Taylor Swift Shakes Off Spotify – Artists Taking a Stand Against Music Streaming

Taylor Swift’s latest album, 1989, has sold over 1.3 million copies within the first week of its release. This has been the first time an artist has sold that many records since the release of Eminem’s album The Eminem Show. Through a controversial announcement, Swift declared that her music would no longer be available on the popular music streaming website Spotify.

Spotify is a music streaming website that provides users the opportunity to browse through a variety of artists music for free or for a fee (through management restriction from major labels). It is one of the top music streaming websites on the globe. Spotify could be taking a big hit with Swifts decision since approximately 25% of their 40 million users have streamed Swifts songs.

Prior to Swifts move, other artists had already actively decided to withdraw their music from Spotify including The Beatles, AC/DC, and The Black Keys. Spotify has released a statement on their blog stating that they hope Swift changes her mind and join the cause to help build a new music economy that works for everyone. Does a move like this inevitably hurt a greater number of artists who depend on sites such as Spotify to make a name for themselves, in order to protect a handful of successful superstars?

Swift made a comment in a Wall Street Journal article earlier this year discussing the impacts of file sharing and streaming of music, which has had a negative impact on all artists. She emphasized the importance of protecting the artist’s work. On average, an artist on Spotify will receive around $0.006 to $0.0084 per song play. Arguably, this was one of the main reasons why Swift did not want to release her previous album, Red, on the site.

Overall, there are two very difficult sides to choose from. Do we protect and promote the art of music, emphasizing the importance of paying artists just compensation for their work, and further, can we even determine a fair price for music? The up and coming generations are growing up in a time where they can get music for free, which may have a substantial impact on copyright law down the road. On the other side, is it in our best interest to promote the new culture of the music industry in the digital age? Regardless of which side of the heated debate you fall on, Swift’s stand has definitely shaken up Spotify, and sends warnings to other music streaming websites around the world.

By: Stacy M. Pigden, Associate Editor of Art, Publishing, Music & Fashion

photo credit: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer via photopin cc