ideas post
AI's Remix: The Future of Music Streaming
In our community ideation sessions, we explore how the latest trends can inspire out-of-the-box ideas for our favorite apps. This week, we’re focusing on Spotify. Let’s dive in.
By LCA
10.15.2024
Summary:
AI is transforming the music streaming industry by creating a flood of content, as everyone becomes a creator. While this content explosion leads to more options, the value of each new piece diminishes as the volume increases. Streaming platforms are working to engage passive "lean-back" listeners and convert them into "lean-through" listeners who actively participate in music discovery. Spotify is focusing on building communities where creators can collaborate with AI to enhance fan engagement and create deeper listener connections.
01
the content flood
AI is turning everyone into a creator, pushing content toward infinity.
But as content increases, the value of each new piece tends to diminish, making the incremental worth of content approach zero.
02
AI’s Creative Edge
Meanwhile, AI is getting better at letting amateurs create professional-sounding music.
What happens when fans start producing AI Drake tracks that rival the original classics?
It’s hard to imagine that today, but I wouldn’t bet against it.
03
the rise of passive listening
This content explosion hits just as users are already overwhelmed. Streaming platforms report a rise in “lean-back” listeners.
Lean back listener
[leen bak lis-uh-ner]
You can think of them as radio listeners. They just want to hit play and be served with music they like without going through the hassle of finding and selecting songs.
Streaming companies are actively trying to turn these “lean back listeners” into more engaged “lean in listeners”.
Lean in listener
[leen in lis-uh-ner]
These are listeners who are actively engaged with the content they consume. They curate playlists, discuss song lyrics and seeks new music.
The real challenge? Turning them into “lean-through” listeners. Popular AI apps like Suno have shown that letting listeners actively participate keeps them the most engaged.
Lean through listener
[leen throo lis-uh-ner]
These are customers who engage with content socially (aka creating, curating and re-creating content with music).
04
Building with Community-at-the-core
So, we asked ourselves - what could Spotify do to:
combat content inflation through meaningful community curation.
embrace AI’s uncanny abilities to supercharge fandom.
transform passive listeners into active participants by deepening fan and artist connections.
Introducing Spotify Creator Community.
A community-driven space where superfans can create AI songs inspired by their favorite artists. Access to these exclusive communities can only be earned through Spotify Wrapped achievements.
Spotify Creator Community homepage featuring your different communities.
Being invited into an artist community through Spotify Wrapped.
Earning a spot in an artist community through Spotify Wrapped achievements.
View artists top picks, top creators and popular tracks in every community.
Superfan Artist Communities
Superfans will create AI songs inspired by their favourite artists and share them with their communities. These communities naturally filter content, elevating the best AI-created songs representing their favorite artists. To supercharge incentives, top tracks share revenue with the original artist.
Connect with other super fans and the artist themselves in the comments.
Remix an artist’s existing song.
Describe your perfect vision for the song.
Let AI do its magic and create your new song.
