With Spotify’s proposed changes to artists royalties to take effect in 2024, independent artists are questioning if enough is enough
The article from Music Industry How To discusses the significant changes Spotify plans to implement in its royalty payout model in 2024, aimed at combating bot plays and ensuring fair compensation for artists.
The new policy mandates that a song must accumulate at least 1000 plays annually to qualify for royalties, with the count resetting each year. This change particularly impacts artists with smaller audiences and noise tracks, which are now required to be at least 2 minutes long and will only earn 20% of the standard royalty rate per play.
The article also highlights the repercussions for music distributors, noting that Spotify will impose a €10 fee on labels and distributors releasing tracks flagged for fraudulent play counts or deemed as “non-musical noise.”
This has led to changes in service fees by distribution companies like CD Baby, which now charges roughly $40 for its premium program, covering both singles and multi-song albums.
The article further explores the potential responses artists can have to these changes, including staging a mass boycott or releasing music directly on their websites.
It emphasizes the importance of artists educating their audience on the best ways to support their favourite musicians and considering alternative platforms for music distribution and sales.
The piece concludes by reflecting on the future of the music industry, the value of music, and the power artists hold in shaping the industry’s direction.
Source: How Do Spotify’s 2024 Changes in Royalty Rates Affect Independent Artists? – Music Industry How To
