Tag: anniversary

Spotify’s 10-Year Journey Elevating Latin Creators

December 18, 2023

In 2013, Spotify embarked on a transformative journey in most of Latin America’s Spanish-speaking countries, a journey that has since reshaped the rhythm of global music. This tenth anniversary of our presence in the region is not just a landmark in the history of Spotify; it’s also a celebration of how Latin creators—propelled by the power of streaming—have taken the world by storm.

Back then, Spotify’s global Top 100 charts featured no Latin songs. Today the musical landscape is radically different. Latin beats have not only appeared on these charts, but they’ve conquered them, growing at 28% annually on Spotify. More than one out of every five songs in the global Top 100 is Latin—a clear indication of the genre’s rising dominance and widespread appeal.

This era has been marked by the emergence of groundbreaking artists from cultural hotspots like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Puerto Rico who have topped charts and reshaped the cultural fabric. “The music scene has experienced a revolution in recent years, where Latin rhythms from reggaeton to música Mexicana are dictating the global pulse,” says Mia Nygren, general manager of Spotify in Latin America. “At Spotify, more than simply witnesses to this phenomenon, we have been facilitators; we’ve seen constant and permanent growth of the industry in the last decade. It is an honor to be the bridge that unites these talented artists with global audiences.” 

The impact of Spotify in this Latin music surge is undeniable. It’s been the digital confluence where artists have met fans, resulting in a 986% increase in Latin music listeners on Spotify worldwide from 2014 to 2023.

 

“I am extremely excited about the future for us in Latin America. We’ve come so far and we have room to grow, but of course that comes with a huge responsibility,” Mia continues. “There is still more talent to be discovered, and we are excited to help them go from local stages to regional to finally the global scene. It’s noteworthy that 21% of all Spotify global users are in Latin America, highlighting the significant impact and potential of this market.”

For the Record also had the opportunity to hear from a few artists who’ve been with Spotify from the beginning of our journey in Latin America. Read on for thoughts from Argentina’s Yami Safdie, Mexico’s Ha*Ash, and Colombia’s TIMO below.

Yami Safdie

How do you think Spotify has played a role in advancing your career?

Spotify is absolutely essential for anyone starting out in the music industry. It’s been a key player in my journey, unlocking opportunities from being featured on playlists to recommendations that introduce my music to potential fans. I’m so thankful for this; I don’t think I could have come this far without Spotify’s platform.

Can you share a story that highlights how Spotify has changed the way you connect with your audience?

I absolutely love checking out the playlists that feature my songs. It’s thrilling to see that a significant portion of my tracks’ streams come from these playlists and the listeners’ own libraries. The creative titles of these playlists are always a highlight for me—they’re just so much fun. I often share these playlists on my social media and have great conversations about them with my friends and family.

Ha*Ash

How do you think Spotify has played a role in advancing your career?

Spotify has played an essential role in the growth of our career. The playlists and the platform’s wide audience have allowed people who possibly weren’t familiar with our music to now know and enjoy it.

Can you share a specific case or story that highlights how Spotify has changed the way you connect with your audience?

Spotify has democratized music in every sense. Today an artist can create a song at home and freely release it for the whole world to listen to. Similarly, the audience has the freedom to decide whether they like it or not, without any intermediary. It’s democratic for both musicians and audiences alike.

TIMO

How do you think music streaming has transformed the consumption habits of fans around the world?

We think the most significant impact since Spotify entered our lives is the expanded access it provided to music and artists. Previously there were numerous constraints with the formats available, but streaming has simplified everything. This simplicity has skyrocketed the number of times artists’ music is played. Undoubtedly, the advent of Spotify has transformed our lives.

Can you share a specific case or story that highlights how Spotify has changed the way you connect with your audience?

We leverage features like Canvas for our music promotion. When releasing a new track, we invite our audience to share videos of them singing or enjoying the song. We always select the best ones and include them in our Canvas. This helps us attract more listeners to our music on the platform and fosters a deeper connection with the song.

Los 10 años de Spotify elevando a los creadores latinos

December 18, 2023

En 2013, Spotify comenzó un viaje transformador en la mayoría de los países de habla hispana de América Latina, un viaje que, desde entonces, ha redefinido el ritmo de la música global. Este décimo aniversario de presencia en la región no es solo un hito en la historia de Spotify; es una celebración de cómo los creadores latinos, impulsados por el poder del streaming, han conquistado al mundo.

Hace diez años, las listas globales Top 100 de Spotify no incluían canciones latinas, hoy en día el panorama musical es totalmente diferente. Los ritmos latinos no sólo han aparecido en estas listas; los han conquistado, teniendo un crecimiento del 28% anual en Spotify. Actualmente, más de una de cada cinco canciones en el Top 100 global es latina, una clara indicación de su creciente dominio y atractivo en general.

Esta era ha estado marcada por el surgimiento de artistas innovadores que no sólo encabezaron las listas de éxitos, sino que también redefinieron nuestra cultura. “La escena musical ha experimentado una revolución en los últimos años, donde los géneros latinos, desde el Reggaetón hasta la Música Mexicana, están dictando el pulso global”, comentó Mia Nygren, General Manager de Spotify en Latino América. “En Spotify, más que simples testigos de este fenómeno, hemos sido facilitadores, hemos visto un crecimiento constante y permanente de la industria en la última década. Es un honor ser el puente que une a estos talentosos artistas con audiencias globales. Es importante mencionar que el 21% de todos los usuarios de Spotify están en América Latina, lo que definitivamente demuestra el impacto y potencial del mercado”.

El impacto de Spotify en este auge de la música latina es innegable. Ha servido como puente digital donde los artistas conectaron con sus fans, lo que resultó en un aumento del 986% en los oyentes de música latina en Spotify a nivel global entre 2014 y 2023.

 

El extraordinario impulso de la música de habla hispana está profundamente arraigado en el género latino. Artistas de puntos culturales clave como México, Colombia, Argentina y Puerto Rico están a la vanguardia y sirven como embajadores globales.

