Tag: artists

The Next Generation of Puerto Rican Music Starts Here, With Support From Spotify

October 22, 2026

From Bad Bunny to Ricky Martin, Puerto Rican artists have made an indelible mark on music worldwide. And while the island’s talent continues to reach global audiences, Spotify is committed to expand access to the resources and spaces the next generation of Puerto Rican creators need to pursue their own creative ambitions. As part of that commitment, Spotify and Fundación Rimas joined the Grammy Museum to bring the Grammy In The Schools program to Puerto Rico for the first time.

The long-running program gives students an inside look at careers across the music industry along with the tools to begin building their own paths.

“The music industry can feel out of reach, especially for young people who don’t know where to begin,” said Kristin Jarrett, Associate Director, Social Impact & Inclusion at Spotify. “We want students to walk away knowing there’s a place for them in music, and that they can start carving out their own path today.”

Around 300 high school students from Escuela Superior Rosalina Caraballo de Martínez in Guaynabo took part in the day’s events. The morning kicked off with hands-on production and songwriting workshops for upperclassmen, followed by a panel focused on music industry careers, and a student showcase.

“For young people who love music, they might not always know what that career can actually look like beyond being on stage,” said Arin Canbolat, Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at the Grammy Museum. “Through workshops, conversations with industry professionals, and real-world creative experiences, students can better understand the opportunities available to them.”

Later, the students from across the school gathered for a Q&A with artist RaiNao and performances from Lockward, Chuwi, and DJ Hec. For RaiNao, the day was also an opportunity to return home and encourage young artists to embrace the learning process.

“It’s okay to fail,” she said. “In the end, nothing is a mistake because the process is the most important thing, and teaches us to build better.”

Indian Artists Are Finding Success Across More Languages, Genres, and Borders

September 2, 2026

India’s music streaming economy is growing like never before. That’s the big takeaway from the India edition of this year’s Loud & Clear report, Spotify’s annual look at how artists earn money from streaming and where the country’s music economy is headed next.

In 2025, royalties generated by Indian artists on Spotify grew 29% year over year, with every major Indian language contributing to that rise. And that increase translates into real earnings: the number of artists generating more than INR 10 million annually grew 21% year over year, while the number earning more than INR 50 million doubled since 2023.

Listeners around the world are helping fuel that momentum. Last year, fans pressed play on an Indian artist they had never heard before 12.8 billion times. In all, listeners streamed Indian artists nearly 335 billion times on Spotify, adding up to more than 20 billion hours of music.

To introduce this year’s report, Spotify held a Loud & Clear event focused on what the rise of artist-first music in the country means for artists today, and where the industry may be heading. There, Spotify Punjabi editor Mehak Chauhan Bhullar moderated a panel featuring Dhruvank Vaidya, Head of Music & Podcast, Spotify India alongside artists Aditya Rikhari and Simran Choudhary.

Spotify House 2026: All the Can’t-Miss Moments From CMA Fest

June 12, 2026

Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line performs onstage at Spotify House during CMA Fest 2026 - Day 2 at Ole Red on June 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Spotify House returned to CMA Fest for its seventh year, taking over Nashville’s Ole Red from June 4-6. Curated by the team behind Hot Country, the event brought together some of the genre’s biggest stars alongside breakout and emerging artists. From headline-making collaborations to first listens and special fan moments, here are a few of our favorite highlights.

Duets and surprise sets

One of the weekend’s biggest surprises came when Florida Georgia Line members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley reunited onstage to perform hits like “Cruise” and “This Is How We Roll.”

Elsewhere, Ashley McBryde was joined by Melissa Etheridge for a duet of “I’m The Only One,” while Vincent Mason welcomed STELLA LEFTY to the stage, where the couple performed “Something To Lose.”

The star-studded lineup continued throughout the event with surprise performances from Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton. Shaboozey closed things out with a surprise appearance from Kevin Powers.

