
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Spotify formally elected to cancel all events during the week of the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, including the streaming service’s annual Best New Artist party. Instead, the streaming service will redirect its funds toward nonprofits providing relief to those impacted by the wildfires, including MusiCares and FireAid.
“We’re also joining forces with GoFundMe to support and spotlight fundraisers dedicated to helping members of the artist and music community who’ve been affected by the fires,” said Joe Hadley, Global Head of Music Partnerships & Audience at Spotify.
“In addition to these donations, we’re dedicating on-platform promotion and offering pro bono ad inventory to drive awareness of causes supporting the relief and artist and creator support via studio time at our LA office in the Arts District. The summation of these efforts means we are committing a combined total of $5 million. Thanks to all of our partners for your patience as we decided how best to support. We’ve got each other’s backs here in LA. Let’s keep showing up for each other.”
Spotify follows in a long line of major companies and brands within music that have canceled events leading up to the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, including Warner Music Group, Sony Music and BMG. Several high-profile acts like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez have also donated toward relief efforts.