Tag: A Gay in the Life

Pride Month Kicks Off on Spotify With Custom Podcasts, Playlists, Passion, and Purpose

June 1, 2022

Raise Your Voice pride logo on yellow background

Representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in audio continues to increase and improve. Stories once considered taboo now play out in podcasts around the world, and LGBTQIA+ musicians continue to light up listeners’ playlists. However, this progress is not universal, and many queer stories still go untold around the world. 

Pride Month, which kicks off in select markets in June, is an annual opportunity to shine a light on those untold stories and increase knowledge of the issues LGBTQIA+ communities still face globally. On Spotify, we aim to use the power of our platform to provide a source for LGBTQIA+ storytelling, solidarity, and inspiration, and to increase awareness of the pressing issues—during Pride Month and year-round. This Pride Month, we’re celebrating these voices.

At the heart of this campaign is the desire to tell new stories from within the LGBTQIA+ community and to leverage our platform to uplift and shine a light on historically marginalized communities. We’ll center conversations around the importance of community, particularly for mental health and well-being, by focusing on a diverse group of traditionally underrepresented queer activists from the U.S., Sweden, the U.K., Japan, and Mexico. On our platform, we’ll be elevating, uplifting, and spotlighting these voices in an effort to drive cultural change. And we’ll be putting our money where our mouth is by donating directly to key partners that are focused on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The activists you’ll hear from Spotify

Head to our refreshed Pride Hub to hear from a diverse group of historically underrepresented activists, including Jonathan Lykes, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (aka Lady Phyll), Karolyna Pollorena, and Fumino Sugiyama. Each one has curated a playlist that celebrates their work and their community, and they’ll be sharing short-form “a day in the life” videos across social. We’ll also be unveiling an audio series entitled RAISE YOUR VOICE from these activists, who are using sound, voice, and music as part of their work.

Jonathan Lykes

The Spooky Spotify Podcasts, Greenroom Live Events, and Songs Sure To Give You Goosebumps This Scary Season

October 21, 2021

On October 1, listeners were ready: There was a nearly 100% jump in Halloween-themed streaming on the first day of the spookiest month, compared to the day before. And with over 2.9 million user-generated Halloween playlists to choose from, it’s fair to say the sounds of spooky season can be found on Spotify. So whether you’re streaming the cult classics, finding new spooky songs, or looking for a podcast to give you goosebumps, there’s something for everyone on Spotify. 

Spirited Halloween streaming 

This October, we’ve noticed that all-time Halloween classics are back in action, with streams significantly spiking when compared to the previous month. “Monster Mash,” for example, was up by 350%, and “This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas was up by 280%. However, there are also some new “tricks” on the block: More recent popular songs added to Halloween playlists include “Stranger Things” by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein; “bad guy” by Billie Eilish; “Black Magic” by Little Mix; “Season of the Witch” by Lana Del Rey; “Sweet but Psycho” by Ava Max; and “Get Ghost” by A$AP Ferg, Mark Ronson and Passion Pit. 

And finally, when it comes to true crime and horror podcast content, the western states of the U.S.—including Wyoming, Montana and Utah—were among the top in the country to stream scary-themed podcasts (relative to their overall podcast listening).

Our howlin’ Halloween hub

Not sure where to start? We’ve brought back our Halloween hub, with a spiderweb of curated content to get you into the spirit. In addition to the essential Halloween music on Headbanger Halloween, Trick or Treat, and Fright Fest, the hub will feature spooktacular podcast playlist curations from the likes of Benito Skinner, Stephanie Soo, Loey Lane and Snitchery, Ashley Flowers, and Last Podcast on the Left. Also head there if you’re looking for editorial podcast playlists like Spooky Stories, Unsolved Crimes & Mysteries, True Crime Scene, or Conspiracy Theories. 

The truest True Crime Scene hub

We’ve also refreshed our True Crime Scene hub to feature new podcast content, with new podcast playlists, frighteningly binge-worthy pop culture podcasts, true crime series, and more—including themed episodes from shows like Crime Movie Club. While you’re there, check out our Spooky Stories podcast playlist, where we’re counting down the 31 spookiest ghost stories, one per day, leading up to Halloween. 

