Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Texas chapter.

I’m sure y’all have all heard that Ariana Grande song trending on TikTok by now, and maybe you’ve even attempted the dance privately in your room. This scenario is all too familiar in today’s digital age, where unreleased music leaks have become an alarming concern for artists. The excitement generated by leaked tracks can be short-lived, often overshadowed by the detrimental consequences they bring.

Leaked music rarely represents the artist’s intended final product, and Lana Del Rey’s “Say Yes to Heaven” is a prime example of this. After a decade-long wait (yes, it took 10 years for her to finally release it!) fans finally got a taste of her unreleased masterpiece. However, the premature release of such material can distort the artist’s intended message, robbing them of the opportunity to present their work in the way they intended.

 Unreleased music leaks also translate into substantial financial losses for artists. When songs are leaked, they miss out on potential revenue streams, such as album sales, streaming royalties, and concert ticket sales. This loss of income can be especially damaging, as many artists rely on their creative work to sustain their livelihoods and fund future projects.

It is essential for fans to recognize these harmful consequences and support artists in their efforts to protect their creative work. Many fans will pressure, and even send hate when their favorite artists refuse to officially release their leaked music. And I’ll admit, as much as I would absolutely kill for Ari to release “Fantasize,” I understand her frustrations and have come to terms with the fact that the official version of the song will most likely never see the light of day. But hey, never say never! 

By understanding why artists may choose to withhold music after leaks, we can foster an environment that values and respects the creative process, ultimately benefiting both artists and their audiences. It’s time to put an end to the unauthorized sharing of unreleased music and let artists have the agency they deserve over their own creations!

Achiraya, also known as Raya, is an associate editor at the Her Campus at the University of Texas at Austin chapter. Raya is currently pursuing a journalism degree with a minor in law at the University of Texas at Austin. From an early age, Achiraya has had a profound love for the written word. The art of storytelling, be it through articles, essays, or creative pieces, has consistently been her passion and source of solace.