NEARLY two dozen popular Bollywood tracks have been pulled from the music streaming site Spotify.
According to Billboard, Spotify withdrew the portfolio of Indian record company Zee Music Company after discussions to extend their licence arrangement broke down.
The catalogue includes film soundtracks distributed through Zee Music’s sister company, Zee Studios.
This also includes the current number one track on India’s Spotify playlist Apna Bana Le, the soundtrack from 2022 Hindi film Bhediya as well as Maiyya Mainu, the soundtrack from 2022 Hindi film Jersey.
“Spotify and Zee Music have been unable to reach a licensing agreement.
“Throughout these negotiations, Spotify has tried to find creative ways to strike a deal with Zee Music and will continue our good faith negotiations in hopes of finding a mutually agreeable solution soon,” Spotify said in a statement to Billboard.
Zee Music, which had over two dozen tracks on Spotify’s Daily Top 200 Songs chart for India, was last seen on the platform on March 14. Soundtracks with millions of plays, like Malhari from epic romance Bajirao Mastani or Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho, along with other fan favourites were among the deleted hits.
The withdrawal of the songs has surprised Indian music fans, with some venting their disappointment on social media.
“Eyes twitching, where are my bollywood songs, Spotify?” asked Twitter user @cherry.
“How am I going to romanticise my life if Spotify keeps taking off Bollywood songs,” added Twitter user @scracthedflower.
"What is up with Spotify randomly discontinuing numerous Bollywood albums at the same time? What are we supposed to listen to then?” asked Twitter user @isha.
Zee Music is the second most popular Indian music channel on YouTube with its subscriber base reaching over 93 million, behind global leader T-Series which has over 230 million subscribers.
It was reported last year that Zee Music has severed connections with Indian commercial music streaming portal Gaana. – The Vibes, March 24, 2023
What is wrong with you Spotify??? Why have you removed so many Bollywood songs??? ??? pic.twitter.com/mHw0CSKbOJ
— Madhav (@madhavseth2) March 18, 2023
