Spotify, the global music streaming giant, has taken another leap forward in deploying personalized music experiences with its latest feature, Spotify DJ. This innovative addition uses artificial intelligence to curate customized playlists and provide engaging commentary and music insights, similar to the dynamic human DJs or radio personalities we’ve enjoyed on FM and satellite radio for years.
Following its debut in February 2023, it began to be released in Beta versions. Due to its beta status, it was limited to Premium members in the United States and Canada and only in English.
It was also only available on Android and iOS smartphones. DJ on a desktop necessitates casting from your mobile device to the PC online.
That, however, is no longer the case. The majority of these limitations have since been abolished. As a direct feature from Spotify, you can now listen to DJ on your computer or over the web.
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How does Spotify DJ Work?
Spotify DJ combines three key technologies to create a personalized playlist with lifelike commentary. The process starts with Spotify’s personalization prowess, tapping into the wealth of data it gathers from your listening patterns to suggest music, craft mixes, and compile your Wrapped insights.
This same capability seamlessly translates into DJ’s domain. Then, a generative AI crafts the DJ’s words, enriched by insights from music editors who contribute trivia about the songs, artists, and genres.
An ingenious AI voice technology steps into the spotlight to add the final layer of authenticity. Born from the expertise of Sonantic, a company warmly embraced by Spotify in 2022, this technology metamorphoses carefully scripted text into spoken words that resemble human articulation.
It’s worth noting that the vocal identity of this AI closely mirrors that of Xavier “X” Jernigan, Spotify’s esteemed Head of Cultural Partnerships, adding a distinctly personal touch to the experience. Through this remarkable fusion of technology and human-like expression, Spotify DJ crafts playlists that intertwine the freshest musical discoveries with your individual listening preferences and historical musical journey.
How to get Spotify DJ
To access Spotify’s AI DJ, you’ll first need to become a Premium subscriber, which costs $9.99 monthly for a single account. You can subscribe through Spotify’s official website.
Before proceeding, ensure your Spotify app, whether on desktop or mobile, is up to date. You can check for updates by searching for the app in your respective app store or by clicking on your profile picture and selecting ‘Update Spotify Now’ for the desktop version.
- Open Spotify on your preferred device and ensure you’re on the Home screen.
- Navigate to the ‘Music’ tab, located prominently at the top of your device’s screen.
- On this screen, you’ll notice a prominent blue box featuring a lively green circular icon and a friendly greeting. This is your entry point to the DJ experience.
- To start your DJ journey, tap the Play button on the DJ card.
If you prefer to save this feature for later, tap the Plus sign to the left of the box. This action adds the DJ feature to Your Library for easy access anytime.
How to find Spotify DJ if it’s not Showing Up
If you can’t find the DJ feature on your device, several factors could be at play, such as your device type, your app’s version, and whether the feature is available in your country or with your subscription.
Spotify DJ is typically located in the Music feed on your Home screen. If it’s not there, you can try a few troubleshooting steps through Spotify support:
- First, ensure your Spotify account is up to date. You can do this by searching for the app in your app store or within Spotify, right under your profile picture if you’re on a desktop. Check for the latest version.
- Make sure you have a Spotify Premium subscription. The AI DJ feature is exclusively available to Premium subscribers.
- It’s worth noting that the availability of the AI DJ feature may vary by region. It’s accessible in select markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Confirm that the AI DJ feature is enabled in your account settings. Navigate to the “Playback” section and ensure the “AI DJ” option is toggled on.
- If you’re still facing issues, try logging out of your Spotify account and then logging back in. This can help refresh your account settings and grant access to new features.
How to Use Spotify DJ
To make the most of Spotify AI DJ, follow these simple steps:
- Open Spotify and head to the Music Feed tab located on the Home screen.
- From there, you have two options: press the Play button to start the experience immediately or click the Plus icon to save the feature to your Music Library for later enjoyment.
- After a brief introduction, the feature will curate music for you based on several themes, including:
- “From Your Past”: Rediscover songs you may not have heard in a while or that hold nostalgic value.
- “New Releases”: Stay updated with the latest music drops.
- “Based on Recent Listening”: Enjoy tracks and genres inspired by your recent listening history.
- “Recommended for You” and “Editor’s Picks”: Get personalized recommendations and editor-curated selections.
- If you ever want to change the theme, tap the circular blue icon at the bottom left of your screen. This will prompt the DJ to select new music based on your preference.
The more you interact with the DJ by indicating your likes and dislikes, the better it becomes at tailoring recommendations to your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spotify DJ has made its way to the desktop. But to access this feature, it’s essential to ensure your Spotify application is up to date. You should update or reinstall the app to enable this feature. Alternatively, you can use Spotify Connect to cast Spotify DJ from your phone.
The AI, referred to simply as “DJ” by Spotify, is based on the voice of a real individual, Xavier “X” Jernigan. He is the dynamic Head of Cultural Partnerships at Spotify, adding a touch of his charismatic persona to the AI experience.
Yes. Exclusive to premium subscription members, Spotify DJ offers algorithmically driven music recommendations akin to typical music streaming platforms. The distinctive feature here is the addition of AI-generated DJ commentary accompanying your listening experience.
Conclusion
Spotify’s foray into AI DJing has added an exciting layer to the music streaming experience. Through a fusion of personalization, generative AI, and the distinctive voice of Xavier “X” Jernigan, Spotify DJ brings personalized playlists, peppered with commentary that feels remarkably human. As the DJ feature gets better, it will make music streaming more fun and tailored to your taste.
