Spotify Pulls 100’s of K-Pop Songs: ‘Why is it always artists and fans that suffer’ when negotiations fail?

Spotify has pulled hundred of K-pop tracks represented by Korea’s Kakao M, an offshoot of internet giant Kakao Corp.

Spotify’s global deal with Kakao M has expired and has not been renewed.

K-pop artist Tablo  member of the South Korean hip-hop group Epik High. took to Twitter to share their frustration:

“Regardless of who is at fault, why is it always the artists and the fans that suffer when businesses place greed over art?”

“Spotify can confirm that starting March 1, 2021, Kakao M’s catalog will no longer be available to our listeners worldwide due to the expiration of our license. We have been working with Kakao M over the last year and a half to renew the global licensing agreement,” said Spotify in a statement. “It is our hope that this disruption will be temporary and we can resolve the situation soon.”

The Yonhap news agency reported that the deal fell apart because of Spotify’s demand for worldwide content deals that include both local and international services.

Both parties say that they will keep talking.