Spotify Removes 500,000 Streams from Malcolm Todd's 'Earrings' Amid Kalshi Fraud Allegations

Spotify has removed approximately 500,000 streams from Malcolm Todd's hit song 'Earrings' following allegations of stream manipulation tied to the prediction market Kalshi. The removal occurred just days after the song reached the top of Spotify's daily U.S. chart, highlighting the potential for fraud in the music streaming industry.

Details of the Stream Manipulation Incident

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Spotify's actions were in response to a significant surge in streams that appeared to be linked to betting activities on Kalshi. A Spotify representative stated, “All streaming services face ever-changing stream manipulation. Spotify has best in class detection and mitigation practices for manipulated streams, and we don’t pay out associated royalties.”

On Sunday, 'Earrings' ranked at Number Four on the daily chart, and by Monday, it had climbed to Number One. This jump represented a remarkable 70 percent increase in streams. 'Earrings' has maintained a presence within the top 5 of the U.S. chart for several weeks, making it a target for manipulators.

Spotify's Response and Future Measures

In light of these events, Spotify is implementing additional checks before publishing their charts. The company has also requested both Kalshi and Polymarket to remove their logos from their websites, emphasizing that there has never been a partnership with either platform.

A representative from Kalshi stated, “We’re in touch with Spotify and are actively investigating this matter.” This incident raises concerns about the integrity of music charts as prediction markets increasingly influence entertainment outcomes.

The Broader Implications for the Music Industry

This situation reflects a growing trend where prediction markets are becoming intertwined with the music industry. Kalshi currently lists numerous props based on chart outcomes from both Spotify and Billboard. This evolution has prompted concerns about the potential for broader manipulation across the industry.

As manipulation attempts have persisted for years, the introduction of betting markets may further incentivize such activities. Earlier this year, a MrBeast editor faced accusations of insider trading related to Kalshi's activities, highlighting the ongoing issues within prediction markets and their influence on various sectors, including entertainment.

• Spotify removed 500,000 streams from 'Earrings'
• Song hit Number One after a 70 percent increase
• Kalshi and Polymarket logos requested to be removed by Spotify