Tag: Diversity Inclusion and Belonging

GLOW Artist Villano Antillano Finds Power in Community, Authenticity, and Being Fearless

February 23, 2023

Villano Antillano looking over her shoulder

It’s no easy feat to be as fearless and uncompromising as Villano Antillano. But for one of Latin rap’s first transgender artists, it’s a necessity.

Villano has been carving out a path for herself and other queer artists in Latin rap, making music that brings her challenging, raw, unfiltered experiences to the forefront in a time when queer people still face so much adversity. And now, she’s also one of Spotify’s first GLOW artists.

Spotify GLOW is a new global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. It’s our latest initiative through our Creator Equity Fund to support people of this historically marginalized community of voices and reassert our commitment to equity in audio. It ensures that queer creators, and their contributions to music and culture, are heard and honored year-round.

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Villano generated early buzz with hard-hitting tracks such as “Pajara,” “Culo,” and “Muñeca”—the last of which was recorded with non-binary rapper Ana Macho. 

In 2021, Villano enjoyed viral success with her feature in the single “Vendetta,” and went on to be on Bizarrap’s “Bzrp Music Session, Vol. 51.” This past December, she was a featured artist for Spotify RADAR US, and at the 2022 Latin American Music Conference, Villano was named one of its 2022 Wonder Women of Latin Music. She closed last year with the release of her debut album, La Sustancia X, a project that embodies the beauty and horror of growing up queer in the Caribbean.

For the Record sat down with Villano to talk about her music, her life as a trans woman, and what makes her GLOW.

Can you tell us a little about your journey into music? 

It’s been a long development. As a trans woman and a queer person, I didn’t really have access to this world until I paved my way into it. I was just in the trenches for the longest time, so I feel like my chances for opportunities were maybe lower than they would have been for people that aren’t queer because we’re just shunned out of all these places. So, now I feel like I can actually get things like people on demand, or a team and resources, and I’m just getting freaky with it now because I’m much more comfortable. But it took me a while. 

Growing up, did you have any queer artists who influenced you? 

No, because they didn’t exist in the public lens. We now know the story of Cristina “La Veneno,” who definitely changed the trajectory of my life when I found her on YouTube. But otherwise, I have very, very foggy memories of some slightly famous trans women who were public figures because they were so sexed up. I remember reading about them in the newspaper sometimes, but it was never treated with respect and dignity. There was no way they could have just been anything but a mockery on television and radio over here. 

I would say, however, there were cis-het females who went above and beyond because they really f*cked with the queer community and the queer public. Those two would be artists like Iris Chacon, who was the pillar of everything aesthetic and one of my biggest references. I feel like she’s one of Puerto Rico’s biggest artists. And Ivy Queen, of course, because I feel like she really took it upon herself to give the community space within her crowd and her music. 

How is music used to empower queer communities? 

I feel that art is a mirror of society. Since the advent of civilization, music has always been present, and it’s tied to the art of storytelling and how culture is kept alive through tradition. So, I feel like those things are of very fundamental importance to humanity. 

Music is also a mirror of our own experiences. I make music that makes me and other queer people feel empowered, and I created that feeling for myself because I needed it. I feel like we [the queer community] are a very empowered collective globally right now and we’re growing. Regardless of whatever is happening, we’re forcing people to take us into account. We’re here and you’re going to have to deal with it. I’m glad we’re moving so far away from the patriarchy because it was about time!

What makes you GLOW? 

Wow. A lot of things. You know, I feel like I take joy and find beauty in the little, ordinary things and in being at a point in my life where I can take a step back. Before I had access to this life and before I was a cemented and fully realized figure, I was just a poor girl from Bayamón trying to stay alive. I didn’t even have access to the minimal and limited resources we have here. So the power for me to obtain these things makes me GLOW. My community makes me GLOW, my friends make me GLOW, and the fact that I can give them a life that we never thought we could achieve before makes me GLOW. 

If you had one thing you’d want listeners to take away from your music, what would it be? 

Fearlessness. I’m very into sci-fi and am reading the Dune novels, and I really just come back to that “fear is the mind killer” line. Because fear is the mind killer, and nobody should have the power to make me feel fear because nobody holds absolute power over me, you know? And I feel like I communicate that fearlessness into my music. 

