More than 23 years after she won a Grammy for the track, Fiona Apple is set to donate royalties from her song ‘Criminal’ to aid US border refugees.
Back in 1996, an 18-year-old Fiona Apple released her debut album, Tidal. A critical success, the record ended up being certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, and even scored Apple a Grammy Award for the record’s biggest single, ‘Criminal’.
Before long, ‘Criminal’ had become the musician’s signature track, and was showing up in films, TV, and advertisements. Now, Fiona Apple is set to put the money earned from the track to good use.
Taking to her Tumblr blog earlier today, Apple outlined plans to donate the 2019 and 2020 royalties from her most iconic song to an organisation that helps US border refugees.
“Something I love about being a songwriter is that I get paid for usage of a song I wrote years ago whenever a TV show or movie asks to use it,” Apple wrote. “‘Criminal’ is my most requested song.
“In the past I have used my ‘Criminal’ money to help friends or family. However, after months and months of reading the news about how my country is treating refugees, I’ve become gutted with frustration trying to figure out the best way to help.”
Outlining her plan to “help the wrongly criminalized get justice”, Fiona Apple noted that she plans to donate royalties to While They Wait, an organisation that provides refugees with basic necessities, legal assistance, and immigration fees.
“What they need is representation and guidance because these people are being prosecuted as criminals just for asking for asylum,” she wrote. “When they are separated from their children they need help navigating the system.
“They need to be bailed out of prison. They need money to pay for the ankle bracelets they are forced to rent and wear while awaiting arraignment, for crying out loud.
“I have decided to pledge all of my earnings from ‘Criminal’ over this year and next to this organization. I want to ask other songwriters to donate just ONE TIME, the money they get for the usage of one of their songs to this organization or one of their choosing.”
Fiona Apple’s announcement also comes following the revelation of a Facebook group frequented by current and former Border Patrol agents that is used to mock the deaths of refugees.
Check out ‘Criminal’ by Fiona Apple:
