Spotify adds Kobalt to its AI covers and remixes plans
Spotify has added independent music publisher Kobalt to its upcoming AI-powered covers and remixes tool.
Spotify is adding another major music rights holder to its plans for AI-powered fan-made covers and remixes. The streaming platform has signed a licensing agreement with Kobalt, following similar deals with Universal Music Group (UMG) and independent music licensing organisation Merlin.
The agreement will allow participating Kobalt songwriters to benefit from Spotify’s new creation tool, which is being developed as another way for fans to interact with music they love.
Spotify’s AI covers and remixes tool
Spotify first announced the tool in May through its licensing agreements with UMG. The feature will allow fans to create covers and remixes of songs from participating artists and songwriters using generative AI.
It will be launched as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users, with Spotify saying artists and songwriters will be able to share in the value generated through licensed creations.
The company has also emphasised that the project will be built around “consent, credit, and compensation”. Music will not simply be available for anyone to use: artists and songwriters must participate for their work to be included.
Earlier this month, Spotify expanded the project into the independent sector with its deal with Merlin. That agreement gives artists on labels covered by Merlin’s Spotify deal the option to participate. Now, Kobalt is joining the initiative from the publishing side.
Why is Kobalt’s deal important?
Kobalt is a major independent music publisher, representing songwriters and their compositions. Its involvement adds another part of the music rights landscape to Spotify’s plans.
Spotify’s SVP and Global Head of Music, Charlie Hellman, said, “Covers and remixes begin with the song, which makes music publishers and songwriters essential partners in building this tool the right way.”
Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert similarly said the agreement will give its songwriters new opportunities to connect with audiences while benefiting from the creative uses of their work.
Music Business Worldwide points out that Kobalt is Spotify’s first publisher partner for the tool outside of UMG. Kobalt has also already entered licensing agreements with AI companies including Udio and ElevenLabs, making this another step in its involvement with licensed AI music.
What happens next for Spotify’s AI tool?
Kobalt’s involvement also comes as the publisher continues to build relationships with AI music platforms. As MBW notes, it has already reached licensing agreements with Udio and ElevenLabs, making Spotify the latest platform to work with Kobalt on licensed AI music.
However, participation will ultimately come down to individual songwriters. As Music Ally reports, Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert said songwriters had been “generally inclined [to opt in] but with strings attached”, while some see AI as a threat to their craft.
Spotify has not yet announced when its fan-made covers and remixes tool will launch. For now, Kobalt’s agreement adds another major publisher to the project as Spotify continues working towards its release.