Spotify’s plan to let fans remix music with AI just got a much bigger catalog. Merlin, the collective that represents more than 30,000 independent labels and distributors, has signed on to the streaming giant’s upcoming covers and remix product, joining Universal Music Group in the licensing effort.
The company teased the paid tool again during its second-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. Subscribers will be able to generate AI covers and remixes of participating artists’ music, with rights holders deciding whether their work is included and how revenue is shared. Artists get opt-in control, credit and compensation under the arrangement.
The Merlin partnership is significant because independent music accounts for a large share of what listeners actually stream. It also lets Spotify claim its generative features run on consent and licensing at a moment when the music industry is locked in fights over AI training, including the German court ruling against music generation startup Suno.
Spotify has been positioning itself as the licensed gateway for artist-approved generative music. No launch date was announced, but the Merlin deal suggests the licensing groundwork is close to complete.
