Party’s Over! (lol)

If you were wondering why I was rushing to get two albums out by the end of 2025, it’s because I knew the industry would catch up in 2026. That reckoning is happening now.

I saw this update today in my Instagram feed from Spotify for Artists. It’s a victory for artists who’ve been apoplectic about AI encroaching on their turf.

My profile is no longer verified by Spotify. And my listener count went from the hundreds to like 17. So, the enterprise has struck back. Ouch.

I’m smiling as I write this, because if you know me, you know this matters not at all to me. I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I’m super happy to create my own music, learn how to play my songs, and play them on TikTok and the occasional open mic.

I have so much fun with this, no corporation can take away my joy— or worse, try to convince me I’m not an artist.

Remember that scene in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! where all the Whos in Whoville joined hands and sang their hearts out anyway after the Grinch tried to end their holiday?

That’s me. I’m a Who. I’ll keep singing my heart out and writing new songs.

There’s a spectrum for creators who are building catalogs. Some day, this will all settle into normalcy, but until then, I will continue to enjoy my newfound form of creative expression.

Y’all have some fun out there. Regardless of whether you are on the spectrum or not at all.