The purpose of this manifesto is to outline a shared set of beliefs that inform what we’re building at Mixcloud. It is the articulation of our identity and should influence everything we do from product ideas to communication style.
At Mixcloud, we see music discovery as a deeply human and collaborative experience. We believe people get the most out of music when they become part of a community that surrounds it.
While other streaming services have become lonely recommendation machines, surfacing tracks via AI and algorithms, Mixcloud is the place where music lovers come to find their people. It is the digital version of an intimate club space where people bond over tunes, form subcultures and grow communities.
What matters to us isn't fame or inflated play counts, it’s what happens when people connect over music they care about. It’s fans meeting in a live stream, posting track IDs and joining in on the hype. It’s music enthusiasts posting mixes, sharing their taste and finding mutual respect. It’s DJs supporting one another, discussing ideas and collaborating on shows. It’s radio hosts bringing personality, giving context and inspiring listeners to create.
Our communities build real life moments that algorithms can’t measure and we’re here to promote this healthy music ecosystem.
What we stand for:
Human Curation Over Algorithms: Technology can recommend, but only people can truly curate. Every mix is a personal expression of the taste and knowledge of our communities.
Deep engagement: We’re not about faceless numbers and stats, we’ve built a platform that encourages people to listen to the end and interact with what they’re hearing.
Democratizing Creation: Everyone has the potential to create. We help listeners evolve into creators, providing tools and a supportive place for self-expression.
The anti-commodification of music: Music is being commodified by mainstream streaming platforms. Our curators play real tunes created by real artists, and we pay those artists when played.
Communities are the lifeblood of Mixcloud. Each one represents a microcosm of shared values, musical exploration, and mutual recognition. What helps communities thrive:
Seamless communication: A space where networks can form without barriers.
A sense of identity: The feeling of belonging to a group of like-minded creatives and the status it provides.
Creators as collaborators: The inspiration that comes from sharing ideas and supporting one another.
Subcultures over mainstream: What happens in the margins, where authenticity counts for more than fame.
We celebrate subcultural communities that are overlooked by mainstream streaming services by:
Spotlighting scenes: Celebrating the creativity and innovation of our communities through curated highlights and on/off platform recognition.
Encouraging Cross-Pollination: Facilitating interactions between communities to spark new ideas and collaborations.
Investing in Community Features: Building tools that enhance communication, recognition, and collaboration within our platform.
As AI increasingly influences the music and technology industries, we bring the human touch. While algorithms may offer convenience, they lack the soul of human curation: an algorithm based on listener behaviour reduces exposure to different sounds and leads to mediocrity.
A curator uses their skill to weave in tunes from different genres that may never have occurred to a listener before. That’s the beauty of human curation and it is the reason why DJs and radio hosts are our heroes.
Our platform is a place where music thrives because of the passion and expertise of our communities.
As life gets faster and content becomes more bite-size, Mixcloud is the place to slow down, listen deeply and enjoy something crafted with care.
Creators come to us to express themselves freely, without the pressures of time and fame. This is where they can mix with people who care about music, share ideas and find inspiration.
The streaming giants are turning music into content and listeners into data. Something vital is getting lost along the way.
In a world where more and more people are left feeling isolated, Mixcloud exists to prove there's a better path: where music is shared by people who care, in a way that connects us.
