For personal use, Spotify has completely changed the way I listen to music, and honestly in a lot of ways changed the way I’ve grown up! When I was a young’un, getting a spotify subscription allowed me to explore so many different types of music without having to buy in to albums I ‘might not like’, and allowed for so much expression. I really grew into US hip-hop, especially alternative sounds like Childish Gambino and Aminé, who I may have never give a try without the subscription, and now are huge parts of my identity!
Problems come though when you start thinking about the creative side of the music… I think for many, allowing their music to be heard on the platform can give smaller artists exposure and room to reach new audiences, but for the hefty cuts they take, I don’t know if it’s worth it for the bigger artists! I know many of them make most of their profits through shows and events, but I do understand the frustration they must feel with streaming services too.
