Spotify have launched a new controversial scheme called “Discovery Mode” – at first glance it just looks like another way to exploit artists. What do you think?
I stopped using Spotify and started using Tidal specifically because Tidal pays the artists better. Certainly not going to go back to Spotify if they're paying artists even worse than they were before.
I'd probably go for it if there was a threshold option but I don't reckon that's supporting their business model.. There is something like a Spotify for unknown artists. It's called Jamendo but these days it seems it isn't being frequented as much. Sadly.
My music is too obscure for Spotify. I'd not make enough to recoup my cost for getting my music on the platform, so for me it only makes sense to be on Bandcamp.
Depending on how successful discovery mode is, if it does push bands to the forefront at the expense of major artists then it could be that everyone opts into discovery mode, and at that stage no one is in discovery mode, everyone is just paid less. If you spend the extra on your flight for priority boarding, if everyone else does it then who gets priority? No one.
I will always look for oasis queen and the darkness so exposure in that case it’s not important. However, I don’t think it is fair for small and medium artist who don’t have the means to earn money from other sources
Sorry late to this video. Totally agree there should be a threshold. I have only last year joined Spotify. I still buy physical CD's so it lets me try before I but with some albums. I hasten to add Justin, you are spot on……I'll get my coat.
The whole business model needs to change. Artist centric with artists having full control over their artistic direction and any revenue generated by their respective art. This is yet another example of the artist being treated like a footnote or an afterthought, and a perfect modern parallel to the legacy stranglehold the music industry has had on artists historically. The industry doesn't want anything "new" to break from the "normal" that's been so lucrative for them at the expense of the artist. Everyone loves the Art, but nobody wants to pay the artist for it.
"My name is Justin Hawkins… You are the six fingered man. You killed my father…… Prepare to die."… Oh wait, that's Inigo Montoya…🤔 Sorry, the shirt threw me off. ✌️😁
Don't subscribe to Spotify. They're absolute scumbags, particularly to independent artists. My old band got stiffed by Spotify over ten years ago in the early days of streaming.
Usually buy a cd/vinyl from a band if they just blew me away with a great live show (however small the venue may be) True talent will find it's way, but you have to work hard too. Free social media platforms can be used to engage people.. Dewolff is a great band from the Netherlands and they use it well and also just kick ass live! Last year they got to open up for Toto and the Black Crows!
It's no different than the way its always been. For an unknown artist, it doesnt matter how good the song is, if you dont put promo money behind it no one will ever hear it. Unfortunatley the path to success isn't as streamlined as it use to be, play out, get some notoriety, get signed, get plugged into the machine, now everybody sees and judges your music. These days the only way to get in front of people is to go viral on tiktok or pay for ads. It's actually a good thing that they are giving you a way to use your marketing budget to get the music directly to new potential fans in an unpushy way, even if you take a pay cut. It's like the idea of unknown artists not wanting to give up their publishing.. why are you concerned about losing something you aren't currently making. If you get 250k new fans from Discovery mode and take a 30% pay cut or whatever, who cares, you wouldn't have reached those people on your own anyway. The benefit is, if you actually have a good music, people will replay your stuff on their own and you'll build an audience. And it's a bit elitist to shite on IG ads Justin (10:30), because sometimes its the only way an unknown act can get exposure..
Won't this just immediately bury artists not paying for Discovery Mode, therefor forcing everyone to sign up for Discovery Mode? Is this not just a ploy to pay artists less by making it seem like a choice? Pretty fuckin' gross, if you ask me.
Currently Artists must have at least 5,000 streams in the past 28 days, or at least 1,000 followers, in a country that campaigns can target so it's not available to everyone
Just wanted to say, that Spotify & fame can suck my….shoulder..
Anyways..My (now dead) quitarist "Kombi" , was a 3 yrs yonger than me. Still we both thought ,that celebrity kills the authenticy…very interested to hear what you think of that?
I mean, we could've the whole "9 yards" , but f**k it. Playing music = FUN. And you do it because of that.
Really hope you analyze the band " Smack" . Yours, sincerely Jim Nuutinen.
As musician myself. Musician that NEVER wanted the cross of celebrity to carry….I have just ONE question/wish. Could you tellwhat you think of the finnish 🇫🇮 band, from 80's called"Smack".
Even Nirvana covered their song "Run Rabbit Run" . But please, listen for example the "Cemetary Walls",
Amd PLEEÉEEAse🙃, give your honest & humble opinion about them.
You’re my favorite YouTuber. “Love is only a feeling” is the only thing that got me through my break up. We eventually got back together and married but during that hard time, that song brought me more comfort than anything else.
Love your show Justin. Love to know your thoughts on this cringeworthy song which inexplicably pulls me in like a godly tractor beam…. It must be Satan's work surely.
