Artist Spotlight Archives

Corey Kent’s sound brings together his Oklahoma roots with country soul and a rocker’s edge. Earlier this month, he brought that mix to Bloomington, Indiana, for the latest iteration of Spotify Homegrown Live, presented by Hilton, ahead of the release of his new album Heartland Rock and Roll, out September 25.

It was the first sponsored live event for homegrown, Spotify’s editorial playlist spotlighting the next wave of country music. Fans gathered on the Graduate Hotel rooftop at Indiana University for an intimate experience featuring an acoustic performance from Corey, a live DJ, and panoramic views as Homegrown Live kicked off college football weekend in true Hoosier fashion.

For the Record invited Corey to take our first-ever Spotify Questionnaire: a look at the songs and stories that make an artist who they are. From a preschool run-in over Garth Brooks to his favorite podcasts, here’s how Corey is listening.

What’s the name of your daylist right now?

My daylist right now is “vapor soul indie surf Thursday afternoon.” My most recent playlist is “90s throwback.” It’s got Sugar Ray, Semisonic, Macy Gray, Uncle Kracker, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, and Lenny Kravitz.

What’s the first song you remember loving?

I remember getting sent to the principal’s office and my mom having to come up to the school because I was singing “Two Pina Coladas” by Garth Brooks at my Christian preschool. Man, I love that song.

Who’s the best artist you’ve discovered recently?

I would probably say ROLE MODEL. “High Hopes 3000” was the last song I listened to.

What’s the last song you sent to a friend, and why?

I sent my bass player “Fly” and “Someday” by Sugar Ray. I was just like, “These could be fun covers to throw into the set.” We love that style of rock.

What album takes you back to a specific place or moment more than any other?

That’s an easy one for me. Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon takes me right back to this little pond where we used to build fires and sit around until the super early hours of the morning. We’d be fishing out there and always listening to that record.

Is there such a thing as a guilty musical pleasure? If so, what’s yours?

I think so. Mine is U.K. rap. I think their accents are so dope. I also love lo-fi instrumentals. That’s what I listen to whenever I’m trying to get some work done and just need to zen out, or even when I’m working out.

If you could swap music libraries with anyone for a day, who would it be?

That’s a tough one. If it was a playlist, I’d say my producer and my good friend Austin Goodloe. He’s always putting me on stuff I’ve never heard before, so I feel like his musical library would be super interesting. If it was an artist and I could swap all of my songs for all of their songs… I’m going to go with Chris Stapleton. I feel like a lot of his songs would be really fun to sing, and obviously they’re incredible.

What’s your go-to podcast when you’re running errands or doing chores?

The Joe Rogan Experience is always a go-to. I am pretty selective about what guests I listen to because I’m more interested in the historical experts and the wonders of the world, or just crazy undiscovered mysteries about ancient civilizations. I listen to another called the Intentional Fatherhood podcast, which I’ve found super helpful in being a husband and a father. And The Daily Stoic.

Who would you want to narrate the audiobook version of your memoir?

Close race between Morgan Freeman, just because his voice is epic, or Matthew McConaughey. I think that everything McConaughey says sounds interesting and my story is pretty dynamic. There are some highs and some lows, so I think he’d do a great job narrating it.

Southeast Asia’s music scene is one of the most culturally diverse and it’s not just growing, it’s exploding. Here, listeners actively champion homegrown sounds and propel niche local genres. From Indonesia’s Ambyar and to the Philippines’ hip hop and Thailand’s Thai Indie, local sounds are bubbling out of the region as listeners embrace music that reflects unique local cultures. As appetite for local music grows, artists like Thailand’s Jeff Satur, the Philippines’ Cup of Joe, and Indonesia’s Hindia are proving that regional traction is the new benchmark, building fanbases across Southeast Asia.

Get to know some of the artists defining what it means to be making music in Southeast Asia today. They are bold, personal, and unmistakably original.

52Hz, Vietnam

Vietnam’s 52Hz is a rising star in Asian music, bending alt-R&B, indie pop, and electronic sounds. Her breakout hit, “Đợi,” showcases her gift for intimate yet expansive storytelling. “No matter how messy, unclear, joyful, or painful, creativity can be shaped into something meaningful that can truly move others,” she says. 52Hz believes that artists should “confidently bring something personal and uniquely “theirs”.” As an Asian artist shaping the global soundscape, she balances individuality and cultural identity, amplifying her reach to global listeners through Spotify.

