Spotify is making a bold move into the world of artificial intelligence, announcing the launch of a new product that will allow fans to create covers and remixes of songs with artists’ consent. During its second-quarter report, the company announced that licensing partner Merlin, which represents more than 30,000 independent labels and distributors, has joined the initiative. This expands the base of artists participating in the project and underscores Spotify’s commitment to standing out from controversial startups that generate fully artificial tracks.
Product positioning: ‘real artists, not fake ones’
Spotify co-president Gustav Söderström emphasized that the product is aimed at ‘real artists, not fake ones.’ Unlike generative music services, Spotify is betting on musicians’ consent and their compensation.
‘We want artists to give consent for their works to be added to the catalog so that people can create covers and remixes based on their creativity,’ added another CEO, Alex Norström.
Legal clarity and compensation
The key difference of the new service is its legality. ‘We not only obtain consent and provide attribution, but also ensure compensation. This is the first legal way to participate in the AI trend we see in interactive music,’ Norström stated.
This is especially important in light of Deezer data: more than 50% of daily uploaded tracks are already AI-generated (in January 2025, it was only 10%).
Launch and monetization
research preview of the product will be available only to a subset of users, without the need for the full catalog. The exact date has not been disclosed, but it is known that the feature will become a paid add-on, creating an additional source of income for artists.
‘Our product with remixes and covers is incredibly exciting because no one else can do this. Ordinary generative music will appear without us, but this product will not appear without us, and it must exist so that artists can participate in the AI wave,’ Söderström emphasized.
Frequently asked questions
What is Merlin and why does Spotify need it?
Merlin is a licensing partner representing the interests of independent labels. Its participation expands the catalog of artists who can consent to the use of their music in AI remixes, ensuring legality and content diversity.
When will the AI remix feature launch?
The exact date has not been announced. Initially, a research preview will be available to a limited group of users, with a full launch expected later.
Will it be paid?
Yes, the feature will become a paid add-on, allowing artists to earn additional income from the use of their music in remixes and covers.
Conclusion
Spotify is betting on the legal use of AI in music, attracting partners like Merlin and emphasizing artist consent and compensation. This could become a new standard in the industry, distinguishing it from the chaotic spread of generative tracks.
Stay tuned for updates to be among the first to try the feature and see how AI remixes will change your music experience.
