Mike Portnoy recently spoke out about Spotify’s payment model for artists, sharing his thoughts in an Instagram post.
He pointed to the disconnect between how widely fans engage with Spotify’s yearly wrap-up feature and how little musicians are paid in return. As Portnoy put it, “Hope everyone is enjoying their ‘Shitify’ wrap-ups… Meanwhile: ‘US Government: Pennies are going away. Spotify: How will we pay artists?’ F-Spotify!” His remarks underscore the continuing frustration artists feel toward streaming platforms, which remain essential for exposure yet provide only modest financial returns.
Portnoy’s reaction echoes broader criticism across the music community regarding fair compensation in the streaming age. He is far from alone in expressing dissatisfaction. Charlie Benante—drummer for Anthrax and touring drummer for Pantera—has previously labeled Spotify “where music goes to die.” In a late-2024 discussion, Benante argued that streaming has drained the industry’s economic foundation, saying services like Spotify effectively steal from artists and leave them significantly underpaid.
Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth shared similar concerns in an interview with Sonic Perspectives, explaining that he avoids maintaining a Spotify account because “they don’t pay people.” He further emphasized the impact on working musicians: “I want my bands to be paid because if they’re not paid, they’re not bands anymore,” calling streaming’s financial model “daylight robbery.”
Given ongoing criticism from across the rock and metal world, Portnoy’s stance against Spotify aligns with a growing chorus of artists warning fans about how these platforms can undermine musicians’ livelihoods.
