More than 60 artists, including Radiohead, Robbie Williams and the Kaiser Chiefs, say they have banded together to seek more rights over their music and break free of record labels.
The Featured Artists' Coalition (FAC) aims to "give artists the voice they need to argue for greater control over their music," amid new opportunities provided by the internet, the group said.
"It is time for artists to have a strong collective voice to stand up for their interests," said Brian Message, co-manager of Radiohead and Kate Nash.
"The digital landscape is changing fast and new deals are being struck all the time, but all too often without reference to the people who actually make the music."
Message said the FAC would "help all artists, young and old, well-known or not, drive overdue change through the industry in their interests and those of fans."
The FAC is also calling for, among other things, artists to receive "fair compensation whenever their business partners receive an economic return from the exploitation of the artists' work".