Spotify has long been a battleground for artists and the streaming giant, but the feud has taken on a new intensity with the outspoken Dee Snider. The Twisted Sister frontman has never shied away from expressing his opinions, and his latest salvo against Spotify is a direct attack on the company’s founder.
Snider’s ire stems from what he views as the platform’s grossly unfair treatment of musicians. According to the rocker, Spotify’s payment structure is exploitative, with artists receiving a paltry sum for their work. “They pay absolute nothing to the artists and his response to that accusation is ‘If they want more money they should put out more music,” the rocker wrote.
He’s particularly incensed by the platform’s CEO, who he believes has shown a blatant disregard for the creative community. The platform, according to Snider, has become a “production line”.
Doubling Down on His Spotify Criticism
Dee Snider’s feud with Spotify is nothing new. Last December, the outspoken rocker unleashed a scathing attack on Spotify CEO Daniel Ek during an appearance on The Jeremy White Show. Snider accused Ek of mistreating musicians by paying them meager sums for their work.
The Twisted Sister frontman expressed his frustration with Ek’s dismissive attitude towards artists’ concerns. According to Snider, when faced with complaints about low payouts, Ek suggested that musicians simply “make more music” – a remark the singer found deeply insulting.
Snider’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between artists and streaming platforms. His outspoken criticism serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by musicians in the digital age.
A Lifeline for Musicians
Despite the challenges posed by streaming platforms, there’s still hope for musicians to generate income. Snider believes that licensing remains a crucial revenue stream.
The Twisted Sister frontman shared how his band’s song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” was featured in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Ready Player One. Snider expressed gratitude for this opportunity, emphasizing that such licensing deals provide a much-needed financial boost that streaming platforms like Spotify simply cannot match.
“The licensing is the last godsend, the last oasis where you can actually make some money. Thank you, God, ’cause I’m not getting anything from Spotify,” the frontman revealed.
“If You Use Spotify, You’re Part of the Problem”
Dee Snider isn’t the only musician voicing discontent with Spotify. Cinderella drummer Fred Coury has also expressed strong criticism towards the streaming giant. In a post shared by music journalist Mitch Lafon, Coury labeled Spotify CEO Daniel Ek as the biggest threat to the music industry. He urged fans to stop using the platform until it improves its payment structure for artists.
Coury’s stance reflects the growing frustration among musicians who feel undervalued by Spotify. However, not all artists share the same sentiment. Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows acknowledged Spotify’s challenges for artists but praised its user-friendly interface.
Despite recognizing the platform’s shortcomings in terms of artist support and monetization, Shadows remains a Spotify user.