Spotify and Universal Music Group Announce Landmark Licensing Agreements for Fan-Made Covers and Remixes

May 21, 2026

Groundbreaking responsible AI tool to launch as paid add-on for Spotify Premium users

Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced landmark recorded music and music publishing licensing agreements enabling Spotify to launch a new tool allowing fans to create covers and remixes of their favorite songs from participating artists and songwriters.

This groundbreaking tool will be powered by generative AI technology that will open up additional revenue streams and new ways to drive discovery. It introduces a creation model where artists and songwriters can directly share in the value generated through AI-driven licensed covers and remixes on the Spotify platform.

The new tool will launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users and create an additional source of income for artists and songwriters, on top of what they already earn on Spotify.

“Solving hard problems for music is what Spotify does, and fan-made covers and remixes are next. What we’re building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part. Through each technological transformation, we have worked together with Sir Lucian and his team to evolve the music ecosystem into a richer, more beneficial experience for fans and a more rewarding outcome for artists and songwriters,” said Alex Norström, Co-CEO, Spotify.

“The most valuable innovations in the music business always bring artists and fans closer together. That principle is at the heart of this pioneering AI-enabled superfan initiative, which is designed to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters. Building on our long track record of leading the industry through technology changes, and collaborating with Alex, Gustav, Daniel and the team at Spotify, this initiative is firmly artist-centric, rooted in responsible AI, and will drive growth for the entire ecosystem,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group.

About Spotify

Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionised music listening. Our move into podcasting brought innovation and a new generation of listeners to the medium. In 2022, we took the next leap, entering the fast-growing audiobook market—continuing to shape the future of audio. Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, 7 million podcast titles, and 700,000 audiobooks on Spotify. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 761 million users, including 293 million subscribers, in 184 markets.

About Universal Music Group

At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.

5 Years in Nigeria: A Look Back at How Listeners Are Championing Homegrown Sounds

February 23, 2026

Headphones, Microphones, and Nigerian outline on a green gradient background

When Spotify launched in Nigeria in February 2021, the very first song a user streamed was Shiga Lin’s “到此為止,” a Cantopop ballad from Hong Kong. It was a fitting start for what the next five years would look like: borderless, discovery-driven listening.

Today, we’re celebrating this five-year milestone by looking at the data that tells the story of Nigeria’s vibrant soundscape. Since launch, we’ve seen an average listening increase of over 163% year-over-year. Fueling this trend is a young, digitally native audience (the average listener is just 26) that’s shaping culture in real time. And their passion is clear: Nigerian users have created more than 25 million playlists to date, and in 2025 alone, they clocked more than 1.4 billion hours of listening time.

As more listeners tune in, more artists are finding a home on our platform. The number of Nigerian artists on Spotify is up 158% since 2021, reflecting an expanding pipeline of local creators reaching audiences at home and around the world.

At the heart of this growth is Afrobeats, which has scaled by 5,022% since 2021 and helped propel a new generation of stars to the top of the charts. Over the last five years, the most-streamed artists in Nigeria have been:

Asake, in particular, has captured the country’s attention, with four of the top 10 most-streamed songs, including the number one track, “Remember.”

Beyond Afrobeats, Nigerians are embracing a diverse mix of sounds. Here’s a look at some of the fastest-growing genres:

- Amapiano: +10,330%
- Gospel/praise: +5,499%
- Hip-hop/rap: +3,020%
- R&B: +2,602%

Listeners are also embracing Nigerian indigenous languages more than ever, with streams growing 554% in 2024 alone, showing a deep connection to local-language storytelling.

The listening boom has extended beyond music. Podcast consumption is on the rise, with Nigerians streaming almost 60 million hours since launch and embracing a new wave of audio storytelling.

At Spotify, we’re proud to provide a platform where Nigerian artists, creators, and fans can connect and share their culture with the world. We can’t wait to see where the sound goes next.

Celebrate five years of Spotify in Nigeria by streaming the most-played tracks in the country today.