I feel like the life expectancy for trans people, specifically trans women according to the study, is around 35 years old. I’m 27. How, or why, would I let that limit me? It’s a fact none of us can escape, so I feel like, in a way, it’s what you do with that information. And what I’m going to do is not buy into this idea or narrative that there’s something wrong with me or that I’m f*cked up or erroneous.

I feel like as a trans person who has medically and socially transitioned, nothing has gotten me closer to my consciousness than the fact that I have actually had to feel my existence from all spectrums possible. And that’s no small feat; that only gives you power. The fact that I did that and I know exactly what I looked like when my body was full of testosterone and I know what it looks like now, three years into estrogen . . . everything I’m seeing, feeling . . . everything changes. 

You can’t tell me that’s not power. 

Listen to Villano on our flagship GLOW playlist:

Spotify Celebrates Black History Month With the Launch of Frequency Zine

February 13, 2023

Black voices continue to be left out of the cultural narrative. So in 2021, we launched Frequency—what’s become our year-round global initiative to celebrate Black art, entertainment, creativity, and community. Its mission is brought to life by programs like the Ripple Effect Sunday dinner series and the Free Studio creator residency. Frequency is the home for Black expression as it shapes how the future sounds. 

This Black History Month, we’re continuing our support by unveiling Frequency Zine, a new social series focusing on dynamic artists who embody the boundless future of Black music. Throughout the series, we’ll highlight six Black artists across Frequency’s genre-specific playlists, including Indie, Dance/Electronic, Rock, Pop, and more. The first artists to be featured in Frequency Zine include Austin Millz, Bree Runway, Chiiild, Connie Constance, Foggieraw, and Kelela. 

Along with the playlists, each edition will feature a digital cover, custom photoshoot, and interview videos. Fans can follow Frequency on Instagram and Twitter to check out Frequency Zine as soon as it drops.

Frequency is a part of our ongoing commitment to support creators from historically marginalized communities and foster equity in the audio space. Read on for some more ways Spotify is highlighting Black creators across our platform this February. 

Black authors step into the spotlight with Audiobooks

There’s always more to learn about Black history and culture, so this month, some of our listeners will also receive recommendations for Audiobooks they can sink their ears into, like The 1619 Project developed by Nikole Hannah–Jones, Son of Elsewhere by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, We Over Me by Devale Ellis and Khadeen Ellis, and Finding Me by Viola Davis, which has been nominated for a Spoken Word Grammy.

The Audiobooks Hub will also be taken over with five curated shelves highlighting titles by Black authors within some of our most popular genres. These shelves consist of The Classics, Mystery & Thriller, Editor’s Picks, Lost in Love, and Be Inspired. Some of the titles you’ll find include:

  • More Myself by Alicia Keys: A book for fans of Alicia Keys with great music tie-ins and full-cast narration from Alicia Keys herself, as well as America Ferrera, Bono, Clive Davis, Craig Cook, DJ Walton, Jay-Z, Krucial, Leigh Blake, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Swizz Beats, and Terri Augelo. 
  • Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson: This multigenerational story was in President Barack Obama’s reading list picks for 2022.
  • All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson: A series of personal essays from a prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist. 
  • Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert: This brand-new rom-com from a popular British author is sure to be a hit for lovers of YA novels. 

Black podcast creators continue to set the tone

In addition to the Frequency Zine and our curated Audiobooks shelves, we’re also proud to showcase thought-provoking conversations from some of Spotify’s top Black podcast creators.

The Unbothered Network is a groundbreaking podcast and production company created by award-winning journalist Jemele Hill. Unbothered seeks to elevate the voices, stories, agency, and nuance of Black women by producing high-quality audio experiences on Spotify. The slate of shows including Jemele Hill is Unbothered, Sanctified, and The Black Girl Bravado offers conversation that builds community, all through the power and intimacy of podcasting.

We Said What We Said with Rickey and Denzel recently returned for its fourth season exclusively on Spotify in all video. Each week, longtime best friends Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion dish on all things pop culture, sex, partying, struggle, love, and more. We Said What We Said is a show with bold advice, hot takes, and risqué storytelling.

