Award-winning musician and multifaceted celebrity Marc Mysterio, known for his collaborations with industry heavyweights such as Flo Rida, David Guetta, and Netflix’s Trailer Park Boys, is taking a stand against Amazon Music and DistroKid. After amassing an astounding 80 million streams on Amazon Music between September 2023 and August 2024, Marc claims he has not been properly compensated for his work, prompting him to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Marc, who has also made headlines for his philanthropic efforts with organizations like the One Fund Boston and WBC Cares, has seen his music rise to prominence on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Chart and the Amazon Top Songs Chart. However, since September 10, 2024, fans have reported receiving a “streaming error” when trying to access his music or request it through Alexa. This issue, according to Marc, is a form of shadow-banning—a covert tactic that partially blocks content without the artist’s knowledge.
“This lawsuit is about ensuring Marc Mysterio receives the compensation he deserves as one of the top performers on Amazon Music in 2024,” states his attorney, Michael H. Josephof the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC. “Shadow-banning successful artists is an unfair practice that manipulates the music industry at the expense of creators. We aim to put an end to this.”
The shadow-banning issue extends beyond Marc’s music, affecting other artists distributed by UnitedMasters as well. An email from UnitedMasters Support reveals that their VP of Music, David Melhado, is also experiencing similar streaming issues and is actively seeking resolution with Amazon.
In a bid to substantiate his claims, Marc Mysterio has shared compelling evidence on his X account (@marc_mysterio), showcasing his impressive statistics: over 1.25 million followers, 80 million streams, 15 million unique listeners in 2024, and 45,000 Alexa requests in August alone.
“DistroKid was contracted to distribute Marc’s music and remit 100% of royalties, while Amazon charged his fans to stream it,” Joseph emphasizes. “The defendants must account for the royalties owed and compensate for future losses, which are already in the millions and will only increase as we approach trial.”
As the lawsuit unfolds, the music industry watches closely, aware that the implications of this case could resonate far beyond Marc Mysterio, potentially impacting how artists are compensated in the digital age.