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

Some people still think an artist should be thrilled to work for free, and Jamie Mathias keeps running into that mindset online. The UK-based singer-songwriter has built a following by writing custom songs for couples, especially for weddings, but that hasn’t stopped strangers from asking for freebies, favors, or “exposure” instead of payment.

Mathias has spent about 10 years in the music industry and has released tracks that charted, which helped him grow a loyal audience. Over time, he also turned custom songwriting into a business, creating personal songs for ceremonies, speeches, first dances, and even live wedding performances.

Now he is sharing the most ridiculous requests he gets, and the screenshots make the entitlement hard to miss.

Here's the first conversation that Mathias tweeted:

One request went far beyond reasonable and straight into absurd territory.

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

Then came a few more exchanges that made the pattern impossible to ignore.

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

The replies kept getting more dramatic, and none of them came with actual payment.

Rich in irony

I have no words

This fan that crossed the line

Here's a free song:

I put the decimal wrong!

Not every message was from someone trying to get something for nothing, though.

This is also like the friend who refused a loan for a last-minute concert ticket, even after it’s his dream chance.

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.

r1cky_r

Another artist rallying behing Mathias

TheRoryJohn

...another one

BARGH3ST

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.

benividivicii

Reality check for the choosy beggars out there

Pennyzwyz

Right?

Sikamikanico

Maybe their tactics work in other industries

innanet_man

This correct summation

CaptainFunch

It goes both ways, bucko

CaityTrina

It's the bare minimum

girlscouter

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

mackie_barbara

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!

Wait, it gets worse, read how friends got mad when a photographer charged for nature prints.