“Estoy muy emocionada acerca del futuro para nosotros en Latino América. Hemos llegado muy lejos y tenemos espacio para crecer, pero, por supuesto, eso conlleva una gran responsabilidad”, comentó Mia. “Todavía hay más talento por descubrir y estamos emocionados de ayudarlos a pasar de los escenarios locales, a los regionales y finalmente a la escena global. Vale la penadestacar que el 21% de todos los usuarios globales de Spotify se encuentran en Latino América, lo que resalta el importante impacto y potencial de este mercado”.

For the Record también tuvo la oportunidad de hablar con algunos artistas que han estado con Spotify desde el inicio de nuestro viaje en Latino América. Sigue leyendo para conocer las opiniones de Yami Safdie de Argentina, Ha*Ash de México y TIMO de Colombia.

Yami Safdie

¿De qué manera crees que Spotify ha jugado un papel en el avance de tu carrera?

Creo que Spotify es totalmente fundamental a la hora de ser un artista emergente y empezar a construir una carrera musical. A mi me abrió muchísimas puertas, desde las playlists, hasta las funciones de exploración algorítmicas, como le va sugiriendo mi música a gente que le puede llegar a gustar. Estoy super agradecida con eso y probablemente no hubiese sido nada posible si no hubiese tenido la herramienta de Spotify.

¿Puedes compartir un caso o historia específica o que destaques como Spotify ha cambiado la forma con la que t e conectas con tu audiencia?

Me gusta mucho ver las playlists a las que agregan mis canciones, ya que gran porcentaje de las reproducciones de mis temas, vienen de ellas, y de las bibliotecas de los oyentes.  Disfruto mucho poder ver los títulos creativos de las playlists, son muy divertidos. Siempre las comparto en mis redes y converso mucho sobre el tema con las personas cercanas.

Ha*Ash

¿De qué manera crees que Spotify ha jugado un papel en el avance de tu carrera?

Spotify ha desempeñado un rol esencial en el crecimiento de nuestra carrera. Las playlists y la amplia audiencia de la plataforma han permitido que personas que posiblemente no estaban familiarizadas con nuestra música, ahora la conozcan y disfruten.

¿Puedes compartir un caso o historia específica o que destaques como Spotify ha cambiado la forma con la que te conectas con tu audiencia?

Spotify es la verdadera democratización de la música en todo sentido. Hoy un artista puede hacer una canción en su casa, y ponerla libremente a que literalmente la escuchen en todo el mundo a través de la plataforma. Del mismo modo, la audiencia decide con la misma libertad si le gusta o no, sin tener ningún tipo de intermediario. Es democratico para los músicos y para las audiencias por igual.

TIMO

¿Cómo crees que el streaming de música ha llevado a transformar los hábitos de consumo de los fans de todo el mundo?

Consideramos que lo más importante, desde que llegó Spotify a nuestras vidas, fue el mayor acceso que generó a la música y a los artistas. Antes existían muchas limitaciones en los otros formatos que existían, con el streaming todo se volvió mucho más sencillo, lo que ha disparado la cantidad de reproducciones de los artistas. Sin duda, la llegada de Spotify nos cambió la vida.

¿Puedes compartir un caso o historia específica o que destaques como Spotify ha cambiado la forma con la que te conectas con tu audiencia?

Usamos herramientas como los canvas para promocionar nuestra música. Por ejemplo, al lanzar una nueva canción, animamos a las personas a enviarnos videos cantándola o disfrutándola. Siempre seleccionamos los mejores y los incluimos en nuestro canvas. Esto nos ayuda a atraer más oyentes a nuestra música en la plataforma y fomenta una mayor conexión con la canción.

10 Years After Launching in Türkiye, We’re Taking RADAR to the Market

October 16, 2023

When Spotify launched in Türkiye in 2013, we were excited to take the world’s music to the market. But we were also eager to hear the sounds that Türkiye could deliver to listeners beyond its borders. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growth of a fast-paced, diverse music community with artists who create across genres like arabesk, Anatolian rock, hip-hop, indie, and folk.

Now, 10 years on, we’re celebrating another important milestone: the launch of RADAR, our emerging artist program, in Türkiye. Since 2020, RADAR has been the global home for what’s next in sound, lifting up rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising podcasters as they develop and expand their global reach on the path to superstardom. Five up-and-coming Turkish artists are now part of this prestigious club. 

For the Record sat down with Melanie Parejo, Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe, to learn more about the music trends she’s observed in Türkiye over the past decade and get a sneak peek at this first class of RADAR artists. 

What are some ways the Turkish music scene has evolved over the past 10 years? 

Back in the 2010s, Turkish listeners were into global music. The dominant genre from 2013 to 2017 was pop, with artists like Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, and Rihanna. But it was also a time when a new wave of indie music emerged in Türkiye with elements from 2000s—Turkish rock combined with more alternative and experimental sounds. In a short order, this new style gained popularity with artists such as Büyük Ev Ablukada, Yüzyüzeyken Konuşuruz, Dolu Kadehi Ters Tut, Adamlar, Son Feci Bisiklet, and Madrigal.

Another influence in the local music scene is the revival of Anatolian rock and Turkish psychedelic music with artists like Gaye Su Akyol, Grup Ses, Baba Zula, Elektro Hafız, Lalalar, and Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, who are creating a new wave with roots in the 1960s and 1970s Turkish Anatolian pop and rock music. Today, this genre keeps growing with new artists joining the game and bringing their own unique interpretations of it. 

From 2017 and 2018, the hype around Turkish hip-hop and rap music was palpable. Take Ezhel’s iconic debut album, Müptezhel, as an example that truly reached the masses. In 2018 he held the top artist, track, and album spots on Spotify. Since then, we have continued to see hip-hop as one of the top genres, with cross-genre collaborations and hip-hop and pop getting closer to each other. While pop artists are exploring authentic sounds from hip-hop, dance, and electronic, we see some hip-hop artists also adapting the afro-trap music. Another trend worth noting out is arabesk, which is both being consumed in its original form but is also merging with pop and rap.

What are some of the notable trends and behaviors we’re seeing among Turkish listeners? 

What stands out is the dedication to and appreciation of local music. Back in 2013, there were only 11 local artists in the Top 100 list in Türkiye. Over the years, we’ve witnessed a solid growth of local music consumption. Five years after the launch of Spotify in Türkiye, 66 of Türkiye’s Top 100 streamed artists were local. And in 2023 through today, that number has grown to 91. 

