Find out the shocking amount Spotify pays for 1 million streams
Discover Spotify’s disappointing payout for 1 million streams in 2023 straight from Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth.
Find out the shocking truth about how much Spotify really pays artists for a million streams. The numbers are even more disappointing than before, leaving artists feeling shortchanged. Discover why artists are still struggling to make a fair wage on streaming platforms like Spotify.
Spotify faces ongoing criticism for a range of issues, such as the difficulty new artists face in gaining recognition and concerns about the platform favoring AI-generated music. But there’s more to it than that.
In a recent interview with Rock Hard Greece, Dani Filth, frontman of metal band Cradle of Filth, expressed strong criticism towards Spotify, calling them “the biggest criminals in the world.” Filth discussed how Spotify’s practices and standards have had a detrimental impact on the music industry and its consumers.
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The music industry has been in a decline since 2006, according to Filth. The introduction of the digital age and music streaming platforms has made it significantly more challenging for musicians. These platforms do not provide fair compensation for artists.
According to Filth, Spotify, the largest criminal in the world, had approximately 25 to 26 million plays last year. Personally, he only received about 20 pounds, which is less than his expected hourly work rate.
Many people mistakenly believe that when you have a physical product out in the market, you must be making a fortune from it. However, they fail to comprehend that there are several entities involved in the process who also take a share of the earnings, such as record companies, management teams, and accountants.
Why Limited-Edition Vinyls and Collectibles Matter to Music Fans?
In today’s digital age, limited-edition vinyls hold a special place for collectors. These dedicated listeners are the ones who truly appreciate the value and uniqueness of physical music. While others may stream music for free, collectors understand the joy of owning something tangible and exclusive.
On another note, the financial challenges faced by artists and bands, particularly due to consumer entitlement, have also contributed to the decline in post-pandemic tours.
“Rising costs make it challenging for bands, especially with the misconception that music should be free. Just like we pay for other products or services, music deserves its value,” remarks Filth. “Imagine walking into a store and taking something without paying for it because it’s easily accessible—like a pack of bananas. It’s time we recognize the effort and creativity that goes into making music.”
“The double standard of piracy: while shoplifting can lead to arrests, downloading music before its official release is considered acceptable. Fans readily share links to unreleased albums, rendering any potential surprise sales obsolete. This constant cycle undermines the value of purchasing music as fans quickly move on to the next release.”
“The music industry is currently facing immense challenges,” he asserts. “While I still genuinely enjoy creating music, I must admit that musicians nowadays have to overcome numerous obstacles. It is undeniably a difficult time.”
Cradle of Filth teamed up with Napalm Records in 2020, and recently rocked the stage with DevilDriver on their Double Trouble Live tour. Their sensational live album, Trouble and Their Double Lives, dropped in April, delivering adrenaline-pumping performances and introducing two fresh studio tracks, “She is a Fire” and “Demon Prince Regent.”