The Accidental Revolutionaries: Meet the Two Fans Who Sparked the “Death to Spotify” Talks

The leaders of the burgeoning global movement against Spotify are not rock stars or industry moguls. They are Stephanie Dukich, a police complaint investigator, and Manasa Karthikeyan, an art gallery worker from Oakland, California. Their story is a powerful testament to how passionate consumers, armed with conviction and a community space, can spark a revolution.
Dukich and Karthikeyan are self-described fans who are “really into sound.” Their journey into activism began in a local library reading group focused on digital media. After reading critiques of the streaming industry and seeing artists boycott Spotify over ethical concerns, they felt a need to move the conversation from theory to practice. “Spotify is enmeshed in how we engage with music,” Dukich said, identifying a shared cultural habit that needed to be examined.
Their approach was deliberately inclusive and educational. Instead of a protest, they organized a series of talks at Bathers library, bringing in voices from indie radio, labels, and DJ collectives. The goal wasn’t just to complain, but to “learn how to do that together”—to collectively figure out the practical steps of decoupling from a system they found exploitative.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. The talks sold out, and messages poured in from around the world from people eager to replicate their model. Dukich and Karthikeyan had tapped into a wellspring of global discontent, proving that the desire for a more ethical music culture was widespread. Their success shows that leadership in a modern movement doesn’t require fame, only a clear vision and the ability to bring people together.
Ultimately, their story redefines what an activist looks like. They are a powerful reminder that the most profound changes often start with ordinary people asking critical questions about the everyday technologies that shape their lives and deciding to collectively seek out better answers.