And Turkish music is not only growing in Türkiye. The borderless nature of our platform means that Turkish talents are able to reach listeners in over 180 markets. Our data shows that Turkish artists were played outside of Türkiye close to 75% more on average year over year. Comparing 2013 to 2022, streams of local artists outside of the country have grown more than 12,000%. Speaking of exports, Turkish dance and the EDM scene have also grown a lot over the last ten years, with DJs and producers gaining recognition both domestically and abroad. 

Turkish folk music also stands out as one of most long-lasting genres with its regional differences, historical journey, and cultural richness. And while the artists stay true to the traditional sounds, Spotify also sees more and more artists borrowing from the genre, creating contemporary arrangements made with folk and Anatolian music sounds. This might also explain why the genre has seen particular growth within Gen Z in the last year, with 50% of the genre’s streams coming from the younger generation. 

Do you have a favorite musical moment from the past decade? 

A milestone I’m personally very proud of was the launch of EQUAL in Türkiye in 2021 and how well it’s been received by the industry and our users. EQUAL is about the power of raising voices together to drive equity in music and standing together to fight for a common goal that has no borders. In 2023, we are celebrating the second year of the program in Türkiye, which has featured 29 brilliant female artists in Türkiye so far. We are absolutely thrilled by the impact our program has created for them. We are also very excited to feature Müzeyyen Senar—the Republic’s Diva—as our latest EQUAL Ambassador for October in celebration of the 100th year of the Turkish Republic. The launch of EQUAL has boosted the awareness and streaming of female artists both locally in Türkiye and globally. Streams of Turkish female artists in Türkiye saw a spike between 2021 and 2022, with almost 60% more female artists streamed by Turkish listeners. Outside of Türkiye, Turkish female artists were streamed almost 30% more in 2022 compared to 2021. 

Why are you excited to launch RADAR in the market?

By launching RADAR in Türkiye we’re putting in an even stronger effort to support emerging Turkish talents and boost their exposure at a crucial point in their careers, both inside and outside of Türkiye. With Böyleyken Böyle, Ege Can Sal, Paptırcem, Selin, and Sena Şahin we have a strong first cohort that truly represents the diversity of the Turkish music scene. And while each one of them comes from different backgrounds and has different styles, they all have their unique ways to express themselves. With RADAR Türkiye, we want to make sure to showcase the many brilliant and talented minds in our country and let everyone witness what happens when an opportunity is given to them.

Introducing Türkiye’s first class of RADAR artists 

Each of our five inaugural artists has their own vision, point of view, and sound. Some are more attuned to global modern pop and indie, while others take a more traditional approach. Something they all have in common? The potential to shape the future of music in Türkiye. 

Paptircem

Singer-songwriter, producer, keyboard player 

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: She’s gone viral for a series of shorts where she played piano harmonizations over funny videos and has also become known for her unique approach in producing and songwriting.

Böyleyken Böyle

Indie pop/alternative duo

Based in: İstanbul 

Fun fact: They started their journey in 2020 and have released more than 10 singles and an EP. Elements of synth pop, indie rock, and singer-songwriter can be heard in their music.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Selin

Pop singer-songwriter

Based in: İstanbul 

Fun fact: Her Sezen Aksu cover, “Yalancı Bahar,” went viral, resulting in 12M streams. Her collaboration with Turkish DJ-producer Mahmut Orhan, “In Control,” received 10M streams. Selin performs with his father, Selim Geçit, an established and talented guitarist.

Sena Şahin

Singer, songwriter and musician 

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: She started her career by composing jazz, soul, and R&B on piano. She found a wider audience when her track “Sonu Var Mı” was used in a local Netflix show, Kuş Uçuşu. 

Ege Can Sal 

Singer-songwriter, Turkish R&B/pop

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: Built a fan base with the cover videos he shared online, and broke the internet with his first release, Başa Sar.

 

Excited? Stream RADAR Türkiye to hear from these artists. 

Five Years of Favorites From ‘For the Record’

April 3, 2023

From our first post on Spotify’s IPO to our recent coverage of Stream On, For the Record has shared with you many of the impactful moments that have resonated at Spotify—and also across culture more broadly. We’ve had the privilege of introducing you to major company news like Spotify’s foray into podcasting, annual Wrapped campaign, launch in 80+ more markets around the world, and partnership with FC Barcelona, but also of highlighting some of the names, events, and trends shaping the world of audio. 

Spotify has always had a unique story to tell, and our ambition is to share it with you in our own words wherever you are. For the Record, along with our podcasts and social handles, unfurls the story of Spotify every single day for our most important audience: you.

So in celebration of five years of For the Record, we’re highlighting some of our favorite stories that capture the spirit of streaming worldwide and tell Spotify’s story.

2018

More Than Magic: Behind Our 2018 Songs of Summer Predictions 

By now, our annual Song of Summer predictions and results are a Spotify and For the Record staple. The first time we released our SOS predictions, they foreshadowed a summer like no other—the summer of Scorpion. (“Kiki, do you love me,” anyone?) 

Mexico City Is Now the World’s Music-Streaming Mecca

Spotify for Artists tools help musicians find their fan bases in unexpected places. Mexico City is a hub like no other for food and culture, and as it turns out, for streaming too.

What Lady Gaga’s ‘Shallow’ Says About ‘A Star is Born’ and Music Itself

Spotify makes and reflects culture, and our users love to see patterns in what they and the world are streaming—exemplified in this dive into the songs from the movie’s past iterations. 

2019

Astrologer Chani Nicholas Shares How Music Matches Your Horoscope

Speaking of cultural cues, 2019 kicked off a number of astrology-related podcasts on Spotify, with Horoscope Today, Astrology Club, and many more. Completing the roundup were our Cosmic Playlists for each star sign that astrologer Chani Nicholas helped curate. 

How to Download and Listen to Music and Podcasts Offline and On the Go

One of the benefits of Spotify Premium is the ability to download music for later, whether that means heading to the airport or driving into the wilderness. Let this story serve as your guide(book).

5 Questions (and Answers) with Gautam Talwar, Managing Director, Spotify Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing and most diverse music markets in the world. We interviewed Gautam Talwar, our Managing Director of Southeast Asia, to learn more about the differences in music tastes and streaming habits throughout the region, as well as the opportunities ahead.