Spotify Celebrates the 2026 Best New Artist Nominees During a Star-Studded Party in LA

January 30, 2026

Spotify’s annual Best New Artist celebration returned to Los Angeles last night with a one-of-a-kind tribute to the 2026 nominees. Held at The Lot at Formosa, the event delivered unforgettable performances and star-studded moments, showcasing Spotify’s commitment to championing the voices shaping the future of music.

All of this year’s nominees—Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías—were in attendance, each performing live on a rotating stage that kept the excitement building throughout the night.

Leon opened the night with a stellar performance of “MUTT,” followed by The Marías, who played “No One Noticed” and other hit tracks. Lola returned to the stage for an emotional take on “d£aler” before Alex led a crowd singalong of “Ordinary.”

Other standout moments included Addison’s performance of her breakout hit “Diet Pepsi,” sombr’s moving rendition of “back to friends,” KATSEYE’s electric set featuring “Gabriela,” and Olivia closing out the night with “Man I Need,” leaving the crowd buzzing.

Spotify and ELLE Debut ‘Three Generations,’ a Bold New Series Bridging Women in Music

October 8, 2025

Spotify’s commitment to supporting women in music spans genres, generations, and cultures. This week, we’re excited to announce a new chapter in our partnership with ELLE: Three Generations, a series that brings together legends, trailblazers, and rising stars for in-depth, cross-generational conversations.

Each episode spotlights a different genre and features three women who’ve made their mark at distinct moments in time—each still shaping the culture today. Together, they discuss legacy, influence, and what it means to stay relevant while paving the way forward.

The debut episode features Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland, and Ravyn Lenae in a candid, inspiring conversation. Highlights include:

Mariah Carey on cowriting 18 number-one hits…

“The thing is, people don’t want to give you your propers. They don’t. They’re like, ‘We don’t know if she’s a songwriter.’ I’m like, ‘Hello, I’m in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.’”

Kelly Rowland on texting in Microsoft Excel in the “Dilemma” music video…

“Everybody’s always asking me. I say, ‘I don’t know! I was given the device, it had this on it.’ … Here we are 25 years later. I am literally asked every week.”

Ravyn Lenae on recording her first song…

“So I used my $300 to book that studio session and I recorded that song, and the studio owner, he said, ‘You don’t ever have to pay for studio time ever again.’”

Watch the full conversation below, and follow @spotify and @elle for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes moments from the series.

New episodes of Three Generations will drop weekly, continuing to spotlight the voices shaping music and culture across generations and genres.

Discover music from these artists and other influential women in R&B in the ELLE Three Generations playlist on Spotify, which we’ll update with each new episode.

Women Fans Are Powering the Rise of Female Artists in Colombia

September 30, 2025

In Colombia, the sound of success for female artists is unmistakable, and much of that success is fueled by female fans. According to Spotify data, 58% of listeners of female artists in the country are women, highlighting a vibrant ecosystem where women are championing and elevating one another.

And the momentum is clear: Over the past five years, streams of female artists in Colombia have increased fivefold, while the catalog of songs by Colombian women has grown by 36%. The impact goes far beyond national borders. Globally, Colombian female artists have seen their streams grow 170 times in the last decade, cementing their status as cultural exports who are captivating audiences worldwide.

This remarkable growth reflects a changing industry. As Mia Nygren, Managing Director for Latin America at Spotify, notes: “The industry has evolved greatly in the decade Spotify has been in Latin America, and women’s roles have shifted as well. The numbers reflect this—not only in streams, but also in royalties. Still, we know there’s much more to be done, and that’s why we continue creating spaces and initiatives to promote and spotlight women in music.”

Empowerment Days: Building community in Bogotá

To fuel this momentum and address ongoing challenges, Spotify recently brought these milestones and conversations to the forefront at the third edition of Empowerment Days at Casa Spotify Bogotá. Designed by and for women in the music industry, the event is a cornerstone of Spotify’s global EQUAL initiative. EQUAL, which champions women artists and creators both on- and off-platform, has supported more than 1,200 ambassadors worldwide.

Across two days, managers, producers, artists, and creators gathered to share advice and reflect on the unique challenges women face in music. A highlight was a panel featuring Mia, manager Rebeca León, and singer-songwriter ELENA ROSE, who discussed topics like education, independence, and the importance of financial literacy.

