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[opening music]
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♪ I never thought we would be ♪
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♪ And I hope that
You'll forgive me one day ♪
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♪ Everything has to come to an end ♪
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♪ Don't go lay it all on,
Lay it all on me ♪
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♪ You should know
That what we had together ♪
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♪ It won't happen with anyone else ♪
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♪ Looks like I let it go for the latter ♪
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♪ Don't ever put the blame on me ♪
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♪ Don't ever put the blame on ♪
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♪ Me ♪
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[applause]
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[applause continues]
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[upbeat music]
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♪ She'd do it right, do it like
She ain't been working day and night ♪
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♪ Press your collar ♪
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NEWS - PROTESTS CONTINUE
OUTSIDE SPOTIFY'S HQ
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[woman1] Have you checked your pulse?
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-Sorry?
-Have you checked your pulse?
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[chuckles] Thanks for coming on a Sunday.
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Yeah, it's no big deal.
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Is Jim here?
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-Yes, he's in the pavilion.
-Okay yeah, good.
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-Jim!
-Daniel.
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-Good to see you. How are you?
-I'm great, and you?
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-Yeah I'm good. Thank you for coming.
-No problem.
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Always a pleasure to come over here
and get down to the nitty-gritty.
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-Yeah.
-How's the Arsenal doing?
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Fucking terrible, they lost again.
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-They'd be better off with you in charge.
-Yeah. Your words, not mine.
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So…
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As you know, we have an urgent
need to maximize revenue,
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or at least bring down our cost base.
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If this business is gonna thrive,
we have to reduce the cost of the music.
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That's the main reason we spent the
last few years testing Discovery Max,
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and now, finally,
we have some useful data.
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Yeah, and…?
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Fucking fantastic.
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Yeah?
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The artists have seen their followers go
through the roof. They fucking love this.
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-Alright.
-When they get the promotion boost,
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they are seeing listener growth
of 40, 50, even 100%.
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Concert sales and merch sales
are going up…
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Everybody who signed up to it
said they'd do it again, no question.
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Why don't we roll it out
across the whole company?
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Because it's highly contentious.
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And because we only promote bands that
agree to hand back a cut of their royalty.
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The artists consent to everything.
We're not charging anyone a penny.
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It's a win-win situation, a new business
model for a new kind of music industry.
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[woman1]
Well the Musicians' Union calls it payola.
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And Senator Madison Landy of the US Senate
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wrote Spotify a letter expressing
significant concern
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that we are participating
in anti-competitive activities.
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Well, that's not fucking good.
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Bottom line is that 70% of everything
we bring in on the music,
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goes straight back
to the record companies. 70%!
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What other business
has to deal with those kind of costs?
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Discovery Max is
Spotify doing things its own way.
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It's us showing innovation,
reshaping music.
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It's us putting power
into musicians' hands.
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By halving their royalties.
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I mean, If we don't push the
boundaries, we are not gonna survive.
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Listen, what you and your team
have done is amazing, and I love it,
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but we do need to take this
step by step. I mean…
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For now, let's just…
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let's roll it out in a way that keeps
everyone on our side, okay?
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[soft music]
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-Hi honey.
-Hi.
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-How was the meeting?
-It was good.
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Is this the new architect?
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[sighs]
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-That's exactly what it is.
-Yeah, okay.
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-Are they tearing it all down?
-Yeah. Yeah, I think so.
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Should I pick up the kids?
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-No. No, your mom will do that.
-Oh, okay.
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Hey… You aren't worried?
About the protests?
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-No.
-No?
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But I can see that you are.
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I'm just worried
they're gonna blame you for this you know…
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No, they won't blame me for anything.
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Look at this. This singer has been
on Spotify since the start.
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Do you know why she stays?
Because she knows we're the best.
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It's as simple as that.
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I promise.
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[crowd protests] Spotify, what we want…
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[reporter1] A small but persistent group
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has been protesting outside Spotify's
headquarters here in Stockholm.
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[protester] We are all activists now.
They have forced us into it.
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[reporter] These comments are from protest
leader Nadja Johansson, an ex-musician,
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who feels forced to act
because of the situation…
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Ok, let's see… You know what?
Let's do this later.
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You have to go to school.
I don't want you to be late today.
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[child] Can I have an iPhone?
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[rustling sound]
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No, I can't afford an iPhone, honey.
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But all my friends have one.
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[reporter] It is being predicted…
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I know, but…
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Hey, there's food in the fridge.
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I'm working late tonight.
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And after work, mum has a gig.
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And the more gigs I get,
the closer we are to an iPhone.
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-Right?
-Yeah.
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Go on. Here, don't forget your bag.
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[soft music]
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[reporter] I'm standing here
with Spotify's CEO Daniel Ek.
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What would you say to the shareholders
who worry about the negative reactions?
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No, I'm not worried about that.
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There's always going to be people
who are opposed to success…
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[soft music]
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[voice prompt] The doors are closing.
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I LOVE IT
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[voice prompt] First floor.
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[soft music]
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[mid-tempo music]
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[soft music]
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[clanging sound]
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-Hey, great gig.
-Thanks.
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-Yeah, I sent you the money.
-Thanks, awesome. See you.
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See you. Take care.
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You've only given me half.
What's going on?
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I didn't sell as many drinks today as I
did last time or the time before that.
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Wait a minute, I played a gig
you hired me to play.
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Yeah, but do you want me to go broke
just so you can play here?
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I mean, you get free PR by playing here.
People go home and stream your music.
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That's great for you.
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LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT!
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[soft music]
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[soft music]
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[suspense music]
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Okay, I… I don't know
how this will turn out,
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but I have reached a place
where there's nothing more that I can do.
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I am a musician.
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I've worked my butt off releasing and
writing six albums in the last ten years.
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I've had many hits. My songs are played
close to 200,000 times a month on Spotify.
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However, I don't make
enough from any of that to pay my rent.
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And I take all the gigs I can get,
I have a job on the side,
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everything for the privilege
to make music.
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Even though I tell myself every day
that soon things might improve,
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if I write a hit song, or end up
on the right playlist, things will change.
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But the truth is
that the system is totally broken.
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The music industry made
23 million dollars last year.
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And the record companies are thriving.
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They're making more money
now than they did before piracy.
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The ten people
who make the most money in Sweden
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come from the same
streaming company every year.
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Despite that, all the artists
who create music for their platform
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can barely survive.
