Merlin, the digital licensing partner representing the independent music sector, announced that it has renewed its licensing agreement with Spotify, ensuring that music from its member labels — including Domino, Ninja Tune, Secretly Group, Merge, Warp, Epitaph, !K7, Hopeless Records and others — remains available to Spotify’s nearly 700 million global users.
Since Spotify’s launch in 2008, Merlin has been a key partner, providing a single global license that gives the streaming platform access to a vast catalog of independent music. Their collaboration has spanned 17 years, with a previous multi-year agreement signed in 2017.
Merlin and Spotify have worked together to help independent artists and labels flourish across both emerging and established markets. The renewed deal highlights their shared role in fueling the global rise of genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano, driving a rock revival and supporting the ongoing growth of alternative, electronic, Latin, rap and other genres nurtured by indie labels.
The renewal comes at a time when streaming dominates the music industry. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, streaming now accounts for 84% of total U.S. recorded music revenue, a significant jump from 51% in 2017. Paid subscriptions continue to lead, with 105 million accounts contributing $3.2 billion in revenue.
As Spotify evolves, the agreement ensures that Merlin’s members — who represent 15% of the global market — remain central to shaping the future of streaming. The deal aims to foster a sustainable, artist-first ecosystem that supports the next generation of independent creators, labels, and distributors.
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The announcement also marks a milestone for Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota, who will step down at the end of the year. Under his leadership, Merlin expanded its reach by securing deals with platforms like Apple, Audiomack, Meta, Canva, Peloton, Soundcloud, Snap and Twitch, among others. The organization added over 100 new members during his tenure and launched initiatives like Merlin Engage, a mentorship program for aspiring women executives, and Merlin Insights, a data analytics tool for members navigating the streaming landscape.
“Merlin’s mission is to empower our members to own their future,” said Sirota. “Spotify remains a key and forward-looking partner in advancing that mission. This isn’t just about securing fair terms — it’s about building frameworks that unleash creativity and ensure our global membership can thrive and lead.”
Spotify’s co-president and chief business officer, Alex Norström, echoed the sentiment: “Independent music has always been at the heart of discovery on Spotify. Our partnership with Merlin enables that at a global scale. This renewal reflects our commitment to helping independent labels and artists flourish while growing the value of music for creators everywhere.”
