This new music startup wants to be the Spotify alternative for independent artists

Streaming transformed listening habits, but it hasn’t transformed artist paychecks. Less than 7 percent of artists on Spotify earn a sustainable income from their songs, and that’s before splitting with labels and collaborators. 

Independent musicians in Africa especially still earn fractions of a cent per stream. No wonder creators are Googling Spotify alternatives and asking, “Is there a Spotify for independent artists that pays fairly?”

Meet Chune.xyz, a blockchain music discovery platform preparing to launch on the Ethereum mainnet after six months of battle-testing their concept on Sepolia.

Chune’s mission is simple: become the most artist-friendly Spotify alternative by turning songs into digital collectibles that fans can own, trade, and share in future royalties.

Why does Africa need a new Spotify alternative?

Low payouts: Only the top 1 % of artists see meaningful income from traditional streaming.

Massive supply: Over 70,000 tracks hit Spotify every day, burying emerging voices.

Limited fan engagement: Listeners can “like” and “follow,” but they can’t invest in the music they love.

Independent artists need a platform that lets them monetize early and fans need a way to participate directly.

That gap is exactly where Chune steps in.

How Chune Reinvents “Spotify for Independent Artists”

1. Pre-Release Music As Digital Tokens On The Blockchain: Instead of waiting months for pennies from DSPs, artists mint limited song editions on Chune. Each token can unlock early listening, exclusive artwork, or even a percentage of future streaming revenue.

2. Day-One Fan Ownership: Collectors purchase these digital songs  via a simple checkout, instantly recorded on-chain. Their token proves they backed the track first and could appreciate in value as the song gains traction.

3. Built-In Royalty Splits: Chune’s smart contracts automate splits for producers, co-writers, and session players. No middlemen, no paperwork, just transparent, on-chain payouts everyone can see.

4. Positive Feedback Loop: Because fans hold a stake, they’re incentivized to promote the music they own.

Viral growth benefits both creators and collectors, something legacy Spotify alternatives rarely achieve.

Chune ran 15 pilot drops on the sepolia testnet environment, selling 1,000+ tokenized songs to beta users in days.

One demo release sold out in under 12 hours, proving real demand for a fairer model.

Armed with that data, Chune.xyz is flipping the switch to Ethereum mainnet in just a few days.

With plans to launch with a curated roster of rising African talents exploring new sounds.

Over time, we’ll open permissionless uploads so any independent artist can tap Chune’s infrastructure without gatekeepers.

Why Africa and Why Now?

Afrobeats, Amapiano, and 3 Step Afro-house dominate global charts, but less than 1 % of that revenue reaches emerging African artists. “Global platforms optimize for blockbuster names,” says co-founder Emmanuella Adike.

“Chune exists so the next Burna, Tems, or Tyla can fund their careers before a major record label calls.”

Revenue Model and Future Plans

Chune charges a fee on primary song sales and also on resales, but this is far below typical label cuts.

Upcoming features include premium analytics, brand-sponsored drops, and VIP memberships for super-fans.

Chune gives artists fair pay today and turns dedicated listeners into day-one investors. If you’re an indie creator tired of sub-penny streams or a fan hunting for tomorrow’s superstar, join the Chune community now.

Artists & Listeners: Sign up at Chune.xyz to get early access, exclusive drops, and the chance to own a piece of the music you love.

Follow on X @chune_xyz or LinkedIn for more.