Spotify has come up with a new and creative way for listeners to Cash App their favorite artists due to the COVID-19 crisis! During this quarantine, it has been difficult for artists to stay afloat, due to not being able to perform or having to cancel and postpone tours. Spotify’s new feature, Artist Fundraising Pick, allows artists to raise money on their artist profiles.

Not only is Spotify teaming up with Cash App, but PayPal and GoFundMe have also decided to be part of the cause during this pandemic. Spotify has also made contributions to MusiCares. Artists are able to choose what the money raised on their profile will be used for, including themselves, their crew, different organizations, and more participating in the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief Project. 

Some artists may have seen this coming, or thought of this idea themselves, last month, including Skyler Acord of Issues. Skyler tweeted, “U bet ur ass @Spotify and @AppleMusic is still making their money while the rest of the industry starves. They should up the per play pay until this shit is over considering their whole business is built on our product.” Not the most delicately put, but the message still stands. 

Some well known artists are campaigning for other artists or charities to help more than one artist. After joining the donation program, users can see the option to donate on an artist’s profile. Cash App has been generous in setting up a $1 million relief effort for artists. In order for it to work, users can then submit their “$cashtage” username as their Artist Fundraising Pick. The artist will then receive an additional $100 to their account from Cash App until the collective total has been used. 

In addition to Spotify being gracious to artists, Apple has also established a $50 million advance royalty fund to help indie labels earlier this month. Overall, the music industry is taking a devastating hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, though more and more companies are finding ways to let artists stabilize and continue to grow in creative communities. 

For more information about Spotify’s Artist Funding Pick, read here!