Tag: central cee

Nearly a Quarter of All Streams on Spotify Are Hip-Hop. Spotify’s Global Editors Reflect on the Genre’s Growth

August 10, 2023

As hip-hop turns 50, fans around the world are celebrating its golden anniversary. For a genre that started at a block party in the Bronx, this milestone is a testament to the massive impact and influence hip-hop has had in virtually every corner of the globe.

And today on Spotify, hip-hop is thriving, with artists and fans from around the world discovering and connecting with one another. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all streams on Spotify globally are hip-hop music, led by artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Ice Spice, and Metro Boomin.

But it goes further than that . . . 

  • Hip-hop is one of the most-listened-to genres globally on Spotify, and more than 400 million users around the world have streamed hip-hop music in 2023 so far.
  • RapCaviar ranks as the second most-followed playlist on Spotify. 
  • Around the globe, there are over 53 million user-generated and Spotify-curated playlists on Spotify that mention hip-hop or rap in the title of the playlist, and over 2 billion playlists that contain at least one hip-hop song. 
  • For the past three years, almost half of Spotify’s Top 50 most-streamed artists globally have been hip-hop or rap artists. 

One of the most distinct aspects of hip-hop culture is its regionality, with the unique sounds coming out of local U.S. scenes like New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami helping one of the most dynamic genres in the world flourish.

That’s why we’re celebrating these iconic regions with a series of original murals created by Raj Dhunna. 

Quase um quarto de todos os streams no Spotify são para o Hip Hop. Os editores globais do Spotify refletem sobre o crescimento do gênero

August 10, 2023

Quando o Hip Hop completa 50 anos, fãs de todo o mundo comemoram suas bodas de ouro. Para um gênero que teve um começo inesperado em um parque do Bronx, este marco é uma prova do enorme impacto e influência que o Hip Hop teve em praticamente todos os cantos do globo.

E hoje no Spotify, o Hip Hop está mais forte do que nunca, com artistas e fãs de todo o mundo se descobrindo e se conectando. Em 2023, quase um quarto de todas os streams no Spotify globalmente foram para músicas de Hip Hop, lideradas por artistas como Drake, Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Ice Spice e Metro Boomin.

Mas, vai além disso… 

  • O Hip Hop é o segundo gênero mais popular globalmente no Spotify, e mais de 400 milhões de usuários em todo o mundo escutaram música Hip Hop em 2023 até agora.
  • RapCaviar é a segunda playlist com maior número de seguidores no Spotify. 
  • Em todo o mundo, existem mais de 53 milhões de playlists editoriais e geradas por usuários no Spotify que mencionam Hip Hop ou Rap no título, e mais de 2 bilhões de playlists que contêm pelo menos uma música de Hip Hop.
  • Nos últimos três anos, quase metade dos 50 artistas mais escutados no Spotify em todo o mundo são artistas de Hip Hop ou Rap.

Um dos aspectos mais distintos da cultura Hip Hop é sua regionalidade, com sons únicos vindos de cenas locais dos Estados Unidos, como Nova York, Atlanta, Los Angeles e Miami, ajudando um dos gêneros mais dinâmicos do mundo a florescer.

É por isso que celebramos essas regiões icônicas com uma série de murais originais criados por Raj Dhunna.

Spotify’s Artists To Watch Are Primed To Make Moves in 2023

January 31, 2023

It’s always exciting when artists enter the realm of bonafide stardom and bring new sounds and ideas to the music world. And it’s even more exciting to follow along as it happens. That’s why, at the start of each year, we tap our influential playlists to reveal our Artists To Watch. 

With this list, we’re amplifying the next wave of music stars who we predict will make an impact in 2023. As we considered this year’s Artists To Watch, we were guided by four main playlists: 

  • RapCaviar’s Most Necessary, our playlist for the next generation of voices in hip-hop 
  • Viva Latino, our flagship playlist for today’s top Latin hits
  • Hot Country, our flagship country playlist
  • Are & Be’s R&B Rising, our newest playlist for emerging artists

“Spotify has always been a place for music discovery and artist growth, and our Artists To Watch lists allow us to showcase up-and-coming talent with serious momentum behind them,” said Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial. “We use our fan-favorite editorial playlists, including Hot Country, Viva Latino, Most Necessary, and for the first time, R&B Rising, to tap into existing listener bases. In return, artists are introduced to listeners who will love their sound.”

The end result is 40 artists—10 from each list— representing each playlist that should be on your radar in the coming year. Keep reading for our full list of picks.

Most Necessary’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Most Necessary, who hail from Atlanta, Brooklyn, London, and beyond, are ready to impact hip-hop culture and make their mark in the music industry. 

GloRilla
Rising to prominence following her Grammy-nominated 2022 song “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” GloRilla has gone on to record chart-topping collaborations with Cardi B and Latto.  

