Top musicians are taking their music off Spotify and leaving the platform behind – but why? 

Kiwi musicians like Tiki Taane and The Bats have joined overseas acts like Deerhoof and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard in boycotting the platform, accusing it of exploitation, poor royalties, and subsidising big international acts. 

As it stands, each stream earns an artist around one-twentieth of a New Zealand cent. 

Tech commentator Paul Spain told Mike Hosking artists are making a fair point, as Spotify has been increasing their prices, but not artist payouts. 

LISTEN ABOVE