The Next Era of Music Analytics
with Rio Caraeff, Co-President, Musixmatch (Former Vevo CEO)
Written by: Sarah Fleshner
The music industry has always been driven by creativity—but increasingly, data is changing the way artists, songwriters, labels, and managers make decisions. On the latest episode of the Business Side of Music podcast, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with Rio Kareff, co-president of Musixmatch, to explore how AI, lyrics, and music analytics are reshaping the industry.
With over 30 years in music and tech, Rio has been at nearly every major digital inflection point—from building the first websites for Michael Jackson and The Beatles in the early ’90s, to selling the first major-label song online, Duran Duran’s Electric Barbarella, in 1997. He also helped create the modern subscription music framework that powers streaming for hundreds of millions of users today.
Musixmatch: Empowering Creators Through Lyrics
Musixmatch started with a mission to tame the “Wild West” of online lyrics. Before the company, lyrics were scattered across the web with no structured licensing, no revenue for songwriters, and little control for rights owners. Today, Musixmatch has partnerships with over 230,000 rights owners and offers millions of lyrics fully aligned with recordings.
Rio explains:
“Lyrics are the visible part of the iceberg, but they expose the depth underneath. We empower artists, publishers, and labels with tools to gain insights, distribute content, and get paid.”
With the launch of Music Lens, Musixmatch is taking analytics even further. The AI-powered platform allows creators and industry professionals to:
Analyze trends in lyrics and music across time and geography
Identify opportunities for sync licensing and commercial placements
Forecast royalties and predict which songs are likely to succeed
Generate lyric videos and visual content powered by AI
Essentially, Music Lens acts as a co-pilot for creators, giving them unprecedented insight into their own catalog and the music ecosystem as a whole.
Ethics and Transparency in Music AI
One of Musixmatch’s core philosophies is ethical licensing. Rio emphasizes that the company always asks permission from rights holders, rather than relying on “ask forgiveness later” approaches. In 15 years, Musixmatch has never faced a legal claim from a rights owner—a testament to its commitment to transparency and artist control.
“We’re building tools that amplify human creativity, not replace it. Artists are always right in deciding how their work is used,” Rio says.
Why This Matters for the Music Industry
AI in music isn’t the first major disruption the industry has faced, and it won’t be the last. From predictive analytics to deeper insights into culture, lyrics, and fan engagement, the combination of data and AI is giving artists, labels, and managers tools to make smarter decisions, faster.
Rio also points out that platforms like Music Lens can uncover hidden opportunities, help manage risk, and give creators agency and control over their work, whether it’s translating lyrics for a global release or deciding how their music is used in media.
Key Takeaways for Creators and Industry Professionals
Data is power: Understanding your catalog and its audience can unlock new opportunities.
AI is a tool, not a replacement: Use technology to amplify creativity, not replace it.
Transparency matters: Ethical licensing builds trust and long-term relationships.
Stay curious: The music industry changes fast; adaptability is essential for long-term success.
For anyone in the music business—whether you’re an independent artist, a label executive, or a songwriter—this episode offers a rare look at the future of music analytics and how tools like Musixmatch are helping creators thrive in a data-driven world.
🎵 Bonus: Use code BSOM15 for 15% off Musixmatch Pro and start exploring your music insights today!