BUS, Thailand

Thailand’s BUS is a rising 12-member T-Pop group named as a Spotify RADAR Thailand artist in 2024. For BUS, music is personal, with each track reflecting their personality and passion. “The most exciting thing is seeing fans happy, that connection drives everything we do,” they say. “That connection drives everything we do.” Whether crafting songs or dropping music videos, “the moment it’s out,” they continue. “We look forward to hearing what fans think. Their support pushes us to keep getting better.”

Cup of Joe, Philippines

Hailing from the Philippines, Cup of Joe is a band pushing the boundaries of modern Pinoy music with their inspirational lyrics, fun visual identity, and catchy melodies that spike LSS (last song syndrome). As they aptly describe, “Asian music has many stories to tell, and [it has] always been a blend of tradition and new wave forms.” Driven by the belief that “with good music and the right platform, anything is possible,” the band is turning international heads while staying rooted in what makes them uniquely Filipino.

Firdhaus, Malaysia

Known for crafting soul-baring ballads that balance delicacy and depth, Firdhaus first captured regional hearts with the viral phenomenon, “在加納共和國離婚,” which soared onto the Top 50 charts in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. This proves that “a good song with a real story” and genuine emotion possesses a universal language capable of reaching audiences beyond borders. He’s among Asian artists who are “no longer just trying to fit into typical molds,” he says, but are “creating our own stories.” That raw authenticity doesn’t just define his music; it also fuels his profound connection with fans.

Hev Abi, Philippines

Filipino artist Hev Abi is a Spotify RADAR Philippines artist carving his own musical world with fresh and captivating sounds in the Philippines hip-hop scene. Since launching his smash album Kung Alam Mo Lang, in partnership with Spotify, he continues to cement his musical style and connect with new audiences through the platform. Fueled by a passionate fanbase, he says “it’s just a different feeling when you’re performing onstage and you can hear and feel the sheer energy, love, and support from the crowd, it really gets you going.”

Hindia, Indonesia

Indonesian artist Hindia mixes indie rock, alt-pop, and electronic sounds to create raw, soul-stirring music. His breakout album, Menari Dengan Bayangan, became a generational soundtrack, now reaching over 12 million monthly Spotify listeners. As listeners today increasingly embrace music beyond language barriers, valuing artistry over literal understanding, Hindia urges Asian artists to “keep making sounds unapologetically our way.”

MILLI, Thailand

Thai superstar MILLI fuses hip-hop, pop, R&B, and traditional Thai music into a signature genre-defining style. As the voice behind massive viral moment “สุดปัง Sudpang” and F.HERO’s “Mirror Mirror” featuring MILLI and Changbin of Stray Kids, she made history as the first solo Thai artist at Coachella 2022 and more recently proved regional success with her sold-out Japan debut. Beyond personal expression, “music has become my life,” she says. As she celebrates the wave of Asian artists gaining traction in the global music scene, her message is clear: “Don’t let language limit you, spread our culture to the world.”

Regina Song, Singapore

Singapore’s Regina Song makes Asian alt-pop sound intimate with confessional songwriting and soft-spoken vocals. Standout track “the cutest pair” performed during her 2025 Southeast Asia tour marked a powerful breakthrough, proving her honest storytelling resonates with listeners across borders. “I like to be very diaristic in my writing,” she explains, using lyrics and music to process emotions while helping others do the same.

Wren Evans, Vietnam

Wren Evans is breaking the boundaries of Vietnam’s alt-pop scene with his bold mix of R&B, hip-hop, and striking visuals. His viral hit, “Thích Em Hơi Nhiều,” amassed millions of streams, dominated Vietnamese charts and propelled his debut album, LOI CHOI: The Neo Pop Punk across Asia. As the first Vietnamese artist to share the stage with South Korean singer-songwriter on.T, he says “music is becoming a borderless concept, empowering collaborations and connections, while letting each artist stay true to their identity.”

Yura Yunita, Indonesia

With more than 500 million streams on Spotify and a spot on Spotify’s Top Indonesian Artists playlist, Yura Yunita introduces Indonesian culture to global audiences through music rooted in raw emotion. She acknowledges that “integrating culture creates a wider space for audiences to appreciate local music.” For Yura, every song begins with a story. “Lyrics are the heart of what I do,” she says. And with every verse, she brings listeners closer to something heartfelt and uniquely hers, to “build a strong emotional connection with the listener” no matter where they are.

Stream the We SEA You playlist to discover some of the region’s greatest hits.

Tag: Artist Spotlight

Corey Kent on the Song That Got Him Sent to the Principal’s Office