Finesse2tymes
Revered for his thunderous voice and motivational lyrics, this Memphis rapper recently collaborated with Gucci Mane, Lil Baby, and others on his debut mixtape 90 Days. 

SleazyWorld Go
SleazyWorld Go went viral in 2022 with his track “Sleazy Flow” and later collaborated on an official remix with Lil Baby; he’s also collaborated with Migos’ Offset. 

Central Cee
Known for his upbeat and melodic approach to UK drill, this British rapper and songwriter topped the UK album charts with his first two mixtapes, Wild West and 23. 

Destroy Lonely
The No Stylist rapper resonates with fans for the dynamic and eclectic beats featured in his music.

Ice Spice
This Brooklyn drill artist seized the rap world’s attention in 2022 with her viral, chart-topping track “Munch (Feelin’ U).”

Babyface Ray
After collaborating with Big Sean and Hit-Boy on his 2021 single “It Ain’t My Fault,” the Detroit native released his album Face in 2022, featuring collaborations with Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa, and more. 

Saucy Santana
This makeup artist turned rapper commanded the spotlight when his tracks “Walk” and “Here We Go” went viral in 2021. Notable collaborations include the remix of his song “Material Girl” with the “Queen of Pop” Madonna, hip-hop duo City Girls, and Latto. 

2Rare
This Philly rapper stands out for his 2022 collaboration “Q-Pid” with Lil Durk, and later appeared on NLE Choppa’s “Do It Again.” 

Real Boston Richey
Catching the ear of listeners with his Michigan-style hip-hop production, he’s recently collaborated with Future and Lil Durk. 

Viva Latino’s Artists To Watch

With a selection of artists representing a wide range of styles and countries, Viva Latino’s picks are ready to go worldwide in 2023.

Emilia
Finding fame with hits such as “Recalienta” and “No Soy Yo” featuring Darell, this Argentine artist continues to generate buzz. Her first album, Tú crees en mí?, debuted at No. 4 on Spotify’s Top Albums Global chart.

Ivan Cornejo
A California native and one of the most promising voices in the sad sierreño scene, Ivan caught the attention of the music world with his debut album Alma Vacía, and is a pivotal figure in exporting Música Mexicana out of the U.S. 

Chris Lebron
This rising Dominican artist already has a few notable collaborations under his belt, most notably teaming up with Romeo Santos on his popular track “SIRI.”

Kevin Kaarl
His most recent album, Paris Texas, debuted at #5 on the Top Albums Global Chart which experiments with traditional folk, rock, and lush dream-pop and. In addition to being an Artist To Watch in 2023, the Mexican singer was also part of our RADAR Class of 2022.

Paopao
A Latin Grammy award-winning artist known for her mix of reggaeton and alternative pop, this Puerto Rico native released the all-female EP hembrismo in 2022.

YOVNGCHIMI
A rising star from Puerto Rico, this Latin trap artist is best known for his debut single “Glizzy’s Walk.” He has numerous collaborations with prominent artists in the Latin trap scene, including Arcangel, Anuel AA, and Ozuna.

Villano Antillano
One of the leading figures of the queer movement within the urban genre in Puerto Rico, Villano was most recently selected as an ambassador for RADAR US, Spotify’s global program for emerging artists.

Young Miko
This Puerto Rican artist burst onto the scene in 2021 with the release of her first single, “105 Freestyle.” Her debut EP Trap Kitty and US Tour solidified her as a Spotify RADAR US artist. 

3AM
A duo made up of Venezuelan brothers Richard and Christian Bermúdez, 3AM started their musical career after leaving their home country and settling in Boston. They are best known for their songs “Por Ti” and “Vuela.” 

Fuerza Regida
Trailblazers of the urban corrido movement, this California group is making waves for a new generation of Mexican Music artists.

Hot Country’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Hot Country bring a fresh and unique sound to the world, and these artists are primed to make their mark on the country music scene this year. 

Avery Anna
Having opened for acts like Josh Turner and Martina McBride, the Nashville singer-songwriter is best known for her 2022 single “Narcissist,” featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

Dylan Marlowe
Popping up on the scene with his viral cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” he’s continued to make waves with his catchy breakup track “Goodbye Gets Around.”

Ella Langley
The “Country Boy’s Dream Girl” singer is known for her unique blend of country and rock. 

ERNEST
Known for “Flower Shops,” his hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen, this country singer got his start writing music for fellow artists including Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, and Chris Lane. As a performer, he has also collaborated with Diplo. 

49 Winchester
This Virginia-based country group is known for its distinct brand of tear-in-your-beer alt country, sticky-barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk. 

Jackson Dean
Jackson Dean embodies the old-school, lyric-driven, outlaw style of country, and his hit song “Don’t Come Lookin’’ was recently featured in the series Yellowstone.

