Spotify is planning a paid AI tool that lets fans remix and cover songs from artists who agree to take part. The feature could cost another $4 to $5 each month, though neither the price nor its release window is final.
And the idea is quite simple. A listener could turn a folk tune into dance music or make a track resemble a cover by another singer. Rather than make brand-new songs from text prompts, the feature would use music that already exists.
Artists would have a say in all this. Even when a label signs a deal with Spotify, each act can choose whether to let fans alter its tracks. The plan would also send royalties from fan-made versions back to the people behind the source music.
Spotify is working on playlist support for these edits as well. Under the reported setup, streams of remixes would count toward the source songs on its charts.
On the licensing side, Universal Music Group, Merlin, Kobalt, and Believe have signed agreements. Believe's deal also covers artists and labels that choose to join through TuneCore.
But talks with Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group remain open. Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström has said the service can go live without every major label taking part, even though he wants broad artist support.
The harder part may be getting stars to agree. People familiar with the plans claim that some big current acts have been less keen than veteran performers. Spotify and Universal have been talking with artists one by one to seek approval.
Olivia Rodrigo has expressed a firm stance against using AI in her music, although her comments did not address this Spotify product. Her view shows why artist consent could matter as much as the tech itself.
Söderström sees a money angle for older catalogs. Fans could help generate fresh plays and royalties through covers, giving veteran artists another way to earn from songs they released long ago.
A research preview for a small group of listeners is also on the agenda. Spotify has yet to commit to a public release, despite reports linking a possible debut to the Grammy Awards.
Beyond AI, the company is trying other ways to make Premium more useful. Its Reserved ticket feature gives select loyal fans access to two concert seats ahead of public sales, with Live Nation involved at launch.
Spotify has also set a goal of mid-teen annual revenue growth through 2030, measured at fixed exchange rates. Its latest quarterly revenue reached €4.97 billion, or about $5.72 billion, a 16% rise in reported terms.
The platform has 306 million Premium members, giving it a large audience for paid extras. Bernstein analyst Ian Moore thinks 7% to 8% of American subscribers could adopt the AI feature by the close of 2028, though that remains an estimate.
Earlier reports had also linked remix tools and early concert access to a possible Music Pro tier costing up to $5.99 extra each month. Spotify has not confirmed that offer or how it might relate to the new feature.
And the idea is quite simple. A listener could turn a folk tune into dance music or make a track resemble a cover by another singer. Rather than make brand-new songs from text prompts, the feature would use music that already exists.
Artists would have a say in all this. Even when a label signs a deal with Spotify, each act can choose whether to let fans alter its tracks. The plan would also send royalties from fan-made versions back to the people behind the source music.
Spotify is working on playlist support for these edits as well. Under the reported setup, streams of remixes would count toward the source songs on its charts.
On the licensing side, Universal Music Group, Merlin, Kobalt, and Believe have signed agreements. Believe's deal also covers artists and labels that choose to join through TuneCore.
But talks with Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group remain open. Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström has said the service can go live without every major label taking part, even though he wants broad artist support.
The harder part may be getting stars to agree. People familiar with the plans claim that some big current acts have been less keen than veteran performers. Spotify and Universal have been talking with artists one by one to seek approval.
Olivia Rodrigo has expressed a firm stance against using AI in her music, although her comments did not address this Spotify product. Her view shows why artist consent could matter as much as the tech itself.
Söderström sees a money angle for older catalogs. Fans could help generate fresh plays and royalties through covers, giving veteran artists another way to earn from songs they released long ago.
A research preview for a small group of listeners is also on the agenda. Spotify has yet to commit to a public release, despite reports linking a possible debut to the Grammy Awards.
Beyond AI, the company is trying other ways to make Premium more useful. Its Reserved ticket feature gives select loyal fans access to two concert seats ahead of public sales, with Live Nation involved at launch.
Spotify has also set a goal of mid-teen annual revenue growth through 2030, measured at fixed exchange rates. Its latest quarterly revenue reached €4.97 billion, or about $5.72 billion, a 16% rise in reported terms.
The platform has 306 million Premium members, giving it a large audience for paid extras. Bernstein analyst Ian Moore thinks 7% to 8% of American subscribers could adopt the AI feature by the close of 2028, though that remains an estimate.
Earlier reports had also linked remix tools and early concert access to a possible Music Pro tier costing up to $5.99 extra each month. Spotify has not confirmed that offer or how it might relate to the new feature.