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Daniel…
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[speaker id]
Today you liked one of my songs.
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You added it to your playlist,
which is awesome.
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But if you really liked it,
how about you sit down and talk to us.
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Help us create a new discussion
about the streaming business.
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Help us make a new system, a music
industry where we can actually survive.
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BOBBIT THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN
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[glasses clinking]
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[doorbell rings]
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Nadja? Hi. What's going on?
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I love you so much! You are amazing!
Oh, you are so great! Thanks!
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-Have you lost you mind or something?
-No, your post!
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You've done more with one video
than we've done with 15 demonstrations.
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And it's perfect that it was you!
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This is really great to hear, but I have
to get Naomi ready for school.
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Then I have got to go work, so I…
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Are you kidding right now?
This is so fucking big!
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I don't know what you're talking about?
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-Everything okay?
-Absolutely.
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I know this is something you dismissed
a long time ago and…
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Well, you may not like that I bring it up,
but considering the situation and…
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I'm sorry to interrupt,
but have you been online?
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-No.
-Take a look.
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CHILDHOOD FRIEND CHALLENGES DANIEL EK.
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[reporter] Bobbi Thomasson, musician
and childhood friend of Daniel Ek
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posted an emotional and personal video
on her Instagram story yesterday.
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Daniel, today you liked one of my songs.
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You added it to your playlist,
which is awesome.
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But if you really liked it,
how about you sit down and talk to us.
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[reporter] Since last night, the video
has been shared more than 12,000 times,
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and has the support from a growing
number of other musicians.
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Everybody, this is Bobbi Thomasson,
she can get to Daniel Ek.
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[applause and cheering]
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Hi.
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Well, we've been doing this for months,
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but nobody really
cared until after your post.
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-Bobbi.
-Rhonda.
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Nice to meet you.
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We put your video on our feed.
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It's gotten over 20,000 likes
in under two hours.
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And the hashtag 'Scratch the Record',
trending since yesterday.
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You connected with people,
now we are all in.
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No, I don't think
that I'm the right person for this.
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I just posted a video
because I was tired and cranky.
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No, you're an activist.
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00:13:23,483 --> 00:13:27,483
We are all activists now.
They've forced us into this.
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Well, this may sound a bit strange,
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but I know Daniel Ek, okay?
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We grew up together, and I mean,
I support you 100%, of course,
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but I posted the video
because I wanted to start a dialogue.
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And regardless, I have to wait and see
what he says.
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Oh… you haven't checked
your Instagram today?
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He stopped following you this morning.
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00:13:54,083 --> 00:13:57,363
Daniel is not interested
in having a dialogue.
203
00:13:57,443 --> 00:13:59,283
None of them are.
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They want us to shut up,
they want us to go away.
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00:14:03,523 --> 00:14:06,523
[tense music]
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00:14:07,603 --> 00:14:12,363
Just so you know, there's
another protest happening by headquarters.
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00:14:13,643 --> 00:14:14,483
Okay.
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00:14:17,163 --> 00:14:19,843
Daniel, would you mind looking at this?
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00:14:19,923 --> 00:14:22,083
Yeah. What is this?
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00:14:22,683 --> 00:14:24,883
It's a proposed sale of Spotify.
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00:14:25,643 --> 00:14:28,523
I know that this isn't something
you've considered before,
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00:14:28,603 --> 00:14:33,203
but every CEO, every founder,
has to choose their moment.
213
00:14:33,283 --> 00:14:36,963
-You've had an amazing journey.
-No, I won't sell Spotify.
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00:14:37,043 --> 00:14:40,883
You hired me to be somebody who's always
straight with you and tells you the truth.
215
00:14:40,963 --> 00:14:43,923
And I'm doing that right now.
The market is still in our favor.
216
00:14:44,003 --> 00:14:47,963
But what will you do
when the market value drops below the IPO?
217
00:14:48,043 --> 00:14:53,803
I hired you because you're pragmatic
and stubborn, but this is too much.
218
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Okay, and what do we do right now?
219
00:14:58,363 --> 00:14:59,643
We'll have to borrow some more money.
220
00:14:59,723 --> 00:15:03,203
Daniel, last year we already
borrowed more than one billion dollars.
221
00:15:03,283 --> 00:15:05,763
We're gonna have to borrow some
more and that's how we get through this.
222
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We'll do some more acquisitions, invest
in some new tech, like we've always done.
223
00:15:10,643 --> 00:15:12,923
This is your way out.
224
00:15:13,003 --> 00:15:15,443
If you sell Spotify,
you protect your legacy.
225
00:15:15,523 --> 00:15:18,803
You also protect your brand,
you protect what you've built--
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00:15:18,883 --> 00:15:21,083
I won't sell Spotify, I…
227
00:15:24,843 --> 00:15:26,483
I'm not retiring yet.
228
00:15:26,563 --> 00:15:28,723
-Daniel…
-What?
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00:15:28,803 --> 00:15:32,403
[protesters chanting]
230
00:15:33,003 --> 00:15:36,723
Scratch the Record! Scratch the Record!
231
00:15:36,803 --> 00:15:38,403
Whoa!
232
00:15:38,483 --> 00:15:41,923
Okay, hold your heads down.
Security is here.
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00:15:42,003 --> 00:15:45,723
Shit!
234
00:15:45,803 --> 00:15:50,203
[protesters chanting]
235
00:15:59,363 --> 00:16:05,083
Scratch the Record! Scratch the Record!
236
00:16:05,163 --> 00:16:07,483
-Daniel, this is outrageous!
-Yeah, I know.
237
00:16:07,563 --> 00:16:09,763
-Just relax, okay?
-Relax?
238
00:16:09,843 --> 00:16:12,523
[Daniel] The business model
that we have, it's fine.
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00:16:12,603 --> 00:16:16,603
We have new content, we'll give them more
support and soon we'll have Discovery Max.
240
00:16:16,683 --> 00:16:18,403
There's no reason to panic.
241
00:16:21,323 --> 00:16:23,843
No, I'm not here as Daniel Ek's enemy.
242
00:16:23,923 --> 00:16:26,363
I'm here as someone who used to know him,
243
00:16:26,443 --> 00:16:30,403
and who believed in the promises
he gave me and other musicians.
244
00:16:30,483 --> 00:16:31,603
[protesters] Scratch the record!
245
00:16:31,683 --> 00:16:35,483
I'm here today
to say that enough is enough.