On The Ringer’s Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, the hosts dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.

Spotify is committed to creating space for Black creators and fans to express themselves year-round, and as we move forward in 2023, we will continue our support on and off our platform.

Looking for more on the diverse and exciting sounds coming from Black artists around the globe? Check out our playlist This Is Frequency.

Meet Bruses and Pabllo Vittar, Two of Spotify’s Inaugural GLOW Artists

February 9, 2023

Brazilian pop icon Pabllo Vittar and burgeoning alt pop singer-songwriter Bruses both have viral fan bases to thank for their ascendance to the stage. Pabllo’s Portuguese cover of Major Lazer’s “Lean On” (retitled “Open Bar”) was a breakout clip when it debuted in 2015, catapulting the drag queen to stardom and jumpstarting countless other collaborations, like “Sua Cara” with Best New Artist nominee Anitta, “I Got It” with Charli XCX, and several with RADAR artist Rina Sawayama.  

Bruses is the stage name of Amalia Ramirez, a Capricorn from Tijuana, Mexico. Growing up, Amalia knew she wanted to be a songwriter but never anticipated she could be a pop star. When she started posting videos of her singing on social media however, she found a community of fans who “wear the same band t-shirts, have the same hair colors, and make me feel safe.” 

Both now find themselves in each other’s company as two of Spotify’s first designated GLOW artists. 

GLOW is our new global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. At launch, we supported Bruses and Pabllo Vittar on-platform with a dedicated hub and flagship GLOW playlist, and off-platform through billboards and other takeovers. Going forward, our commitment to both of them, and to equity in audio, will continue year-round.

Get to know Bruses and Pabllo Vittar and what makes them GLOW.

Why is it important to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices?

Bruses: I’ve always been out, and I talk about me liking girls in my music from time to time. It’s not the main focus but I don’t hide it. But when the industry finds out, they want to highlight you for Pride month, and not the rest of the year. But I don’t want to feel used. I don’t want to feel like my art only matters from time to time, just because I am a lesbian. That was what I was afraid of when I started doing this. The industry is changing and it’s finally catching up with us. 

In your own words, what does it mean to GLOW? 

Pabllo Vittar: To me, GLOW means that you can be yourself and to love yourself the way you are! It’s about not caring about what other people say. We need GLOW because we have lots of LGBTQIA+ artists who are super talented and just don’t have the space to show it! That’s why we need to amplify it even more and more. 

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

Bruses: A lot of people think I’m super tough because I’m covered in tattoos. But I’m super soft inside. That’s what I’ve been working on in therapy—I use this shell, this thing to give me confidence onstage and in my everyday life. That’s how I present to the world—this is my drag. But I’m a super-shy introvert. And sweet. Most people don’t know that about me until they meet me.

What do you want people to know about your music?

Bruses: Most of my lyrics talk about mental health. Most of the hit songs, most of the time, especially in Latin America, talk about love or heartbreak. But I wasn’t really connecting to that much. I feel love, of course, but I’ve felt pain most of my life. That’s the monster I’m familiar with. So one day, I was like, “Maybe I should write about it.” So that’s what I did with Bruses, and that’s my first record, Monsters. It was a healing process. When I hear my songs, when I sing my songs, I’m constantly feeling like I’m connecting with my monsters in a totally new and different, healthier way. I don’t hate them anymore, I’ve learned how to cope with them and celebrate them. They made me who I am, and I’m thankful for that. 

Tell us about your journey into music. How did you find your voice?

Pabllo Vittar: Music has always been a part of my life, ever since I was a small child. But I think I found my voice when I started singing as a drag queen! After that I started to feel complete as a human being and an artist. 

Who are some queer artists or cultural icons who have inspired you? 

Bruses: Definitely Lady Gaga. She was one of my first crushes. In general, drag queens inspire me so much. One of my friends here in Mexico who is a queen, Rebel Mork, is super inspiring to me because she also uses her art to talk about mental health. And she’s actually designing my costumes for my next tour. We do a lot of great stuff together. And Freddie Mercury. David Bowie. Elton John. The gay icons!

