Believe signs on to Spotify’s AI covers and remixes tool
The deal covers participating Believe and TuneCore artists, who go through a two-step opt-in. Artists and rights holders behind the original tracks earn royalties when fan remixes stream.
Believe has licensed participating artists and labels to Spotify’s upcoming AI covers and remixes tool, Music Business Worldwide reported. The deal, announced Tuesday, October 20, also covers TuneCore, Believe’s platform for self-releasing artists.
When a remix is streamed on Spotify, the participating artists and rights holders behind the original track get paid royalties. Both companies say the tool is built for AI-powered remixes and covers, “not entirely new works.” It is designed to be sold as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium subscribers, “an additional revenue stream on top of what participating artists and songwriters already earn on Spotify.”
Participation is voluntary. Believe runs a two-step consent process: artists first decide whether they want to be considered for AI-related programs at all, and those who opt in are then shown the Spotify partnership and choose whether to join. Believe CEO Denis Ladegaillerie said in September that opted-in artists see individual opportunities, with Spotify, YouTube and Suno named, and can decline each one. “The artist must consent first, period,” he said.
Believe and Spotify say fan-made remixes “are already widespread, often without compensating the artists and songwriters.” Unlike remixes on social media, they add, “every remix on Spotify links back to the original track and artist.” Charlie Hellman, Spotify’s SVP and Global Head of Music, said: “Done right, fan creativity can deepen the connection between fans and the artists they love.”
Universal Music Group agreed to license the tool in May, Merlin on August 4 and Kobalt on August 13. Believe was one of five partners Spotify named in October 2025 to develop “artist-first AI music products,” alongside Sony Music Group, Universal, Warner Music Group and Merlin. Sony and Warner have yet to announce their own agreements for this tool.
The announcement also pointed to Spotify’s measures against spam, impersonation and deception. Spotify said earlier Tuesday that it has taken more than 50 million “slop and spam” tracks out of its recommendations so far this year.
On April 30, Believe and TuneCore began blocking distribution of AI-generated tracks made partly or fully on unlicensed platforms, a category in which Believe placed Suno. On September 8, Believe signed a global licensing deal with Suno covering participating Believe and TuneCore repertoire. Tracks made with Suno’s new industry partner model will become eligible for distribution through Believe and TuneCore.
Spotify has not announced a price or launch date for the tool. On the company’s Q2 2026 earnings call on August 4, Co-CEO Gustav Söderström said the next step would be a research preview released to a subset of users. Asked whether Spotify needs deals with every major label before going live, he said: “So the answer is we do not need a deal with all the majors.”