246
00:16:35,563 --> 00:16:38,243
I have told my colleagues to be patient.
247
00:16:38,323 --> 00:16:40,843
I've tried to believe in him.
248
00:16:40,923 --> 00:16:45,483
But the average salary for an
employee at Spotify is 130,000 dollars,
249
00:16:45,563 --> 00:16:49,163
while the musicians
who build his platform are on their knees.
250
00:16:50,363 --> 00:16:55,563
Daniel Ek, it's time for you
to "Scratch the Record".
251
00:16:55,643 --> 00:17:01,283
It's time for you to sit down and talk to
us, for real this time. We're waiting
252
00:17:01,963 --> 00:17:03,603
-Unbelievable.
-Yeah.
253
00:17:03,683 --> 00:17:06,163
This pantomime is distracting the whole
office. It's a public disturbance.
254
00:17:06,243 --> 00:17:08,843
-We should call the police now.
-We can't call the police.
255
00:17:08,923 --> 00:17:13,083
This is a platform for musicians. How
will it look like if they're arrested
256
00:17:13,162 --> 00:17:14,642
-outside our office?
-Exactly.
257
00:17:14,723 --> 00:17:17,963
Well, it looks like the police
decided to turn up anyway.
258
00:17:18,043 --> 00:17:21,402
[siren]
259
00:17:21,483 --> 00:17:25,162
[police] This is illegal demonstration.
You're disturbing the peace…
260
00:17:25,243 --> 00:17:26,642
-and we ask you to leave immediately.
-Shit.
261
00:17:27,763 --> 00:17:30,283
Scratch the Record!
262
00:17:31,323 --> 00:17:33,283
Let her go!
263
00:17:33,362 --> 00:17:39,123
-Don't hold me!
-You're disturbing, please discard now!
264
00:17:39,203 --> 00:17:44,723
I repeat, this is an illegal,
demonstration. You're disturbing the peace
265
00:17:44,803 --> 00:17:48,243
and we ask you to leave immediately.
266
00:17:48,323 --> 00:17:51,803
-[protesters resisting the Police]
-Anyone who remains on this premises will
267
00:17:51,883 --> 00:17:54,723
will be arrested.
268
00:17:59,563 --> 00:18:01,083
This is bad, Daniel.
269
00:18:05,123 --> 00:18:07,283
I think it's a story
just because it's in Sweden.
270
00:18:08,043 --> 00:18:10,163
We shouldn't forget
that we are listed in New York.
271
00:18:10,243 --> 00:18:12,643
We have more Chinese shareholders
than Swedish ones.
272
00:18:12,723 --> 00:18:16,403
But this may affect your ability
to borrow more money. You know what?
273
00:18:16,483 --> 00:18:18,923
I'm working myself to death,
I run from bank to bank.
274
00:18:19,003 --> 00:18:21,403
And you know
what the first thing is they ask about?
275
00:18:22,003 --> 00:18:23,563
These protests.
276
00:18:24,683 --> 00:18:28,203
Daniel… you made it clear
that you don't want to sell Spotify.
277
00:18:28,283 --> 00:18:31,803
You want me to find more money
that will enable new innovations.
278
00:18:32,443 --> 00:18:36,203
Okay. Well in that case, you will have
to make sure this doesn't get any bigger.
279
00:18:38,243 --> 00:18:41,323
One thing that I've
learned during my in politics…
280
00:18:41,403 --> 00:18:43,723
"Never let yourself become the story."
281
00:18:47,123 --> 00:18:51,763
[tense music]
282
00:18:51,843 --> 00:18:55,723
-[children chatter]
-[bird chirping]
283
00:18:59,803 --> 00:19:02,403
-Do you want to play with us, Papa?
-Yeah, maybe later.
284
00:19:06,363 --> 00:19:07,323
Hi.
285
00:19:08,723 --> 00:19:09,803
You okay?
286
00:19:12,323 --> 00:19:13,523
You're everywhere, Daniel.
287
00:19:15,123 --> 00:19:17,483
These protests,
they're not gonna die down.
288
00:19:17,563 --> 00:19:22,603
All those… sorry… those damn protesters
who say that Spotify needs to change,
289
00:19:22,683 --> 00:19:26,483
-I don't even understand they mean.
-Are these the new designs?
290
00:19:27,723 --> 00:19:29,443
-Yeah.
-Mm.
291
00:19:29,523 --> 00:19:30,763
About this, erh…
292
00:19:31,563 --> 00:19:36,403
Ernst was a bit worried
that you might think it's a bit too big.
293
00:19:36,483 --> 00:19:37,763
Don't compromise.
294
00:19:38,363 --> 00:19:40,243
I think we should make it even bigger.
295
00:19:41,523 --> 00:19:43,603
[phone rings]
296
00:19:47,323 --> 00:19:49,803
Hello. Did you get hold of Sundin?
297
00:19:49,883 --> 00:19:51,523
[suspense music]
298
00:19:52,203 --> 00:19:55,203
[Daniel] Okay, tell that traitor
that I'm on my way.
299
00:19:56,403 --> 00:19:58,083
-Hey.
-Hey yourself!
300
00:19:58,163 --> 00:19:59,723
How are you? Nice to see you.
301
00:19:59,803 --> 00:20:03,203
-It's nice to see you too..
-So, you okay?
302
00:20:03,283 --> 00:20:07,003
-Yeah, well… I'm alive.
-Yes, I know.
303
00:20:07,083 --> 00:20:11,523
Discovery Max looked…
I saw some test results. They were…
304
00:20:11,603 --> 00:20:14,483
Here is the deal.
I need you to do something.
305
00:20:14,563 --> 00:20:15,923
Okay…
306
00:20:16,003 --> 00:20:18,923
I want you to call Bobbi Thomasson.
307
00:20:19,843 --> 00:20:22,923
I want you to explain to her
that this thing she's doing can only be
308
00:20:23,003 --> 00:20:24,483
detrimental.
309
00:20:24,563 --> 00:20:28,163
That it's based on a complete
misunderstanding of how Spotify works.
310
00:20:28,243 --> 00:20:33,163
I don't think I've seen
Bobbi in about ten years.
311
00:20:33,243 --> 00:20:36,203
I can try to get her
contact information and then you--
312
00:20:36,283 --> 00:20:39,043
Hold on. Did you say try?
313
00:20:39,123 --> 00:20:41,683
-Yes, I can try to get hold of…
-She was your performer.
