Spotify has officially acquired WhoSampled, the long-running music database known for tracking samples, cover songs, and remixes. The deal marks one of Spotify’s most notable recent changes, but WhoSampled clarified on Wednesday (Nov. 19) that it will continue operating as a standalone website.
In its announcement, WhoSampled said both companies aligned on the importance of musical context and helping listeners explore how songs are created. “Spotify has shown a genuine commitment to our mission, and we couldn’t have found a better home for WhoSampled,” the platform shared in its statement.
The partnership will introduce several upgrades to WhoSampled, including faster approval times for user submissions, free downloads, free in-app subscriptions on Android, and an ad-free experience. The site also teased a new feature called SongDNA, which will provide expanded song credits and deeper background information.
This acquisition arrives just months before a major leadership shift at Spotify. CEO and co-founder Daniel Ek announced he will step down in January 2026, transitioning into a “coach” role. Spotify presidents Alex Norström and Gustav Söderström will become co-CEOs starting Jan. 1. Ek co-founded Spotify in 2006 with Martin Lorentzon, growing the platform to more than 713 million active users as of September 2025.
WhoSampled, founded in 2008 by Nadav Poraz, has become a widely-used resource for discovering the origins of samples and the connections between songs—now poised to expand with Spotify’s backing.
