Spotify’s Dustee Jenkins Highlights Platform’s Impact on India’s Music Industry Growth in Mumbai
Dustee Jenkins went to Mumbai to talk about how Spotify is making a big difference for Indian musicians. Since Spotify started in India in 2019, it’s helped artists get their music heard not just in India but all over the world. The article shares some cool facts from Spotify’s 2025 Loud & Clear report.
For example, between 2019 and 2023, streams of Indian music on Spotify jumped by over 2,000% outside India. That means people in places like the US, UK, or Dubai are listening to Indian songs whether it’s Bollywood hits, Punjabi pop, or indie tracks. In 2024, Indian artists were discovered 11 billion times by new listeners globally. Arijit Singh, for instance, is now the most-followed artist on Spotify worldwide, with over 144 million followers as of May 5, 2025. That’s huge!
While in Mumbai, Jenkins attended a big event called the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), organized by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was a four-day gathering with important people from the media and entertainment world. Jenkins met with India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. They talked about how Spotify is helping Indian music and culture reach global audiences. They also discussed how the government can support the music industry with good policies. The ministers were impressed with Spotify’s work and excited to keep working together.
Jenkins didn’t just meet officials—she also hung out with Indian artists and creators. She threw a party where big names like Armaan Malik, Badshah, Shaan, and Salim-Sulaiman showed up, along with new talents like Mali, who was Spotify’s first RADAR artist from India. She also met legends like Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, and Dr. L. Subramaniam. They shared stories about how Indian music has changed since the 1990s. Jenkins even spent time with podcasters like Naina Bhan and Sakshi Shivdasani, showing that Spotify is also big on podcasts in India, especially ones about mythology or true crime.
One key moment was Jenkins’ speech at an event for the U.S. India Business Council. She explained how Spotify’s tools, like RADAR for new artists and EQUAL for women in music, help Indian musicians find fans worldwide. Spotify for Artists, a tool that shows artists who’s listening to their music, helps them plan better like picking songs for concerts in different cities. Jenkins also hosted a dinner to talk about supporting women in music, which she cares a lot about.
The article mentions a challenge, too. India’s government is thinking about rules that would treat music streaming apps like Spotify the same as video streaming apps, like Netflix. Jenkins said this could make things harder for artists by raising costs and limiting creativity. She hopes the government will make rules that fit music streaming better, since Spotify has already helped reduce piracy and pay artists more. She also praised the government’s Rs 1,000 crore Creator Fund, which supports creators, but stressed that smart policies are key.
Jenkins’ visit shows how much Spotify believes in India’s music scene. She said the local team is working hard to help Indian artists shine both at home and abroad. In 2024, almost half the money Indian artists earned on Spotify came from international fans, up from 40% the year before. This extra cash helps artists keep making music and try new styles, like Tamil indie or Punjabi rap.
In short, this news is about Spotify’s big role in putting Indian music on the world map. Jenkins’ Mumbai trip was all about meeting artists, policymakers, and creators to celebrate India’s music and plan for its future. It’s a story of how a music app is helping Indian songs travel far, connecting people through the power of music.