Spotify’s personalised AI DJ now available to premium users in Nigeria

Spotify is finally bringing its artificial intelligence-powered personalized music feature ‘DJ’ to Nigeria and other regions around the world, marking a huge expansion six months after its first introduction in North America.

The AI-powered DJ recommends personalized music to listeners, supplemented with spoken-word commentary delivered via a synthetic voice. This feature is accessible via the Spotify mobile app’s “music” feed area. It includes lighthearted interactions as well as contextual observations, citing specific songs and artists that users have previously loved.

The company revealed this in a blog post. According to the post;

DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well it can choose what to play for you. DJ provides a new and different way for fans and artists to connect. 

Essentially, this AI-powered DJ functions similarly to a radio program host, choosing content to appeal to each listener individually. The initial voice model for DJ is based on Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. Now, listeners in select markets around the world will have the option to hear commentary in English and get recommendations from their personal DJ. 

The statement further said:

“At its core, DJ is all about connection and discovery. DJ’s powerful combination of our personalization technology, generative AI in the hands of our music experts, and a dynamic AI voice makes it possible for listening to feel even more personal, and fans keep coming back for more.“

The DJ feature was first introduced in the United States and Canada in February, and it swiftly spread to the United Kingdom and Ireland three months later. Although it is still in beta, Spotify is now expanding access to premium subscribers in about 50 markets.

This includes Nigeria, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Pakistan, Singapore, and South Africa. The AI DJ experience is currently only available in English in the newly added markets.

Read Also: Spotify launches new Afrobeat platform to showcase the genre’s evolution

How to access the Spotify AI feature as a Nigerian premium user

In Nigeria, as long as you’re a Spotify Premium user and located in a market where DJ is accessible, discovering your very own personalized DJ experience is easy. All you need to do is open the Spotify mobile app on your iOS/iPhone or Android device.

Once you’re in, head over to the Home section and tap on the Music feed. You can also find the DJ feature in the Made for You hub within the Search tab. The DJ AI feature automatically curates song mixes that are tailored specifically to your tastes, complete with concise English-language commentary about the songs and artists.

Benefits

• Increased User Retention and Engagement: Personalized music mixes keep users engaged for longer periods, reducing churn rates. Users are more likely to stick around when they consistently find enjoyable content catered to their preferences.
• Discovery and Exploration: AI music mixes can introduce users to new artists, genres, and songs they might not have encountered otherwise. This feature encourages music discovery and exploration, enhancing the user’s overall music experience.
• Time-Saving: Users often spend a lot of time curating playlists or searching for suitable music. AI-generated mixes save time by instantly providing content that matches the user’s mood or activity.
• Enhanced Mood and Atmosphere: AI can curate music to match specific moods, occasions, or settings, creating an immersive atmosphere for users. This is particularly useful for activities like workouts, studying, relaxation, and parties (owambe).
• Dynamic Playlists: AI music mixes can adapt in real-time based on a user’s interactions, creating dynamic playlists that respond to the user’s feedback and evolving preferences.
• Cross-Promotion and Discovery: Streaming platforms can promote lesser-known artists or songs by incorporating them into users’ personalized mixes. This helps emerging artists gain exposure and diversifies the music catalog.
• Data-Driven Insights: AI algorithms can analyze user behavior and preferences, providing valuable insights to the streaming platform. This data can inform content recommendations, marketing strategies, and even negotiations with record labels.
• Competitive Edge: Offering an advanced AI music mix feature can differentiate a streaming platform from competitors, attracting new users and retaining existing ones.

It’s important to note that DJ is currently in its beta phase, which means Spotify will continuously refine and enhance the experience.