It's payola for the masses. Don't have the millions required to supply playlists that will push your label's music? Well we'll just take a further cut to increase your exposure according to a formula that you can't access much less measure to see if it is working for you or not. Just trust us.
Ha! You mentioned payola as I wrote this. Glad to see I'm not off the mark.
If artists were being paid per stream, rather than the current model, then to appear in playlists that promote them could be beneficial. However, that's not how it works. So, sounds just another way for spotify to make money. From the artists.
Maybe something for comments day Justin, I've noticed a similarity between the guitar in "I believe in a thing called love" and the running saxophone track on When Smokey Sings by ABC has anyone including you and the band noticed this before, or am I just ridiculously stupid. Love the content my friend, keep on making me smile thank you 🙏
@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
So what do you think? If you barely earn anything from their royalties, is taking a cut for exposure worth it?
@PamK36
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
D Ny would be Democrat from New York. D Ga is Democrat from Georgia.
@half-lab.services
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Hey! You got your Gibson back! Cheers!
@mlwsf
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
So they want to pay musicians less so they can pay their podcasters more? You get.0001 cents a play so Joe Rogan can get Millions.
@Lemmingtonlaura
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
When you think about it, all a service like Spotify really does is host small mp3 files. It's insane they have the cut the do currently
@Angi-no-e
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I stopped using Spotify and started using Tidal specifically because Tidal pays the artists better. Certainly not going to go back to Spotify if they're paying artists even worse than they were before.
@djsubliminalreeve
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
why cant spotify have a tipping service for the artists that you can choose any amount to give as gratitude.
@MichaelEllisOfTenDeg
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I'd probably go for it if there was a threshold option but I don't reckon that's supporting their business model.. There is something like a Spotify for unknown artists. It's called Jamendo but these days it seems it isn't being frequented as much. Sadly.
@blakkat4115
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
"D-NY," "D-GA" just means Democrats from states of New York and Georgia.
@hakonsoreide
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
My music is too obscure for Spotify. I'd not make enough to recoup my cost for getting my music on the platform, so for me it only makes sense to be on Bandcamp.
@PaulStargasm
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Depending on how successful discovery mode is, if it does push bands to the forefront at the expense of major artists then it could be that everyone opts into discovery mode, and at that stage no one is in discovery mode, everyone is just paid less. If you spend the extra on your flight for priority boarding, if everyone else does it then who gets priority? No one.
@nataliabedia9371
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I will always look for oasis queen and the darkness so exposure in that case it’s not important. However, I don’t think it is fair for small and medium artist who don’t have the means to earn money from other sources
@MoonWitchsLair
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Sorry late to this video. Totally agree there should be a threshold. I have only last year joined Spotify. I still buy physical CD's so it lets me try before I but with some albums.
I hasten to add Justin, you are spot on……I'll get my coat.
@FurtiveSkeptical
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
The whole business model needs to change.
Artist centric with artists having full control over their artistic direction and any revenue generated by their respective art.
This is yet another example of the artist being treated like a footnote or an afterthought, and a perfect modern parallel to the legacy stranglehold the music industry has had on artists historically.
The industry doesn't want anything "new" to break from the "normal" that's been so lucrative for them at the expense of the artist.
Everyone loves the Art, but nobody wants to pay the artist for it.
@FurtiveSkeptical
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
"My name is Justin Hawkins…
You are the six fingered man.
You killed my father……
Prepare to die."…
Oh wait, that's Inigo Montoya…🤔
Sorry, the shirt threw me off.
✌️😁
@DG_musician
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Don't subscribe to Spotify. They're absolute scumbags, particularly to independent artists. My old band got stiffed by Spotify over ten years ago in the early days of streaming.
@northern_lights4954
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Clearly it’s time for Spotify to die. Pyramid scheme algorithm.
@pinkyhandle
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Interesting convo. Exploring new music in the digital age..it can be tricky.
@TheFargoRailroadCo
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
people die from exposure!
@DashRiprock513
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
People are still using Spotify? That's your 1st mistake.
@helloh5372
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Usually buy a cd/vinyl from a band if they just blew me away with a great live show (however small the venue may be) True talent will find it's way, but you have to work hard too. Free social media platforms can be used to engage people.. Dewolff is a great band from the Netherlands and they use it well and also just kick ass live! Last year they got to open up for Toto and the Black Crows!
@Stu938
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
spotify>starbucks
@hollylewismusic1
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Fuck Spotify! THEIFS!
