Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg has sparked a heated debate in the music industry after calling out Spotify for paying him less than $45,000 for one billion streams on the platform.
During an appearance on the Business Untitled podcast, the rapper expressed frustration over the shocking payout, reigniting long-standing criticisms of streaming platforms.
“A Billion Streams for Less Than $45,000?”
Snoop didn’t hold back as he revealed his disappointment:
“They just sent me some stuff from Spotify, where I got a billion streams. That sh*t wasn’t even $45,000.”
His comments shed light on the growing frustration among artists who feel shortchanged by streaming services — platforms that generate billions in revenue while paying fractions of a cent per stream to musicians.
Spotify Responds
Spotify quickly fired back, claiming that a billion streams typically generate millions of dollars — but only if the artist holds full rights to their music.
A spokesperson suggested the issue might lie in Snoop’s previous distribution deals rather than the platform itself.
“It’s unfortunate to hear that Spotify’s payments didn’t make it through to Snoop… Hopefully, now that he owns Death Row Records, he’s seeing more of that money.”
Snoop Goes Web3
Not one to sit back, Snoop Dogg made a bold move by partnering with Tune.FM, a Web3 music streaming platform that uses blockchain technology to ensure artists get paid directly — without middlemen.
His latest single, Spaceship Party, has been released exclusively on the platform, making Snoop one of the first global artists to fully embrace Web3 streaming.
“I don’t fk with Spotify anymore. I’m only on Tune.FM,”** he declared.
A New Era for Artists?
Tune.FM’s CEO, Andrew Antar, praised Snoop as a trailblazer in the music industry:
“Snoop is the OG pioneer who’s always on the cutting edge of technology. He totally gets it, and we are ready to take on the world together.”
Web3 platforms like Tune.FM promise to give artists greater control over their music, transparent payments, and a bigger slice of the revenue pie — something many believe is long overdue.
What’s Next?
Snoop’s move could spark a revolution in the music industry, especially as more artists grow frustrated with traditional streaming payouts.
Whether this marks the beginning of a broader shift remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: Snoop Dogg is done playing by the old rules.
Do you think Web3 platforms will finally give artists what they deserve? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔥
