Spotify has responded to Snoop Dogg’s bold claim that he only earned $45,000 from a billion streams, a statement that has sparked widespread discussion about artist compensation in the streaming era.

Earlier today, the rap legend made waves by announcing his decision to transfer his entire music catalog to Tune.FM, a blockchain-based streaming service designed to give artists greater control over their earnings. In doing so, he took direct aim at Spotify, making it clear he’s severing ties with the platform.

“I don’t f**k with Spotify anymore. I’m only on Tune.FM,” Snoop told Billboard, doubling down on his commitment to the Web3-powered platform. His latest single, “Spaceship Party,” will serve as his first release on Tune.FM, with reports suggesting that he intends to migrate the rest of his catalog as well.

The announcement marks a significant move for both Snoop and the emerging streaming service. Andrew Antar, founder and CEO of Tune.FM, expressed his excitement over the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Snoop Dogg as the face of Tune.FM. Snoop is an OG pioneer who’s always on the cutting edge of technology and new business models. He totally gets it, and we’re ready to take on the world together.”

Snoop Dogg’s Criticism of Spotify

Snoop’s decision comes more than a year after he publicly criticized Spotify’s payout structure. Speaking on the Business Untitled podcast, he shared his frustration over the earnings generated from his massive streaming numbers.

“They just sent me some sht from Spotify, where I got a billion streams,” he said. “My publisher hit me. I said, ‘Break that down, how much money is that?’ That sht wasn’t even $45,000.”

His remarks added fuel to the ongoing debate about fair compensation for artists in the streaming industry, with many questioning whether current revenue-sharing models truly benefit creators.

Spotify’s Response

However, Spotify isn’t letting the claim go unanswered. In a statement to TMZ Hip Hop, a spokesperson for the platform refuted Snoop’s figures, emphasizing that a billion streams should generate significantly more revenue.

“We can’t speak to endorsement deals for Web3 companies but … $45K for a billion streams? It’s well documented that a billion streams on Spotify generates millions of dollars to rights holders. It’s unfortunate to hear that Spotify’s payments didn’t make it through to Snoop,” the representative said. “Snoop’s a legend, and hopefully now that he owns Death Row Records, he’s seeing more of that money.”

The Bigger Picture

Snoop’s move to Tune.FM signals a growing shift in the music industry, where blockchain and decentralized platforms are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to traditional streaming services. His decision could inspire other artists to explore similar options, especially those dissatisfied with their streaming payouts.

As the battle over artist compensation continues, one thing is clear: the landscape of digital music distribution is evolving rapidly. Whether Tune.FM will pose a real challenge to streaming giants like Spotify remains to be seen, but with a heavyweight like Snoop Dogg leading the charge, the conversation about fair pay in the music industry isn’t going away anytime soon.