Don’t ghost on Greenroom

Finally, Spotify Greenroom is also getting in the spooky season spirit with a week full of live, interactive programming celebrating Halloween, including conversations on everything from scary movies to conspiracy theories to real-life ghost encounters. In addition to Spotify Greenroom’s true crime shows Crime Movie Club and True Crime Rewind, check out the pop culture conspiracy-focused Popspiracy and the mystical Ask the Tarot, which are always perfectly poised to celebrate Halloween. Spotify Greenroom is available for download on iOS and Android devices. 

Can’t get enough spookiness? In honor of the season, here are some of the shows with special or themed Halloween episodes or Greenroom Live rooms. 

October 19: 

  • Crime Show, “A Ghost Story”
    • “Ghost Suspected of Causing Fire That Killed Two People” was the headline the day after. A parapsychologist goes to the scene of the crime to investigate.

October 25: 

  • Obsessed – Live Halloween podcast
    • Hosts Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone have a lot to talk about when it comes to all the things they’re “obsessed” with. This special Halloween episode with guest Kim Petras was taped in front of a live studio audience.
  • A Gay in the Life – Spotify Greenroom – 8pm ET/5pm PT
      • Hosts Garrett Clayton and Blake Knight discuss the portrayal of the “homosexual villian” in television and film and the significance of Halloween in the LGBTQIA community.
      • Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam talk about all of the unforgettable “horrific” moments from the “Real Housewives” and other Bravo fan-favorite franchises.
    • Comedian Jon Gabrus breaks down the highly anticipated releases of “Dune” and “The French Dispatch” as well as the best—and worst—horror movies of all time.

October 26: 

  • We Said What We Said, “Horror Stories”
    • Join Trickey and Deadzel for a spooky episode about all things Halloween. Favorite scary movies! The supernatural! Costumes! Listen if you dare.
  • The Rewatchables 
    • Host Bill Simmons returns to Haddonfield, Illinois to revisit Michael Myers in the 1978 classic Halloween.
  • Campfire Stories – Spotify Greenroom Series Premiere – 11pm ET/8pm PT
    • Sabrina and Corinne of the Two Girls, One Ghost podcast make their Spotify Greenroom debut, sharing their own scary ghost stories before inviting the audience to share their own. 
  • Creepyhunters Premiere (Spanish language)
    • This new Spotify Original podcast from Mexico is a fiction story created by Julio Rojas, creator of the chart-topping Chilean podcast, Caso 63. Horror fans will be on the edge of their seats as a group of friends encounter a mysterious creature in a cenote (pool or cave) in the Yucatán Peninsula—and discover an even more mysterious organization. 

October 27: 

  • Not Past It, “Who Killed Harry Houdini?”
    • Harry Houdini escaped from handcuffs, sea monsters and torture cells, but his last great illusion defied even the spirits. On October 31, 1936, the famous escape artist was set to come back from the dead. But, as spooky as that sounds, the backstory to uncover America’s most notorious frauds of the day, is even more devilish.
  • Let’s Get Medical – Spotify Greenroom Series Premiere – 10pm ET/7pm PT
    • Twin doctors Desmond and Darien Sutton share their craziest stories from the year’s spookiest night in the ER.

October 31: 

    • Teenager Therapy Live – Spotify Greenroom – 9pm ET/6pm PT
      • Our “Teenager Therapy” hosts dive into all things Halloween … on Halloween! Get ready for costumes, parties, embarrassing memories, and maybe feelings surrounding fears and phobias.
    • A weekly podcast hosted by Ismael Méndez that tells of the urban legends, stories, and terrors that have given Mexico its cultural identity.

 

Still figuring out your costume? Try Stephanie Soo’s Spooky Vampires playlist on for size.

Tune in for the Newest Pop Culture, Music, and Playlist-Inspired Shows on Spotify Greenroom

September 13, 2021

Spotify Greenroom is now available to listeners in over 135 markets around the world, and with it, the innovative new live shows listeners can’t get enough of. From conversations around sports from The Ringer to discussions around music from artists like Pop Smoke, Greenroom has a little bit of something for everyone—and that’s even more true starting this week.

Starting Monday, we’re unveiling five new shows on Spotify Greenroom. Each is unique, with an original set of hosts and featuring a variety of topics, but each is steeped in pop culture expertise, whether that’s movies, television, news, or music.

One of the shows in particular are inspired by one of Spotify’s most popular playlists, Lorem. Lorem comes to listeners as LOREM Life, a mix of culture and discussions on music, art, the environment, sustainability, fashion, and space. It’s hosted by beloved Gen Z influencers Dev Lemons and Max Motley, who will engage artists and influencers alike.