2020

Spotify Has the Pawfect Playlist for You and Your Pet

Spotify’s universally beloved Pets Playlist campaign enabled pet owners to create a custom playlist for their furry—or scaly—friends by entering their pets’ attributes into a custom Spotify microsite. We also debuted research showing that playing music calms your pet when you leave the house. 

The Challenges and Opportunities in Transforming the ‘Song Exploder’ Podcast Into a Netflix Show

Thanks to streaming, it’s commonplace for media to move in many directions, with movies and TV shows inspiring accompanying podcasts and beloved podcasts like Song Exploder reimagined as visual series. 

Jerusalema, the Limpopo House Track That Got the World Dancing

We noticed that fans’ streaming habits—and their social media use—changed during the era of social distancing. “Jerusalema,” which debuted in South Africa and quickly became a viral dance trend, also went global on Spotify as fans craved to hear the catchy song some more. 

2021

Nontraditional Hack Week Projects Pave Way for Innovation and Accessibility at Spotify

Spotify’s annual Hack Week enables our employees to explore their creativity and curiosity by taking a break from their everyday work to hack on something they’re excited or passionate about. Each year’s Hack Week has a broad, inspiring theme, and 2021’s “Making Space” enabled some members of our R&D team to investigate and reinvent their own ways of working. 

Podcasting Serves as a Private, Intimate, and Empathic Medium for Previously Closeted Conversations

With tools like Spotify for Artists and programs like Sound Up, podcasting is becoming more accessible to first-time podcasters and individuals from historically underrepresented groups. Each day, creators are uploading to Spotify new shows on topics that are meaningful to them and finding a growing audience ready to listen.

Meet the Team Behind Frequency, Spotify’s Celebration of Black Culture, Creativity, and Community 

Spotify is committed to using our platform to foster racial justice and equity and lift up underserved voices. The creation of Frequency enables us to have even more impactful and meaningful year-round programming by and for members of the Black community. 

2022

Listen Like Basquiat: New Exhibit Helps Fans Discover The Musical Influences of the Famed Painter

Our For the Record, Mic Check, and Discover This podcasts and @SpotifyNews socials tell Spotify’s story via different formats and lenses. We were able to go behind the scenes at the NYC Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibit to uncover the musical influences of one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists, meet Basquiat’s sisters, and learn more about the creation of the exhibit.  

The State of Indie Music According to Spotify’s Editors

Groups of Spotify editors from around the world make up our Global Curation Groups, or GCGs. We introduce you to some of those who are in the know on the music and talent coming out of a particular genre and how they curate some of our most popular editorial playlists. 

How Encanto Composer Germain Franco Brought the Magic and Sounds of Colombia to Listeners Around the World 

The Encanto soundtrack with “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” hit parents and children alike—and their streaming on Spotify proved it. We spoke to the film’s composer, Germaine Franco, about her role in this love letter to the music of Colombia and the power of media to transport viewers and listeners to new cultures. 

2023

GLOW Artist Villano Antillano Finds Power in Community, Authenticity, and Being Fearless

Earlier this year, we introduced GLOW, a new global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. It’s our latest initiative to support people of this historically marginalized community of voices and reassert our commitment to equity in audio. Get to know GLOW artist Villano Antillano as well as Arlo Parks, LUDMILLA, Bruses, and Pabllo Vittar. 

Spotify’s Guide to the Best New Artists of 2023

For the past seven years, Spotify has played host to an annual celebration of the very best rising stars in the game who’ve realized their dreams of receiving a coveted and well-earned nomination for Best New Artist. This year, we released a comprehensive guide of all the artists, including their Spotify Singles, and featuring our special Mic Check episode. 

Spotify Debuts a New AI DJ, Right in Your Pocket

Our fans love personalization as much as we do—just think of fan-favorite playlists like Discover Weekly, or our annual Wrapped campaign. We recently added to our personalization capabilities by harnessing the power of AI in an entirely new way. DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well that it can choose what to play for you. If you haven’t tried it out yet, take this opportunity to learn how right here on For the Record.

South Africa Looks Back at Five Years of Spotify Streaming

March 13, 2023

When Spotify launched in South Africa in March 2018, new users and music lovers raced onto the platform to stream Thelonious Monk’s “‘Round Midnight.” In the five years since, listeners in the region have made millions of playlists spanning nostalgic jazz, pop, hip-hop, rap, home-grown Amapiano, and much more, and have spent billions of hours listening to podcasts. This has led to thousands of artists and creators finding an audience for their craft, with South African artists themselves having released over one million tracks.

Today, we mark this five-year milestone by looking back on the early days of Spotify streaming in South Africa. 

Originally, the only South African song featured in the first 10 tracks played in the market was Shekhinah’s “Thirsty.” Now, Canadian rapper Drake takes the top spot. He’s followed by Amapiano artist Kabza de Small in second place, The Weeknd and Juice WRLD in third and fourth, and South African DJ Maphorisa to round out the top five. The combination of global and local talent is further testament to the massive appeal and growth of Amapiano, and South African music in general.

“Spotify provides a global platform for these creators to share their music and podcasts with the world, and our entrance into the market has allowed local artists to grow their audiences and monetize their creativity,” said Jocelyne Muhutu–Remy, Managing Director for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Spotify programmes like EQUAL, Fresh Finds, RADAR, and GLOW have also helped to market and support local, emerging, and underrepresented artists.”

Last year, we announced that we would include four South African podcasts in our Africa Podcast Fund. With this initiative, we’re supporting burgeoning podcasters through financial grants, workshops, and networking opportunities, and amplifying their stories. Our goal is to help platform African creators on a global scale and shift the historically restrictive view of stories about the continent.

Celebrate South Africa’s milestone anniversary with the Top 50 tracks being streamed in the country today.

Celebrating 10 Years of Spotify in Italy and Poland

March 1, 2023

a graphic backdrop with two Spotify spokespeople featured looking at the camera

Ten years ago, Spotify launched in Italy and Poland, and we began our work to engage with local creative talent and the community through Spotify programs, festivals, and events. Since then, creators from both markets have seen tremendous growth in local and international listenership. Whether it’s Rhove and Måneskin in Italy or Marissa and Sara James in Poland, artists in both markets are representing their homelands locally and on the global stage. And we can’t help but raise a glass to a solid decade of achievements.

