Music Obscurity Score: The Ultimate Guide to Measuring Your Taste’s Rarity
Ever wondered just how unique your music taste really is? Enter the music obscurity score—a metric that ranks how rare your favorite artists and tracks are compared to the mainstream. Whether you’re a die-hard vinyl collector, a DJ hunting underground gems, or just curious where you land on the “hipster scale,” this guide breaks it all down.
We’ll cover:
✔ What a music obscurity score really means
✔ How platforms calculate your score (it’s not just play counts!)
✔ The best tools to check yours (Spotify, Last.fm, and more)
✔ Why your score might be misleading (and how to fix it)
✔ Pro tips to ethically “game” your obscurity rating
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Music Obscurity Score?
A music obscurity score is a number (usually 0-100) that measures how uncommon your listening habits are. Think of it like a credit score for niche music—the higher your number, the more “underground” your taste.
Obscurity vs. Unpopularity: What’s the Difference?
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Obscurity = Rare but potentially high-quality (e.g., underground jazz, local punk).
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Unpopularity = Just low plays (e.g., a bad song with no listeners).
Example: A forgotten 1970s prog-rock masterpiece might have a high obscurity score, while a random SoundCloud remix with 50 plays doesn’t.
How Obscurity Scores Are Calculated (The Hidden Formula)
Want to know what really goes into your Spotify obscurity rating? It’s not magic—it’s math. Platforms track:
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Play counts – Fewer streams = higher obscurity.
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Listener ratios – If only a tiny group plays a song, it’s “rarer.”
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Geographic spread – Local indie scenes score higher than global hits.
Example: A song with under 1,000 plays might get a 90/100, while a viral hit scores 10/100.
Fun fact: Tools like Obscurify update weekly, so your score shifts with trends!
How to Check Your Obscurity Score: Tools Compared
1. Obscurify (Best for Spotify Users)
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How it works: Log in, get your score, see your “most obscure” tracks.
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Limitation: Only uses Spotify data (ignores Bandcamp, vinyl, etc.).
2. Last.fm + Manual Tracking (For Hardcore Nerds)
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Scrobble plays, export data, and calculate rarity in Excel.
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Pro tip: Compare your plays against global averages.
3. DIY Obscurity Score (For the Truly Dedicated)
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Use Spotify’s API or MusicBrainz to pull deep metadata.
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Best for: Musicians checking their own obscurity!
Why Your Obscurity Score Might Be Wrong
1. Platform Bias
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Spotify ignores SoundCloud rappers, Bandcamp punk, and vinyl-only releases.
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Example: A cassette-only noise artist won’t appear on Obscurify.
2. The “Hipster Paradox”
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If too many people chase obscurity, those artists stop being obscure!
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Real case: King Gizzard was “niche” until TikTok made them huge.
3. Geographic Blind Spots
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A local folk singer in Iceland might be obscure globally but mainstream there.
How to Ethically “Game” Your Obscurity Score
Want a higher score without faking it? Try:
✔ Dig into niche genres (e.g., Japanese city pop, Slovakian post-punk).
✔ Follow indie labels (like Sacred Bones or Sub Pop’s deep cuts).
✔ Use MusicMap to find hyper-local scenes.
Warning: Don’t just skip hits—authenticity matters!
Obscure Music Trends in 2024
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Rising genres: Digital hardcore, ambient grindcore, “Deconstructed Club.”
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Tools to explore: RateYourMusic deep dives, NTS Radio playlists.
FAQ: Music Obscurity Scores Explained
“Is a high obscurity score good?”
It depends! If you love discovery, yes. If you just want good music? Ignore the number.
“Why does Obscurify need Spotify permissions?”
To analyze your private streaming data—it doesn’t store it.
“Can I improve my score without listening to bad music?”
Absolutely! Focus on quality obscurity (e.g., hidden gems, not random noise).
Final Verdict: Should You Care About Your Score?
A music obscurity score is a fun metric—but not a badge of honor. Use it to find new music, not judge your taste.
Now go explore! 🎧
