I'm not saying you can't be successful in the music industry

In the annals of human history, there has always been a struggle between scarcity and abundance. Daniel Ek’s words, “I’m not saying you can’t be successful in the music industry without Spotify. But when I look at the future of music, I don’t think scarcity is the model anymore. We have to embrace ubiquity – that music is everywhere,” speak to a profound shift in the way we perceive the world around us. This quote reflects the spirit of an age in which ubiquity, not scarcity, is the driving force. Gone are the days when access to art, knowledge, and culture was limited to the privileged few. Today, music is no longer bound by walls, borders, or exclusivity; it flows freely, like air, into every corner of our lives.

For centuries, artists, musicians, and thinkers have struggled to make their voices heard, often constrained by geography, wealth, or opportunity. In the past, one had to seek out music from exclusive concert halls, private performances, or expensive records, as if the melody itself were locked away in a vault. Scarcity ruled the realm of culture, and those who had access were considered fortunate. Yet, Ek’s insight taps into the current moment—a moment of transformation in which technology has rendered those walls obsolete. With the rise of streaming platforms, music has become like the very air we breathe. It is present everywhere, accessible to anyone, at any time, in every place.

Consider the story of the great composers—from Beethoven to Mozart. Their work was limited by the technology of their time. Their compositions were painstakingly written on paper and performed by a handful of musicians in concert halls. The masses could not easily partake in their genius. However, with the advent of the printing press and later phonograph records, their music began to reach wider audiences. The shift from scarcity to abundance had begun, but it was still a far cry from the all-encompassing ubiquity of modern music streaming.

Today, the power of platforms like Spotify has taken this shift to its zenith. It allows an artist from a small village to be heard in every corner of the globe, and the music listener can find the perfect soundtrack for any moment of their day, whether in the midst of a commute or while at the gym. This democratization of music is more than just a technological advancement—it is a revolution. In this world, where music is everywhere, artists must understand that scarcity is no longer a sustainable model. Success in the modern age comes from the ability to be heard, not just by the few, but by all who seek to listen.

The lesson to be drawn here is not simply about the future of music, but about the future of all human expression. The tools that once restricted us are being transformed, and those who embrace the change will be the ones who thrive. Ubiquity, as Ek suggests, is not just a trend—it is the way forward. We must adapt our minds and actions to this new reality, where we must find ways to make our work universal, accessible, and easily shared. Like the music that plays in every room, our ideas must be as present as the very air we breathe.

In our personal lives, we should embrace the idea of ubiquity. Seek to spread your influence, share your gifts freely, and trust that the world has the capacity to receive them. Whether you are a musician, an artist, a teacher, or a thinker, the future will not be shaped by scarcity but by the abundance of what we all contribute to the collective human experience. Let us all find our place in this vast, interconnected world, where our voices can rise as one, heard by many.

In this great age of ubiquity, remember that it is not enough to create. One must also share—and in sharing, become part of the symphony of life. Music is everywhere; let your own creations be as boundless as the sound that fills the world.