Spotify Cancels Grammy Events, Redirects $5M to Wildfire Relief Efforts
Spotify has announced the cancellation of all Grammy-related events and parties in Los Angeles due to ongoing wildfires, following a planned boycott by Songwriter of the Year nominees over royalty disputes.
Grammy-nominated songwriters Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Jessie Jo Dillon, and RAYE had already decided to skip Spotify's celebration due to the company's recent bundling policy that reduced royalty payments to publishers and songwriters. The policy change 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 that the company will redirect the event funds to support local relief efforts, including:
- Donations to MusiCares charity
- Support for FireAid benefit concert
- Partnership with GoFundMe for music community fundraisers
- Pro bono ad inventory for relief awareness
- Studio time at Spotify's LA office
- Total commitment of $5 million in combined relief efforts
"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 Dillon to Billboard, expressing the sentiment behind the initial boycott.