Spotify leadership shakeup as founder, Daniel Ek, exits CEO role

Spotify is undergoing its most dramatic leadership shift since its launch, as founder Daniel Ek announced he will step down as CEO at the start of 2026. After nearly two decades at the helm, Ek will transition into the role of executive chairman, leaving day-to-day leadership to Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, who will serve as co-CEOs.

The move is being described by Spotify insiders as a formalisation of what has allegedly been happening behind the scenes since 2023, with the pair already taking on major strategic and operational control. Still, the timing has fuelled intense speculation online about why Ek is stepping aside now, with many suggesting he wants greater distance from the streaming wars as Spotify faces growing competition from Apple Music, YouTube Music, and TikTok’s rumoured push into the audio market.

Ek, who founded Spotify in 2006 and turned it into a global force with more than 700 million users, insists the transition is natural. In a statement, he said the change “simply matches titles to how we already operate,” adding that he will now focus on long-term strategy, capital allocation, and mentorship. Fans, however, remain divided, with some praising his continued involvement and others warning the shake-up could lead to instability.

Both Söderström and Norström, long-time veterans of the company, said they are ready to lead the next phase of Spotify’s evolution. The pair bring a mix of product, technology, and business expertise, which some see as a balanced approach but others criticise as too corporate for a brand that built its reputation on disruption.

The announcement immediately triggered viral discussion, with posts across Reddit and X joking about Spotify introducing new subscription tiers or adding “CEO ads” between songs. The fallout reflects a wider unease among users who worry that Ek stepping down could signal major shifts in pricing, artist payouts, or even the platform’s survival in its current form.

Whether this new leadership duo will drive Spotify into a new golden age or preside over a slow decline remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Daniel Ek stepping aside marks the end of an era.