What is the best advice you received when you were growing as an artist and person?

Pabllo Vittar: My mom told me, “Never hide who you truly are.”

When or where do you find your voice?

Bruses: When I’m healing. When I’m being my true self. When I’m feeling a lot of emotions at the same time. When I’m around my cat. When I’m around my community, my fans, my supportive friends. I hate being alone. So I’m always thinking about other people. And if they’re okay, I’m okay. I glow when the people I love are glowing as well. 

 

Catch both Bruses and Pabllo Vittar on our flagship playlist, GLOW. 

K-pop Quintet NewJeans Commands Attention as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

February 3, 2023

K-pop newjeans equal cover art

Jeans have been a beloved wardrobe staple for generations—something that rising K-pop group NewJeans knew all too well when adopting their name. The group set out to create crowd-pleasing songs that you can’t help but keep on your playlists and put on daily. They’re off to a rocking start: With their August 2022 debut of three singles, including “Attention,” they charted on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs U.S. chart, a first for any newly debuted K-pop group. 

Composed of MINJI, HANNI, DANIELLE, HAERIN, and HYEIN, all singers who hail from Korea and beyond, NewJeans is the first release from ADOR, an independent label under HYBE led by MIN HEE JIN. Creating authentic music that radiates a youthful spirit, the group aspires to push the boundaries of the K-pop scene. (You can hear more from them in K-Pop ON! Track.)

In January, NewJeans joined Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program as our ambassador of the month. EQUAL aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. NewJeans’ music was featured heavily on the EQUAL Global playlist throughout the month. 

The newcomers were humbled by the love and support they received worldwide following their first EP, New Jeans. In OMG, NewJeans’ very first winter release, they tackle relationships, attraction, and devotion in a deeper way.

For the Record asked the EQUAL artist to fill in the blanks and learn more about their creative process and inspirations.

The artists who have most inspired me are _____.

There’s no particular artist that I can pick, since I want to get a lot of inspiration and learn from all the artists. (해린 HAERIN)

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is _____ .

Always face yourself and be proud of yourself!! (민지 MINJI)

One notable moment in my career so far is _____ .

Our debut! (혜인 HYEIN)

My creative process consists of _____ .

Inspiration, forming ideas and visualizing them, then through trial and error building the pieces to create what I want!! (다니엘 DANIELLE)

My girl-power anthem is _____ .

Would probably be most of the Little Mix songs!! But if I had to choose, “Hair” by Little Mix!!  (하니 HANNI)

Discover more women artists climbing the charts with our EQUAL Global playlist.

Dr. Stacy Smith of USC Annenberg Calls on All of Us To Address the Gender Gap in Music

February 1, 2023

Dr. Stacy Smith

Each year, the team at the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (AII), led by Dr. Stacy Smith, takes a look at the numbers of women in music—both behind the scenes and on the charts. The result is an annual study we are proud to underwrite. Together, we recognize there is so much more to be done when it comes to the inclusion of women and nonbinary creators within the music industry. 

Amplifying underrepresented voices is at the core of our work at Spotify. Over the past few years, we’ve launched several initiatives like Frequency, NextGen, SoundUp, and GLOW, each of which promotes a diverse roster of artists, songwriters, and podcasters on our platform. Our global EQUAL music program, which is dedicated to promoting and elevating women artists around the world, has enabled us to support over 700 women in 35 countries since March 2021.

Our work is informed by our partners at the USC AII, and particularly, Dr. Stacy Smith. As the founder of the USC AII—the leading global think tank studying issues of inequality in entertainment—Dr. Smith is the foremost disrupter of inequality in the entertainment industry. She’s also a founding member of our Safety Advisory Council.

The report outlines why women need to help and be supportive of other women through mentorship programs, amplification opportunities, and other confidence-building activities. This is the fourth consecutive year Spotify has funded the study, and we’re committed to continuing to learn and understand, and to work toward a more equitable industry. But don’t just take it from us—read on for Dr. Smith’s observations and recommendations.

How would you define representation?

In light of the research we do, representation focuses on prevalence as well as the nature of how groups are presented in the media. For music, specifically, we are examining who receives access and opportunity to specific key positions.

