Spotify’s Latest Experiment: Playlists Unlocked by NFT Holders – The Future of Music Streaming?

Journalist

Sead Fadilpašić

Journalist

Sead Fadilpašić

About Author

Sead specializes in writing factual and informative articles to help the public navigate the ever-changing world of crypto. He has extensive experience in the blockchain industry, where he has served...

Author Profile

Share

Copied

Last updated:

October 23, 2023 07:37 EDT

Why Trust Cryptonews

Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships.

Online music streaming giant Spotify is testing a new playlist function made specifically for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) holders.

Called Token-Enabled Playlists, the new function will enable users who hold certain NTFs to connect their crypto wallets to Spotify and access exclusive content. 

Spotify is working with a startup Overlord as one of its partners in the new pilot. Per a Twitter thread by Overlord, the holders of Creepz NFTs are given a chance to test out this option. Overlord signed a deal with Seth Green’s production company Stoopid Buddy Stoodios for an animated show based on characters from the Creepz NFT collection earlier this month. 

The pilot is available in the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, and currently only on Android.

The startup explained that their “Invasion” playlist could be accessed by users connecting their Web3 wallets on the app.

🌎 Thrilled to “explore” with you!

— Spotify (@Spotify) February 22, 2023

Spotify stated that this service is available to Spotify Premium users only, TechCrunch reported, and that the testing period will last three months, throughout which playlists will be updated. 

“At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience. Some of those end up paving the path for our broader user experience and others serve only as important learnings,” the company was quoted as saying, without providing details. 

And Overlord is not the only project to join the trial. Kingship, a metaverse band – “the first supergroup of Bored Apes” – signed to Universal Music Group (UMG), announced that it is a part of this test as well. They said they’d be “launching a brand new token-enabled playlist.” 

Per Kingship,

“This is a special moment. We’re all about unlocking real value for our community and pushing the boundaries of music and blockchain, and having our holders be at the forefront of this space.”

They added that this is a curated playlist exclusively for KINGSHIP Key Card NFT holders. The group also shared instructions on accessing the playlist. Available crypto wallet options include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Rainbow, Ledger Live, or Zerion.

So how does it work? Take a look at flow below👇

All you need is a KINGSHIP Key Card NFT to unlock this playlist on Spotify. For now, this pilot is only available to Android users in the US, UK, DE, AU and NZ. Make sure your Apps are the latest and greatest. pic.twitter.com/rfPEH0mB7u

— KINGSHIP (@therealkingship) February 22, 2023

Beside Kingship and Overlord, Moonbirds and FLUF are also reportedly participating. 

iPhone users currently do not have the options to access these exclusive playlists, which is unsurprising given that Apple updated its App Store Review Guidelines with more rules for crypto and NFTs last October. 

“Apps may use in-app purchase to sell and sell services related to [NFTs], such as minting, listing, and transferring,” the guidelines read. “Apps may allow users to view their own NFTs, provided that NFT ownership does not unlock features or functionality within the app.”

The problem is that this is exactly one of the key use cases for NFTs – they unlock access to exclusive content or other perks.

____

Learn more: 
– Coinbase Disables NFT Trading on Wallet Due to Apple’s App Store Policies – Here’s What Happened
– Apple to Allow External App Stores in Major Overhaul Prompted by EU Regulations – NFT Boom Incoming?

– OpenSea Announces Partnership with Warner Music Group
– Here’s How Web3 Can Wipe Out Issues the Ticketing Industry Has Faced for Decades