314
00:20:41,763 --> 00:20:44,243
You were the one who signed her.
You promoted her.
315
00:20:45,483 --> 00:20:47,923
-You can contact her.
-No, I can't.
316
00:20:50,603 --> 00:20:52,043
[scoffs]
317
00:20:55,363 --> 00:20:56,483
I know what's going on.
318
00:20:58,283 --> 00:21:00,683
You use these people,
sign them, use them for money,
319
00:21:00,763 --> 00:21:03,043
and then when you
are finished, you forget them.
320
00:21:03,123 --> 00:21:05,523
When Bobbi is upset about what she earns,
321
00:21:06,323 --> 00:21:08,923
does she turn to a Universal or a BMG?
322
00:21:09,003 --> 00:21:13,283
Does she turn to any of the people
who are responsible for what she earns?
323
00:21:13,363 --> 00:21:19,923
No, she and her stupid, fucking friends
of hers set up camp outside my office,
324
00:21:20,003 --> 00:21:22,123
throwing all their fucking shit at me.
325
00:21:22,203 --> 00:21:24,603
Did I sign her? Did I encourage her?
326
00:21:24,683 --> 00:21:29,763
Did I encourage any of these over millions
of people who live in that fantasy
327
00:21:29,843 --> 00:21:33,563
that you have sold them, that they
might be the next Drake or Taylor Swift,
328
00:21:33,643 --> 00:21:38,083
getting them to sign shameless contracts
they are too young to understand.
329
00:21:38,603 --> 00:21:39,443
But who do they hold responsible?
330
00:21:40,403 --> 00:21:42,603
Let me give you an answer, me!
331
00:21:44,243 --> 00:21:46,923
But you don't care!
Of course not! Why would you?
332
00:21:47,003 --> 00:21:51,243
You and the record companies got what
you wanted, 70% of what we make.
333
00:21:51,323 --> 00:21:52,843
Yeah, you got a really good deal there.
334
00:21:53,523 --> 00:21:56,963
And I'm the stupid
bastard who fucking agreed to it all.
335
00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:06,043
It's gonna be a while.
336
00:22:31,203 --> 00:22:33,203
RESTAURANT
337
00:22:33,283 --> 00:22:36,963
[music playing from a distance]
338
00:23:01,123 --> 00:23:02,843
At a bar in Rågsved?
339
00:23:02,923 --> 00:23:04,203
Uhm mh.
340
00:23:05,403 --> 00:23:08,003
-Why are you here, Daniel?
-I think we should talk.
341
00:23:08,083 --> 00:23:10,283
Now? When I have a gig?
342
00:23:13,123 --> 00:23:18,003
I don't care whether other people protest.
But you, Bobbi, you know me.
343
00:23:19,043 --> 00:23:22,403
That's why I joined them. If you
don't know someone, you won't listen.
344
00:23:22,483 --> 00:23:24,563
But what is it you want me to listen to?
345
00:23:24,643 --> 00:23:26,883
A bunch of people who refuse
to accept the world has changed?
346
00:23:26,963 --> 00:23:31,163
That's not true, it hasn't changed at all.
It's like a fucking bad dream.
347
00:23:32,323 --> 00:23:36,603
Maybe you haven't understood
how to make the most of Spotify.
348
00:23:36,683 --> 00:23:40,163
-Please, don't do this.
-Listen to me. I just wanted to say…
349
00:23:40,243 --> 00:23:45,723
If you let me… I will show you
how to make the most of Spotify.
350
00:23:45,803 --> 00:23:50,683
And then? Are you going to pay a visit to
the other 1.5 million performers and what?
351
00:23:50,763 --> 00:23:52,883
-Tell them all your secrets as well?
-You remember how it was?
352
00:23:52,963 --> 00:23:56,043
You told me that
Pirate Bay uploaded all of your songs.
353
00:23:56,123 --> 00:24:00,843
So we should be grateful that they aren't
stealing from us like 15 years ago?
354
00:24:00,923 --> 00:24:03,083
No, that's not what I mean. Come on.
355
00:24:03,163 --> 00:24:05,163
You're talking about your journey…
356
00:24:06,283 --> 00:24:08,003
But what about our journey?
357
00:24:08,083 --> 00:24:13,123
All the millions of musicians who have
absolutely no control of money they earn.
358
00:24:13,203 --> 00:24:15,603
It can't be my responsibility
to help the careers of all the artists.
359
00:24:15,683 --> 00:24:20,483
Why not? You are the most powerful
person in the music industry right now.
360
00:24:21,243 --> 00:24:24,243
You are the system
and that's what you wanted.
361
00:24:25,243 --> 00:24:29,283
You wanted to create
the biggest music platform in the world.
362
00:24:30,083 --> 00:24:32,803
-Bobbi, it's time.
-Okay.
363
00:24:34,403 --> 00:24:37,603
-Nice place…
-Bulshit.
364
00:24:37,683 --> 00:24:40,843
My point is, you don't
actually want to help us.
365
00:24:43,203 --> 00:24:44,483
Bobbi, I do want to help you.
366
00:24:45,803 --> 00:24:46,883
Bobbi, come on.
367
00:24:47,843 --> 00:24:49,643
Okay, yeah.