Read on for a little bit about each show from the hosts themselves, then check out what’s coming to Greenroom this week. 

LOREM Life – Hosted by Max Motley and Dev Lemons

Wednesday, September 15, 9 PM ET

Greenroom offers a unique way to engage with music and playlists in particular. Why are you excited to use the platform in this way?

Max: I’m excited about the platform because I think it offers a cool opportunity to have a conversation. Usually when talking about music it’s very one directional and hard to actually host a discourse about it. I think Greenroom will provide a unique space for music fans to connect, converse, and celebrate music.

Dev: I’m super excited about this opportunity because I feel that Greenroom will be a fun, casual space for everyone to engage in conversation about music, fashion, and pop culture. I’m honored to represent the Lorem playlist, since it’s always full of fantastic artists. I’m especially excited to cohost a show with Max since we always have such great conversations offline as well! Having a show together on Greenroom will be a really candid, engaging experience for everyone. 

What are the key differences you’ve noticed between Spotify Greenroom and Twitch or TikTok?

Max: I guess one of the obvious differences would be that TikTok and Twitch have video, but one feature of Greenroom that is really cool is the opportunity to talk directly with fans in the room. The opportunity for users to have their voices heard instead of being limited to comments I think provides a really cool space where conversation isn’t so one-sided. 

Dev: Since you don’t have to show your face on Greenroom, the pressure of worrying about your appearance is taken off the table. Not only for the hosts, but for the viewers who will want to join in on the convo. 

How has the transition been from being a social media personality to a live-audio host? 

Max: I think the jump hasn’t been as drastic as one might think. Making video content for over a year, I’ve gotten really comfortable behind the camera and talking music. I also come from a background of college radio, which I’m sure will come in handy. In the end I’m really excited about the opportunity, especially to be doing it with my close friend Dev and about the Lorem community, which I am super passionate about. 

Dev: I actually got my start in entertainment as an actress in my high school’s theater club, so I have strong roots in live entertainment. I love doing prerecorded stuff for social media since I have more control over what the end product is, but I’m really looking forward to the candidness of hosting a live show. It’ll allow room for fun, off-the-cuff moments that we may have never thought of if this show were scripted. I’m excited to feed off Max and the guests’ energies! 

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Hooked on live audio? Here’s a list of all the new shows coming out this week.

MONDAY, SEPT. 13

A Gay In The Life – 8 PM ET

Newlyweds, actor Garrett Clayton and writer and educator Blake Knight, host a weekly live-audio talk show that provides a safe space for conversation about the LGBTQIA+ experience, educating listeners about queer news and issues, current events, history, and culture.

Take A Seat – 10 PM ET

Every week Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam of the Watch What Crappens podcast will dive into a new pop culture fascination they’ve been obsessing about. Fans will be an integral part of the show by sharing their own pop culture fascinations and asking questions to these Bravo aficionados. Ben and Ronnie will recap some of their favorite reality shows that they aren’t able to cover on their podcast.

The Movie Buff – 11 PM ET

Every week, film buff and comedian Jon Gabrus reviews and breaks down the latest movie everyone is talking about. He’ll banter and debate with listeners on their hot takes and might even roast a few of them along the way.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 14

Most Necessary: Live – 9 PM ET

Most Necessary: Live is the official voice of generation next. Artists added to the popular Most Necessary playlist are often unsigned and given their first look. Host B.Dot brings the playlist to life on Spotify Greenroom’s signature hip-hop show, discussing who’s coming up in hip-hop and what’s happening before these artists go mainstream. Guests join to debate what’s trending and involve artists and fans alike to dive deep into the week’s playlist.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15

LOREM Life – 9 PM ET 

The LOREM listener is a dynamic, tuned-in, insatiable fan of culture and community. We’ll feed them  a mix of culture and music discussion they want to hear about—from music and art to the environment and sustainability to fashion and space. Hosted by beloved Gen Z influencers Dev Lemons & Max Motley, both with large followings on TikTok and other digital platforms, artists and influencers alike will join in to speak to this core audience and indulge in the LOREM life. 

Bonus: Tonight, September 13 at 9 PM ET – Deuxmoi’s show Deux Me After Dark will be recapping all of the red carpet looks and gossip from this year’s Met Gala with guest Hillary Kerr, cofounder of Who What Wear. Sign up for Greenroom to tune in and follow your favorite shows here.