Nile Rodgers and Babyface slam Spotify over royalties in open letter

Songwriters including Nile Rodgers and Kenneth ‘babyface’ Edmonds have signed an open letter slamming Spotify’s boss for planning to appeal a ruling which would give them more royalties.
In January (18), officials at America’s Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruled songwriters and music publishers would receive higher payouts from on-demand subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music, with the royalty rate set to eventually increase from 10.5 to 15.1 per cent.
After the decision was finalised in February (19), it was revealed that bosses of music streaming services Spotify, Google, Amazon and Pandora were planning to appeal the rate – a move that received widespread criticism.
Now, some of the songwriters and producers who have been honoured at Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards have teamed up to write an open letter to the streaming platform’s boss Daniel Ek blasting the appeal.
“We’re hurt and disappointed,” they wrote in the letter, which was shared with Billboard on Tuesday (09Apr19). “You created a songwriter relations team and ingratiated Spotify into our community. We know that you are not the only DSP (digital service provider) appealing the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) rate determination. You are, however, the only provider that made us feel we were working to build a modern music industry together.
“Now, we can see the real reason for your songwriter outreach. You have used us and tried to divide us but we stand together. Our fight is for all songwriters: those struggling to build their career, those in the middle class and those few who have reached your Secret Genius level. But none of us are ‘secret!’ WE all create the ONE thing you sell… songs. Do the right thing and drop your appeal of the Copyright Royalty Board rate determination.”
The group of so-called “Not So Secret Geniuses” also include Oscar-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and Ludwig Goransson, songwriter Greg Kurstin, and English musician Mr Hudson.