Recent news revealed that Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek has been investing heavily in military tech companies, which adds another ethical layer to a platform already criticized for how little it pays musicians !

Spotify only pays artists about $3–5 per 1,000 streams, using a pro-rata model that directs most money toward major stars… By contrast, Qobuz (≈$18–20 per 1,000 streams) and Tidal (≈$12–13) pay far more fairly!

However Tidal is far from ethical. Most of its revenue is controlled by private investors and founders and small artists still earn very little…

More fair-minded platforms like Bandcamp, Resonate, Ampled, or SoundCloud’s fan-powered royalties prioritize musicians over investors.

With these more ethical alternatives available, why do we keep using Spotify?

  • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
    21·
    9 hours ago

    if I encounter a new track I like in the wild, I’ll buy it.

    How do you “encounter” new tracks?

    But I’m not seeking out new stuff because…everything feels homogenized today.

    If you’re not actively seeking out new music, it will feel that way, because you’re just listening to whatever is on the radio or on TV or whatever. This is the beauty of streaming platforms. In the past you were only ever exposed to whatever music the record companies decided you should hear. And it was almost exclusively homogenous “pop” music, to some degree. With streaming music you can discover new music every day based on your personal preferences.

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgEnglish
      21·
      7 hours ago

      OK. Lots of assumptions here. I haven’t listened to the radio since the '90s, and I’ve never paid for cable.

      My preferred genres are progressive house and trance, and I got into the rave scene about the time I stopped listening to the radio. I started my collection via fservs on IRC, ratio FTP sites and then Napster and P2P, totally obviating the record labels. I’m subscribed to various music producers on YouTube for when I’m thinking I want something new, and if it makes me cry, off to Beatport I go.

      So, like, not to be rude, but you got every assumption wrong.

      • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
        21·
        2 hours ago

        Lots of assumptions here.

        you got every assumption wrong.

        Zero assumptions here, I just asked a question. You said you were, and I quote, “not seeking out new stuff”.

        I’m subscribed to various music producers on YouTube

        So you DO enjoy streaming music…

        • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.caEnglish
          11·
          2 hours ago

          I’m subscribed to various music producers on YouTube

          So you DO enjoy streaming music…

          Even while you are being careful, you are still reading things in. He didn’t say he listens to music on YouTube. It might be a safe assumption but that isn’t what was stated. If you’re going to be pedantic, do it right.

          • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
            2·
            1 hour ago

            LOL your suggestion is that they said they’re subscribed to various producers but they don’t listen to them? Now that’s pedantic.