From the 1st, it was no longer possible to find the music sources distributed by Kakao M on Spotify. As the streaming supply contract between the two companies expires, the related music sources are reportedly deleted from Spotify.
According to the music industry and major media outlets in the United States on that day, the Kakao M distribution sound sources disappeared from Spotify from that day.
This IU, Seventeen, Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, Epik High, girlfriend, Paul Kim, Biggs, Dreamcatcher, Astro, LOVELYZ, Huh Gak, Punchinello, rokko, Brave Girls, periodicals and, groovy rooms, Zico, white zinc, Hundreds of Korean artists such as Giriboy, Seonggyu Kim, Mamamoo, Hyorin, Code Kunst, and Jannabi have stopped supplying music.
(Photo = Spotify Korea)
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Spotify said it was unable to renew its global license agreement with Kakao M.
Spotify said in an interview with the US media that “for the past year and a half, we have been cooperating with Kakao M and renewing the global license agreement to supply related artist music to listeners around the world. The license agreement has been closed.”
The industry expects that the supply of music sources will cease due to the expiration of the contract between the two companies, which will affect the K-pop culture as well. This is because Spotify is a global platform with more than 300 million users around the world, and 37.5% of the top 400 Gaon Charts last year are music sources that Kakao M has distribution rights.
Some artists, including K-pop fans, complained about the suspension of the supply of music. It is a position that why artists and fans should be harmed in negotiations to pursue profits between companies.
Epik High’s Tablo said on his Twitter account, “Contrary to our intentions, we are unable to supply new albums worldwide.”
(Photo = Spotify Korea)
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In the industry, negotiations between the two companies remain, but the timing of the resumption is expected to be uncertain. This is because if Spotify and Kakao M enter into a renewal contract, they must decide whether to supply music for Korean services in addition to the global license.
Earlier, on the 1st of last month, Spotify Korea service started, but the sound source supplied by Kakao M was not supplied. As Kakao M operates the streaming service’Melon’, there are voices that the supply contract will be difficult. Until now, the two companies have maintained the position of “in discussion”, but the industry’s opinion that it is practically impossible.
Spotify said, “It is unfortunate not only for artists, but also fans and listeners around the world, not only for not agreeing on a new contract.
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