be construed to mean that he no longer receives royalties from his music altogether,” Dy-Go said.
She added that artists may still earn from other sources, including digital streaming platforms, music publishing, synchronization licenses, public performances, and other authorized uses of their recordings, depending on their agreements.
“The music industry has evolved significantly over the years. Today, artists have various revenue streams beyond physical album sales, including streaming services, publishing rights, licensing, and other royalty collection mechanisms,” Dy-Go said.
“Mr. Chan’s comments were simply referring to one specific source of royalties that has naturally diminished with changing consumer behavior,” she added.
The label said clarification aims to distinguish royalties from physical record sales, which have declined over time, from the broader range of income streams available to artists in the current music industry.
Chan made the remarks while reflecting on how the music industry has changed throughout his decades-long career, from an era dominated by vinyl records, cassette tapes and compact discs to today’s digital-first landscape.
The singer-songwriter is known for timeless hits such as “Beautiful Girl,” “Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile,” and the Christmas classic “Christmas in Our Hearts,” with his music continuing to reach listeners through both traditional formats and digital platforms.
His upcoming concert, “Afterglow: Seasons of the Heart”, is scheduled for July 11 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).