Along with the growth in local music, there’s an ever-growing appetite for talk as well. Since launching podcasts in Italy 2015, we’ve seen the number of creator-generated shows increase by an average of 20% year over year in the market. Today, more than 50,000 titles are available, including hit shows like Muschio Selvaggio, The Essential, and Demoni Urbani.

To celebrate this landmark birthday in Poland and Italy, For the Record caught up with Melanie Parejo, Spotify Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe, and Mateusz Smółka, Spotify Music Team Lead for Eastern Europe and Southern and Eastern Europe, to talk about the hit tracks, hot trends, and growth both markets have experienced over the past 10 years.

ITALY

When Spotify Italy launched in 2013, there were 26,000 Italian artists on the platform and 180 million streams globally among them. How have we seen those numbers grow?

Melanie Parejo: Italy has always had a strong affection toward their local talents, and with 196,000 Italian artists available on Spotify as of 2022, it’s clear to see the strength that local music has in the Italian market. In terms of global listenership, after our first five years in the market, Italian artists were played on Spotify editorial playlists outside of Italy 800% more than when we launched. After 10 years, that number has increased to 1,000%, with Måneskin being the biggest export.

What are some of Spotify Italy’s greatest music achievements from the past 10 years?

Twenty-four Italian artists have participated in Spotify’s RADAR program since its launch in 2020. Artists like BLANCO, Rondodasosa, and ARIETE have seen particularly strong growth on the platform, with BLANCO going on to win last year’s Festival di Sanremo and beating Italy’s record for the most-streamed song in one day, together with Mahmood. 

Emerging artists who have been included in RADAR have also achieved great mainstream success. Rhove, who was a featured RADAR Global artist, had Italy’s second-most-streamed song of 2022, with “Shakerando.”

Genre-wise, what have been some of the most exciting changes in Italian music since 2013?

When we look at the streaming habits of the younger generation, they have a more fluid relationship to genres. They are less occupied with sticking to one genre and identifying with it. Instead, we see them stream songs that span different decades and styles. 

That said, the overall music tastes of Italians have evolved so much over the years. Back in 2013, the most-streamed genre in Italy was rock, with Italian rap not even in the Top 10. But in 2022, Italian rap was the most-streamed genre in the country. When it comes to rap from other countries, a significant number of Gen Z artists have shifted their main point of reference from the U.S. to the U.K. and France. They tend to blend languages and cultures in their songs, tapping into an identity and culture way more than when rap originally broke through here in 2016. 

Summer hits have always been an integral part of Italian music consumption, but in recent years we’ve seen them become more diverse in sound. While they previously followed a conventional structure (carefree, joyful, Latin-infused pop tracks touching on a bunch of summer-related clichés), 2022 summer hits were a melting pot of sounds, artists, and moods. From BLANCO to Fedez to Capo Plaza to Rhove, what we saw and heard last year was a creative freedom we weren’t used to. 

Spotify Italy initially launched during the Festival di Sanremo. What impact does the festival have on Spotify?

Spotify truly lives side by side with Sanremo. When the lights are out after the final day of the festival, Italians listen to their favorite songs on Spotify to stay in the Sanremo spirit. This year was a great example of that, with the official Sanremo 2023 playlist being the second-most-streamed playlist worldwide for one week. Locally, Sanremo songs dominated the Top 10 and Top 20 charts in Italy during the festival, with six songs from the festival having made it into the Global Debut Songs chart.

 

POLAND

How have music tastes in the country changed in the 10 years since Spotify Poland launched?

Mateusz Smółka: Massively! When we launched in Poland, the Top 10 artists in Poland were international artists. There were only five Polish artists on the entire Top 100 list that year. Looking back, international artists controlled the top three spots until about 2017. But in 2018, we saw the rise of Polish artists, most notably when the Taco Hemingway and Quebonafide collaboration, TACONAFIDE, and Dawid Podsiadło took the top spots. Since then, Polish artists have been in the Top 10 each year, with 76 Polish songs making the local Top 100 in 2022. 

Streams of Polish artists on Spotify’s editorial playlists outside of Poland also increased by more than 700% over the past decade. For example, Rnbstylerz has over 2.8 million monthly listeners, with a majority coming from Germany, the U.S., and Mexico. And Catz ‘n Dogz, who are a part of GLOW, have a major chunk of listeners coming from the U.S. and the U.K. Tribbs has over two million monthly listeners and collaborates with producers around the world, picking up listeners in Brazil and Germany. 

In your view, what are some of Spotify Poland’s biggest accomplishments in the music space?

Spotify’s RADAR program launched in Poland in 2021 and has seen 15 local artists participating since. The program has seen talents such as Zalia and Julia Rocka seeing incremental growth on the platform, as well as Szczyl and Dziwna Wiosna being nominated for Fryderyk awards in 2022. 

Spotify’s EQUAL program also launched in Poland in 2021. Notably, Sara James became the youngest-ever EQUAL ambassador for the program and the first Polish artist to be a global ambassador. Artists such as Kaśka Sochacka and LUNA have particularly seen growth on the platform since their participation, with LUNA more than tripling her monthly listeners the month she joined the program. 

Additionally, Fresh Finds has been live in the market for a year, and it has helped a number of independent Polish artists take the next steps in their careers. It has also proven to be a way to identify the next big talent. 

What have been some of the most surprising listenership trends in Poland?

Back in 2013, we saw international rock bands being streamed the most, but now Polish rap and hip-hop dominate, as demonstrated by the popularity of our local hip-hop flagship playlist RAP GENERACJA, which has been the number one playlist in Poland every year since launch. 

When it comes to the younger generation, we’ve found that they choose music to accompany their mood and the world they live in. They don’t care as much about when the song was made or what genre it is. They approach music with a lot more fluidity.

 

Celebrate 10 years of Spotify in Italy and Poland by listening to our anniversary playlists. 

Six Artists and Podcasters Share Their Journeys Since Spotify’s Launch in India

March 29, 2022

It’s been three years since Spotify’s launch in India—a change that not only gave listeners a new way to discover music and find podcasts, but also opened the door wider for creators in the country. 

