Spotify pays a lot more than radio plays, and radio plays reach a lot more people. From this POV, artists aren't that hard done by. Spotify plays a lot less pe

Spotify pays a lot more than radio plays, and radio plays reach a lot more people. From this POV, artists aren't that hard done by. Spotify plays a lot less per play, on average, than most albums sold. From this POV, artists are pretty hard done by. If you're a fan, buy the album (i.e. pay even for the music you don't like as much). If you only listen to the music ambiently, stream and don't feel too guilty about it.