In 2018 we gave you five reasons why Apple‘s $400m acquisition of Shazam could change music streaming forever.
We predicted that the implementation of the music recognition app’s research and systems would result in enhanced features coming to Apple Music.
Today brings news of one of those features: Apple Music has rolled out a new process that uses Shazam technology to identify tracks in DJ mixes in order to pay all the rightsholders whose music appears in a mix.
The identification process has been developed in coordination with major and independent labels and the music streaming platform is also working with DJs, as well as DJ mix suppliers like festivals, clubs and promoters.
Thousands of mixes are already available on Apple Music on a dedicated DJ mix category page.
DJ mixes have been streamed 300 million times to date on Apple Music and over 3m of the platform’s subscribers are engaging with DJ mixes each month.
MBW understands that the number of listeners engaging with DJ mixes has also tripled in the past 12 months.
Some of the mixes featured on the platform include Studio K7!’s DJ Kicks archive of mixes, as well as DJ mixes from Honey Dijon, Amorphous, DBN Gogo, DJ Clue, Dām Funk, Funk Flex and more.
Mixes from Boiler Room, Tomorowland, Mixmag, and French livestream platform Cercle are also available.
Meanwhile, Belgium-based DJ and producer Charlotte de Witte launched mixes on the platform in July, including an exclusive residency series, and a new exclusive fitness specific series
“Apple Music is the first platform that offers continuous mixes where there’s a fair fee involved for the artists whose tracks are included in the mixes and for the artist making those mixes.”
Charlotte de Witt
Charlotte de Witt said: “Apple Music is the first platform that offers continuous mixes where there’s a fair fee involved for the artists whose tracks are included in the mixes and for the artist making those mixes.
“It’s a step in the right direction where everyone gets treated fairly. I’m beyond excited to have the chance to provide online mixes again.
“There’s a different approach to it compared to playing a peak time set in a club or at a festival. It enables me to, without any limits, offer an insight in my music collection.”
Shazam was acquired by Apple for $400 million in 2018. The platform surpassed 200 million monthly active users worldwide in November 2020.
Apple Music passed the milestone of 60 million subscribers in October 2019.
Last month, Apple acquired Classical Music app Primephonic.Music Business Worldwide
