The streaming world is no exception in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven economy. New platforms emerge regularly, and many disappear almost immediately. However, some attract more attention than others and stir up controversy. What is Tune.FM, and can it be the future of music streaming?
What is Tune.FM?
Let’s get the technical details out of the way straight away: Tune.FM is a brand-new, decentralized music streaming platform based on crypto-currency – named JAM and developed by the platform – offering artists the opportunity to pay them instantly for each stream via this crypto-currency. The aim is to reduce the intermediaries between fans and artists as much as possible by cutting out the share paid to people claiming to be rights holders and music streaming services.
The innovative system of Tune. FM is built on micro-payments, facilitated by Hedera technology, with minimal fees. This enables real-time or near-real-time remuneration, a stark contrast to the deferred and often opaque payment systems of Spotify, TIDAL, YouTube Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, and others. Upon creating an account on Tune.FM, a JAM wallet is instantly generated, empowering users to stream music, access exclusive content, and even support their favorite artists through tips.
In its communications, Tune.FM claims that its artificial intelligence and recommendation system will enable users to discover new artists, thus creating a virtuous circle for the industry. It will shift attention to artists with less exposure and offer them an opportunity for additional remuneration: Tune.FM aims to distribute revenues better and encourage artistic creation.
Transparency and micropayments: at the heart of Tune. FM’s strategy
In September 2024, Tune.FM reached a new milestone, raising $50 million to finance its expansion. According to Music Business Worldwide, this brought the total funds raised since its launch to $80 million.
Tune.FM allows artists to benefit from greater transparency and keep a bigger slice of the pie while maximizing control over their music. They also promise to give “super fans” a run for their money, enabling artists to monetize, through NFTs, their merchandising, concert tickets, and set up virtual experiences. This is part of a global context in which streaming platforms have understood that fans need to feel the bonds between themselves and their favorite artists grow stronger.
According to the founders, Tune.FM would enable artists to be paid “10 to 100 times more for their music.” These figures are equivalent to one cent paid after every minute of listening. To make their platform accessible to as many people as possible, Tune.FM is banking on maximum simplicity and knows technology can sometimes be an obstacle.
Tune.FM founder Andrew Antar tells TechChrunch:
“Users don’t necessarily need to know anything about crypto […] We don’t use the word ‘crypto,’ we use ‘credit.’ We don’t use the word ‘NFT’ and use ‘collectible’ instead. It’s really the underlying technology under the hood. We’ve made it so easy anyone and their grandmother can use it.”
To prove its appeal, Tune.FM is reportedly in active discussions with labels, distributors, and popular artists. The aim would be to offer content exclusively available on Tune.FM in addition to music. The platform is well aware that mass adoption requires increased identification and endorsement of its services by media personalities. As proof of this, one of the most popular rappers of all time has pledged his allegiance to Tune.FM.
The Snoop Dogg case
It isn’t wrong to say that without a publicity stunt from one of the world’s best-known personalities, Tune.FM, launched in 2021, would still be a relatively unknown platform.
It all began in a podcast broadcast in 2024, in which Snoop Dogg claimed that he had only been paid $45,000 by Spotify for a billion streams generated on the Swedish service. The statement caused quite a stir and once again spotlighted the remuneration policies of streaming platforms. With the backlash provoked by Snoop Dogg’s statements, Spotify logically retaliated. It has to be said that Snoop Dogg is known for his outspokenness. And when he does speak out, it usually causes a stir. So Spotify had to react. A representative of the company told TMZ that it was impossible for the rapper to have received so little money:
“We can’t speak to endorsement deals for Web3 companies, but… $45K for a billion streams? It’s well documented that a billion streams on Spotify generates millions of dollars to rights holders. It’s unfortunate that Spotify’s payments didn’t make it through to Snoop. Snoop’s a legend; hopefully, he’s seeing more of that money now that he owns Death Row Records.”
Who to believe? Either way, the divorce is final. And Snoop Dogg, a big fan of new technologies, has chosen his side.
Snoop is the face of Tune.FM
Snoop Dogg met with Tune.FM founder Andrew Antar at an event before Donald Trump’s introduction. Whether the two men knew each other beforehand is unclear, but the meeting lead to a partnership. Snoop Dogg agreed to become the media face of Tune.FM. On February 28, made a statement in Billboard magazine to mark his allegiance: “I don’t f**k with Spotify anymore. I’m only on Tune.FM”. The rapper reportedly plans to migrate all his music to Tune.FM. This would be the first time an artist of such stature has left traditional streaming platforms altogether.
To reinforce this partnership, Snoop Dogg offers an exclusive song called “Spaceship Party.” This is proof that Tune.FM wants to position itself in the exclusivity segment to set itself apart from its competitors. This is what TIDAL did during its first years of existence. It enabled it to experience exponential growth in its first months of operation. A little anecdote: the founder of Tune.FM is a violinist who plays his instrument on “Spaceship Party.”
Tune.FM’s choice of Snoop Dogg, a divisive yet world-famous personality with an extensive brand image, ensures maximum visibility for its platform.
What can be the consequences of the arrival of Tune.FM?
There’s no doubt that more and more artists are beginning to explore alternative options to Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, TIDAL, and other music streaming services. Several platforms have emerged in recent years, promising better remuneration for rights holders and hoping to change the music industry. But Tune.FM is one of the first to base its strategy on Web3 and by operating with cryptocurrency.
It’s a risky move, given that cryptocurrencies are controversial and still far from being adopted by most of the population. Traditional consumer habits are still too entrenched for a large portion of the population to turn to a speculative solution, one whose technological workings may seem obscure. The same goes for the artists themselves: do they see the point of being remunerated only via a currency that is still relatively confidential? Tune.FM’s expansion depends on mass support for a decentralized Internet and crypto-currencies.
Other initiatives, such as Gala Music and Audius, emerged a few months ago but are now relegated to second place due to a struggling user base. Will Tune.FM fills the void?
The emergence of Tune.FM has opened up a major debate in modern society. It could lead to similar initiatives elsewhere in the medium term. Snoop Dogg’s commercial potential is a step in the right direction for Tune.FM. Without claiming that we’re on the verge of a major upheaval, there’s no doubt that a breach has been opened. Until other companies jump in? The future will tell, and as always, Soundiiz will be there to analyze the ins and outs.
How can I transfer my music streaming data (playlists, favorites, etc) to Tune.FM?
Soundiiz does not allow you to transfer all your accumulated data to Tune.FM. The service is still in its infancy. We’ll have to wait and see what it can offer in the long term. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of leaving the streaming service you use daily, Soundiiz has put together various services that enable you to manage, modify, export, or transfer your entire music catalog.
You’ll be able to effortlessly transfer all your playlists, favorite artists, and albums from one platform to another in just a few minutes without losing any data. It’s also possible to download your data in .text or CSV format so you can store, edit, and share it. So you can secure your data and never lose it.
In addition to these and other tools, we have recently developed our own Artificial Intelligence tool. This tool enables you to create playlists based on tags or texts you enter beforehand. It’s a great way to discover new artists and add to your playlists!
Soundiiz has established itself over the years as the ideal companion in your use of streaming platforms. To find out more, click here.
