Tag: becky g

These Are the Most-Listened-to Songs by Women in Argentina This Year

a collage image of different female artists from argentina on different color backgrounds

The voices of women are getting louder in Argentina, where the presence of women artists in the country’s Top 50 has grown by 500% over five years. Demand in listenership is similarly up, with music performed by women making up over 20% of music consumption in Argentina—an increase of more than 12% since 2017. This huge development is an encouraging sign of the work Argentinian women artists have put in for fair recognition in their local music scene, and it marks positive change in an industry where many women face challenges to be heard and taken seriously as artists. 

One way Spotify is supporting this continued positive growth is through our EQUAL program, which shines a spotlight on women artists through global partnerships, activations, playlists, and more—all to foster equity for women around the world and celebrate their massive musical contributions. 

In 2022, a wave of talented Argentinian women have continued to raise the volume, with the likes of María Becerra, TINI, Nicki Nicole, and Emilia finding themselves on the list of Argentina’s 10 most-streamed Spotify tracks by women artists:

    1. Sofía Reyes and María Becerra – “Marte
    2. TINI – “La Triple T
    3. Nicki Nicole and Los Ángeles Azules – “Otra Noche
    4. ROSALÍA – “DESPECHÁ
    5. TINI and L-Gante – “Bar
    6. María Becerra – “OJALÁ
    7. Shakira – “Te Felicito
    8. Emilia – “cuatro veinte
    9. KAROL G – “PROVENZA
    10. TINI  – “Miénteme

“At Spotify we understand the challenges women face in music, and we know that the more opportunities we give them, the more people listen to them,” Mariana Sarramea, Senior Editor for Southern Cone, told For the Record. “We are actively committed to generating cultural impact by narrowing the inequality gap that still persists. Our work is focused not only on projecting established artists outside our borders alongside local and regional teams, but also on creating opportunities for emerging artists and new talents.”

While there’s always more work to be done to ensure that equity within music is fully realized, Spotify will continue to highlight and amplify women’s voices in Argentina and in the rest of the world.

Discover more of Argentina’s best women artists in the EQUAL Argentina

Spotify Predicts the Latin Grammys Nominees Who Could Win Big in 2022

On Thursday night, the Latin Grammys will make its return to Las Vegas to celebrate the artists and industry professionals who make Latin Music the global sensation it is today. With more than 50% of Spotify listeners streaming at least one Latin song per month—amounting to approximately 215 million users globally—this annual awards show features many of the most-streamed artists on the platform.

Leading the pack of nominees is Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2020 and 2021, Bad Bunny, who has earned 10 Latin Grammy nominations on the back of his blockbuster album Un Verano Sin Ti. Rauw Alejandro and ROSALÍA have each been nominated in eight categories this year, and Christina Aguilera, Jorge Drexler, and Tainy follow closely with seven nominations each.  

When it comes to the big four awards—Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year—the competition is fierce. Any of the nominees could take home the coveted gilded gramophone. But we have a few predictions for who will nab the top awards this year. 

Record of the Year

Often confused with Song of the Year, Record of the Year honors the performing artist on the song as well as the producers, sound engineer, master engineer, and sound mixers. Among those nominated, Spotify data suggests that it’s going to be a close call between Bad Bunny’s “Ojitos Lindos,” KAROL G’s “PROVENZA,” and Anitta’s “Envolver,” all of which have generated millions of streams.

Album of the Year

It’s been a big year for both ROSALÍA and Bad Bunny, who are two of the hottest Latin artists of this generation and our favorites to take home this major achievement.

ROSALÍA’s album MOTOMAMI has been loved by fans across the world, but especially in cities like Mexico City, Santiago, and Madrid. With its futuristic visuals and catchy, genre-bending sounds, fans couldn’t get enough of her music (and even showed their support by getting “tattooed” at our album release event in March).

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti has held the top spot on Spotify’s USA Chart for over 20 weeks. And the artist known as “El Conejo Malo” stayed true to his Puerto Rican roots, tapping a mix of rising and legendary acts from his home country to feature on his fifth album. This also marks Bad Bunny’s fourth nomination in this category. 

