Spotify has acquired WhoSampled, the world’s leading database for samples, remixes, and cover versions. The move signals Spotify’s push toward richer and more context-driven music discovery.
The acquisition became official on November 19, 2025. WhoSampled confirmed the news in a message to its community. The platform said it had joined the “Spotify family” and called the moment an exciting new chapter.
Despite the new ownership, WhoSampled assured users that it will continue to operate independently. The platform will still rely on its global contributor network. Both companies share a belief in the power of musical context, which remains central to the database’s mission.
Spotify plans to use the acquisition to launch a new feature called SongDNA. The tool will help users explore deep song connections. It will pull data from WhoSampled’s archive and show samples, covers, collaborators, and a track’s full musical lineage. The integration also supports Spotify’s expanded song credits, which highlight producers, engineers, and session musicians.
WhoSampled began in 2008 and now stands as the most complete resource of its kind. It documents more than 1.2 million songs, over 622,000 samples, and more than 460,000 covers.
Alongside the acquisition, WhoSampled announced several upgrades for users. The iOS app is now free to download. In-app subscriptions on iOS and Android are being removed. The platform will also become ad-free soon. With Spotify’s support, moderation for submissions should improve.
Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. Still, the acquisition shows Spotify’s strategy to move beyond playlists and algorithms. The company aims to become a platform where listeners learn more about the music they love.
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