Royalties?

I had several  conversations with well known musicians /songwriters who have millions of downloads on Spotify yet they are getting crumbs as far as royalties are concern, I also understand that It’s not the same to sell an actual physical record or CD to sell a download, no one is selling either, the owners of Spotify are making a killing (are they?) the songwriter not unless you are Taylor swift, What is the answer? songwriters have zero leverage , are musicians (the big names) trying to talk to the movers and shakers on our behalf? or this is the generation of the lame? or resign yourself to the fact that songwriting (unless you are a Max Martin) is not lucrative anymore. Can someone who is actually knows, not the average Joe enlighten me? Thank you.