Spotify adds indie publisher Kobalt to upcoming AI covers and remix platform
Independent music publisher Kobalt has joined Spotify's upcoming paid AI feature that lets fans create covers and remixes of songs, following an earlier partnership with Universal Music Group. Artists represented by Kobalt, including Phoebe Bridgers and IDLES, could eventually take part if they opt in.
Spotify continues to expand the roster of partners for its upcoming AI-powered platform that will let fans generate covers and remixes of songs. Having previously announced a partnership with Universal Music Group, the streaming service has now added independent music publisher Kobalt to the project.
Kobalt represents a broad range of musicians, including Phoebe Bridgers and post-punk band IDLES. Artists published by Kobalt will be able to choose whether to opt in, allowing fans to use AI tools to rework their songs into new versions.
A licensed approach
Unlike tools that use music without official permission, Spotify's offering will rely on licensed content, with artists retaining the choice of whether to participate. The company is framing the initiative as a new way for musicians to earn money rather than a threat to their income. Spotify says the tool will open up additional revenue streams and new ways to drive discovery. Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert added that the publisher's artists will directly benefit from the new creative opportunities.
Many details still unknown
The platform will be offered as a paid add-on for Premium subscribers, though Spotify has not disclosed pricing or a launch date. It also remains unclear whether users will be able to create song versions without AI involvement. No samples of the AI-generated covers or remixes have been made public so far.
