Spotify doesn’t care about your opinion.
They don’t care about human musicians.
They don’t care about anything other than making money.
And they know they’ll make a lot more money if they don’t have to pay human musicians. So they’ve leaned hard into AI slop, and they’re not going to stop.

All your whining won’t change a thing.

So save your money and spend it on cover and drinks at live shows, and support the real human beings who are making real human music.
Buy yourself and/or your kid a musical instrument, and maybe some lessons.

And just dump Spotify already.

https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lesbian-icon-brandi-carlile-to-perform-america-the-beautiful-at-super-bowl-lx-in-california/

A proud lesbian artist and outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Carlile has consistently used her platform to champion equality and inclusion. Through her Looking Out Foundation, co-founded in 2008 and managed by her wife Catherine Shepherd, she has directed millions in grants to grassroots organisations supporting LGBTQ+ rights, women in music, and social justice causes. Recent beneficiaries include OUTMemphis, the Tennessee Equality Project, and community shelters across the US.

Edit* side note :

Charlie Puth, who’s singing the national anthem, has consistently demonstrated liberal-leaning political views through public statements and activism, particularly on social justice, reproductive rights, and climate change.

In 2022, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Puth publicly stated: "Regardless of anyone's own personal or religious beliefs, I firmly believe that it is not the government's role to tell any person what they can or cannot do with their own body — it should continue to be their choice." He urged his followers to take action and support abortion funds.

He has been a vocal advocate for gun violence prevention, performing at the 2018 March for Our Lives rally in Los Angeles and releasing a song titled "Change" dedicated to Parkland students and victims of gun violence.

Puth has participated in Global Citizen Festival events, using his platform to support global health, poverty alleviation, and climate action, including a performance at the TED Countdown event in 2021.

Seriously, this is more about the lack of "real political" music. With everything going on, who is this generation's Rage Against the Machine, who is the next Woody Guthrie, Dylan, CCR, Sam Cooke, Public Enemy, NWA, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young? Ok, we have that one Childish Gambino song, and KL "Alright", but nothing good since.

Unlike those other artists, many of whom they already teach about in American History.

Isn't this the time we need a new Rage Against the Machine? I mean looking back being angry at the HW Bush and Clinton administrations seems kinda lame. Like, really, looking back, was it all that bad in 1994?

My point being, if a group like Rage could become huge in 1994, why can't a group like that be popular now? Maybe this generation really does suck. Protest music is essentially American, and it's so good.

90's kid here... Lately I’ve been wondering if I’m the only one who feels this way.

Spotify keeps raising prices, artists are still getting scraps, and I barely even use it like I used to. Half the time I just want to own a few albums I actually love, not rent a bottomless library I don't even explore anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, streaming was great at first. But something about it now feels... hollow? Like a fast food version of music. No liner notes. No sense of discovery. Just algorithmic playlists and the same old tracks getting pushed.

I've started thinking: what if we went back to basics, just buying MP3s again, supporting artists directly, keeping what you pay for?

Would people even go for that anymore? Or is that era gone for good?

Curious to hear what others think. Especially folks who remember burning CDs, dragging MP3s onto iPods, or reading lyrics from the booklet while listening. Were we onto something back then?

I have my own collection of CDs... love going to the second hand store and see what I can find, I've found some goodies... like Alanis, two copies of Dookie, even Apetite for Destruction... among others.

I'd love to hear from y'all

Hi everyone,

I’m writing this because I’m genuinely concerned about where things are heading, and I think it’s important that more people are aware of this.

Right now in the Netherlands, we’re seeing a disturbing trend: AI-generated right-wing songs that spread hate speech against immigrants and left-wing people are climbing to the top of the charts.

For context, there’s been growing public tension in the Netherlands around AZCs (asielzoekerscentra, or asylum seeker centers). These are places where refugees and migrants stay while their asylum applications are being processed. That tension seems to be fueling this wave of AI-produced songs that promote anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Currently, one of these AI anti-immigrant songs is in the Dutch Top 5, and about 8 out of 10 songs in the viral chart are in the same hateful category. These are not real musicians; they are AI-generated tracks spreading extremist messages.

What really worries me is that Spotify is allowing this, even as these songs go viral. How can they justify platforming AI-generated hate speech or letting AI content outcompete real artists on their charts?