Two major elements of Spotify’s impact in India are education and amplification. We’ve held several master classes in India and have helped more than 6,000 local artists share their music and access streaming insights. We’ve also hosted workshops and mentoring programs to assist podcasters with the development and distribution of their shows. In fact, the number of podcasts created on Anchor grew 130 times from the start of 2020 till the end of last year. On the amplification side, we’ve used EQUAL, RADAR, Fresh Finds, and Spotify Singles to help Indian talent gain more visibility at home and abroad—and initiatives such as Sound Up have enabled us to elevate the voices of women podcasters in the country.

“We want creators to thrive on Spotify, and our platform and initiatives are designed with that purpose in mind,” shared Amarjit Batra, Managing Director for Spotify India. “By collaborating closely with the creator community in India, we’ve been able to grow awareness and preference for audio streaming.”

So what have the past three years been like for Indian creators? For the Record sat down with three Indian artists and three Indian podcasters to hear how they’ve found new fans and audiences.

Asees Kaur – Singer

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

Hands down the Times Square billboard in New York. I was featured twice—first, as an EQUAL artist for “52 Gaj Ka Daman,” and then for Spotify Wrapped since I was the third-most-streamed female artist in India last year.

What’s your favorite thing about Spotify for Artists?

Having access to my own audio streaming analytics and numbers because I know they are real numbers. This helps me connect better with my fans and focus on music they love!

What are some of the ways that you engage with your fans on Spotify?

I definitely share the new songs and playlists that I featured on on my social media and link back to Spotify so my followers are up-to-date on my new releases. I also curate my own playlists with my favorite songs to share with my fans. 

What artist(s) would be your dream collaboration?

There are so many. Locally, I would like to collaborate with any regional artist or genres, and internationally, I’d love to work with Taylor Swift and Adele.

 

Armaan Malik – Singer and Songwriter

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

I was the first Indian artist to be featured on the Spotify Times Square billboard for my debut English single, “Control.” It was a huge milestone for me and truly a spectacular moment for Indian musicians worldwide. 

What’s your favorite thing about Spotify for Artists?

I truly appreciate how in-depth the analytics are. It assists me and my team to navigate our releases strategically. Tools like the Artist Pick and Canvas really help artists push our music in the most effective way. I also love how easy it is to use the app. The user interface is extremely smooth, which is always a plus! 

What are some of the ways that you engage with your fans on Spotify? 

Personally, I love creating fun, new playlists. It enables me to reach out and engage with my fans in a much closer way. Some of these are discography playlists that allow my listeners to know more about my music across languages and genres, while the other playlists feature songs that I am hooked to currently (not just my own). 

What artist(s) would be your dream collaboration?

It’s my dream to collaborate with Charlie Puth, and I would love to do a song with Arijit Singh.

 

Nikhita Gandhi – Singer, Composer, and Songwriter

How has your career evolved since Spotify’s launch in India?

I think the business of music has become more streamlined. I am better aware of how my music is performing, able to consistently monitor the growth and progress of my art, and even personalize my artist profile almost like Instagram, but for streaming. 

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

I was walking to a recording and stumbled upon a GIANT poster of Badshah and me on Spotify’s spotlight post for “Bad Boy X Bad Girl.” I had no idea that was happening, so it was a crazy-good surprise.

What’s your favorite thing about Spotify for Artists?

There are a few, but the prerelease pitching feature tops that list. 

What artist(s) would be your dream collaboration?

I really can’t pick one. I feel blessed to say that many of my dreams have already come true, including launching my career with Rahman Sir (AR Rahman) and the collaboration with Pink Sweat$. Can’t wait to hit more epic milestones!

 

Yogi & Kabeer – Hosts of Shuddh Desi Gay

How has your career evolved since Spotify’s launch in India?

From consuming music and podcasts on Spotify to actually hosting a Spotify Original podcast, it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences for us personally and professionally. Spotify adds credibility to our voices and gives our messages unmatched amplification. 

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

Both of us have been using the app since its launch in India, so we can never forget the moment when we saw our podcast trending on the charts for the first time. Our listeners took screenshots and shared it on Instagram, and that was truly special. 

What are some of the ways that you engage with your fans on Spotify?

Our podcast is called Shuddh Desi Gay (SDG), so the relationship we have with our listeners is one of community. They’re our extended family, so when we created the collaborative playlist, SDG FAM, with five songs, it quickly went up to 55 hours of music, added to by over 50 listeners. Additionally, at the end of the year, Spotify Wrapped showed us how much listeners loved us, and we could share that back with them. 

Who are your dream guests for your podcast?

Comedian Ellen DeGenres and Indian filmmaker Karan Johar.

 

Balaji Patturaj – Host of Naallanaa Murukku – The RJ Balaji Podcast

How has your career evolved since Spotify’s launch in India? 

Being a radio jockey for the past 15 years made me realize that I’ve become a better person, and it reflects in whatever I do. Over the years, I’ve been able to easily connect with the radio audiences and today’s internet generation. Through Spotify, I continue to evolve and feel relevant as the younger generation listens to my podcast. It’s a great feeling to be connected with different audiences through different mediums.

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

This might sound weird, but after every episode I get so many heartwarming messages. Messages from people who lost their dear ones to COVID or texts from somebody who is going through a tough time physically, mentally, or financially—mentioning how a particular episode made them feel better. I feel fortunate that people are able to take so much from our podcast. What I thought to be mere entertainment for 15 minutes turned out to be something more and bigger. Those stories, those life-changing moments and the impact we made, are the most memorable parts of my journey with Spotify. 

What’s your favorite thing about working with Spotify?

My favorite thing is to be able to work with the best in business. Best in the business does not just mean how big the brand is, or how well Spotify values creators, but how much they care about the medium. Spotify knows how to handle a podcast, how to promote it, how to take it to the target audience, and how to work with talent. All these things make Spotify’s working environment a really cool one. I always have a good time while discussing show ideas with the Spotify team. They know the medium and they strive to give their best to their listeners. 

Who are your dream guests for your podcast?

