Snoop Dogg is making headlines by stepping away from Spotify and embracing Tune.FM, a blockchain-powered music platform. This significant transition highlights Snoop's frustration with traditional streaming services, particularly their insufficient payout structures.
After acquiring Death Row Records in 2022, Snoop became vocal about the financial disparities artists face on platforms like Spotify. Discussing his experiences on the "Business Untitled" podcast, he revealed, "They just sent me some sh-t from Spotify, where I got a billion streams, right? My publisher hit me. I said, ‘Break it down, how much money is this?’ That sh-t wasn’t even $45,000." Snoop's blunt statement about his low earnings emphasizes the underlying issues many musicians endure.
Fast forward to February 2025, and Snoop Dogg announced his partnership with Tune.FM, as reported by AFROTECH™. "I don’t f*** with Spotify anymore, I’m only on Tune.FM," he said, reflecting his commitment to the new platform. Tune.FM promises to provide artists with 100 times more revenue than traditional streaming services by implementing real-time payments based on streaming durations.
The blockchain-enabled platform was co-founded by Andrew Antar, whom Snoop met at the Crypto Ball. Their partnership goes beyond business, as Antar himself contributed to Snoop's new single, "Spaceship Party," by playing violin on the track. This artistic collaboration highlights Tune.FM's philosophy: it is dedicated to empowering artists rather than exploitative revenue models.
Tune.FM's innovative payment structure ensures immediate micropayments for every second streamed, addressing artists' frustrations with lengthy royalty payout cycles typically found on mainstream platforms. By fostering transparency and efficiency, Tune.FM is redefining how artists can monetize their work.
One standout feature of Tune.FM is JAM, the official currency for music transactions built on the Hedera Hashgraph network. This cryptocurrency aims to create liquidity for artists' earnings, allowing them to cash out instantly or reinvest their income without the barriers posed by traditional banking systems. "Tune.FM operates under non-exclusive licensing agreements, enabling us to open new revenue streams for under-monetized catalogs and artist IP," stated a Tune.FM spokesperson.
With Snoop's first exclusive release on the platform, fans can expect engaging content and direct interactions with artists. Tune.FM provides artists the freedom to set their pricing, engage directly with audiences, and even allow fans to invest and earn from music, thereby cultivating a vibrant community around music appreciation.
The platform also creates opportunities for NFT sales, unique music releases, and virtual experiences, positioning itself as more than just a streaming service. Snoop aims to leverage this potential to introduce VIP giveaways, private events, and exclusive merchandise, enhancing the overall experience for fans and artists alike.
Antar expressed enthusiasm about Snoop joining Tune.FM: "We are thrilled to welcome Snoop Dogg as the face of Tune.FM. Snoop is the OG pioneer who is always on the cutting edge of technology and new ways of doing business. He totally gets it, and we are ready to take on the world together." This sentiment resonates throughout the platform as it continues to attract notable artists and gain traction with listeners.
Snoop's new path with Tune.FM reflects broader industry trends, as many artists seek fairness and clarity from their streaming services. His decision marks not just a personal shift but signals potential changes across the music streaming ecosystem, where fairness for artists could become the new norm rather than the exception.
With several exclusive releases and engaging promotions already underway, Tune.FM has begun attracting attention and active users. This young platform supports creators by returning control to them and reimagining music consumption. It brings forth the hope of reshaping the future of music streaming—one where artists can thrive financially, connect with fans more intimately, and control their artistic destinies. The evolution of Tune.FM could redefine the streaming industry, demonstrating the impact of blockchain in creating opportunities for artists and their communities.