Josh Ross
Topping the charts with his singles “First Taste of Gone” and “On a Different Night,” this Canadian singer-songwriter was nominated as a “Rising Star” at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards. 

Megan Moroney
The Georgia native made her debut in 2022 with her EP Pistol Made of Roses, and has since built on that momentum with the release of her viral hit “Tenessee Orange.”

Restless Road
This Nashville-based country music band first attracted fans with their song “Take Me Home,” a collaboration with Kane Brown that was inspired by John Denver’s iconic track “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” They went on to reach new heights in 2022 with their hit single “Growing Old With You,” which they performed on Season 26 of the television series The Bachelor.  

Tanner Adell
Bringing a fresh new vibe to country music, Tanner’s catchy and dance-worthy singles “Country Girl Commandments” and “Honky Tonky Heartbreak” have continued to generate buzz.

R&B Rising’s Artists To Watch

To cap things off, R&B Rising also revealed its first-ever roster of emerging stars who are primed to make waves in R&B music this year. 

CoCo Jones
Working in TV and film since she was a tween, and most recently starring as Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, Coco has moved into the R&B spotlight with a soulful sound and honest, powerful storytelling. In 2022, she made her major label debut with her EP, What I Didn’t Tell You, and was featured on Babyface’s “Simple.”

FLO
This British girl group took the world by storm in 2022 with their breakthrough single “Cardboard Box.” They closed out the year winning the 2023 Rising Star Award and BBC’s Sound of 2023 poll. 

Alex Vaughn
Alex first disrupted the industry in early 2022 with the release of Voice Notes, an honest and raw EP constructed entirely by using the voice notes app on her phone. She followed up the project with her debut album The Hurtbook. 

DESTIN CONRAD
A native of Florida, Destin first found internet fame on the social media app Vine thanks to his lush, intimate earworms. That same sound, infused with a gentle touch, can be heard on his latest EP, Satin. 

Fana Hues
Known for her vulnerable voice and woozy vocals, she’s featured on Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me if You Get Lost and released her latest album, flora + fana, in 2022.

LAYA
This dynamic NYC native has made waves by taking ’90s R&B and giving it a current, authentic spin, like she did with her breakout hit “Sailor Moon.”

Q
With a powerful falsetto and a stripped-back, emotionally complex sound, this alternative R&B artist went viral with his track “Take Me Where Your Heart Is” and has continued to win fans with his most recent release, “Today.” 

RAAHiiM
The Toronto artist first hit the R&B scene in 2020 with his EP ii Knew Better. Known for his multidimensional vocals and sultry production, he has since collaborated with Shantel May and Rory. 

JVCK JAMES
After initially gaining recognition for his viral internet videos, this East London artist’s star has continued to grow thanks to his ‘90s R&B-inspired tunes and 2021 standout single “No Drama.”

Dylan Sinclair
This Candian singer-songwriter earned immediate acclaim for his debut album Proverb, which was nominated for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards.

Looking to discover more of the hottest emerging artists who are ready to step into the spotlight? Stream our RADAR US playlist now.

 

The Music Masterminds Behind EA SPORTS ‘FIFA’ Soundtracks Break Down the Method Behind Their Magic

November 2, 2022

The arrival of a new EA SPORTS FIFA game is always an event eagerly awaited by millions of gamers around the world. The release of EA SPORTS FIFA 23 in September was no exception. But in addition to getting their hands on the latest and greatest gameplay, a major highlight for fans of the series was the launch of the FIFA 23 Official Soundtrack. 

Now, Spotify is introducing an exclusive and personalized EA SPORTS FIFA Mix that takes some of your favorite songs and mixes them with a handful of FIFA soundtrack classics to create the ultimate audio experience as you celebrate your wins. 

It’s also time to settle the age-old debate for the greatest tracks in EA SPORTS FIFA’s 25-year history. Along with the personalized EA SPORTS FIFA Mix, EA SPORTS and Spotify have also partnered to make the 1,000+ songs that have been featured on FIFA soundtracks playable in one place. From there, fans can back their favorite song and even share it on social media using the hashtag #UltimateFIFASoundtrack to fight for its rightful place on the Ultimate FIFA Soundtrack, slated to launch in-game November 9.

Ever wondered what makes the EA SPORTS FIFA playlists pop? For the Record sat down with long-time EA music supervisors Cybele Pettus and Raphi Lima to get the ins and outs of what goes into one of the most influential gaming soundtracks out there.

Creating a soundtrack for a franchise as big and storied as FIFA seems like a massive undertaking. Where did your process begin for FIFA 23?

Cybele Pettus: The process begins immediately after the previous year’s game soundtrack is finished. The actual sourcing starts with the hundreds of global contacts we’ve nurtured over the past 20 years, including labels, publishers, managers, and artists. And while that gives us a unique overview of emerging trends and new performers, it is still a massive undertaking. I think the process is ongoing in that our FIFA ears are open all the time.  