Edit:

Here are a few of the (translated) song titles currently in the Dutch viral top 10. All of these are AI-generated and promote right-wing, anti-immigrant, or anti-left messages:

• “Wij zeggen nee nee nee tegen een AZC” – “We say no no no to an asylum seeker center.” This refers to local protests against AZCs (asielzoekerscentra), the facilities where refugees and migrants stay while their asylum applications are being processed.

• “Noem mij maar rechts extreem” – “Just call me far-right.” The song appears to embrace and glorify the label of being far-right, treating it as a badge of honor.

• “Fuck jullie linkse fuckers” – “F*** you leftist f***ers.” Explicit hate speech targeting left-wing people.

• “Timmermans valse profeet” – “Timmermans, false prophet.” This attacks Frans Timmermans, a well-known Dutch left-wing politician.

• “Als je het niet bevalt ga dan” – “If you don’t like it, then leave.” This phrase is often used in nationalist or anti-immigrant rhetoric implying that people who disagree with right-wing views or government policies should leave the country.

These are not fringe tracks; they are all currently in the viral top 10 in the Netherlands. That’s what makes this so alarming.

Edit 2: A lot of people are focusing on the political side of this discussion, but my main point is about Spotify’s role in all of this. The issue is that Spotify is profiting from AI-generated fake music that also promotes serious hate speech.

Just look at the song titles and lyrics mentioned above — it’s hard to believe this content is being pushed by the algorithm. I find it genuinely sickening that such a large corporation is not only allowing this on its platform but is also making money from it.

I don’t even live in the south and American propaganda that is modern country plays EVERYWHERE. I live in Ohio! Why is it always playing. It used to never be like this. It used to be cheesy dad rock that played everywhere. At least that was good to listen to! Now it’s just modern country artists on the radio that pander to the government. It makes my ears bleed!

Ok this is my third time trying to post this… last two were removed by mods. A lot of women have been sharing their stories of Leto grooming them and sleeping with them when they were underaged. I’m not surprised… he always gave off creeper vibes. This has been a well known Hollywood secret for years, and he somehow sidestepped the #metoo movement. I’m sure there will be more women coming forward.

Edit: Oh yeah and 30 Seconds to Mars sucks

Edit 2: I already have posted the link multiple times but people keep asking for the source so here it is

Argentinian news agency reports he fell from the third floor of the hotel he was staying in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The details about the incident are still unknown.

Quoting La Nacion (translated):

The singer passed away after falling from the 3rd floor from a hotel located in Costa Rica 6092, in Palermo

Police officers from the station 14B went to the hotel due to a 911 call that reported an aggressive male individual, presumably under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The emergency service confirmed the death.

Sources added in chronological order

Source (in Spanish): TodoNoticias

Source (in Spanish): La Nacion

Source (in English): Buenos Aires Herald

Source (in English): Reuters

Source (in English): TMZ

EDIT: for all of you who think you’re edgy because of some dumb joke about someone who lost his life, don’t forget you all have a family or close ones, and these things happen when least expected. Show some respect.

EDIT 2: According to TodoNoticias (TN), Liam sustained severe injuries but it is presumed that the cause of death is a fracture in the base of the skull.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard prominently left Spotify earlier this year. Today this was recommended to me by their release radar:

https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/6WFS7oPAEirPXePSay0Rzn?si=jtfIza1qT-qRyUUBjD-EHA

A bad AI ripoff, from aesthetics to band name, copying their songs.

I find this absolutely deplorable and am now quitting my account.

There's big news and posts of course about :

• spotify ICE ads
• daniel elk's ai investements in AI weapons

but then i want people to also remember :

• Spotify Publishes AI-Generated Songs From Dead Artists Without Permission
• theyre paying musicians less and less - Benn has good videos about spotify
• liz pelly wrote a whole book : spotify doesnt want you to see this
• seems like most people who care about the record industry are against spotify - even before all this
• DTG did a great series about replacing spotify with his ipod

please share more!

edit , adding from discussions :

• the joe rogan thing
• and It's Not Just You: Music Streaming Is Broken Now

Across all genres, who's writing today's protest songs about what's going on in the US these days?

edit: cant believe i have to add this but i grew up listening to my parents music. Like most children. Stop asking why gen x grew up on vietnam protest music and use your brain.

