Spotify’s Broken Model: How the World’s Biggest Streaming Platform Crushes Artists for Profit

Zappagram 140: Spotify sucks, Morrison Hotel burns down, a possible Fugazi reunion, Kendrick Lamar mural vandalized (again,) RIP Stanley Booth, and much more...

Spotify has revolutionized music consumption, offering listeners unparalleled access to songs and playlists at the touch of a button. But beneath the convenience lies a business model that prioritizes profits over the very artists who make its platform possible.

Spotify prioritizing corporate profit over fair artist compensation is nothing new. Still, a recent wave of press coverage has again shed light on its shady business practices—some old, some newly uncovered. These stories serve as another reminder that, regarding ethical standards, Spotify deserves nothing short of a zero-star rating—thumbs down. Steer clear. Hard pass. Seriously.

From exploitative royalty payments to the rise of algorithm-driven, generic content, Spotify’s practices highlight a troubling shift in the broader music industry—one that comes at the expense of artists, fairness, and creativity.

While Spotify, in particular, has built its empire on convenience and personalization, it has also become a symbol of explo…