Spotify Cancels Grammy Week Events, Redirects $5M to LA Wildfire Relief
Spotify has canceled all Grammy-related events and parties in Los Angeles due to ongoing wildfires, following a boycott from Songwriter of the Year nominees over royalty payment concerns.
Leading nominees Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Jessie Jo Dillon, and RAYE had already planned to skip Spotify's Grammy celebration, protesting the platform's recent bundling decision that reduced royalty payments to publishers and songwriters. The move resulted in an estimated $150 million decrease in royalty payments for 2024.
Pink-lit crowded club at Grammys
Photo Credit: Aleksandr Popov
Joe Hadley, Spotify's Global Head of Music Partnerships & Audience, announced the company will redirect event funds to support local relief efforts:
- $5 million total commitment to various initiatives
- Donations to MusiCares charity and FireAid benefit concert
- Partnership with GoFundMe for artist and music community support
- Pro bono ad inventory for awareness campaigns
- Free studio time at Spotify's LA office for affected artists
"It is very nice to be individually honored, but it is better for me and my entire songwriter community to be paid fairly for our art. There are no songs without songwriters," stated nominee Jessie Jo Dillon to Billboard, highlighting the ongoing tension between the platform and creative community.
The company's response focuses on immediate community support while addressing the broader industry concerns about fair compensation for musical creators.
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