Spotify Deleted My Album: An Artist's Fight Against "Artificial Streams"

Taylor Crouse

— 3 min read
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Musician facing a glowing Spotify logo with obscured album.

This past weekend, I found myself in a situation no artist wants to be in: my album was removed from Spotify due to "artificial streams." After investing a significant amount of my own money, around $100,000, into creating this music, seeing it disappear was incredibly disheartening. I decided to host a live stream to talk about what happened, answer your questions, and share my thoughts on the current state of the music industry.

The Spotify Situation

It’s been a whirlwind since I received the notification that my album was being removed. I was so focused on creating a documentary about the experience that I needed a break. After a much-needed vacation, I’m back and ready to discuss this in more detail. It’s frustrating to see artists, including myself, facing issues like this, especially when the streams in question were not artificial. It’s a tough reality for independent artists trying to make a living.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify's Actions: My album was removed for alleged "artificial streams," despite my own investment and no purchase of fake streams.
  • Artist's Investment: A significant personal investment of $100,000 went into creating the album.
  • Industry Frustration: This incident highlights broader issues faced by independent artists with streaming platforms.
  • Shift to YouTube: A growing commitment to YouTube as a primary platform for content and music.

Beyond Spotify: Broader Industry Concerns

This isn't just about Spotify; it's about the larger music industry and how platforms treat independent artists. I’ve personally deleted Spotify from my devices and removed most of my music from other streaming services, keeping only a few tracks that are performing well. It’s disheartening that platforms we rely on don't always support us. The recent news about Spotify removing millions of AI-generated songs is wild, but it makes you wonder about the platform's priorities and how they handle genuine artist content.

My experience with other platforms like SoundCloud hasn't been much better. My artist profiles are often cluttered with songs that aren't mine, and getting them removed is a constant battle. It’s baffling that artists don’t have full control over their own profiles.

The Struggle with Sample Packs and Unofficial Collaborations

A significant issue I’ve been dealing with for years involves my sample packs. When my packs went viral on Splice, I didn’t anticipate the widespread use of my samples in songs that were then tagged with me as a main artist. This has led to numerous unofficial collaborations cluttering my streaming profiles. While I was previously hesitant to speak out, the removal of my album has given me the courage to be more open about these issues and the lack of cybersecurity on these platforms.

Embracing YouTube and Digital Platforms

This whole ordeal has solidified my commitment to YouTube. While I still post on Instagram and TikTok, I find long-form videos on YouTube allow for deeper storytelling and connection. It’s a platform where I feel I can express myself fully and be compensated fairly. The music industry, especially with its predatory deals and manipulative personalities, became too much. I’ve learned that building my own business and focusing on platforms like YouTube is the way forward.

Sales and Support

During this live stream, I also wanted to mention some sales happening. You can get 30% off all my vocal templates, sample packs, presets, and courses on my website, iamkarra.com, using the code LIVESTREAM. These templates are designed for various DAWs and come with a course to help you mix vocals effectively. My vocal sample packs are also bestsellers, offering a wide range of vocal performances for producers to use creatively. Additionally, Reed is offering 50% off everything on holoops.com, including his popular 808 bundles and production courses.

The Producer's Perspective

Reed, my husband and a producer on my album, shared his thoughts on the situation. He believes a simple solution like artist usernames and passwords could solve many issues. Alternatively, he suggests ditching distributors altogether and allowing artists to upload directly to platforms, with fair streaming rates. He highlighted that platforms like Spotify are search engines, not hosts, and rely on distributors to manage the costs of hosting music, which he sees as a flawed system.

Building a Career Independently

Our journey hasn't been easy. We've invested our own money, earned from sync licensing and brand deals, into our music and careers. This experience has taught us the importance of independence and building our own platforms. While the music industry can be full of exploitation and manipulation, we’ve learned to navigate it by focusing on our own creations and supporting each other.

The Future of Music

The future of the music industry is uncertain, but for us, it’s firmly rooted in YouTube. It’s a stable platform that allows for diverse content creation, from music to documentaries. We believe in the power of long-form content and authentic storytelling. While platforms like Spotify may face challenges, YouTube offers a space for artists to connect with their audience and build a sustainable career. We are excited about this new chapter and the creative possibilities it holds.

Book the Rainforest Room — vocals from $200/2hr — or send stems for our Mix service.

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