Spotify acquires music database WhoSampled
SpotifySpotify(US:SPOT) TechCrunch·2025-11-19 19:59

Core Insights - Spotify has acquired WhoSampled, a community-run database that tracks sampled music, enhancing its music discovery features [1][2] - The acquisition includes both the WhoSampled team and its database, which contains over 1.2 million songs and nearly 622,000 samples [1] - WhoSampled will maintain its standalone platform and brand post-acquisition, with plans for user-facing improvements [3][4] Company Overview - WhoSampled, launched in 2008 and based in London, provides an extensive database of songs, samples, covers, and remixes [1] - The company had a small team of around 10 employees prior to the acquisition [1] Strategic Implications - The acquisition aligns with Spotify's vision of enhancing musical context and improving user engagement with music [4] - WhoSampled's data will support Spotify's new features, including the upcoming music discovery tool SongDNA [1]