How many people control Spotify playlists with global impact? Twelve.
Spotify’s playlists are becoming increasingly influential when it comes to guiding the planet’s musical tastes. And while there are over 2 billion Spotify playlists created by users (5 million are added/edited every day), you need to get on an internally-managed playlist like Rap Caviar. With its nine million followers, a spot on that list gives your song a better-than-average chance of blowing up.
So who controls those monster playlists? And how do you get to them? This article from FrtyFve.com talks about what’s going on.
Times have changed and radio isn’t king. But has the streaming age changed anything in terms of power over impact? Mom + Pop Music co-president, Thaddeus Rudd has shared his concerns.
“The consolidation of curators has been astounding,” said Mom + Pop Music co-president, Thaddeus Rudd. Indie label and digital platform executives sat down to discuss the growing influence of streaming services at Day 1 of Midem 2018.
In our latest podcast, Global Streaming Curator and Strategist Elise Cobain analysed the notion of ‘playlists as radio stations’. Not so long ago, the power was in the hands of the programme controllers and producers (and those able to court them!) at the top radio stations, who were able to hand-pick the tracks that would become huge hits.
According to Rudd, not much has changed: “There are 12 people that control the playlists that have global impact,” said Mom + Pop Music co-president Thaddeus Rudd.
About the Author
Alan Cross is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 30+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.