Raphi Lima: For me, the process is absolutely ongoing. Every time I hear a new song that triggers a huge emotion in me, I immediately ask, “How can we get behind this and put it in FIFA?” I feel like I’ve been happily in this process for the past 20 years. 

Steve Schnur, EA Games President of Music, has previously spoken about how the FIFA soundtracks have become culture. In your eyes, what makes the FIFA soundtracks so unique?

CP: Think about what MTV and terrestrial radio meant to young people 30 years ago. But even then, those formats were localized. Because soccer/football is the world’s most popular sport, tens of millions of gamers have come to know our FIFA soundtracks as their number one destination for discovering new music. Even more important, we’ve brought together so many different genres in a cohesive body of work. Again, it’s about commonality; people’s love for the sport and the game has united the world in a collective love for its music. That’s the power of FIFA.  

RL: Music is my favorite language and mixtapes were a way to communicate and connect back in high school. The music we shared became a part of each other’s lives and our identities.  

I’ll always see that as the foundation for what we do with FIFA. Every year, it’s as if we get to create the most incredible global mixtape ever. Cybele and I still have that same “You’ve GOT to hear this!” enthusiasm for music we both had in high school, only now it’s on a worldwide level.  

Over the past 20 years, we’ve had the ability to turn people onto the next song or artist they’re going to fall in love with. Even if you don’t speak a song’s language, you can connect with its vibe. The bridges we’ve built with music around the world have changed people’s lives. And we are incredibly proud of that. 

Are there specific qualities in a song you were looking for as you narrowed down the list for the soundtrack? 

CP: We start by listening to literally thousands of songs. Next, we pare it down to hundreds. Then we listen and discuss song by song by song. It can be a painful whittling process because while we agree on plenty, there will always be those songs that we individually feel passionate about. Those are my favorite arguments. Keep in mind that we’re often looking at new artists that haven’t released any music yet, so there are no quantifiable metrics to apply. So much of what we do is based on good ears and gut instincts. It may sound cryptic, but you know when you know.

Is there a particular mindset or mood that you want the soundtrack to evoke as people play FIFA 23?

CP: The main soundtrack will always have a global focus on new music from up-and-coming artists and new material from established stars. But the game’s Volta mode, which is street-play based, allows us a much grittier programming palette. This year, we’ve curated 52 tracks that bring together hip-hop, grime, electronic and more from U.S./U.K. performers like Jack Harlow, Central Cee, Nas, and Kojey Radical ft. Knucks, alongside new underground artists from places like South Africa, India, Germany, and Nigeria. The two soundtracks may wear slightly different hats, but they work really well together in that unique FIFA way. 

Are there any new sounds, ideas, or approaches that you worked into the FIFA 23 soundtrack?

CP: The year features 110 total tracks representing 34 countries, including artists from Malaysia, Lithuania, Sierra Leone, and Malta for the first time. That’s as global as it gets. I also think many of this year’s more unique new artists—Daniela Lalita, Haich Ber Na, SOFY, MILKBLOOD, Cryalot, and Bianca Costa, for example—will make a huge impression in the year to come. Add in that great gritty Volta vibe, and it’s truly a standout soundtrack.

RL: I think this year’s specific mix of genres, new acts, and marquee names works incredibly well. There can sometimes be a quick commercial trajectory on songs by established artists, so it’s important that their songs be both new and major. This year’s tracks from Phoenix, Gorillaz, M.I.A., Yeah Yeah Yeahs, ROSALÍA, and especially Bad Bunny are all that and more. 

One of the hallmarks of FIFA soundtracks is that they often feature rising talents. Are there any artists who broke through on Spotify after being featured on a FIFA soundtrack?

CP: The second the FIFA 22 Spotify playlist dropped, everyone knew Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” was an instant classic. The ultimate metric will always be the fans’ reaction.

RL: Every year we get feedback from our artists and partners when the FIFA soundtrack is announced. The impact is felt across big and small acts, with streams jumping over 500% for some of them during the weeks that follow. Smaller artists have leveraged major record or publishing deals after a FIFA placement, as well as booked international tours once a song made the list.

If you had to pick your FIFA anthem, what would it be?

CP: Certainly Blur’s “Song 2” is FIFA’s most iconic track. Kasabian’s “Club Foot” is another huge one. And I think John Newman’s “Love Me Again” is timeless.

RL: That’s a tough one. But Major Lazer’s “Que Calor” from FIFA 20 was a song we brought to life for the game, and it became an instant hit. Best of all, you still hear it at major sports events—not just FIFA—to this day. My heart explodes every time it comes on!   

Ready to revisit 25 years of FIFA soundtracks? Click here to create your own unique FIFA Mix. And to hear all the hottest sounds from this year’s entry to the series, check out the FIFA 23 Official Soundtrack below: