Tag: Cardi B

ASMR’s Soft Sounds Are Making Noise on Spotify

January 22, 2019

Shhh, come closer and listen to chill whispers and the sound of tapping on pineapples. No, this isn’t a joke—those are the soothing vibes ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) fans can’t get enough of. Whether you find it captivating or cringeworthy, ASMR is a hit on Spotify, clocking 2.1 million streams every day for the past three months.

ASMR is often described as a relaxing “braingasm” sensation that washes over devotees when they hear certain sounds like whispers, crumpling paper, tapping fingernails, jingling coins, or popping bubble wrap. Even the crunch of pickles being chewed has a sizeable audience.

So why are these goosebump-inducing, short streams of trigger noises attracting so many fans?

For some, it’s all about the effect. Listeners who find ASMR meditative can experience immediate mental and physical relaxation, according to David Kaplan, chief professional officer of the American Counseling Association. “You can’t be relaxed and stressed out at the same time,” he says. “Meaning, if you’re positively affected by ASMR, chances are your stresses will at least momentarily melt away.”

Celebrities are succumbing to the sound of semi-silence, too. Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Janet Jackson, and Jake Gyllenhaal all have held press interviews entirely in whispered tones.

Plenty of people, however, feel like their skin crawls when they listen to the sounds of ASMR. And anyone with misophonia, also called selective sound sensitivity syndrome, can’t stand ASMR. Sounds like chewing, lip-smacking, or swallowing will instantly trigger annoyance and anxiousness. Yet they’re pure bliss to ASMR lovers.   

The most-listened-to sounds on Spotify comprise as obscure an ASMR hit list as you might imagine. Tongue-clicking, blowing in ears, folding nylon fabric, and the aforementioned tapping on pineapples top the chart. And they all transcend generations as well as geography. But ASMR is most popular in English-speaking countries (i.e., US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada), and listeners ages twenty-five to forty-four comprise the lion’s share of the streaming totals.

Curious if you’ll find ASMR soothing or strange? Check out our ASMR playlists, including Sleep Sounds, Trigger Sounds, and Binaural Beats—pineapple tapping included, of course.

Interested in giving ASMR a try, but not sure where to start? Try a tapping playlist.

Celebramos el Crecimiento y la Evolución del Sonido del Trap con Trapperz

December 14, 2018

El trap desafía cualquier definición. Este género, que tiene sus raíces en el hip-hop, se originó en las calles de Atlanta con pioneros como Jeezy y T.I. Desde entonces llegó al mainstream gracias a artistas como Future. Pero una de sus ramas, el trap latino, ha tomado un camino ligeramente distinto.

En menos de una década, el género ha pasado de ser un fenómeno clandestino —con creadores puertorriqueños como De La Ghetto, Arcángel y Anuel— a convertirse en un movimiento cultural masivo, con ritmos y letras que se inspiran en el hip-hop y el reggaetón.

Actualmente, el trap es uno de los géneros de más rápido crecimiento en América Latina, el cual atraviesa fronteras desde Estados Unidos y México hasta Colombia, Argentina (el país donde nacieron muchos artistas de trap) y Brasil. El sonido se ha fusionado con los ritmos locales donde sea que vaya gracias al trabajo de artistas como Bad Bunny, C Tangana y Cardi B. Una cosa es segura: el trap se reinventa con cada artista que toma ritmos y texturas de la corriente principal y les añade su propio sonido para crear algo completamente diferente.

Para celebrar a los creadores de este movimiento en todo el mundo, Spotify presenta Trapperz, una nueva playlist que les da voz a los artistas de toda América Latina que están redefiniendo el género.

Celebramos el poder de esta fuerza cultural con una sesión de estudio de tres días en Miami, Florida con 22 de los trappers y productores más emocionantes de América Latina. La primera canción en debutar tras la sesión es “Sin Culpa”, una colaboración entre el rapero argentino Duki y el artista chileno de hip-hop DrefQuila.

“[El trap] es un ritmo, una ideología, una religión y cada uno lo vive a su manera”, explica Duki, quien empezó su carrera en las legendarias batallas freestyle de “El Quinto Escalón” en Buenos Aires. “Tiene que ver con la adrenalina, con arriesgarte porque sabes que vale la pena, aunque falles. Es el grito de la calle, el futuro: es un género en el que uno puede decir las cosas como son y como uno quiera. Por eso es la forma de expresión más real. Hoy, el trap no tiene límites, es como cuando comenzaba el rock”.

Durante la sesión les hicimos preguntas a algunas de las mentes más brillantes y atrevidas del trap para capturar lo que este nuevo ritmo significa para ellos.

