Songwriters Boycott Spotify Grammy Party

Four out of five nominees for the Grammy's Songwriter of the Year are boycotting Spotify's annual Grammy party to protest the streaming service's royalty policies, which many songwriters believe undervalue their contributions. The boycott was initiated by Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Jessie Jo Dillon, and RAYE, who are unhappy with Spotify's recent changes that bundle audiobooks with premium subscriptions, leading to an estimated $150 million loss in royalties for songwriters over the next year. Dillon emphasized the importance of fair compensation for songwriters, stating, "There are no songs without songwriters." This growing discontent with Spotify’s revenue distribution practices highlights ongoing frustrations within the music industry about fairness and sustainability for creators. Despite Spotify's claims of substantial payments to rights holders, many songwriters feel sidelined and underappreciated. The boycott serves as a significant statement within an industry grappling with the economic realities of streaming.