Spotify's AI remix service will let subscribers remake songs

Spotify is preparing an AI-powered remix service that will let paying subscribers recreate and remix existing tracks, with a planned rollout in early 2027, the Financial Times reports. The company is negotiating licences and persuading artists to participate as it readies the feature for a possible unveiling around the Grammy Awards in February or March.

The tool, intended for paid users, would allow people to rework well-known recordings: for example, converting a folk song into an electronic track or placing a singer's voice onto a different backing. Unlike AI systems such as Suno, which generate new music from text prompts, Spotify's mechanism is reported to enable manipulation of existing recordings from participating artists.

Access is said to carry an additional monthly fee of roughly $4 to $5 for subscribers, although the timing and price have not been finalised. Creators are negotiating licensing terms with labels and publishers to determine how the feature will operate within rights frameworks.

Label deals, participation and artist objections

Spotify has signed agreements with Universal Music Group, the Merlin rights agency and the French company Believe, while talks with Sony Music and Warner Music remain ongoing. Participation in the programme will be optional for rights holders even if publishers reach agreements, and executives say younger, current stars are proving harder to persuade to join than older artists.

Some artists have expressed open opposition. Olivia Rodrigo is quoted as saying, "I would never do that. Definitely not. I have a very hardline position on this."

Spotify executives say remix revenues will go to original creators and that plays of user-made remixes will count toward official streaming charts.

Gustav Soderstrom, Spotify's co-chief executive, framed the initiative as a new revenue route for rights holders: "If today you are an artist from the 1980s or 1990s, the way to earn more is to hope others cover or remix your work. Now you can hope your fans will make those remixes and covers. If one of your fans remixes your song, your share of the overall streaming revenue will increase."