“No se trata de impresionar a una audiencia con rimas, sino de comunicar una sensación, un ambiente… En su núcleo, el trap es libertad y honestidad”. — Dúo Mexicano Vice Menta

“Provengo de un vecindario donde nadie hacía freestyle, rap ni trap. Si yo pude hacerlo, cualquiera puede”. — Lit Killah, de Argentina, sobre la evolución del ritmo y la accesibilidad del rap.

“Trap es pura energía, puro sentimiento”. — Oliva, del dueto musical colombiano Irie Kingz.

“Trap es el sonido de rebelión que surge con cada generación. Es contagioso; escuchas el ritmo y automáticamente empiezas a bailar”. — Jaycob Duque, artista colombiano.

“El auge del trap se ha producido porque es un tipo de música que transmite las mejores vibras: es contagiosa”. — Beat Boy, productor mexicano emergente.

“En realidad, el género es una comunidad de artistas creativos, con distintas ambiciones, quienes combinan de todo: moda, estilo de vida y música”. — Rauw Alejandro, músico puertorriqueño de R&B.

Trapperz busca promover que los fanáticos del género se conecten con sus artistas favoritos, tanto los que ya son conocidos como los emergentes, a través de música y contenido visual exclusivos. Siente el ritmo con la playlist Trapperz.

Celebrate the Ever-Growing, Ever-Evolving Sound of Trap with Trapperz

December 14, 2018

Trap defies definition. The genre, which is rooted in raw hip-hop, originated from the streets of Atlanta with pioneers like Jeezy and T.I., and has since become mainstream, thanks to artists like Future. But one of its branches, trap Latino, has taken a slightly different path.

In less than a decade, the genre has grown from a clandestine phenomenon with Puerto Rican originators like De La Ghetto, Arcángel, and Anuel, to a massive cultural movement with rhythms and lyrics that have found inspiration in hip-hop and reggaeton.

Today, trap is one of the fastest-growing genres in Latin America, crossing borders from the United States and Mexico to Colombia, Argentina (the country which birthed many trap artists), and Brazil. The sound has merged with rhythms wherever it goes, thanks to the work of artists like Bad Bunny, C Tangana, and Cardi B. One thing is for sure: Trap is reinventing itself with each artist who takes the beats, rhythms, and textures from the mainstream and uses their own flow to create something completely different.

To celebrate the creators of this movement around the world, we’re introducing Trapperz, a new playlist that gives voice to the Latin American artists who are redefining the genre.

We marked the power of this cultural force with a three-day studio session in Miami with 22 of the most exciting trappers and producers from Latin America. The first track to debut following the session was “Sin Culpa,” a collaboration between Argentinian rapper Duki and Chilean hip-hop artist DrefQuila.

“[Trap is] a rhythm, an ideology, a religion, and everyone lives it in their own way,” explains Duki, who started his career in the legendary freestyle battles of “El Quinto Escalón” in Buenos Aires. “It has to do with adrenaline, taking a risk, and knowing that it’s worth it, even if you fail. It is the cry from the streets—a genre in which one can say things as they are and as one wants. That is why it is one of the most honest forms of expression. Currently there are no limits. It’s like when rock started.”

At the session, we asked more of brightest and most daring minds of trap to capture  what this new flow means to them.

“It is not about impressing an audience with rhymes, but rather about communicating a sensation, a vibe … At its core, trap is freedom and honesty.” — Mexican duet Vice Menta

“I come from a neighborhood where nobody did freestyle, rap, or trap. If I could make it, anyone can.” — Argentine Lit Killah on the evolution of the beat and rap accessibility

“Trap is pure energy, pure feeling.” — Oliva, from the Colombian musical duet Irie Kingz

“Trap is the sound of rebellion that has emerged with each generation. It is infectious, you listen to the rhythm and automatically you start dancing.” — Colombian artist Jaycob Duque

“The rise of trap has occurred because it is music that transmits the best vibes, it is contagious.” — emerging Mexican producer Beat Boy

“The genre is really a society of creative artists with a different kind of ambition, in which they combine everything: fashion, lifestyle and music.” Puerto Rican R&B artist Rauw Alejandro

Trapperz seeks to become a new way for fans of the genre to connect with their favorite established and up-and-coming artists through music and exclusive visual content. Stay with the beat with the Trapperz playlist.

Discover Hits From Around the World With Spotify’s Global Cultures Initiative

September 28, 2018

Depending on the day, you may have a taste for Mexican, Chinese, or Italian cuisine. At Spotify, we think our playlists should be just as eclectic as our palates.

Top-ranked hits in the U.S. are still overwhelmingly focused on English-language and American-made songs—yet about 1 in 4 Spotify users around the world actively listens to artists from a culture (or country) different from their own. Thanks to our increasingly connected world, discovering the top hits and coolest beats from around the globe is now easier than ever—and relevant in an age where many communities and cultures live in countries far away from their homelands. For example, 15 million Lebanese live in Brazil—more than in Lebanon itself.