368
00:24:54,243 --> 00:24:58,123
[piano playing]
369
00:25:05,643 --> 00:25:10,563
♪ To reach for the other's stars ♪
370
00:25:11,523 --> 00:25:17,243
♪ I've got splendid… ♪
371
00:25:19,283 --> 00:25:23,923
♪ The future has in store, ♪
372
00:25:24,003 --> 00:25:30,683
♪ We'll never know ♪
373
00:25:39,243 --> 00:25:44,843
♪ Though time may help you forget ♪
374
00:25:46,043 --> 00:25:50,603
♪ All that has happened before ♪
375
00:25:53,363 --> 00:25:57,643
♪ It's too late to regret ♪
376
00:25:59,723 --> 00:26:03,323
♪ But the scar won't be no more ♪
377
00:26:03,403 --> 00:26:07,163
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
378
00:26:07,243 --> 00:26:10,643
♪ No more doubts, no more fears ♪
379
00:26:10,723 --> 00:26:14,763
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
380
00:26:14,843 --> 00:26:17,803
♪ My luck is returning ♪
381
00:26:17,883 --> 00:26:21,843
♪ All these years I've been learning ♪
382
00:26:21,923 --> 00:26:25,603
♪ To save fingers from burning ♪
383
00:26:25,683 --> 00:26:29,163
♪ My only concern ♪
384
00:26:29,243 --> 00:26:33,403
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
385
00:26:36,403 --> 00:26:40,283
♪ When somebody is gone ♪
386
00:26:42,883 --> 00:26:47,963
♪ There's another to come ♪
387
00:26:49,883 --> 00:26:55,203
♪ You can't stop years drifting by ♪
388
00:26:55,283 --> 00:27:01,083
♪ Even if you want to try ♪
389
00:27:06,523 --> 00:27:11,763
♪ Though time may help you forget ♪
390
00:27:12,763 --> 00:27:16,803
♪ What is gone won't be no more. ♪
391
00:27:16,883 --> 00:27:20,923
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
392
00:27:21,003 --> 00:27:24,083
♪ No more doubts, no more fears ♪
393
00:27:24,163 --> 00:27:30,083
♪ Tomorrow is my turn,
My luck is returning♪
394
00:27:30,163 --> 00:27:36,563
♪ All these years I've been learning,
To save fingers from burning ♪
395
00:27:36,643 --> 00:27:40,163
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
396
00:27:40,243 --> 00:27:43,203
♪ No more doubts, no more fears ♪
397
00:27:43,283 --> 00:27:47,363
♪ Tomorrow is my turn ♪
398
00:27:47,443 --> 00:27:52,523
♪ To receive without giving
To make life with the living ♪
399
00:27:53,763 --> 00:27:57,323
♪ For it's my life I'm living ♪
400
00:27:57,403 --> 00:28:03,683
♪ My only concern is ♪
401
00:28:06,563 --> 00:28:12,963
♪ That tomorrow is ♪
402
00:28:16,003 --> 00:28:20,603
♪ My turn ♪
403
00:28:23,203 --> 00:28:27,403
♪ Ey ey ♪
404
00:28:32,763 --> 00:28:37,803
[applause]
405
00:28:41,523 --> 00:28:44,363
[cheering and clapping]
406
00:28:45,683 --> 00:28:48,043
Thank you for staying for the whole gig.
407
00:28:50,483 --> 00:28:51,323
What's wrong?
408
00:28:56,203 --> 00:29:00,523
I understand that you want me to…
to change Spotify.
409
00:29:02,283 --> 00:29:05,443
But the changes that you want me to make,
410
00:29:05,523 --> 00:29:07,043
would destroy us.
411
00:29:07,123 --> 00:29:08,763
It doesn't have to be that way.
412
00:29:11,763 --> 00:29:13,283
You have your songs, Bobbi.
413
00:29:14,203 --> 00:29:18,483
Your music… That's what Spotify is to me.
414
00:29:20,003 --> 00:29:21,883
Everything I am is a part of that.
415
00:29:21,963 --> 00:29:24,323
[suspense music]
416
00:29:25,683 --> 00:29:28,443
And it doesn't matter what you say,
417
00:29:29,243 --> 00:29:32,403
I will never let anyone take that
away from me.
418
00:29:33,363 --> 00:29:38,883
[suspense music]
419
00:29:52,123 --> 00:29:57,483
[car drives off]
420
00:29:57,563 --> 00:29:59,523
[door opens]
421
00:30:15,483 --> 00:30:16,803
[protesters] Scratch the Record.
422
00:30:16,883 --> 00:30:19,923
[protesters chanting]
423
00:30:20,003 --> 00:30:24,603
[protesters chanting]
424
00:30:24,683 --> 00:30:27,963
[reporter] A movement
called 'Scratch The Record'
425
00:30:28,043 --> 00:30:30,283
is now spreading around the world.
426
00:30:30,363 --> 00:30:32,563
The Swedish artist
named Bobbi Thomasson...
427
00:30:32,643 --> 00:30:35,283
BREAKING - PROTESTS ACROSS EUROPE
THOUSANDS OF MUSICIANS MARCHING
428
00:30:35,363 --> 00:30:37,123
THE BIGGEST REUNION OF MUSICIANS
AND FANS TO THIS DAY IN PARIS
429
00:30:37,203 --> 00:30:40,003
[reporter] Protest against Spotify…
430
00:30:40,083 --> 00:30:44,923
[indistinct]
431
00:30:45,003 --> 00:30:47,483
SCRATCH THE RECORD SPOKESWOMAN BOBBI
THOMANSSON HAS RISEN SUPERNOVA FAME
432
00:30:47,563 --> 00:30:53,643
[protesters] Scratch the record.
433
00:31:08,123 --> 00:31:09,923
This is bullshit.
434
00:31:10,003 --> 00:31:12,763
You know they only reason
they brought us here is to humiliate us.
435
00:31:12,843 --> 00:31:14,723
It's the US Senate Daniel,
they're meant to humiliate us.
436
00:31:14,803 --> 00:31:16,923
But I'm not supposed to be here.
I'm not American citizen.
437
00:31:17,003 --> 00:31:18,923
Daniel, you've got this.
438
00:31:20,443 --> 00:31:23,043
You know what it is? It's theater.
439
00:31:23,123 --> 00:31:25,203
You're the CEO, Daniel.
440
00:31:25,283 --> 00:31:26,923
You run the company.
441
00:31:27,003 --> 00:31:30,003
If we lose this argument
in front of the committee,
442
00:31:30,083 --> 00:31:34,803
our whole business could be screwed,
so please, just don't resist.
443
00:31:35,643 --> 00:31:41,083
Yeah? Focus. Stay cool and calmly
answer everything they throw at you.
444
00:31:43,523 --> 00:31:44,643
[tense music]
445
00:31:45,843 --> 00:31:48,123
We're here.
446
00:31:48,203 --> 00:31:50,603
[sighs]
447
00:31:50,683 --> 00:31:52,443
What kind of power do they really have?
448
00:31:52,523 --> 00:31:54,923
The kind of power that can
recommend a fixed price of a stream,
449
00:31:55,003 --> 00:31:58,003
regulate everything
and completely destroy our business model.
450
00:31:58,083 --> 00:32:02,203
You have to focus on the Senator Landy.
This is her hearing. She pushed for it.
451
00:32:02,283 --> 00:32:04,403
She's staked everything on this.
Do not let her win.
452
00:32:04,483 --> 00:32:05,323
Daniel?
453
00:32:06,563 --> 00:32:07,963
Okay.