Setting the Record Straight on Spotify’s Terms of Use

September 24, 2025

You might be seeing some misinformation online about a change to Spotify’s Terms of Use and their impact on artists, authors, and creators. These claims are false. These Terms of Use pertain to Spotify listeners and do not govern Spotify’s rights to use artists’, podcasters’, creators’, or authors’ creative works.

Spotify’s Terms of Use govern what listeners can and cannot do on our platform, not the creative works that artists, podcasters, creators, or authors distribute on our platform. These listener terms enable Spotify to display features such as user-created custom playlist covers, user comments on podcasts, and user-created playlist titles.

The recent changes to our listener Terms of Use do not impact how artists’, podcasters’, creators’, and authors’ music, shows, and/or audiobooks are distributed on our platform, what rights they retain, or what Spotify does with their work.

Motivational Corridos: The New Sound of Resilience in Música Mexicana

August 28, 2025

Corridos have been a cornerstone of Música Mexicana for generations, telling stories rooted in everyday life. Now, a new chapter is taking shape: motivational corridos, or corridos motivadores. Drawing on themes of resilience and ambition, these songs are resonating with younger fans, offering both comfort and motivation.

Unlike other modern corrido styles, such as tumbados, motivational corridos focus on hard work, progress, and optimism. They center everyday people and their aspirations, often sticking to traditional song structures and the signature sounds of northern Mexican music, while also making subtle updates that speak to a new generation of listeners.

“What sets motivational corridos apart is how they use language to inspire and reimagine the traditional corrido narrative through a more emotional lens,” says Alejandro Grageda, Head of Music at Spotify Mexico. “These songs are connecting in a powerful way with listeners who want music that mirrors their own experiences.”

Voices of resilience

The artists driving the motivational corridos movement come from all corners of Mexico, each using the genre to capture what it means to keep going, no matter where you start.

Antonin Padilla, who once worked at a car wash, describes how corridos inspired him:

“When I was working at the car wash and dreaming of pursuing music full time, it was corridos from Grupo Marca Registrada that kept me grinding. Sometimes, it’s not even about the lyrics matching your life exactly—the motivational vibe just lifts you up and keeps you moving.”

Raúl Beltran has developed his own approach, which he calls metaphysical corridos:

“I created corridos metafísicos to carry motivation and encouragement in the lyrics, so people can believe in themselves and go after their goals. Life is built on what you think, what you say, and what you listen to.”

Grupo Selectivo finds inspiration in their own story of perseverance:

“Our motivational stories come from our own experiences. Grupo Selectivo is a group that started from the bottom—we’ve been chasing this dream for years.”

Kane Rodriguez sees firsthand how motivational corridos encourage listeners to strive for more:

“These self-improvement corridos come from seeing how people react to the music. When they feel motivated to earn more and keep working, that’s what inspires me to keep making these songs.”

For Los Chavalitos, authenticity is key:

“The stories in our corridos are our own. We write more than 90% of our music, and it’s all based on what we’re feeling and living through. We want people to know that life brings both sweet and bitter moments, and you have to enjoy them all—always valuing what you have and doing your best to move forward.”

Music that brings people together

Since 2023, Música Mexicana has shifted toward lyrics that are more introspective and resonant. As artists around the country began focusing on personal stories and messages of self-improvement, motivational corridos steadily grew—earning spots on Spotify playlists like La Reina: Éxitos de la Música Mexicana, Corridos Perrones, Ruteando, Rancho Viral, and MEXCLA. Now, with the launch of our new Corridos Motivadores playlist, these songs have a dedicated home.

This subgenre stands out for its authenticity, offering music that encourages, uplifts, and reflects real life. Motivational corridos are helping listeners find meaning in everyday challenges and creating a sense of belonging.

At Spotify, we’re proud to support the evolution of Música Mexicana, where pride, sensitivity, and the drive to move forward are louder than ever.

