Independent music licensing group Merlin and streaming platform Spotify have renewed their global, multi-year licensing partnership.
According to the companies, the agreement, announced on Tuesday (September 30), “reinforces the vital role of independent music on Spotify and provides Merlin members continued access to a platform that reaches fans worldwide”.
Merlin’s members are present in over 70 countries, and the group claims to represent 15% of the global recorded music market.
The group’s membership includes prominent companies like !K7, AEI Music, Anjunabeats, Armada Music Group, AudioSalad, Better Noise, Cinq Music Group, Curb Records, Epitaph Records, Exceleration Music, Freeme Digital, GYROstream, Hopeless Records, IDOL, ONErpm, Secretly, Stones Throw, Sub Pop, Symphonic, UnitedMasters, Zebralution, and more.
Spotify and Merlin said that their “expanded partnership” reflects both companies’ “commitment to the independent community and its impact on global culture”.
They added: “As Spotify evolves, this agreement ensures that Merlin’s independent membership stands ready to shape the future of streaming as a key partner, helping to build a sustainable, artist-centered ecosystem for the next generation of independent artists, labels, and distributors.
“MERLIN’S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER OUR MEMBERS TO OWN THEIR FUTURE. SPOTIFY REMAINS A KEY AND FORWARD-LOOKING PARTNER IN ADVANCING THAT MISSION.”
JEREMY SIROTA, MERLIN
“Merlin’s mission is to empower our members to own their future,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO, Merlin. “Spotify remains a key and forward-looking partner in advancing that mission.”
He added: “In a rapidly changing industry, this isn’t just about securing terms that value the contributions of our members’ artists; it’s about building frameworks that unleash creativity and ensure our dynamic global membership — which accounts for 15% of the market — can continue to grow, thrive, and lead.
Together, we are committed to a future where independent music drives discovery and value for artists and fans.”
Alex Norström, Co-President & Chief Business Officer, Spotify added: “Independent music has always been at the heart of discovery on Spotify, and our partnership with Merlin makes that possible at a global scale.
“This renewal reflects our commitment to ensuring independent labels and artists continue to thrive on streaming platforms, while we work together to grow the value of music for creators everywhere.”
“INDEPENDENT MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF DISCOVERY ON SPOTIFY, AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MERLIN MAKES THAT POSSIBLE AT A GLOBAL SCALE.”
ALEX NORSTRÖM, SPOTIFY
Tuesday’s announcement noted that “over their 17-year collaboration, Spotify and Merlin have partnered to help independent artists and labels succeed across both emerging and established markets”.
The companies pointed to the “instrumental role” played by independent artists and labels in “building and sustaining careers while fueling the global rise of genres such as Afrobeats and Amapiano, reigniting interest in rock, and supporting the continued growth of alternative, electronic, rap, Latin, and many other genres championed by independent labels”.
Today’s news marks the latest significant licensing deal for Spotify this year, following deals with all three major labels.
Earlier this month, Sony Music Group and Spotify struck a new multi-year global licensing deal that spans both recorded music and publishing.
The partnership sees Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing each enter into multi-year agreements with Spotify.
Spotify’s agreement with Sony Music Publishing included a new direct licensing arrangement in the US, which the streaming company says will “ensur[e] songwriters share more directly in the growth of streaming”.
In January, Spotify and Universal Music Group inked a new multi-year licensing agreement, which included a direct licensing agreement between Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Spotify in the United States (plus multiple other territories).
In February, Warner Music Group and Spotify signed a new multi-year licensing deal, including a direct deal with Warner Chappell Music in the US.
Spotify also signed a direct licensing deal with Kobalt covering the US last month.Music Business Worldwide