Leading independent distributor CD Baby said Spotify's decision to leave distribution reinforced the importance of likeminded content providers, and vowed to help any artists whose music is being removed as a result of the service's retirement.

"The end of Spotify’s Direct Upload business demonstrates the value that distributors like CD Baby contribute to the music ecosystem," said Jon Bahr, vp of creator services. "We’ve made a concerted effort to be the best content provider, allowing our partner platforms such as Spotify to focus their efforts on the listener experience, as well as growing the revenue base for rights holders. CD Baby has recently expanded our Creator Services team to offer more strategic resources to top independent artists. We’re excited to help anyone whose music is being removed from Spotify’s Direct Upload service, and we’re ready to make the most of both past and future releases."