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How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

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Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#71
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, can't wait to go back to Sony installing rootkits on my playback device to make sure we don't pirate their CDs.

Isn't this the result of consumers devaluing art? We want a $12 all you can eat plan, which tends to favor package contracts on the supply side. The direct-to-consumer model for music has been mostly rejected.

Did (most) consumers ever value art? There has always been the very wealthy that commission art, but it seems like throughout history more for less is the typical behavior.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#72
post #7

AI seems like a scapegoat here when I think the real answer is simply that it was a tired genre that died out like many music fads over the years. (Everyone could learn how to make these with a 10 minute youtube tutorial which flooded the market, independent of AI.)

A genre is a conversation you have with other people.

And the emphasis lies on people, without people there is no meaning.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#73
post #24

Is there a website that let me auto-queue music based on what I have listened to in the past, and is not a for-profit algorithm like Youtube and Spotify? With Youtube, I feel like I am the product, and they can't wait to put "sponsored" songs into my feed.

The only good recommendation engine is Pandora's Music Genome Project. It's the only one that auto-queues songs that sound like what you've seeded. Every other service will play you other songs from the same artist or genre, even though they sound nothing like what you've seeded. And then they pepper in other things that have nothing to do with anything - the "sponsored" crap. It's just too damn bad that Pandora refu…

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Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#75

Spotify is a blight upon music and it would be better for our culture if it would cease to exist - I have been boycotting these vultures and culture-vampires since day one but apparently I’m a big weirdo Luddite for that. Buy music directly from the artist or on bandcamp, stop supporting Spotify if you give a shit about music

Without Spotify and the rest of the streaming services most of the people would just pirate music. I would probably spend less on music than I do now on Spotify per year.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#76
post #7

AI seems like a scapegoat here when I think the real answer is simply that it was a tired genre that died out like many music fads over the years. (Everyone could learn how to make these with a 10 minute youtube tutorial which flooded the market, independent of AI.)

> Everyone could learn how to make these with a 10 minute youtube tutorial which flooded the market That is a strange way to view music to me. Just because people can make music doesn't mean others will enjoy it. It isn't really obvious to me that overwhelming the supply would decrease demand. I mean, look at any extreme pop genre. One would assume that there are more complicated economics at play.

The problem when a creative niche gets flooded with low quality ripoffs is that people end up fed up with the entire genre.

Plus even that aside, people often crave change. No genre of music has ever remained entirely static. And all styles of music comes in and out of fashion.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#77
Yeah, this article misses the mark. The author definitely frames the issue of AI-generated music and stock music in Lofi Hip Hop through a Spotify-centric lens. While they acknowledge that lofi originated and gained popularity outside of Spotify's control, particularly mentioning YouTube channels, it's BS to act like Spotify is the be-all and end-all of this (or any) genre. Disclosure: I've never paid for a Spotify account.

The Truth: Lofi Hip Hop continues to flourish far beyond the profit-prioritized walls of Spotify's garden, a meticulously manicured space where genuine discovery is choked out by the weeds of algorithmic control. True artistry is blossoming in the wilder, freer spaces online.

Also I really recommend Shlohmo & quickly quickly for some fresh Lofi.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#79
There seems to be a lot of anger around Spotify these days, often misplaced I reckon.

One of the biggest impediments to new artists making a living from recorded music is not the existence of Spotify and other streaming platforms, rather it's the massive and growing library of existing music, some of which is excellent.

But it's not impossible. My neighbor manages his music career himself. In 2024 he went from having 250,000 monthly Spotify listeners to 800,000. A few months ago he was able to give up his job and devote himself to music full time - he is getting decent streaming royalty checks.

If you complain that Spotify is contributing to a generic and bland listening experience then that is totally your own fault. Spotify will give you excellent and adventurous listening experiences, but you have to put in the time to 'train' your personal algorithms first, mainly by liking tracks, saving albums and playlists, and making playlists. Also: by paying attention to DJs/curators and researching dark corners of the music blogosphere, SoundCloud and Mixcloud.

Re: How Spotify Killed Lo-Fi Hip Hop

#80

>The Lofi style itself is nothing new, Lofi beats bear a striking resemblance to instrumental hip hop of the 90s and 2000s. Lofi IS instrumental hip hop. Dilla was doing this in the 90s.

Dilla is still the greatest to ever do it.

Lofi peaked long before the term lofi even came about
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