Song of the Year 

If Spotify streams are any indication, the winner for Song of the Year will come down to two widely loved tracks: KAROL G’s “PROVENZA” and Camilo’s “Indigo.” 

In 2021, KAROL G was Spotify’s most-streamed female artist globally. She currently sits among the top 50 most-streamed artists with more than 37 million monthly listeners. Inspired by the Provenza neighborhood in her hometown of Medellin, “PROVENZA” is nominated in multiple categories this year.

Also hailing from Medellin, Camilo is one of the most influential Latin artists, with five Latin Grammys to his name. And when it’s all said and done, it’s possible “Indigo”—a track about the birth of his daughter that also features his wife Evaluna Montaner—will earn him a sixth award. 

Best New Artist

With 10 nominees in the running, this category is packed with talent. But looking at our data, we think there are three artists in particular who could take home this award. 

Yahritza y Su Esencia have experienced a meteoric rise in 2022. Based out of Washington’s Yakima Valley, their unique brand of Mexican music has attracted nearly 4 million monthly Spotify listeners. 

Pol Granch also had a breakthrough 2022, reaching 6 million monthly listeners made up of fans from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

Silvana Estrada is the young Mexican singer-songwriter who was among the first artists featured on Spotify’s RADAR playlist when it launched in 2020. Her signature voice and emotional lyrics take listeners through feelings of love lost and found, sadness, and anguish.

RADAR artists continue to make an impact

Since the launch of our RADAR program in 2020, more than 50 Latin artists have been featured across our playlists. And over the last 12 months, these artists have collectively generated more than 2.5 billion streams and attracted more than 25 million followers.

But even more impressive, a number of Latin artists featured on RADAR have worked on some of the biggest tracks of the year, and their contributions are being recognized at the Latin Grammys. 

In addition to her nod for Best New Artist, Silvana Estrada’s album Marchita is up for Best Singer-Songwriter album award.

Ovy On The Drums, who was first featured on RADAR Andinos in 2020, is also nominated across several categories as a producer and songwriter. This includes Record of the Year (KAROL G’s “PROVENZA” and Sebastian Yatra’s “DHARMA), Song of the Year (“PROVENZA”), and Best Urban Song (“DHARMA” and Becky G and KAROL G’s “MAMIII”).

And rounding out this list are Maria Becerra—whose album Animal is nominated for Best Urban Music Album—and Trueno—whose song “Dance Crip” is nominated for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song. 

Along with these four artists, there are eight other RADAR artists who have been nominated for Latin Grammys in previous years: GIULIA BE, Lasso, Boza, Humbe, Covi Quintana, Los Dos Carnales, Nathy Peluso, and LOUTA.

The party kicks off at Casa Spotify

Given that Latin music streams on Spotify have grown more than 1,000% over the last seven years, November 17 is sure to be a big night. And that’s why we’re also hosting our Casa Spotify experience in Las Vegas.

Open today and tomorrow, Casa Spotify celebrates the achievements of the nominees and those who have pushed Latin music forward. It will also serve as an oasis for invited guests to network and collaborate, with a private room for listening sessions and meetings, a content capture studio, and additional photo-worthy areas throughout the space.

We’ll be sharing more from Casa Spotify as the week unfolds, so stay tuned and check back for the latest happenings. 

Looking for more of the hottest tracks from top Latin artists? Press play on our flagship playlist, Viva Latino:

 

After 7 Years of Breaking Boundaries, Spotify’s Baila Reggaeton Playlist Hits 10 Million Followers

Reggaeton first surfaced in Panama in the 1970s and quickly took on a vibrant life of its own. As the genre found footholds in Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the United States, it also welcomed new talents and sounds. In the years to follow, the reggae-dancehall fusion solidified as a prevailing cultural movement with its own language, symbols, and artistic identity. In 2013, Spotify recognized this rapidly growing movement and created the Baila Reggaeton playlist. Now, seven years later, the playlist has skyrocketed—much like the genre itself—and has now reached 10 million followers.

From Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” in the mid-2000s to 2017’s “Mi Gente” by J Balvin, the genre—and the playlist that captured it all—has seen explosive growth and influence throughout the years. Two reggaeton artists (Daddy Yankee and J Balvin) have even become the number-one-streamed artist on Spotify globally following the release of their hits on the playlist.  

But these milestones are only the tip of the reggaeton iceberg. The Baila Reggaeton playlist has ridden the genre’s groove and helped break the new wave of reggaeton artists like Sech, Rauw Alejandro, and Lunay. The top 10 songs streamed on the playlist from January 1, 2014, to now encompass many of the artists who make up the sounds of the genre.    

  1. Sola (Remix)” — Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Farruko, Wisin, Zion & Lennox
  2. Te Boté – Remix” ­— Bad Bunny, Casper Magico, Darell, Nicky Jam, Nio Garcia, Ozuna
  3. Me Rehúso” — Danny Ocean
  4. Escápate Conmigo” ­— Ozuna, Wisin
  5. La player (Bandolera)” ­— Zion & Lennox
  6. Otra vez” — J Balvin, Zion & Lennox
  7. Sin Pijama” — Becky G, Natti Natasha
  8. Criminal” ­— Natti Natasha, Ozuna
  9. Vaina Loca” ­— Manuel Turizo, Ozuna
  10. Ahora Dice” ­— Arcangel, Chris Jeday, J Balvin, Ozuna

The increasing popularity of reggaeton is reflected not only on this playlist, but also heavily across social media platforms, where reggaeton artists thrive and have become cultural influencers, tastemakers, and role models for the new generation of Latin music fans. See what some of your favorites have to say.

What does it feel like to be part of a genre that has now revolutionized the music industry?

Becky G: I feel empowered to be a part of a genre that is revolutionizing the music industry. I have always believed in the power of music and how it can bring others together, so I love seeing how the universal language of music is starting to pick up a little slang from us too. 

J Balvin: It feels amazing. I have spent my entire career trying to push the “Latino Gang” culture forward, so it feels special to see the genre become a truly worldwide movement.

Ivy Queen: I feel great pride to see how a genre that started off in Borinquen’s streets and garages has shaken the world.

Daddy Yankee: I always had the vision that reggaeton would be heard in the entire world. It was already a lifestyle but it took some time to realize that people would grow within this new culture—it was a movement. I was absolutely clear about it, and even if they called me crazy I always envisioned what we are now living through.

How Spotify Spotlights Breaking Latin Talent

In the past year, Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! playlist highlighted nine rising artists in its original video series Radar Latino and helped bring their success to new heights. As the flagship playlist for the biggest hits in Latin music, ¡Viva Latino! closely followed this crop of artists, who were poised to become the next hitmakers on the list, amplifying them for fans with in-depth video profiles.

Representing a wealth of different styles and countries, these artists enjoyed an average 49% increase in streams after being featured. They found their own measures of success, earning cosigns with Shakira and reaching other career milestones.

Puerto Rican urban pop singer Darell, the first artist showcased with a Radar Latino feature on ¡Viva Latino! in 2019, made his major-label debut in February with the low-slung thumper “Caliente,” a team-up with hugely successful countryman Farruko. Laying claim to a slow, hypnotic flow, he released a stack of notable singles in 2019, including the supple headline cut “No Vuelvas Más” (“Don’t Come Back Anymore”).

In March, soulful New York/Chilean singer Paloma Mami saw her delicate urban ballad “Fingías” launch with a Radar Latino profile and song placement on the ¡Viva Latino! playlist, leading to her biggest spike for single-day streams to date. The single went gold on the Latin pop chart, and Paloma quickly followed it with the C. Tangana collaboration “No Te Debí Besar” and the sultry summons “Mami” (anchored by the English vocal hook “I like it when you call me mami”). Despite only singing professionally since June 2018, she’s now one of the hottest female artists in Latin music, and her plays increased by more than 100% in the week after that playlist appearance.