Stories like this inspired Rocio Guerrero, Head of Global Cultures at Spotify, to launch Spotify’s Global Cultures initiative, which promotes and advances culturally diverse music, surfacing hits from different countries around the world and spotlighting popular songs that cross cultures.

“We have launched numerous high-profile playlists and programs in the recent past, but Global Cultures is poised to become one of the most important things we are doing as a leader in the field of streaming audio,” says Rocio.

Included in this initiative are several expertly curated playlists, some of which feature top songs, both old and new, from diasporic communities around the world. The first four diasporas to be represented on Spotify are some of the largest by population worldwide—Arab, African, Indian (Desi), and Latino—with more hubs on the way. Currently, the Desi and LatinX hubs can both be found on the “Browse” section of Spotify, with the Arab and African hubs launching in the weeks to come.

“Arab diaspora artists might sound totally different than local Arab artists,” Rocio explains. “Diaspora people have different political views, different hobbies, different mindsets that come out in their music. But they’re still connected to their communities. People are becoming more and more proud of their origins, and I think music might be one of the best ways to help them express that.”

To continue to disseminate cultural music throughout the world, Spotify is also launching Global X, a new playlist full of hot international and multicultural crossovers. Starting today, the playlist will be easy to find and devour under the Pop category on our platform. The playlist speaks to the global nature and allure of music, featuring hits from L.A. to Lagos.

Ozuna, Selena Gomez, DJ Snake and Cardi B on the cover of the Global X playlist

“Why is food from other countries so embedded in our culture and yet music isn’t? Because streaming didn’t exist. But now it’s happening,” says Rocio, who is originally from Spain but now lives in New York. “Global X is the sound of a new era: rhythmic crossover hits from all cultures around the world, all in one place. We’re creating a global brand that’s going to represent hits from all countries around the world.”

A crossover can be “a mix of different genres, a mix of languages, or it could be a song like ‘Despacito Remix’ that crosses over to the rest of the world,” according to Rocio. “Now people listen to ‘Despacito’ whether they are Latino or not,” she says. “We are going to do the same with other cultures. Initially, you will see a lot of pop mainstream crossovers in the playlist, and while the point is to bring to the surface new sounds, cultures, and languages, we need to do so slowly but surely.”

Accompanying the launch of the playlist will be a unique vertical video for the hot new track “Taki Taki,” featuring Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Ozuna, and DJ Snake. “Taki Taki” is a true mix of cultures, with lyrics in a combination of English and Spanish. “It’s a total attention-grabbing, Global X type of song,” Rocio says. “Then once you’re in the playlist, you’ll see Arab songs, African songs, Latin songs, songs from a lot of cultures—which is awesome.”

The playlist will also feature songs like “Come Closer” from WizKid and Drake, which combines African artists with North American artists, as well as “Zooted” by French Montana, who is Moroccan, and Becky G, who is Mexican-American. Each of these diverse artists writes music that is unique to their background, contributing to a multicultural array set to inspire listeners around the world.

“My team, which represents diasporas, is very connected to their roots,” says Rocio. “It’s interesting how cultures continue generation after generation through things like music.”

Earworm-worthy K-pop, bhangra beats, electro meets Arabic … Music is a global connector, whether among generations spread across continents or throughout diverse modern communities. The Global X playlist and Global Cultures Hubs will help music lovers everywhere in their discovery.

Travel around the world with the Global X Playlist:

 

The Most Streamed Songs of Summer 2018

August 27, 2018

It was the plea heard around the world; “Kiki, do you love me?”

The line not only set the stage for a viral dance challenge, but served as the standout lyric of 2018’s most streamed song of the summer – “In My Feelings” by Drake. The track, from the artist’s smash double album Scorpion, streamed more than 393 million times between June 1 and August 20.

Maroon 5’s ballad “Girls Like You” (featuring Cardi B) is the second most-streamed song of the summer, with about 293 million streams, and Cardi B’s “I Like It” (featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny) came in a close third with more than 289 million streams for the same time period. (Kudos to the new mom for being behind two out of three of Summer’s biggest hits!).

Our list of top summer streaming jams also includes dance tracks such as “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa and “Solo” by Clean Bandit(featuring Demi Lovato)—both especially popular across Europe—as well as 5 Seconds of Summer’s pop-rock anthem “Youngblood.” Ariana Grande’s track “no tears left to cry” was a mainstay on our charts throughout the summer as the singer’s lead single off Sweetener, one of August’s most anticipated albums.

Summer 2018 can also be defined by its breakout stars, perhaps most notably Juice WRLD, a 19-year-old Chicago rapper whose track “Lucid Dreams” has been a consistent presence on Spotify’s global chart for the last two months.

