Streaming is seeing a significant boom in 2026. AI is now a normal part of making music, helping with ideas and collaborations, but still keeping people involved. Platforms are also getting stricter about fake AI content by using tags and fraud checks to keep things real. Because of this, independent artists have a better chance through services that focus on specific music scenes or leverage direct fan data, rather than relying solely on the big platforms’ algorithms.
Tastemakers/ curators Vs. Algorithm
Discovering new music feels more personal now, with real people making playlists and communities sharing hidden gems. Tastemakers and niche playlists help where algorithms can’t. Short videos on TikTok or Reels still get people to listen for the first time, but keeping fans interested takes real connection. Fans want to see quick studio clips, hear voice notes about lyrics, or catch rough demos in stories. Share these often to see more people return, turning casual listeners into real supporters, and it’s all thanks to the shift towards authenticity over the iconography of performers. Fans don’t want to support the ‘overproduced’ or an artist with millions of writing credits for a song. Artists are expected to be transparent and appear real to the fans.
Putting Power Back into Creators’ Hands
After many industry horror stories of artists getting misled out of the money they worked for and the fine print of “360 deals” coming to light, fans have genuinely wanted to support artists directly through platforms like Patreon, Bandcamp, and PLAYY. Music. They want to know that the money they are spending on merchandise, concert tickets, and direct purchases of music is going to the artists they have built rapport with through the means of authentic accessibility of the creative process versus going through intermediate and avoiding the middle man.
On the topic of transparency, PLAYY. Music has proven that 80–85% of all revenue goes directly to artists and songwriters. You can upload music for direct streaming and sales, get clear payments, arrange sync deals, book shows, and talk directly with fans through groups and messages. It removes middlemen and unpredictable algorithms, so artists stay in control. When building real connections with listeners matters more than quick hits, platforms like this help artists grow loyal audiences who stick around.