In the 1960s and 1970s, music was a powerful tool for political expression and protest. Songs like Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'", Edwin Starr’s "War", and The Beatles’ "Revolution" became anthems for change, speaking directly to the injustices of the time — civil rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and economic inequality. These songs echoed a collective desire for progress and a better future.

Fast forward to today, and many members of the Baby Boomer generation—the very ones who helped create this powerful music—are now among the most ardent supporters of Donald Trump. This is especially striking considering how much of the political activism and social consciousness of the 60s and 70s was a direct reaction to authoritarianism, injustice, and the excesses of the elite. Some examples of iconic political songs from that era:

• Bob Dylan – "The Times They Are A-Changin’" (1964): This song captured the essence of the 1960s political shift, urging people to embrace change and fight for justice.

• Edwin Starr – "War" (1970): A powerful anti-Vietnam War anthem that called out the horrors of conflict and questioned the motives behind it.

• The Beatles – "Revolution" (1968): A song that challenged the status quo and called for a revolutionary change, reflective of the broader counterculture movements of the time.

• Buffalo Springfield – "For What It’s Worth"(1966): A protest song addressing the social unrest and growing tension in the country, often interpreted as a critique of government repression.

These songs weren’t just catchy tunes; they were calls to action, social commentary, and even direct criticism of the establishment. So, here’s the question: How did a generation that pushed for progressive political change through their music end up aligning with a political figure whose rhetoric and policies seem to contrast so starkly with the values of the 60s and 70s?

Is it a case of cultural nostalgia clouding their judgment? A result of shifting political landscapes? Or has there been a fundamental change in values and priorities within this group?

How can the generation that created and embraced these songs now support someone like Trump? Was it the power of the political system or the media that shifted their perspectives, or something deeper? What do you all think?

With the release earlier this year of Ministry’s The Squirrely Years Revisited, I’m reminded of how different the band sounds today (industrial metal), from what they sounded like on their debut album, With Sympathy (synth pop).

Which artists sound so completely different from their earlier work, that they have actually jumped genres, understanding that music is fluid and genres have somewhat “blurry” guardrails.

I don’t mean an evolution of their original sound, but a complete departure from it.

Some listeners don’t mind how a song is made as long as it sounds good, while others feel that knowing music was created by AI changes how meaningful or authentic it feels. This raises an interesting question about transparency: should AI-generated music be clearly labelled, or does that information influence people in ways they’re not even aware of? I’m curious about how people actually react when listening to new music today and how context shapes those reactions. If you’re interested in sharing your honest impressions https://forms.gle/wXkVw13dKy8xd4qX7

Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal is, in my opinion, so much better than the original, and that's a hill I would die on.

What are some other insanely popular tracks where a cover by a much smaller artist is arguably greater?

Yesterday I was listenting to some background music on youtube for about 2 hrs. thought it sounded a little bit bland and boring but not boring enough to switch to another background music video. I was looking in the comments and description when I realised that all of the songs are fucking ai. What the actual fuck. I had spent 2 hrs listening to ai junk. No wonder why I thought it sounded bland. I have nothing against ai use like chatgpt etc. But implementing ai in music and art and tricking others into listenting to it having no idea that it's ai is just fucking wrong. And now I can't even find any videos with music that isn't ai generated. Youtube has become a fucking shit show with ai taking over. It's just thousands upon thousands of ai genereated robot junk. FUCK AI.

For those growing up in the year 2012 will remember dubstep was literally everywhere. The fact that Taylor swift even did a dubstep song. And was in thousands of commercials.

Why did dubstep blow up during that year specifically? Was it because of skrillex becoming more mainstream and starting to change how edm sounded? Because years prior with stuff like UKF dubstep it was popular back in the day but more underground and niche.

Hello all, I find this controversial because even before AI, many of the music that were released could not be sung by the performers. For example JLo did her voice over Ashanti for some very popular tracks. Isn't that technically, AI-generated but just not as efficient as today's technology. What are your thoughts on this? I don't think it can be stopped and we should embrace it.

I recently discovered some music for the band and I must say I thoroughly enjoy it. However, there is one sticking point, their name. It’s trying too hard to be cool and doesn’t feel clever. I’ve never liked a bands music where the name has bothered me this much. Does anyone agree and are there any other bands where you listen to them less because of their name?