DEVELOPING: Spotify's Daniel Ek Abruptly Steps Down as CEO Amid Shocking Leadership Shake-Up

Breaking News: Spotify's Daniel Ek Abruptly Steps Down as CEO Amid Leadership Shake-Up Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek will step down as CEO on January 1, 2026, marking a sudden and unexpected leadership change at the music streaming giant. Ek will remain with the company in a new role as executive chairman. In a surprise move, Ek has announced that he will transition out of the top spot, paving the way for Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström to take on co-CEO roles. This development solidifies Spotify's new leadership structure, with Söderström and Norström having already served as co-Presidents since 2023. Ek has been the public face of Spotify since its inception, guiding the company through rapid growth into the world's largest music streaming service. With over 700 million users, Spotify has revolutionized the way people listen to music worldwide. The company will continue to operate under the new leadership structure, with Söderström and Norström at the helm as co-CEOs. Ek's departure marks a significant shift in the company's leadership, but his continued involvement as executive chairman suggests a smooth transition is expected. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*