Spotify could soon give music lovers a new way to play around with their favourite songs, but there may be a catch. The streaming giant is reportedly developing an AI-powered music service that lets users create remixes and covers of existing tracks.
And if you want to try it, you might have to pay extra on top of your Spotify Premium subscription.According to the Financial Times, Spotify is considering charging subscribers an additional $4 to $5 (roughly Rs 379 - Rs 474) per month for the upcoming AI service. The company is reportedly targeting a launch in the first quarter of 2027, with a possible announcement around the Grammy Awards in February.
However, before users can turn their favourite songs into AI remixes, Spotify still needs to sort out licensing agreements with major record labels.Spotify's AI music plan could face an artist problemThe idea sounds fun on paper. This may allow people to take their familiar song and give it a completely different vibe or create a cover without needing a recording studio.
Spotify's proposed service could make that possible, although it would reportedly work with existing songs rather than simply generating music from scratch.But getting the technology ready may be the easier part. Spotify also needs artists to agree to have their music used in these AI creations.
The company and Universal Music Group have reportedly been meeting individual artists to convince them to participate. While some established older artists have reportedly shown interest, getting major contemporary stars on board has been more difficult.
Spotify is said to be planning an opt-in system, meaning artists could decide whether their music can be used for AI remixes even if their record labels have already signed licensing agreements. The company is also reportedly exploring a way to let fan-made remixes appear in playlists, with streams counting towards the original songs on Spotify's charts.
Royalties from these remixes would also go back to the original artists.Spotify co-CEO Gustav Soderstrom believes the service could create another way for musicians to earn money. Whether artists see it that way, and whether listeners are willing to pay another $5 every month, will be the real test.- Ends