I'm confused as to what it is that Apple Music does that Spotify doesnt? You say that Spotify is a middleman but never once comment that Apple Music is also by your own definition a middle man.

Also the title Middle Man has a sort of negative conotation to it. But Spotify/Apple Music is simply a platform that can connect a artist to a listener. But this doesnt make them any more of a middleman then Netflix or the guy at Mcdonalds who cooks your Cheeseburger.