454
00:32:09,083 --> 00:32:11,123
[indistinct chatter]
455
00:32:11,203 --> 00:32:14,203
What the fuck is she doing here?
456
00:32:14,283 --> 00:32:16,123
Forget about her. She's irrelevant.
457
00:32:16,203 --> 00:32:18,843
She's here as a representative
or some shit. Whatever, who cares?
458
00:32:20,363 --> 00:32:21,763
[man1] You have to shut Lanley down.
459
00:32:21,843 --> 00:32:23,043
What about the everyone else?
460
00:32:23,123 --> 00:32:26,963
Keep them engaged. As long as they
make eye contact with you, we're good.
461
00:32:27,043 --> 00:32:29,963
As soon as they start avoiding
your gaze, we're fucked. And Daniel…
462
00:32:31,163 --> 00:32:32,203
you can do this.
463
00:32:32,923 --> 00:32:35,883
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth,
464
00:32:35,963 --> 00:32:37,283
-so help you God?
-I do.
465
00:32:40,563 --> 00:32:41,963
[cameras clicking]
466
00:32:47,283 --> 00:32:49,643
Could you please identify
yourself for the committee?
467
00:32:50,763 --> 00:32:54,363
My name is Daniel Ek
and I'm the CEO and co-founder of Spotify.
468
00:32:54,443 --> 00:32:59,443
Mr. Ek, you previously
described Spotify's mission as
469
00:32:59,523 --> 00:33:03,083
"To unlock the potential
of human creativity
470
00:33:03,163 --> 00:33:08,603
by giving a million artists
the opportunity to live off their art."
471
00:33:08,683 --> 00:33:09,683
Yes.
472
00:33:10,283 --> 00:33:12,243
How is your progress towards that?
473
00:33:12,323 --> 00:33:16,923
Excellent. Our top tier club of artistes
who can support themselves from streams
474
00:33:17,003 --> 00:33:20,803
has doubled in the last three
years and tripled since 2015.
475
00:33:21,443 --> 00:33:22,923
That's impressive…
476
00:33:23,003 --> 00:33:26,363
[Landy]
So, at your current rate of growth,
477
00:33:26,443 --> 00:33:31,123
you would hit that one million
figure in… just under 75 years?
478
00:33:34,843 --> 00:33:38,323
Your business model
just doesn't work for musicians, does it?
479
00:33:38,403 --> 00:33:39,843
That's not true.
480
00:33:39,923 --> 00:33:44,043
[Landy] What are the average earnings
of an artiste not in your top tier?
481
00:33:44,723 --> 00:33:47,603
Well, the number of artistes
changes so fast for us to know.
482
00:33:47,683 --> 00:33:52,083
Mr. Ek, from your own data,
I can see here that the figure is…
483
00:33:52,163 --> 00:33:54,003
12 dollars a month.
484
00:33:55,803 --> 00:33:58,883
-Could you live off that?
-Well, that number is not verified.
485
00:33:58,963 --> 00:34:00,883
It's taken from your own results.
486
00:34:01,683 --> 00:34:04,683
Excuse me, Madam Chairwoman. Mr. Ek…
487
00:34:05,643 --> 00:34:09,523
Isn't it the case that Spotify
is just one platform among many?
488
00:34:09,603 --> 00:34:12,483
Yes, that is correct.
Spotify is one platform among many,
489
00:34:12,563 --> 00:34:15,323
and artistes have several platforms
to earn an income from.
490
00:34:15,403 --> 00:34:18,563
It's not fair to put all that on Spotify.
491
00:34:19,202 --> 00:34:22,523
What percentage of the streaming
market does Spotify control?
492
00:34:22,603 --> 00:34:24,483
I believe it's around 25%, Senator.
493
00:34:24,563 --> 00:34:28,523
You control almost 45%
of the US market alone.
494
00:34:28,603 --> 00:34:32,202
In some countries,
your share is as high as 60%.
495
00:34:32,803 --> 00:34:36,883
Five times as many users
as your nearest rival.
496
00:34:37,682 --> 00:34:41,043
To all intents and purposes,
you are a monopoly.
497
00:34:41,762 --> 00:34:42,682
We are not a monopoly.
498
00:34:42,762 --> 00:34:45,963
No artiste can take themselves
off your platform,
499
00:34:46,043 --> 00:34:49,803
no artiste can risk losing
exposure to your audience.
500
00:34:49,883 --> 00:34:55,123
You control streaming and
you control the fate of musicians.
501
00:34:57,722 --> 00:35:01,563
Oh I'm sorry, Senator.
Was there a question in there, or…?
502
00:35:05,043 --> 00:35:10,443
Do you believe the size of your business
model creates a problem for artistes?
503
00:35:10,523 --> 00:35:14,323
Spotify is about partnering
with the artiste,
504
00:35:14,403 --> 00:35:18,163
In building the music industry with
them, they create a future together.
505
00:35:18,243 --> 00:35:21,723
When the Copyright Royalty Board
awarded songwriters
506
00:35:21,803 --> 00:35:26,923
their first raise in almost 50
years, how did Spotify react?
507
00:35:28,963 --> 00:35:31,563
-We sought clarification.
-You sought clarification?
508
00:35:32,363 --> 00:35:35,923
You took them to court.
You lodged an appeal against them,
509
00:35:36,003 --> 00:35:40,203
and you got lawyers to argue for
a cut in what they're paid.
510
00:35:40,283 --> 00:35:43,723
Does that sound like a company
that supports artistes?
511
00:35:43,803 --> 00:35:46,363
It sounds like a company
that has its own approach,
512
00:35:46,443 --> 00:35:48,523
but we support songwriters.
513
00:35:48,603 --> 00:35:51,883
We partner with them, we champion them.
514
00:35:51,963 --> 00:35:57,283
You use your size and marketing
budget to silence your critics, Mr. Ek.
515
00:35:57,363 --> 00:36:01,843
At every opportunity,
you do everything you can to drive down
516
00:36:01,923 --> 00:36:04,443
the share you pay musicians.
517
00:36:05,163 --> 00:36:08,323
Don't you think you have a
responsibility to these people?
518
00:36:08,403 --> 00:36:11,283
I believe that musicians
need to understand
519
00:36:11,363 --> 00:36:13,163
that I'm the best friend they've got.
520
00:36:13,243 --> 00:36:15,203
I'm the only one who's not lying to them.
521
00:36:15,283 --> 00:36:18,443
I'm the only one who's honest
about the fact that we can't go back,
522
00:36:18,523 --> 00:36:23,363
that this is a completely new industry
with new rules and new principles.
