Spotify is deepening its commitment to music discovery by acquiring WhoSampled, the community-driven database that maps the DNA of songs through samples, covers, and remixes. Announced Wednesday alongside new song credits features, the deal brings both the WhoSampled team and its extensive database into Spotify.
Founded in London in 2008, WhoSampled has grown into a go-to resource for music fans, producers, and curious listeners who want to understand how tracks are connected. According to its site, the platform now catalogs more than 1.2 million songs and nearly 622,000 samples, offering a rich context behind the music we hear every day. That catalog is set to power Spotify’s newest tools, including the upcoming SongDNA feature designed to help listeners explore the stories and influences behind the songs they love.
The two companies aren’t strangers. Back in 2016, WhoSampled integrated Spotify so users could explore samples and connections from their own playlists and saved tracks. Now, as part of Spotify’s ecosystem, WhoSampled says it will continue to operate as a standalone platform and brand while delivering noticeable improvements for users.
What’s changing for WhoSampled users? The company plans to speed up moderation times for community submissions, remove display ads in the weeks ahead, and make its mobile apps free to download with free subscriptions. The team behind the site emphasized a shared belief with Spotify in the power of musical context and a joint mission to help listeners go deeper.
For artists, producers, and avid listeners, this acquisition signals a future where song credits and source material are easier to find, easier to understand, and more central to music discovery. By weaving WhoSampled’s meticulous database into Spotify’s features, the streaming service is betting that deeper context makes for more meaningful listening.