One person I want to be on my podcast is Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. Apart from his films, his stardom, and his philosophical thoughts, the man has a great life we can all learn so much from. I would like to talk to him about the stories that he hasn’t yet shared with the world. A global guest I would like to have on my show would be Barack Obama. At a time like this where most people have negative opinions on world leaders, Obama is still loved by the majority, and that’s a story worth telling.

 

Ananthi Iyappan – Host of The Book Show & Rough Note by RJ Ananthi

How has your career evolved since Spotify’s launch in India?

We have more listeners now than ever before, and we regularly receive messages from so many people that they loved our podcast on Spotify. We have been able to reach so many people outside India through Spotify, and I feel so much gratitude for that.

What is your most memorable Spotify moment?

Being signed on as a Spotify Exclusive was very special to me because it took me back to those days when I used to do my podcast inside a cupboard for better acoustics. Spotify is the only audio streaming platform that recognized the effort behind the content I was creating, and they have supported me right from the beginning.

What are some of the ways that you engage with your fans on Spotify? 

We redirect our social media followers to Spotify at the end of every episode’s promotion. We also encourage our fans to listen to our episodes even if they don’t have enough time to watch our episodes. We also encourage anyone who comes up with an idea for their own podcast.

 

Want to learn more about how listeners are streaming podcasts in India? Check some of the top trends we’re seeing in the country.

Spotify Celebrates 10 Years in Germany

March 11, 2022

It’s been 10 years since Spotify first launched in Germany, and what a decade it’s been. In that time, German listeners have streamed music on Spotify more than 450 billion times. There have been plenty of local picks available for fans, too, as more than 150,000 German-language artists are on the platform.

But music isn’t the only reason Germans flock to Spotify. Podcasts are very popular in this market, with more than 70,000 German-language pods on Spotify. And here’s a fun fact: from January 2017 to December 2021, German listeners streamed 1.3 billion hours of podcasts on our platform. 

“Being able to listen to your favorite music anytime, anywhere, and completely legally was one of the main objectives when Spotify was founded in 2006. Between the launch in March 2012 and February 2022, listeners in Germany streamed 310 million personalized playlists, thus creating their own personal audio moments,” shared Michael Krause, General Manager Europe at Spotify. “All in all, we are pleased with the positive growth of Spotify in the German market to date and also look forward to continuing to shape the future of audio with innovations and content.”

To celebrate the decade, we’re taking a look back at some of the major moments the German market has experienced.

Tune in to these highlights for listeners

  • September 2013: We launched Spotify Connect, allowing listeners to stream across multiple devices like their TV, gaming console, or speakers.
  • September 2014: Spotify Premium Family became available for family members living under the same roof.
  • July 2015: The first personalized playlist called Your Mix of the Week debuted.
  • December 2015: Spotify started sharing its annual Wrapped review of the top lists of the most successful artists, songs, and albums worldwide while also giving users insights into their very individual listening behavior.
  • May 2016: Fest & Flauschig, the first-ever worldwide Spotify podcast, launched.
  • October 2019: Daily Drive, the first playlist to combine podcasts and music, became available for listeners. 
  • November 2021: The Lyrics feature, which displays in-app song lyrics, rolled out for listeners.

Showing support for German creators

It’s a priority for Spotify to work with emerging talent and amplify their music and podcasts to reach new audiences. Sound Up, Spotify’s podcast education program for underrepresented creators, was launched in Germany in 2019. RADAR, Spotify’s emerging artist program debuted in 2020, and EQUAL, Spotify’s program to foster equity for women in the music and audio space, got its start in 2021.

Ten years of top songs, podcasts, and trends

  • The most-streamed song was “Roller” by Apache 207, followed by Tones And I’s “Dance Monkey” and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” 
  • Hip-hop held a solid place in listeners’ earbuds as CRO was the most-streamed artist in 2012, and Bonez MC claimed the top artist spot in 2021.
  • In 2018, Fest & Flauschig, the first Spotify Exclusive podcast, took the spot of the most-streamed podcast globally.
  • In Berlin, listeners streamed a particularly high volume of music in 2021. The capital city ranked first among German cities where the most music was streamed on Spotify last year. 
  • On December 24, 2021, a new record was set: it was the day the most music was streamed on Spotify in Germany since 2012.
  • Favorite genres didn’t change much over the years; pop music was the most popular genre in 2012 and it remained so in 2021.
  • Podcasts are as popular as ever: more than half of the 18- to 24-year-olds in Germany regularly stream podcasts. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the figure is over 40%.

 

To learn more about this decade of streaming decadence, grab your party hat and head on over to Spotify Germany’s 10th Anniversary website.

Spotify’s Spice Bus Tours London to Celebrate 25 Years of the Spice Girls

September 24, 2021

2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the one and only Spice Girls. Their debut, and most-streamed track of all time, “Wannabe,” made waves and started a global “girl power” revolution unlike anything the music and pop culture industry had witnessed before—one that still inspires and encourages young girls of today. On Spotify, 18- to 24-year-olds stream the Spice Girls the most, showcasing how their music has the ability to inspire a new generation.

To celebrate a quarter-century of one of the most popular girl bands across the world, this past weekend Spotify recreated the iconic Spice Bus from the Spice World film and took fans on a zig-zagging journey: a Spice Girls’ tour across London.

The Spice Girls Continue to Find Fans 25 Years After Their Hit ‘Wannabe’

July 8, 2021

In July of 1996, the Spice Girls burst onto the music scene with their platform heels, Union Jack clothing, and their single “Wannabe.” Their lyrics of female empowerment made waves and started a global “girl power” revolution unlike anything the music and pop culture industry had witnessed before, with a lasting impact ever since.

So to celebrate the anniversary of their debut hit, on July 9 the Spice Girls will be releasing an EP, Wannabe 25, that includes a demo of the original single, a remix by Junior Vasquez, and a new ballad called “Feed Your Love.”

On the platform, Spotify’s celebrating the occasion with This Is Spice Girls, the ultimate destination for fans of the girl group. There, listeners will find a new long-form version of the “Wannabe” music video that’s exclusive to Spotify. The playlist also includes new storylines from the band, where they share details on their biggest hits.

Spotify may not have been around during the group’s ’90s inception, but that doesn’t mean fans aren’t listening to their music on the platform two decades later. In fact, “Wannabe” has been streamed more than 590 million times on Spotify, with listeners in the United States streaming the most, followed by Germany and the U.K. 

