Spotify is currently developing a new feature internally codenamed “SongDNA,” designed to provide users with a deep dive into the creative teams behind their favorite tracks. The tool aims to highlight the writers, producers, vocalists, sound engineers, and composers who drive music production, effectively pulling back the curtain on the industry’s behind-the-scenes talent.
Spotify is working on SongDNA, a new way for discovering the artists and crew behind each song pic.twitter.com/lweCwI9Ijp
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 11, 2025
How SongDNA Works
The feature was first identified within the Spotify app’s code by reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong. Her findings suggest a highly visual interface where users can navigate through intricate credit lists. By clicking on specific contributors, listeners could potentially map out professional connections and explore the wider discography of those individuals, effectively tracing the “DNA” of a song’s creation.
For example, researchers observed that the tool could link artists like Rei Ami to various projects beyond her most well-known tracks, showcasing her vocal contributions across different albums.
Competitive Landscape and Industry Impact
If Spotify officially rolls out SongDNA, it would likely compete directly with TIDAL’s interactive credits. This addition serves two primary audiences: casual listeners curious about the creative process and music industry professionals seeking to identify potential collaborators.
Despite initial excitement, recent updates to the Spotify app suggest the company may have temporarily hidden or removed these code references. When approached for comment, Spotify declined to provide specific details regarding the project, though they did not issue a formal denial of its existence.
Collaborative Verification
Following Wong’s initial report, technologist and reverse engineer Chris Messina confirmed the presence of SongDNA within the application’s architecture. Messina noted that the code specifically points to a network-based discovery tool, allowing users to trace the professional relationships between different contributors in a more interconnected way.
Distinction from Pandora’s Music Genome
While some analysts initially drew comparisons between SongDNA and Pandora’s long-standing Music Genome Project, the two serve distinct purposes. Pandora’s system focuses on the technical characteristics and “traits” of the audio itself to categorize music. In contrast, SongDNA appears strictly focused on the human element—the people responsible for the music, rather than the sonic qualities of the tracks themselves.