Spotify Acquires Music Sample Database WhoSampled, Will Integrate Data into New Features
November 21, 2025 – Spotify has acquired WhoSampled, a thorough database of music samples and connections, the companies announced today. While integrating WhoSampledS data into its own platform,Spotify confirmed that WhoSampled will continue to operate as a standalone brand and platform.
Launched in 2008, WhoSampled boasts a community-driven database of over one million songs, meticulously cataloging the relationships between tracks through samples, covers, and remixes.Users contribute data which is then verified by moderators before being added to the database, allowing music fans to trace the origins and influences within their favorite songs.
The acquisition directly fuels two new, AI-powered Spotify features: SongDNA and about the Song. SongDNA, currently rolling out to spotify Premium users in the “Now Playing” view, provides an interactive visualization of musical connections – showcasing samples, covers, collaborators, and related tracks. Spotify explicitly credits WhoSampled as the data source powering the SongDNA feature’s sample and cover information.
“About the Song” offers a summary of a track’s background, including its inspiration, cultural impact, and the stories behind its creation.
Spotify is also expanding Song Credits to more prominently display all contributors to a song,initially on mobile devices with a desktop rollout planned for the coming months.
Following the acquisition,WhoSampled announced several improvements for its users. The platform will implement faster moderation for user submissions, remove all advertising from its website in the coming weeks, and transition its iOS app to a free-to-download model mirroring its Android app. Furthermore, all in-app subscriptions for both iOS and Android versions will be made free to existing users.
