Spotify is leveling up how fans dig up music history, officially acquiring WhoSampled, the popular platform known for breaking down the DNA of songs. The announcement dropped on Wednesday as part of Spotify’s push to enhance song credit features.
While Spotify didn’t reveal how much the deal was worth, a spokesperson confirmed it includes both the WhoSampled team and its extensive database. The London-based platform, launched in 2008, tracks over 1.2 million songs and more than 620,000 samples, covers, and remixes. That database will now be integrated into Spotify’s platform, making it easier for users to explore where their favorite songs came from and who inspired them.
Fans will soon be able to tap into a new feature called SongDNA, which provides background on the samples, covers, and remixes used in tracks directly within the Spotify app. Instead of leaving the app to search the internet, users can now get a breakdown of a song’s origins with just a few taps.
Spotify and WhoSampled go back years. They first partnered in 2016, allowing users to connect their Spotify accounts to WhoSampled’s app for deeper insights into their music libraries.
In a statement, WhoSampled said its platform isn’t going anywhere.
“Through our recent discussions with Spotify, it became clear that we share a strong belief in the power of musical context — and a vision for helping listeners go deeper into the songs they love,” the team wrote. “Spotify has shown a genuine commitment to our mission, and we couldn’t have found a better home for WhoSampled.”
The company also confirmed that users can expect some upgrades. Submission moderation will be faster, display ads will be removed, and the app will soon be available to download and use for free.