“We continue to see a huge number of streams daily for their music, ranging from the songs we all know and love, such as “Wannabe,” “Stop,” and “Spice Up Your Life,” to niche releases that only a die-hard fan would play on repeat,” shares Sulinna Ong, Head of Music at Spotify U.K. and Ireland. “They truly changed the pop landscape forever, giving women a voice in the industry and giving fans the confidence to be their true selves.’’

Music from the Spice Girls has also found a home on millions of user-generated playlists—20 million, to be exact. As to the age of those streaming the British pop sensation’s tracks on Spotify? You may be surprised to learn that 18-to-24-year-olds are the ones streaming the Spice Girls’ music most (despite being born after the group’s first single was released).

Remarking on this, the band said, “Spice Girls has always been about unity and inclusion, and it makes us so proud that after 25 years our music is still inspiring a whole new generation. Thanks to Spotify for keeping us connected to our fans around the world. Streaming has been a huge part of keeping our music alive and it’s amazing that so many people around the world listen to us on Spotify.”

For fans looking to dive a little deeper into the archives, there’s plenty of podcast content on Spotify that offers a glimpse into the lives and minds of Sporty, Baby, Ginger, Scary, and Posh Spice. The WANNABE podcast shares insights into where the famous five are now, and how their careers progressed since their time in one of the world’s most famous girl bands. BBC’s Raw, a podcast that curates “rare and newly discovered interviews,” released an episode that highlights sound clips from the group members from 1996 and 1998.

Whether you want to practice the dance moves to “Stop” or hear the WANNABE podcast cohosts discuss Melanie C’s single “Who I Am,” there’s plenty of Spice on Spotify. 

Revisit the Spice Girls’ catalogue and sing along to your favorite girl power anthem below. 

Celebrating One Year of Spotify Lite

September 8, 2020

A year ago, we unveiled Spotify Lite, a small, fast, and simplified version of our app. It was built from the ground up based on user feedback from around the world, and has allowed millions of listeners in areas with limited bandwidth and phone storage to enjoy audio wherever they are. And as our users globally have found, though the app is lite, it’s just as loud.

In the 12 months since launch, listeners around the world have enjoyed and discovered thousands of new artists and podcasts—while easily controlling their data and storage. But where have fans been streaming from Spotify Lite the most, and what have they been streaming?

Since July 2019, we found that our listeners in Brazil have listened to the most music using Lite, out of all 37 markets with the app.* They’re followed by Mexico, India, Indonesia, and Argentina.

Even though some Lite users are on opposite sides of the world, they share some interesting listening patterns. For one, Mondays and Sundays are the top days for streaming, and lunch is the most common time to listen to music and podcasts.

Take a look at what they’re listening to:

Top Tracks

  1. “Señorita” – Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes
  2. “Dance Monkey” – Tones And I
  3. “Tusa” – KAROL G, Nicki Minaj
  4. “China” – Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, KAROL G, Ozuna
  5. “LA CANCIÓN” – Bad Bunny, J Balvin

Top Podcasts

  1. PODKESMAS (PODCAST KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT)
  2. Rintik Sedu
  3. Do You See What I See?
  4. NerdCast
  5. Kajian Hanan Attaki

Indonesia clearly had a great year for podcasts, with the market’s PODKESMAS, Rintik Sedu, and Do You See What I See all in the top five of the most streamed.

Plus, with a new year comes new growth—or rather, a reduction. Although the app was already small—only 10 MB when it came out of beta in 2019—we’ve been able to reduce the Lite app download size by an additional 15%.** This saves even more space on listeners’ phones while offering more than 60 million tracks and 1.5 million podcasts, regardless of network connectivity, data plan, and whether or not they have the latest phone.

The Spotify Lite app can be downloaded separately from the main Spotify app, and is available for both Free and Spotify Premium users. Use it alongside or independently from the main Spotify app on all Android phones running version 4.3 or higher.

*Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, India.

**App download size can vary depending on phone types.

Spotify Users Have Spent Over 2.3 Billion Hours Streaming Discover Weekly Playlists Since 2015

July 9, 2020

Discover Weekly, your weekly mixtape of fresh music, is celebrating an anniversary—five years of discovery this July. But the beloved playlist has humble origins, initially starting as an idea at Spotify’s annual Hack Week. Since then, it’s become known as one of our flagship offerings, was parodied on April Fools (2019’s Disco Cover Weekly, anyone?), and has introduced our Spotify users to some of their new favorite artists.


In the five years since its launch, listeners have also streamed endless hours of the Discover Weekly playlist—over 2.3 billion hours between July 2015 and June 25, 2020 For the numerically inclined, that’s more than:

  • 8.4 trillion seconds
  • 140 billion minutes
  • 2.3 billion hours
  • 97.3 million days
  • 13.9 million weeks
  • 266.5 thousand years

For context: That’s longer than human civilization has been around! 

Since the playlist updates every Monday with new music based on your personal listening habits, it leads users to find new artists, tracks, and hits to fall in love with. The Moroccan-Dutch DJ R3HAB is the most “discovered” artist in the most markets—16, to be exact—meaning users across those countries streamed him the most out of any other creator on their Discover Weekly playlist. 

“I love how Spotify allows my music to connect with people across so many cultures,” R3HAB told For the Record. “I’ve always considered myself a world artist and it’s amazing to see my music truly traveling. Spotify has broken down the geographical boundaries of music discovery, allowing people from all over to discover my music as soon as it’s released. Thank you, Discover Weekly.”

Halsey takes the spot for most discovered female artist globally. Notably, she released her first album, Badlands, in 2015—the same year Discover Weekly was created! Now, she’s included on the list of Top Streamed Female Artists on Spotify.

U.S. listeners stream Discover Weekly the most, and have spent a lot of time “discovering” music from RAC and Khalid. In the U.K. listeners have found Detroit-born house producer MK, and German DJ Alle Farben racks up the streams in his home country. And they’re discovering artists across genres too—everything from EDM to grupera (a regional Mexican style), to indietronica and Lithuanian folk.

With so much discovery in such a short span of time, (you know, compared to the entirety of human civilization), we can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring for this star playlist.