Spotify has long been a major force in the music industry, but its relationship with artists has been a point of contention. The platform’s market-share royalty system tends to favor major labels over independent musicians, making it difficult for smaller artists to earn substantial revenue. While Spotify distributes approximately 70% of its revenue to rights-holders, artists are paid according to their agreements with labels and distributors—often leading to lower payouts for independent creators. This structure has sparked criticism, with many arguing that Spotify primarily benefits major record labels rather than the artists themselves.
In response to ongoing concerns, music executive Damion “Damizza” Young recently addressed the issue on Instagram, reacting to a post by Gino The Ghost about Spotify and Snoop Dogg’s move to Tune.FM. Damizza made it clear that he does not believe Tune.FM is the answer, but he reinforced the idea that Spotify’s dominance in the industry is fading.
“Spotify is old news,” Damizza stated, claiming that industry insiders are already preparing for a shift. He pointed to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek selling off stock as an indication that a viable competitor is on the way. While he did not disclose full details, Damizza revealed that he recently saw a demo of a new platform in his studio. Although he remained tight-lipped due to confidentiality agreements, he described it as a hybrid model that offers stronger incentives for artists.
“I don’t know if it’s blockchain, but the way payments work and how it’s structured—there’s more incentive for artists to be on it,” he explained.
Damizza urged artists and fans to start moving away from Spotify, arguing that the platform has primarily served as an enforcer for major labels rather than an ally to musicians. In his Instagram caption, he wrote, “It’s time for something new… news soon! And go follow @ginotheghost he dope! BREAKING NEWS!! @spotify is NOT for Anyone but the LABELS!”
As conversations around fair compensation for artists continue, Damizza’s comments highlight a growing demand for change. Whether the rumored platform will provide a more artist-friendly alternative remains to be seen.
