Since quite some time now we've had to deal with the fact that Spotify treats artists like absolute crap. This is shown in the way how they (don't) pay for what music on their platform should be worth.
The service they provide is a product that is the result of years and years, often a lifetime of investment in time, energy and money from the artis's side. The value for one stream is measured in a fraction of the Swedish Krona that we don't even use in Sweden anymore. This fraction is called Öre and we stopped using this as a coin in 2010. This is something that every artist has to deal with in an individual way. Is it worth it to be humiliated in relation to if you reach out to a potential audience? Everyone has to come up with their own answer to that.
This also applies to every listener. Do you want to consume music in the “all you can eat”- kind of way where you don't pay what music should be worth? Do you listen to music on Spotify in your car but listen to the same album on vinyl when you're back home? Do you go to concerts, buying merch etc?
Once again, up to everyone to make the decision.
I kept my subscription on Spotify due to the fact that I've had to be present there for releases etc, to make people discovering my music.
When zooming out from this now, I realize how this platform together with AI-driven algorithms and even AI-composed music, fake artists etc devaluates the worth of music itself. Adding to this, the founder Daniel Ek has previously made investments in Helsing, an artificial intelligence company based out of Europe that assists in military technological ventures. This is something I absolutely can't accept.
When Spotify decided to donate money to the inauguration cermony for the new president of the USA, I had enough. I haven't politicised my music before and I sure as hell don't want anyone else do it now on my behalf. This was indirectly done through the donation.
I can't take down my music since the labels I've worked with have put it up there.
What I have done is ending my subscription and I won't refer to any links for my or any other artists' music on Spotify. I will refer to other platforms where you can find it.
Thank you for your understanding.