That potential launch timetable surfaced in a Financial Times report, which cited anonymous and purportedly well-informed sources. While it’s always a good idea to take coverage of this nature with a grain of salt, Spotify’s aggressive AI remix and cover product plans aren’t a secret.
Nor is the fact that Universal Music, Believe/TuneCore, Kobalt, and Merlin have inked related licensing deals. And despite the conspicuous absence of Sony Music as well as Suno-partnered Warner Music and BMG on the list, Spotify brass previously said the DSP wouldn’t require “a full catalog” to get the ball rolling.
As mentioned, the offering might set Premium subscribers back another $4 to $5 per month, according to the report. At present, other concrete details, including about participating artists and more, are few and far between.
But even if convincing certain acts to opt in is proving an uphill battle, evidence suggests that Spotify’s AI remix and cover feature will still find takers. Some professionals have already admitted to using gen AI in their music, for instance, and legacy acts could view the tool as a means of introducing their bodies of work to new audiences.
(As we’ve seen from Fleetwood Mac’s catalog sales and heightened commercial success after going viral on TikTok, the benefits of reaching entirely new fanbases don’t begin and end with straight royalty payments, either.)
Suno and Warner Music have made clear that their partnership will zero in on artist-specific offerings next. Moreover, all three majors have partnered with Klay Vision on a forthcoming platform, and Udio is preparing to relaunch in partnership with the non-Sony majors.
Additionally, the majors now possess an interest in Stability AI, and Universal Music has teed up artist-specific offerings of its own under an ElevenLabs tie-up.
Put differently, fans won’t be without authorized gen AI choices, and time will tell whether Spotify’s existing reach helps it top the space’s many competitors.
