Photo Credit: Björk by Zach Klein / CC by 2.5

Renowned artist Björk has strongly criticized Spotify's impact on the music industry, calling it "probably the worst thing that has happened to musicians" during a recent interview with Dagens Nyheter.

Speaking during the promotion of her concert film Cornucopia on Apple TV+, Björk expressed concern about how streaming culture has fundamentally altered both society and a generation of artists. She emphasized that unlike younger musicians who are often forced to tour for income, she can focus on creating without financial pressure.

The artist shared insights about her creative process, stating that privacy and time are essential for developing new material. "It is only in darkness that you can plant a new seed," she explained, adding that she still has many ideas to explore and estimates she might create five more albums in her lifetime.

Björk's criticism of Spotify isn't new. In 2015, she refused to release her album Vulnicura on the platform, explaining, "It's not about the money; it's about respect. Respect for the craft and the amount of work you put into it."

This stance aligns with recent industry developments, including:

• Songwriters boycotting Spotify's Grammy-related events due to royalty payment reductions
• Controversy surrounding CEO Daniel Ek's comments about content creation costs
• The platform's shift toward bundled offerings affecting creator compensation

While maintaining that live performance remains crucial to her artistry, Björk emphasizes the importance of preserving artistic integrity in an increasingly streaming-dominated industry.

Related Articles

Previous Articles