Commanding more than 20 million monthly listeners, Panamanian reggaeton singer Sech had a banner year that kicked into high gear after his Radar Latino feature in ¡Viva Latino!, which highlighted the release of his debut EP, Sueños. He went on to perform at Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! Live in Miami and enjoy one of the biggest hits of the summer in “Otro Trago” (“Another Drink”), which hit number one in multiple countries and achieved diamond sales. The former producer and lyricist for other artists hails from Panama City, where his father is a well-known local pastor. Thanks to “Otro Trago” and its remix, Sech is still riding the wave of his explosive Latin music success story. He told For The Record, “[Being featured on ¡Viva Latino!] is something I’m very proud of, as there are thousands of artists that could’ve gotten it, and it’s truly an honor to be one of them.”

After being featured in ¡Viva Latino!, Argentinian rapper/singer Cazzu saw her streams increase more than 200%. She has amassed more than 20 million streams for her infectious yet emotional single “Visto a las 00:00,” which debuted on the playlist in June along with her Radar Latino video profile. Cazzu also released her second album, Error 93, to great acclaim in June. She’s one of the most distinctive artists from the Radar Latino class of 2019, earning a cult following for her alternative style and embrace of trap’s chilled-out swagger; “Mucha Data” especially showcases her purring, coolheaded vocals over ultra-skeletal production.

A Puerto Rican singer and multi-instrumentalist who aims to unite music and dance at the level Michael Jackson did, Rauw Alejandro released his silky, slinky single “Detective” alongside his feature in ¡Viva Latino!. Arriving hot on the heels of his debut EP, Trap Cake, Vol.1, that romantic highlight provided a serious boost for the artist, with his audience now topping 15 million monthly listeners. Almost as passionate about soccer as he is about music, the prolific collaborator kicked off 2020 with a guest spot on Jay Menez’s intricate Latin trap cut “Solo.”

After his breakthrough single “Soltera” appeared on ¡Viva Latino!, teenage Puerto Rican artist Lunay released his debut album in late 2019. He was profiled on the playlist in August with that song’s remix, featuring Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny; it topped the pop charts in Spain. Influenced by Puerto Rico’s native La Plento music, Lunay mingles those proud roots with up-to-the-minute reggaeton and Latin trap. The melodious, charismatic singer is also a tireless collaborator, having achieved back-to-back gold sales via recent team-ups with Zion & Lennox (“Llégale”), Myke Towers (“La Cama”), and Anuel AA and Ozuna (“Aventura”).

 

A winner of X Factor in his native Colombia, Camilo is an affable, versatile Latin pop singer as well as a successful songwriter for such artists as Becky G, Natti Natasha, Juanes, and Leslie Grace. After his poignant 2018 turn on Mau y Ricky’s “Desconocidos,” the deeply spiritual artist (who begins every day with a meditative ritual that he calls “airplane mode”) was showcased in a Radar Latino profile on ¡Viva Latino! in tandem with his mainstream breakthrough “Tutu.” The track has since topped the charts in seven countries and earned a remix costarring none other than Shakira.

There’s also Puerto Rico’s Guaynaa. A former horse jockey who grew up listening to music with his troubadour grandfather, Guaynaa was still splitting his time between horse racing and music when French superstar DJ Snake shared his breakthrough track “Rebota” on social media. The unexpected boost encouraged the rapper and reggaeton singer to devote himself fully to music. Since then he has been profiled by Billboard and collaborated with Mala Rodriguez (“Dame Bien”), Mon Laferte (“Plata Ta Ta”), and Yandel (“Full Moon”), always showing off his cool, confident flow and pop sensibilities.

¡Viva Latino! capped the year by spotlighting Mariah, a Miami singer with Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage who grew up listening to reggaeton (and yes, was named after Mariah Carey). Her breakthrough came with last year’s swaggering reggaeton earworm “Perreito,” which made it onto Spotify’s Viral 50 chart in 16 countries. Produced by Nely El Arma Secreta, the track has since been remixed with guest spots from Darell and Arcangel. Mariah quickly followed it up with “Una Noche Más,” a more traditional track that shows off her softer side, and teamed up with fellow Radar Latino selection Guaynaa on the just-released Taxi.” “I never thought I would be on this level,” said Mariah to For The Record. “And now I wake up and I’m traveling the world. It’s a great honor to have been featured as one of Spotify’s Radar Latino artists. I’ll never forget it.”

