There are half a billion people that listen to music online and the vast majority are doing so illegally. But if we bring those people over to the legal side and Spotify, what is going to happen is we are going to double the music industry and that will lead to more artists creating great new music.

In this quote, Daniel Ek, the founder of Spotify, discusses the state of the music industry in the digital age, highlighting the prevalence of illegal music streaming. He points out that there are over half a billion people who listen to music online, but the majority of them are engaging in piracy by accessing music without paying for it or using legal platforms. Ek suggests that by shifting this massive audience from illegal platforms to legal ones, particularly Spotify, the music industry could experience a significant growth.

Ek envisions that moving listeners to legal platforms would double the size of the music industry. By legalizing music consumption, the industry could generate much more revenue, which could be reinvested into supporting and promoting artists. This increased revenue would not only benefit record labels and streaming services but, crucially, would lead to more artists creating great new music. This shift from piracy to legitimate streaming platforms could fundamentally change the economics of the music business.

The core of Ek’s argument is the belief that legal access to music can create a sustainable ecosystem where artists are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can discover and enjoy music without breaking the law. This would ultimately lead to a win-win situation for both the music industry and its consumers. By bringing users to platforms like Spotify, the industry could ensure that the creative process remains rewarding and that artists are incentivized to continue producing new content.

Ek’s statement emphasizes the power of streaming services in reshaping the music landscape. Rather than focusing on the losses caused by piracy, Ek is optimistic about the potential for legal platforms to drive the industry forward, creating more opportunities for artists and expanding the global music scene. This vision reflects the transformative role of digital music services in modernizing the way we access and appreciate music.