The first episode delves into the stories of trailblazing artists like Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, who used their music to challenge societal norms, and confronts the harsh realities faced by legends such as Bessie Smith, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry, who struggled for fair compensation despite their groundbreaking contributions.

The series concludes by exploring the impact of streaming in the digital era. While some Black artists successfully create their own labels and stable of artists, others struggle with unfair new types of exploitative contracts and minimal compensation from streaming platforms. Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music offers insight into the triumphs and challenges of Black artists striving for recognition, autonomy, and fair compensation—in a music industry with odds stacked against them.