As 2020 builds steam, fans around the world can check out more of the year’s rising Latin artists on Spotify’s Radar Latino playlist.

Spotify Flagship Playlist ¡Viva Latino! Hits 10 Million Followers

It’s been growing five times faster than any other playlist in Spotify’s top 1000. It’s propelled numerous Spanish-language songs to the Global Top 100 and Top 50 charts. And now, ¡Viva Latino!, our flagship Latin music playlist, has hit a remarkable 10 million followers. 

Spotify users from all over the world are tuning into ¡Viva Latino! to hear the hits from the hottest Latin artists – whether it’s the latest global anthems by Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Ozuna, or Nicky Jam, the soulful sounds of Karol G, the sultry hits of Becky G, or Rosalia’s reinvention of flamenco, to name just a few. ¡Viva Latino! is loaded with songs that grab your attention, fill your day with music, and secure a place in your heart.

The growth of the third-most-followed playlist reflects the incredible movement within Latin music over the past few years. Since 2014, Latin artists have seen a staggering 250% increase in representation across the Global Top 100. Plus, in the past two years alone on Spotify, we’ve seen an average 33% year-over-year increase in streams of Latin music.  

We’re excited about this 10-million-follower milestone—thanks in large part to you, the listeners and fans. The artists who made the playlist great are thankful and excited too. Check out the video below for best wishes from Daddy Yankee, Anitta, Wisin & Yandel, and more. We are 10,000,000 strong.

If you’re as excited about this milestone as we are, come celebrate with us in Miami at the second ¡Viva Latino! Live concert, featuring Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, Rosalia, Sebastian Yatra, and Sech. Get tickets on Ticketmaster

Let the Music Play Forever: Spotify Honors the Legacies of Legendary Artists on Día de los Muertos

Music carries messages across generations, and that’s especially true on Día de los Muertos. To celebrate the traditional holiday, Spotify is honoring some of Mexican music’s most-beloved deceased icons and their lasting impact on the world of Latin music and culture—and helping music fans connect to the special day.

On the Latin music hub, fans can explore a number of original Día de los Muertos playlists that highlight the music of current and past Mexican and Mexican-American artists. What’s more, they’re all decorated with images of the artists or symbols of Día de los Muertos, such as papel picados, or cut paper banners. Music lovers can embrace the holiday’s musical traditions, stream original artist covers, and honor the legacies of stars past with our dedicated playlists.

First up, our eclectic Día de los Muertos playlist features songs from contemporary and legendary Mexican and Mexican-American greats, and includes a few covers of moving, traditional songs by late musicians. We worked with three current artists to cover those legendary hits—Mexican-American singer-songwriter Becky G lends her soulful voice to a moving take of “Por Un Amor, Cucurrucucu Paloma,” Joss Favela performs a gripping rendition of “Eso y Más,” and indie musician Silvana Estrada brings new life to “Amor Eterno.”

These rising stars also spoke to Spotify about the meaning of the holiday and the impact covering one of their legends had on them.

“For Mexicans, Día de los Muertos is a moment with our loved ones who are no longer with us,” explained Joss Favela. “My idols are no longer alive but they live in their music. This song we are recording is our offering.”

Silvana Estrada noted, “It’s a beautiful opportunity to get in touch with my musical predecessors.”

“This Día de los Muertos, I am honoring Jenni Rivera,” explains Becky G. “When I think of her, I think of my mom—I think of my grandmothers. She embodies the voice of women everywhere.”

Jenni Rivera’s music still has a particular hold on listeners across both Mexico and the U.S. To help fans celebrate her life, we proudly honored her musical legacy at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s 19th annual Día de los Muertos festival in Los Angeles on October 27. Los Angeles was Rivera’s home, and the city where many of her family members, friends, and fans still reside.

