After attempts to renew their licence arrangement fell through last week, the music streaming service Spotify was compelled to take down the complete collection of Bollywood songs from Zee Music Company. Bollywood music users and lovers have started using social media to express their anger with the move. Some users have even threatened to revoke their app subscriptions.
In 2022, Zee Music severed connections with the music platform Gaana by refusing to renew its licencing arrangement with it. Gaana changed from a free service to a paid one a few months later.
A report to on music app Billboard stated, “Spotify and Zee Music have been unable to reach a licensing agreement. Throughout these negotiations, Spotify has tried to find creative ways to strike a deal with Zee Music and will continue our good faith negotiations in hopes of finding a mutually agreeable solution soon.”
The music app’s website contains a notice stating that it does not offer access to all of the world’s music and podcasts. In order for their music recordings to be streamed online, it negotiates licencing agreements with publishers and rights owners, much to the streaming service Netflix.
Tracks like Makhna from Drive (2019), Maiyya Mainu from Jersey (2022), and Zaalima from Raees (2017) have all been taken out. The soundtracks to the romantic comedy Veere Di Wedding (2018), the critically acclaimed Gully Boy (2019), and the historical drama Kalank (2019) have also been removed.
Fans stated their grievance on Twitter, someone wrote, “is spotify beefing with bollywood why are they taking off almost all the songs what do they have against daaru desi and kala chashma.” Another user added, “Nagada Sang Dhol and a whole litany of Bollywood songs were removed from Spotify and my week is ruined.” A tweet read, “Another reminder that while streaming can be great and has an important role, it should NEVER be regarded as a replacement for a physical collection #Spotify #Bollywood.” “spotify removing all my bollywood bangers is a crime,” a user wrote.
