The music-streaming giant has long been the target of criticism from artists about paltry payments, but said it doled out record royalties last year.

The company's ability to leverage user data to curate individualised experiences exemplifies the potential of technology to transform how we engage with art.​ Daniel Ek's ascent to becoming wealthier than any musician in history is a narrative of strategic positioning and technological innovation.

Spotify said on Wednesday it paid $10 billion in royalties in 2024, the largest payout to the music industry in a single year.

Spotify on Wednesday released further details about its record $10 billion US in royalties in 2024 in its Loud & Clear report. The report comes amid the ongoing debate about how much money artists and songwriters actually receive in royalties and whether it is actually fair.