“Juice WRLD is undoubtedly the breakout star of the summer,” says Carl Chery, Spotify’s Head of Urban Music. “His rise was one of the quickest in recent memory but his music has proven to have staying power. His knack for melodies and his willingness to be vulnerable on songs like ‘Lucid Dreams’ connected with his audience in a real way.”

Latin jam “Te Boté – Remix” has also emerged as a top summer track globally, led by world stage newcomer Nio Garcia, a Puerto Rican dancer-turned-rapper (the track also features artists Casper Magico, Darrell, Ozuna, Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam). Between June 1 and August 20, “Te Boté – Remix” was the most streamed song in 9 countries, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

“The current music landscape is much more diverse than it has ever been, and that’s why we’re able to witness these smash breakthroughs from an artist like Nio Garcia,” says Rocio Guerrero, Spotify’s Head of Global Cultures. “Songs like ‘Te Boté’ and ‘Asesina’ from Brytiago and Darell are connecting to listeners globally. It’s not just Latin people listening —there is a captive, worldwide audience fully embracing reggaeton and Latin trap, so it’s not surprising to see ‘Te Boté’ find a place at the top of the charts this summer.”

Check out Spotify’s List of Top Global Songs of Summer 2018:

More than Magic: Behind Our 2018 Songs of Summer Predictions

May 23, 2018

If you’re looking to get a head start on the songs that will rock this summer’s hazy airwaves, there’s no need to consult a crystal ball. We used our own tarot cards, palm lines, constellations, and tea leaves to divine the season’s standouts.

Okay, not quite—but we do have a solid track record of predicting the most listened-to songs of summer, calling out hits like Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber, and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” remix, Drake’s “One Dance” and Calvin Harris’ “Summer”—all songs that have dominated summer streaming.

Magic aside, creating this list of summer crowd-pleasers is no easy task—we’re pulling a very select number of songs from thousands of options. There are plenty of factors to consider across a range of musical categories, so we consult Spotify’s own genre experts. Those genre experts span pop, hip-hop, latin, country, rock, and electronica, and they’re behind some of your favorite playlists, from RapCaviar and Hot Country to Today’s Top Hits. As music experts, they shine a light on exactly what’s trending.

Overall, predicting the Songs of Summer is a full a team effort. We look for:

  • Songs on an upward trajectory: Recent hits played more and more with no sign of slowing down are likely to carry that momentum into the summer.
  • Songs with strong engagement in key Spotify playlists: How well a song is doing in influential playlists (are listeners saving it and not skipping it?) gives us a good indication of hit potential.
  • Songs with strong chart performance: We can see how a track is performing in relation to all others through our charts – if it rises to the top, it will rise with the summer heat.
  • Songs with momentum driving them: If an artist is getting ready to tour, drop a new album, or if the song is highly anticipated, it’s more likely to command playlists.
  • Songs generating buzz: Is it making headlines for being the first of its kind, particularly relevant, or created by an up-and-coming artist? (Think Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.”) Those factors will probably continue to drive its success.
  • Songs that just sound like summer: Is it beach, poolside, or backyard-party-worthy? We know ‘em when we hear ‘em.
  • Songs that our gut tells us to go for: We go with our instincts. Some songs just have that inexplicable summer magic.

Historically, songs that end up being summer hits fall into a few of these categories. Last year, “Despacito – Remix” was the undisputed song of the summer, with more than 786 million streams during the summer months. According to Shanon Cook, Trends Expert at Spotify, “Despacito” was a rare find.

“‘Despacito’ was such an interesting song-of-the-summer story. Not only did the track have a summery – and saucy – reggaeton vibe, but it sustained itself as one of Spotify’s top-streamed global songs for about 10 weeks. And because it originated as a latin music track, ‘Despacito’ brought with it this wonderful cross-cultural narrative that got everyone talking.”

With these considerations in mind, we’ve conjured up this year’s song of the summer predictions, one of which we think will most likely be crowned The One when we reflect back in August (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.)

See for yourself:

According to Cook, this summer’s leading contenders fit easily into the top hits criteria, from Calvin Harris to Camila Cabello.

“Cardi B’s ‘I Like It’ screams summer jam, and it’s hard to overlook Calvin Harris’ ‘One Kiss’ as the dance-pop track that will be ubiquitous from now until August. Both are doing really well on our global chart at the moment. The brand new Camila Cabello-Pharrell Williams collaboration ‘Sangria Wine’ could really take off, and no doubt Drake will be soundtracking our summers with ‘Nice for What’ or a new release in the coming weeks.”

So get out your flip-flops, put on those sunglasses, and start summer early with our 2018 Songs of Summer playlist.