Spotify makes major move with surprise WhoSampled acquisition
Spotify has acquired WhoSampled, the world-renowned music database known for cataloguing samples, remixes, and cover versions, in a move that signals the streaming giant’s push toward richer, more context-driven music discovery.
The acquisition was confirmed in an announcement shared with the WhoSampled community on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. In the message, the platform said: “WhoSampled has been acquired by Spotify and is now part of the Spotify family! This marks an exciting new chapter in our journey.”
Despite the ownership change, WhoSampled reassured users that it will continue operating as an independent platform powered by its global contributor network. According to the company, the merger is built on a shared belief in “the power of musical context,” ensuring that the database’s long-standing mission remains intact.
Spotify’s primary ambition with the acquisition is the rollout of a new feature called SongDNA, an interactive tool designed to help users explore how songs are connected. SongDNA will pull data directly from WhoSampled’s vast archive, allowing listeners to see a track’s samples, cover versions, collaborators, and musical lineage all in one place. The integration will also support Spotify’s expanded song credits, which will highlight a broader circle of contributors, from producers to engineers and session musicians.
Founded in 2008, WhoSampled has grown into the most comprehensive resource of its kind, documenting more than 1.2 million songs, over 622,000 samples, and more than 460,000 covers.
Alongside the acquisition by Spotify, WhoSampled announced immediate improvements for its users. The iOS app is now free to download, in-app subscriptions on both iOS and Android are being removed, and the platform will soon become completely ad-free. With Spotify’s support, moderation for user submissions is expected to speed up significantly.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the acquisition shows Spotify’s strategy to expand beyond playlists and algorithms and strengthen its position as a platform where listeners can learn more about the music they love.
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— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) November 19, 2025
Spotify announces the acquisition of famous sample brand "WhoSampled" pic.twitter.com/fsGWClmo62
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