“It is an incredible honor for our family that Spotify chose to commemorate my mother’s legacy during the Dia de los Muertos festival in Los Angeles,” said Chiquis Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera. “Her music had such an incredible impact on our culture, and to be able to celebrate her life alongside her fans is an experience we will never forget.”

At the festival, fans visited an ofrenda to Jenni Riveraan Aztec marigold-adorned Día de los Muertos memorial bridge to remember the late artist and celebrate her life. The offering, designed by Mexican ofrenda artist Ricardo Soltero, displayed colorful sugar skulls (a common decoration and traditional holiday gift for children), candles and butterfly symbols on an altar dedicated to her memory. The shrine also featured some of the fiery-voiced “Mariposa de Barrio’s” favorite foods, as well as sugar skulls and papel picados with images of Jenni and the names of some of her most-streamed tracks on Spotify.

Craving more Día de los Muertos music? Stream themed hits from playlists such as A Mover el Esqueleto, a Halloween party with Latin rock ’n’ roll; Mujerones, which honors female Mexican singers across generations; and Calaveritas, which pays homage to Latin and non-Latin musicians who have passed.

Spotify Kicks Off ¡Viva Latino! Live Concert Series in Chicago with Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Becky G, Jowell & Randy and Natti Natasha

The Latin music takeover didn’t start with “Despacito,” and it won’t end with it either. A surge of interest in Latin music led to the launch of our 2014 ¡Viva Latino! playlist. Four years later, we’re taking ¡Viva Latino! to the next level: Live.

“¡Viva Latino! Live” turns the playlist into a show-stopping live concert series featuring the hottest artists making a name for Latin music across the globe. Spotify teamed up with Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN), a US-based multicultural concert producer and event marketing agency, to elevate the stories and voices behind the playlist and bring them to life on stage.

“Since launching our ¡Viva Latino! playlist in 2014, we’ve witnessed the Latin music culture grow beyond even our wildest hopes and expectations,” says Rocio Guerrero, Head of Global Cultures, Shows & Editorial at Spotify. “The decision to take this playlist on the road is a true testament to the impact Latin music is having around the world right now. This is a really exciting moment for Spotify and Latin music fans everywhere—and we can’t wait to have some fun.”

The tour will kick off at Chicago’s Allstate Arena on Thursday, August 23, when hitmakers Daddy YankeeBad BunnyBecky GJowell & Randy, and Natti Natasha take the stage and share their love for Latin movement across the globe. Additional cities for the tour along with performers will be announced at a later date.

“When we launched the first-ever vertical video on the ¡Viva Latino! playlist with ‘Vuelve,’ we knew the impact of ¡Viva Latino! playlist around the world—not only for our music, but for our culture. I’m excited to again be part of the history and kick off the first-ever ‘¡Viva Latino! Live’ Concert,” said Latin urban music legend Daddy Yankee.

“I am excited to be joining Spotify to kick off their first-ever ‘¡Viva Latino! Live’ concert series alongside some of the biggest artists in Latin music,” says reggaetón singer Bad Bunny. “This live platform allows artists to truly express ourselves and bring once-in-a-lifetime engaging experiences to our fans. It’s not solely about the music—it’s about the culture, creativity, and contributing to the movement that connects us all together. Latino Gang!”

“These are exciting times in Latin entertainment, and we are proud to partner with such a dynamic music-centric company as Spotify to produce ‘¡Viva Latino! Live,’ which brings together some of the biggest names in Latin entertainment for one night,” says Henry Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer, CMN. “This partnership and initiative demonstrates Spotify’s commitment to Latin culture, and the artists that influence it, in a way that brings true engaging live experiences to the hearts of music fans around the world.”

Tickets will be available on Ticketmaster.com here for presale beginning Wednesday, June 27 at 10am cst. General public onsale will begin on Friday, June 29 at 10am cst.

Stay tuned for additional dates, artists and venues for “¡Viva Latino! Live.”