Leave it to “Weird Al” Yankovic to take a jab at Spotify itself in a video recorded for Spotify Wrapped, the streaming platform’s annual deep dive into the listening habits of each of its subscribers. As shared by fans on social media, Yankovic blasted Spotify’s meager payout model in a message thanking listeners for streaming his music.
“I just want to thank you all for your amazing support,” Yankovic said in the video. “It’s my understanding that I had over 80 million streams on Spotify this year. So, if I’m doing the math right that means I earned $12. So, enough to get myself a nice sandwich at a restaurant.”
He continued, “So, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for your support, and thanks for the sandwich.” Watch the clip below.
Yankovic’s video arrives one month after Spotify announced a new royalty payout model that will go into effect in early 2024, which is meant to reallocate a total of $1 billion in payments over the next five years to “legitimate” working artists. As part of the model, Spotify has introduced a new policy in which tracks will have to reach a minimum threshold of 1,000 streams within 12 months in order to be paid a royalty. Read our guest column explaining how this could benefit artists here.
However, Spotify has long been the target of criticism for its low payouts. A 2023 report from Ditto Music estimated that Spotify pays out $0.003 – $0.005 per stream on average. Based on that estimate, “Weird Al” received at least $240,000 from his 80 million streams. Not exactly chump change, but a dismal payout nevertheless.
lol weird al talking shit in his spotify wrapped message pic.twitter.com/mYMPncS2WP
— ‼️ currently homeless, see pinned 💖 (@mayaofhell) November 29, 2023
The legend Weird Al criticizing what Spotify pays artists in the video he made FOR Spotify. 🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/wASQunepBg
— Ray Padgett (@rayfp) November 29, 2023
