Tag: album

GLOW Artist Urias Makes Her Way From the Catwalk to the Concert Stage

June 27, 2023

the artist Urias staring at the camera with a circle graphic treatment behind her and the Spotify GLOW program logo displayed at the bottom of the image.

Urias isn’t about to sit around and wait for success to come to her. The Brazilian artist first found fame on the catwalk as a model and from there expanded her creativity to music.

After sharing a series of covers, including a memorable version of Azealia Banks’s “Ice Princess,” Urias dropped her first original track, “Você Me Vira a Cabeça,” in 2018. Since then, she’s released multiple EPs and two albums, the second of which, HER MIND, just came out this month.

Spotify is excited to amplify the creative vision and punchy tracks of the singer as one of our GLOW artists for the month of June. Through GLOW, our global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators all year round, we’re supporting Urias on our platform with a dedicated hub and flagship GLOW playlist, and off our platform via billboards like those in New York City’s Times Square and on the city’s MTA subway system. 

From her queer icons to the best advice she’s received, Urias shares more with For the Record below.

Tell us about your journey into music. How did you find your voice?

My journey in music started in mid-2017. I realized that it was not a distant dream anymore, so I started working on my first cover releases! In 2019 I released my first EP [Urias], in 2022 my first album [FÚRIA], and I just released my second studio album [HER MIND].

Why is it important to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices year-round?

There are a lot of powerful and important voices that deserve the spotlight all year long, all around the globe.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

Sometimes my creative process starts with the visuals, and then after that we start the musical part of it.

There have been a lot of advances in LGBTQIA+ rights and representation in the last decade. Why is it still important to celebrate Pride?

It’s always important to celebrate who you are! There’s still a long path we need to walk, but you should always celebrate yourself.

How does your LGBTQIA+ identity intersect with other parts of your identity? How do you bring them all as your full self in your music?

I don’t think I can separate it! My music is my art and my way to express myself differently.

What do you hope people take away from your music?

Strength.

Who are some queer artists or cultural icons who have inspired you?

Grace Jones, Liniker, and Honey Dijon.

How does music empower queer communities?

Music is an important way to communicate to people—the ones that understand you and the ones that need to understand you, too!

What is the best advice you received when you were growing as an artist as a person?

Take chances and take care of yourself.

What makes you GLOW?

Being able to be myself and create art!

 

Catch Urias and many other LGBTQIA+ artists this month and all year round on our flagship GLOW playlist.

Spotify Brings Fans an Exclusive Digital Experience for Maren Morris’s New Album

March 25, 2022

Photo credit: Harper Smith

Country-crossover star Maren Morris’s career has been rising since the release of her first hit single, “My Church.” In recent years, the singer-songwriter has gained a wide spectrum of new fans with tracks like “The Middle” (with Zedd) and “The Bones” (with Hozier), as well as from being a member of alt-country supergroup The Highwomen. Now, the Texas native is back with an album that serves as a love letter to the most important people in her life.

Humble Quest chronicles different parts of Maren’s story—from her rise to fame to the struggles she’s faced. Each song follows the artist on a “quest” to discover what it means to be humble and to let go while practicing self-care along the way.

To celebrate the album, Spotify and Maren teamed up to create “Humble Quest Cards,” which were written by Maren and designed in partnership with illustrator and frequent Maren collaborator Danielle Noel. The digital experience challenges fans to do one “humble quest” per day and pairs each action with a corresponding song off Maren’s new album. The concept is to inspire a way for fans to experience the album while also creating new adventures for themselves—from being a tourist in their own city to taking the scenic route home. 

Lace Up for Rapper AJ Tracey’s Basketball-Inspired Album With Our Interactive Game

April 19, 2021

British rapper AJ Tracey recently landed a slam dunk with his second album, Flu Game. The release draws its inspiration from basketball player Michael Jordan and his team, the Chicago Bulls, during the 1997 NBA Finals. The album’s title is a reference to the infamous Game 5, where Jordan showed up to the court to play—and win, despite having flu-like symptoms.

For the album’s launch, AJ—a longtime Michael Jordan fan—and Spotify are bringing listeners Flu Game: The Game. Fans can enter the rapper’s Revenge Athletic world with a street basketball-style interactive experience. In the game, players must shoot as many basketballs into the net as possible before the clock runs out. Obstacles pop up along the way, making swishes easier said than done.