Spotify Acquires WhoSampled, Expanding Song Credit Facts
Spotify has acquired WhoSampled, a thorough database detailing music samples and interpolations, in a move to bolster song credit accuracy and openness for artists and listeners. The acquisition,announced today,integrates WhoSampled’s extensive data directly into the Spotify platform,promising a richer and more detailed understanding of musical lineage.
This purchase arrives amid ongoing debate about fair compensation and recognition for artists whose work is sampled, and follows a growing trend of musicians removing their catalogs from Spotify in protest of CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in Palantir, a company specializing in artificial intelligence with ties to weapons development. The integration of WhoSampled aims to address longstanding issues of incomplete or inaccurate credits, offering a more complete picture of the creative process behind popular songs. Artists including young Widows, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, WU LYF, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, and Deerhoof have recently pulled their music from Spotify citing ethical concerns.
WhoSampled, founded in 2008, has become a vital resource for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, meticulously cataloging over 600,000 samples and interpolations across various genres. The platform’s database is built through community contributions and expert verification, providing a detailed map of musical influence.
Spotify simultaneously announced an expansion of song credits, now displaying more detailed information about songwriters, producers, and engineers on tracks.This builds upon previous efforts to improve credit visibility, which began in 2021 with the addition of songwriter credits. The expanded credits, powered by WhoSampled’s data, will initially roll out to select users and markets, with a wider release planned for the coming months.
“We’re excited to bring the WhoSampled team and their expertise in-house to further enhance the way credits are displayed on Spotify,” said a Spotify representative in a press statement. “This acquisition will allow us to provide even more comprehensive and accurate information about the creative process behind the music our users love.”
The integration of WhoSampled and the expansion of song credits represent a significant step towards greater transparency in the music industry,potentially benefiting both artists and listeners by fostering a deeper gratitude for the collaborative nature of music creation.