Stream our Corridos Motivadores playlist to discover the artists and stories at the heart of this movement.

Spotify and Stray Kids Celebrate KARMA With an Immersive Spotify STAYdium Experience

August 22, 2025

Stray Kids members pose for a group shot

The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. And with Spotify STAYdium, fans aren’t just listening, they’re living every moment of it.

Now open in Seoul and Jakarta through August 25, and then heading to Tokyo August 23 through August 27, Spotify STAYdium is a journey into Stray Kids’ latest era. It’s also a tribute to STAY, whose dedication has fueled Stray Kids’ story of grit, growth, and global impact.

“Our fans are the reason for our destiny. We’re also so thankful for Spotify, who has supported us since our rookie year,” said the group. “Partnering with Spotify to bring Spotify STAYdium to life feels like we’ve come full circle. This space celebrates all that we’ve built together with STAY, and we hope they feel our love in every moment.”

Spotify and FC Barcelona Bring K-Pop to the Game with ITZY in Korea

August 5, 2025

Since we announced our global partnership with FC Barcelona in 2022, we’ve been finding new ways to unite the worlds of music and football—amplifying artists, connecting fans, and making the matchday experience even more memorable.

This summer, we brought that vision to life in South Korea for the very first time. As part of FC Barcelona’s 2025 Asia Tour, we teamed up with K-Pop sensation ITZY for a localized campaign that put Korean creativity front and center.

With friendly matches in Seoul and Daegu as the backdrop, our first Korea activation under the Spotify x FC Barcelona partnership gave us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the passion of Korean fans through music and sport.

“Bringing Spotify’s partnership with FC Barcelona to Korea is a powerful moment,” said Marc Hazan, Vice President, Partnerships and Marketing, Spotify. “We’re proud to feature ITZY as a part of this collaboration, which celebrates Korean creativity on a global stage and reflects our mission to connect artists and fans in unforgettable ways.”

“South Korea has long been home to some of the most passionate football and music fans in the world,” said Marc Bruix, Director of Partnerships, FC Barcelona. “Through this special partnership with Spotify, we’re excited to bring our global vision to life in a way that connects with local culture. Partnering with ITZY, a group that represents the vibrancy and global appeal of Korean music, perfectly reflects our shared ambition to reach new audiences and create unforgettable moments.”

“We had such a great time being part of this campaign,” said the members of ITZY. “It was a fun opportunity to show how music and football can come together to create something truly exciting for fans everywhere.”

ITZY-curated playlists

We invited ITZY to take over Barça on Tour: Korea 2025, curating 30 tracks—including 10 of their own and 20 warm-up picks—to get fans hyped for kickoff. The playlist is available globally on Spotify, with ITZY on the cover sporting official FC Barcelona jerseys.

To keep the momentum going, they’re also taking over WOR K OUT—Korea’s No. 1 workout playlist on Spotify, with more than 1.3M followers—starting August 9. It’s packed with their favorite tracks to keep post-game energy high.

Matchday moments

To amplify the spirit of the occasion, Spotify and FC Barcelona produced exclusive content featuring a special meet-and-greet between ITZY and Barça players at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The interactive footage was shared across socials, bringing fans even closer to this unique moment.

Pitch-side presence

During the Seoul match, fans saw Spotify branding across LED boards, goal-line signage, and press backdrops, and they’ll be seeing more of it in Daegu. We also took over one of Seoul’s most iconic digital displays, Gangnam Media Sync, to share the campaign with the city.

From jersey takeovers with global superstars like Travis Scott, Coldplay, KAROL G, The Rolling Stones, ROSALÍA, and Drake to localized cultural campaigns like this one with ITZY, our partnership with FC Barcelona continues to turn football into a creative canvas that celebrates artists and the fans who love them.

Want more from Spotify x FC Barcelona? Follow FC Barcelona’s official profile on Spotify or visit our dedicated For The Record hub to stay in tune. Getting ready for the next match? Hit play on the Barça on Tour: Korea 2025 playlist curated by ITZY, or check out their official artist profile.