@GoingMarco
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
It's no different than the way its always been. For an unknown artist, it doesnt matter how good the song is, if you dont put promo money behind it no one will ever hear it. Unfortunatley the path to success isn't as streamlined as it use to be, play out, get some notoriety, get signed, get plugged into the machine, now everybody sees and judges your music. These days the only way to get in front of people is to go viral on tiktok or pay for ads. It's actually a good thing that they are giving you a way to use your marketing budget to get the music directly to new potential fans in an unpushy way, even if you take a pay cut. It's like the idea of unknown artists not wanting to give up their publishing.. why are you concerned about losing something you aren't currently making. If you get 250k new fans from Discovery mode and take a 30% pay cut or whatever, who cares, you wouldn't have reached those people on your own anyway. The benefit is, if you actually have a good music, people will replay your stuff on their own and you'll build an audience. And it's a bit elitist to shite on IG ads Justin (10:30), because sometimes its the only way an unknown act can get exposure..
@BrianEppMusic
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
spotify’s stats are hilarious. pay to play.
@andrewhess2978
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
This is good for Spotify, bad for artists.
@maxxschneider5534
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Arent there other platforms other than Spotify? The world is at your fingertips now. You just have to write good music and carve a niche.
@MisterIkkus
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Won't this just immediately bury artists not paying for Discovery Mode, therefor forcing everyone to sign up for Discovery Mode? Is this not just a ploy to pay artists less by making it seem like a choice? Pretty fuckin' gross, if you ask me.
@ineedmoretimewithmypup
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Someone needs to straighten this collar for you, Captain Hawk.
@drawingonscars
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Currently Artists must have at least 5,000 streams in the past 28 days, or at least 1,000 followers, in a country that campaigns can target so it's not available to everyone
@clacala
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Is the new digital underground scene but without the free beers.
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Ps. Smack has a song "Run Rabbit Run" that NIRVANA covered. Alro, their "Paint it Black" is marvellous.
Thnx for your brilliant channel.
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Analyze SMACK
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
One of my comments disappeared… Well, fuck it.
Just wanted to say, that Spotify & fame can suck my….shoulder..
Anyways..My (now dead) quitarist "Kombi" , was a 3 yrs yonger than me. Still we both thought
,that celebrity kills the authenticy…very interested to hear what you think of that?
I mean, we could've the whole "9 yards" , but f**k it. Playing music = FUN. And you do it because of that.
Really hope you analyze the band " Smack" . Yours, sincerely Jim Nuutinen.
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Ps. You'll get hooked to "Smack" . They're bloody awesome.
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Ps. FOR EVERYONE – IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY & FAME, IT'S ABOUT MUSIC& ART.
@nudestoteles
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
As musician myself. Musician that NEVER wanted the cross of celebrity to carry….I have just ONE question/wish. Could you tellwhat you think of the finnish 🇫🇮 band, from 80's called"Smack".
Even Nirvana covered their song "Run Rabbit Run" . But please, listen for example the "Cemetary Walls",
Amd PLEEÉEEAse🙃, give your honest & humble opinion about them.
Keep on rocking!!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘💸🤘🤘😈🤘😈😈🤘😈🤘
@andwrighting
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
As always it's the creative industries that are expected to work for tuppence.
@lmsrox2
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I think your idea is great and definitely more fair to the artist. Which is exactly why Spotify would have no interest in implementing it.
@nickk9342
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
You’re my favorite YouTuber. “Love is only a feeling” is the only thing that got me through my break up. We eventually got back together and married but during that hard time, that song brought me more comfort than anything else.
@markremmington3385
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
"insert threshold"!! excellent solution to the obvious problem. Lets just put JH in charge of stuff, he can be King of Stuff. Thumbs up from me
@jonathancooper9531
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Love your show Justin. Love to know your thoughts on this cringeworthy song which inexplicably pulls me in like a godly tractor beam…. It must be Satan's work surely.
https://youtu.be/p805B6VOHVU
@Paldasan
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
It's payola for the masses. Don't have the millions required to supply playlists that will push your label's music? Well we'll just take a further cut to increase your exposure according to a formula that you can't access much less measure to see if it is working for you or not. Just trust us.
Ha! You mentioned payola as I wrote this. Glad to see I'm not off the mark.
@kwaailight
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
'D Ny'
Democrat from New York
@kwaailight
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Payola .. out in the open 🙄
@dombradshaw1015
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Sounds like a race to the bottom, more cash for Spotify and even less for the artists
@s_bee
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
If artists were being paid per stream, rather than the current model, then to appear in playlists that promote them could be beneficial. However, that's not how it works. So, sounds just another way for spotify to make money. From the artists.
@ScrotyMcDickface
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Kudos
@TheGamingJewYT
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Maybe something for comments day Justin, I've noticed a similarity between the guitar in "I believe in a thing called love" and the running saxophone track on When Smokey Sings by ABC has anyone including you and the band noticed this before, or am I just ridiculously stupid. Love the content my friend, keep on making me smile thank you 🙏
@marcmurphy5315
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 pm
When you write songs how key is the suitability for Panda Express commercials?
Comments are closed.