A paid tool for reworking songs
Spotify has signed a licensing deal with Believe for its upcoming tool that lets fans use AI to make song remixes and covers, with royalties generated when those versions are streamed (opens in a new tab). Spotify intends to offer the tool to Premium subscribers through an extra paid option, making fan remix creation an additional purchase alongside the subscription.
- Access
- Planned as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium subscribers
- Creation
- AI-powered song remixes and covers
- Participation
- Voluntary for participating Believe and TuneCore artists and labels
- Royalties
- Spotify says streams would pay royalties to artists taking part and the original songs’ rights holders
The agreement covers participating artists and labels associated with Believe and TuneCore, and the tool is intended for reinterpretations of existing songs rather than wholly new compositions. Each Spotify remix will point listeners back to its source song and artist, which Spotify says will help people find or return to the music behind the fan version.
Artists choose whether their songs take part
Believe and TuneCore will seek consent in two stages before artists participate. Artists first decide whether they want consideration for programs involving AI. Those who agree will then receive the Spotify proposal and make a separate decision about joining this particular tool.
Spotify says the planned payment model would add income for participating artists and songwriters beyond their existing Spotify earnings. The company positions the licensed tool as a way to compensate creators for fan remixing, an activity it says already happens widely without payment to artists and songwriters.
Spotify says listeners can see artists’ disclosures about AI use on tracks and that it is working to improve visibility for those details. Spotify says its wider protections target spam, impersonation and deception, while giving artists greater control over the material displayed on their profiles.