523
00:36:23,443 --> 00:36:26,283
I'm the one working day and night
to create the opportunities
524
00:36:26,363 --> 00:36:28,323
that they need to achieve their dreams.
525
00:36:33,243 --> 00:36:35,123
What is Discovery Max?
526
00:36:40,283 --> 00:36:42,603
Discovery Max is a perfect example.
527
00:36:42,683 --> 00:36:44,883
It's a service that helps artistes.
528
00:36:44,963 --> 00:36:46,923
Discovery Max is a service,
529
00:36:47,003 --> 00:36:50,883
in which you take
a bigger share of the artist's royalty,
530
00:36:50,963 --> 00:36:54,163
and in return offer them extra promotion.
531
00:36:54,243 --> 00:36:58,563
Well, Discovery Max is an exchange
between Spotify and the artiste.
532
00:36:58,643 --> 00:37:02,923
It is straight up music industry payola,
and it has to stop.
533
00:37:03,003 --> 00:37:04,883
You're splitting hairs, Mr. Ek.
534
00:37:04,963 --> 00:37:08,523
You reduce the artist's royalty
and in return you fix the game.
535
00:37:08,603 --> 00:37:10,363
We're not fixing anything.
536
00:37:10,443 --> 00:37:15,243
The major record companies own
almost 20% of Spotify, don't they?
537
00:37:15,323 --> 00:37:18,923
It's possible. That's…
It's around that number, yes.
538
00:37:19,003 --> 00:37:22,523
So, the musicians are on the labels,
539
00:37:22,603 --> 00:37:28,243
the labels own part of Spotify, Spotify
decides which musicians get promoted,
540
00:37:28,323 --> 00:37:33,683
and then the income from the streams
goes straight back to those labels.
541
00:37:33,763 --> 00:37:36,163
What part of that
does not sound like a cartel?
542
00:37:36,243 --> 00:37:38,523
[soft music]
543
00:37:38,603 --> 00:37:40,043
We're not a cartel.
544
00:37:40,123 --> 00:37:41,403
[Landy] You control the market.
545
00:37:42,003 --> 00:37:44,363
You're in bed with your suppliers.
546
00:37:44,443 --> 00:37:48,923
And then, at every turn,
you use your reach and your technology
547
00:37:49,003 --> 00:37:51,443
to drive down the share
that you pay musicians,
548
00:37:52,043 --> 00:37:56,003
to pay the people that depend on you
and your platform to make a living wage.
549
00:37:56,083 --> 00:37:59,363
Can you seriously sit there and tell me
that in any other part of the world,
550
00:37:59,443 --> 00:38:01,403
this would be considered acceptable?
551
00:38:04,843 --> 00:38:08,723
There's a lot of negative comments.
The word cartel seem to resonate.
552
00:38:08,803 --> 00:38:10,923
It's a few voices on social media,
It's nothing to…
553
00:38:13,803 --> 00:38:17,083
Let's just hope they put her under
the kind of pressure they put you under.
554
00:38:17,163 --> 00:38:22,363
[indistinct chatter]
555
00:38:22,443 --> 00:38:25,763
Would you please identify yourself
for the committee?
556
00:38:26,403 --> 00:38:28,243
My name is Bobbi Thomasson.
557
00:38:28,323 --> 00:38:30,283
I'm a musician, but I'm here today
558
00:38:30,363 --> 00:38:34,803
as the US and global head of a musicians
group called "Scratch the Record".
559
00:38:34,883 --> 00:38:37,163
That's a musicians' advocacy group?
560
00:38:37,243 --> 00:38:38,723
[Bobbi] Yes, that's correct.
561
00:38:38,803 --> 00:38:40,123
And what are you advocating?
562
00:38:41,363 --> 00:38:44,603
When our music is used,
when it's streamed,
563
00:38:44,683 --> 00:38:49,443
we argue that musicians deserve
to be paid a fixed price per stream.
564
00:38:50,723 --> 00:38:53,563
And we want that to be recognized in law.
565
00:38:53,643 --> 00:38:57,523
We would all like to get paid more, but
that doesn't mean we can change the law.
566
00:38:57,603 --> 00:38:59,443
[Court room laughs] ]
567
00:39:00,483 --> 00:39:03,283
Musicians have lobbied streamers
for a decent cut,
568
00:39:03,363 --> 00:39:06,683
but all we ever get are words.
We need a law.
569
00:39:07,923 --> 00:39:11,443
In every generation,
there are winners and losers.
570
00:39:11,523 --> 00:39:13,923
And people say that's just how it is.
571
00:39:14,003 --> 00:39:17,003
But this Senate has always been
able to tell the difference
572
00:39:17,083 --> 00:39:19,643
between change and exploitation.
573
00:39:20,923 --> 00:39:23,323
[senator1]
Miss Thomasson, with all respect,
574
00:39:23,403 --> 00:39:28,843
you're not a front line worker, you're
a musician and you chose to do that.
575
00:39:28,923 --> 00:39:32,243
So you want musicians
to accept that music is precious,
576
00:39:32,323 --> 00:39:33,963
but they're interchangeable?
577
00:39:34,043 --> 00:39:36,563
-That's not what I said.
-It is what you said.
578
00:39:36,643 --> 00:39:38,843
It's what everybody always says.
579
00:39:38,923 --> 00:39:40,723
But if you want to enjoy something,
580
00:39:40,803 --> 00:39:44,163
you have no right to ignore
the conditions it was made in.
581
00:39:44,243 --> 00:39:46,643
Spotify is… It's just a platform.
582
00:39:47,883 --> 00:39:52,043
Spotify churns out a product
to millions of phones and laptops,
583
00:39:52,123 --> 00:39:53,603
like a factory,
584
00:39:53,683 --> 00:39:56,963
and the workers
that supply that product are musicians.
585
00:39:57,043 --> 00:40:00,803
Spotify is always telling us how
grateful we should be for that exposure,
586
00:40:00,883 --> 00:40:05,123
but I'm here to say
that you can't pay the bills with likes.
587
00:40:05,203 --> 00:40:07,643
We don't care
how many analytics you build,
588
00:40:07,723 --> 00:40:09,363
how many different ways you tell us
589
00:40:09,443 --> 00:40:12,203
we have more listeners in Boston
than Stockholm.
