Spotify Adds Genius Video Series For Fans

Spotify announced Friday that it is partnering with Genius to bring two of the lyrics platform’s most popular video series directly to its app, marking the first time users can stream full episodes of the shows without leaving Spotify.

The partnership brings “Open Mic,” Genius’ live performance series, and “Verified,” its artist-led lyric breakdown show, to Spotify’s video offerings. Both series launched in 2016 and have collectively drawn more than 3.7 billion views across platforms, according to the companies. Spotify users can now access full episodes through the shows’ dedicated pages on the app.

“Open Mic” features stripped-back performances from established and emerging artists. The first new episode under the partnership showcases Grammy-winning rapper Rapsody performing “Pick A Side” from her album “God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops.” New installments will drop every Thursday at 11 a.m. ET, and Spotify users will also gain access to a library of archival episodes featuring artists including Bebe Rexha, Rod Wave and Teddy Swims.

“Verified,” meanwhile, gives musicians a format to walk through the meaning behind their lyrics and creative choices. The series debuted with Mac Miller, Zara Larsson and 21 Savage, and has since featured artists such as Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Lorde, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Phoebe Bridgers. New episodes will air Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. ET, with this week’s installment centered on artist Magnus Ferrell discussing his song “Asleep Talking.” Spotify said the expansion follows an earlier, smaller rollout of “Verified” content on the platform that the company described as successful, prompting the fuller integration announced this week.

The move reflects a broader push among streaming services to fold video content into what have historically been audio-first platforms. Spotify has steadily expanded its video capabilities in recent years, adding podcast video, music videos and now licensed third-party series as it competes for listener attention against video-centric platforms like YouTube, which has long dominated music discovery and lyric-focused content online.

For Genius, the deal extends the reach of its signature programming beyond its own website and YouTube channel, placing its content inside a service with hundreds of millions of monthly active users. Genius has built its brand around annotated lyrics and artist interviews, and video series like “Verified” have become a way for the company to translate that text-based expertise into video formats favored by younger audiences who increasingly discover music through short clips and behind-the-scenes storytelling rather than liner notes alone.

Industry analysts have noted that partnerships pairing streaming giants with niche content creators can serve dual purposes: giving platforms exclusive or first-look programming that keeps users engaged longer, while giving smaller media companies access to distribution scale they could not achieve alone. The music industry in particular has leaned into this model as labels and artists look for ways to deepen fan engagement beyond simple playback, using behind-the-scenes content, lyric explainers and live performances to build loyalty in a crowded streaming marketplace.

Spotify did not disclose financial terms of the arrangement or say how long the partnership would run. The company said additional archival and new episodes of both series would continue rolling out on their respective show pages within the app.

The announcement, first detailed on Spotify’s newsroom, comes as the company continues to build out its video strategy alongside other recent content partnerships.