590
00:40:13,083 --> 00:40:16,883
When our work is used,
we want to get paid.
591
00:40:16,963 --> 00:40:19,163
Why is that this Senate's business?
592
00:40:19,243 --> 00:40:22,643
Why is that not for the market?
Or for the consumer?
593
00:40:22,723 --> 00:40:24,923
Because, in 1938,
594
00:40:25,003 --> 00:40:29,163
this was the Senate that introduced
a statuary minimum wage for the employees
595
00:40:29,243 --> 00:40:32,003
of the new steel and oil industries.
596
00:40:32,083 --> 00:40:34,083
Senators saw that the world had changed.
597
00:40:35,203 --> 00:40:37,043
A new law was needed.
598
00:40:38,163 --> 00:40:41,083
That minimum wage looks obvious now.
599
00:40:41,163 --> 00:40:42,563
But the bosses fought it.
600
00:40:43,483 --> 00:40:48,523
Law makers had to see that the oil
companies simply had too much power.
601
00:40:48,603 --> 00:40:51,523
That is exactly where we are today.
602
00:40:51,603 --> 00:40:54,483
This is about the big monopolies of today.
603
00:40:55,323 --> 00:40:58,643
It's about whether we have the
courage to see that musicians
604
00:40:58,723 --> 00:41:02,203
are no different to oil and steel workers.
605
00:41:02,963 --> 00:41:05,203
We deserve the same rights…
606
00:41:06,003 --> 00:41:08,363
the same recognition…
607
00:41:08,443 --> 00:41:10,523
and until we acknowledge that,
608
00:41:10,603 --> 00:41:14,203
streaming will always be exploitation.
609
00:41:17,563 --> 00:41:19,723
Bullshit. Exploitation? The law?
610
00:41:19,803 --> 00:41:21,363
Who the fuck does she think she is?
611
00:41:21,443 --> 00:41:24,283
She's someone who knows
she's got the support of several senators.
612
00:41:24,363 --> 00:41:26,883
So what if she does? So do we. We have…
613
00:41:26,963 --> 00:41:30,923
Lobbyists. We have influence.
Do not go and talk to her, Daniel.
614
00:41:31,003 --> 00:41:35,643
I can't just ignore her anymore.
Just… stay calm.
615
00:41:48,523 --> 00:41:49,603
Hmm
616
00:41:51,523 --> 00:41:52,403
Hey.
617
00:41:54,123 --> 00:41:55,043
Hey.
618
00:41:57,123 --> 00:41:58,323
[sighs]
619
00:42:00,043 --> 00:42:04,283
Well, that was… You were impressive.
620
00:42:04,963 --> 00:42:08,003
-I know you don't mean that.
-I do, unfortunately yeah.
621
00:42:08,723 --> 00:42:10,283
I'm just the messenger.
622
00:42:11,203 --> 00:42:14,003
But the message, Bobbi,
you can't be serious.
623
00:42:14,083 --> 00:42:15,683
Exploitation?
624
00:42:15,763 --> 00:42:17,923
You compared Spotify to an oil company.
625
00:42:18,003 --> 00:42:20,283
I remember what you said at the start…
626
00:42:21,203 --> 00:42:24,723
I remember your promise that everybody
would benefit from Spotify.
627
00:42:27,923 --> 00:42:29,043
Think about that.
628
00:42:32,003 --> 00:42:35,563
[tense music]
629
00:42:35,643 --> 00:42:37,723
-Daniel.
-Yeah?
630
00:42:37,803 --> 00:42:39,843
-It's done.
-What's done?
631
00:42:39,923 --> 00:42:42,763
I just spoke to the bank and they agreed.
632
00:42:42,843 --> 00:42:45,963
Another billion. You got the loan.
633
00:42:47,563 --> 00:42:48,763
Okay…
634
00:42:52,883 --> 00:42:54,563
What do we do about all this?
635
00:42:54,643 --> 00:42:59,843
Do you think the bank cares about what
a bunch of activists or senators think?
636
00:43:00,523 --> 00:43:04,763
In all this chaos
they heard only one thing: 45%.
637
00:43:05,443 --> 00:43:07,923
You control the market.
That's all they care about.
638
00:43:08,003 --> 00:43:09,923
[music]
639
00:43:10,003 --> 00:43:12,003
Uhm. What do you think?
640
00:43:12,923 --> 00:43:15,563
[exhales] Maybe you're right.
641
00:43:15,643 --> 00:43:19,843
I might have been in politics for long.
642
00:43:21,123 --> 00:43:24,443
But listen…
This is the last loan we can take out.
643
00:43:24,523 --> 00:43:26,483
You have to figure out the business model.
644
00:43:26,563 --> 00:43:29,083
If you can't do that,
do not take the money.
645
00:43:31,643 --> 00:43:32,803
Thanks.
646
00:43:34,523 --> 00:43:35,563
Are you all okay?
647
00:43:37,443 --> 00:43:38,843
Do you know where Bobbi went?
648
00:43:39,643 --> 00:43:40,523
Mmm-hmm.
649
00:43:40,603 --> 00:43:43,443
[birds chirping]
650
00:43:43,523 --> 00:43:48,563
[soft music]
651
00:44:03,283 --> 00:44:05,603
You know what I regret most about Spotify?
652
00:44:07,003 --> 00:44:09,803
That I didn't walk
out on the negotiations.
653
00:44:10,803 --> 00:44:16,043
When you're sitting there in the
first talks about the music rights…
654
00:44:17,003 --> 00:44:20,203
I should have said that,
"This is the future.
655
00:44:21,403 --> 00:44:24,443
If you want to be a part of it,
it has to be on our terms."
656
00:44:25,563 --> 00:44:27,763
That would have been so damn beautiful.
657
00:44:28,563 --> 00:44:32,083
So what you're saying is
that everything would have been better…
658
00:44:32,163 --> 00:44:34,603
if you'd stopped listening to people?
659
00:44:38,843 --> 00:44:39,883
Yeah.
660
00:44:41,083 --> 00:44:44,923
[soft music]
661
00:44:57,363 --> 00:45:01,643
[sharp sounds]
662
00:45:03,283 --> 00:45:07,203
That was the last shot for me
and you too, guys!
663
00:45:07,283 --> 00:45:10,083
[ululating in the background]
664
00:45:12,203 --> 00:45:16,003
[closing music]
665
00:46:58,003 --> 00:47:00,923
Subtitle Translation by: Adefoluke Adebayo