Your research examines inclusion of gender, race/ethnicity, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and mental health in storytelling across film, TV, and digital platforms. What do you see across the board when these groups are not represented, or are underrepresented? 

We see storytelling that fails to depict the reality of the world where we all live. We are missing critical stories and points of view from dynamic and vibrant communities. A lot of our work has shown negative tropes and stereotypes still occur far too frequently when it comes to gender, race/ethnicity, the LGBTIQ+ community, people with disabilities, and mental health.

The Annenberg Inclusion Study, which Spotify partners on, relates to women in the music industry. What are the encouraging trends you’re seeing? What more needs to be done? 

There is only one encouraging trend: The percentage of women artists increased in 2022 in comparison to 2021. That said, it is still abysmally low.  

People need to hire women songwriters, producers, and engineers. That’s it. Until that happens, the numbers will not change. Ultimately, what is needed to create change is for labels to sign, promote, market, and hire women and gender nonconforming people from all backgrounds as artists, songwriters, and producers.

Is there anything notable in the latest gender in music report that you’d like to call out?

The Recording Academy’s efforts on women in the mix have made absolutely no difference in the lives of women producers or engineers. The solution isn’t gimmicks or publicity grabs. It is people understanding that women songwriters and producers have talent but they are not given the same access and opportunity as their male peers.

What would you like to see Spotify doing more of? Less of?

Spotify, along with all the industry, can showcase the work of talented women songwriters and producers to facilitate opportunities. Making sure that listeners can experience songs written and produced by women—and performed by women, too.

Listen to women at full volume on our global EQUAL playlist.

Spotify Debuts GLOW, an Equity Program for LGBTQIA+ Creators

January 24, 2023

Glow header

The LGBTQIA+ community has greatly influenced music, and both music and culture have long been moved by the community in return. As more and more artists feel empowered to share their authentic selves onstage and off, the power and influence of queer creators grow as guiding forces across culture.

Today, Spotify introduces GLOW, a new global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. It’s our latest initiative to support people of this historically marginalized community of voices and reassert our commitment to equity in audio. It ensures that queer creators, and their contributions to music and culture, are heard and honored year-round.  

Putting LGBTQIA+ artists front and center

GLOW is supported by an on- and off-platform ecosystem where LGBTQIA+ artists and users are authentically represented and meaningfully included. 

All in, GLOW will streamline and heighten the support Spotify has provided through our annual global Pride activations. It will be available in 50+ markets across Europe, India, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, the Nordics, and Southeast Asia. 

To launch, we’re hosting LGBTQIA+ artists and songwriters at the Spotify At Mateo office in LA, including jesse saint john, who has written for Britney Spears, Lizzo, and Kim Petras; JHart, who has written for Troye Sivan, 5SOS, and Little Mix; Ilsey, who has written for Panic! at the Disco, Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, and Harry Styles); and INK, who has written for Beyoncé, Leon Bridges, and Lil Nas X. The attendees will participate in three days of writing sessions aimed at celebrating and inspiring collaboration among creators in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

We recognize the power of our platform to elevate, uplift, and spotlight voices that have been historically marginalized, and we’re committed to using it to drive cultural change. GLOW is supported by Spotify’s Creator Equity Fund as the latest part of our ongoing commitment to fostering equity in the audio space. By providing equitable resources to queer artists on a global level, GLOW is another way we’re working to create greater equity, empathy, and representation for the LGBTQIA+ community. We work closely with our partners at GLAAD and others to ensure GLOW best represents LGBTQIA+ artists and listeners in authentic and meaningful ways.

Meet the team behind GLOW

The backbone of GLOW is Spotify employees who are passionate about music, artist empowerment, and above all else, their queer community. 

Lisa Ritchey, she/her, Manager, Artist Partnership Team

Lisa Ritchey

What is your role in bringing GLOW to life?

I am a manager on our newly formed Artist Partnerships Team, but I’ve been in this type of role for the past three years. I currently work across pop, dance, and indie, finding ways that we can bring Spotify into the entirety of an artist’s career outside of a record cycle—touring, festivals, merchandise, integrating artists into campaigns within those genres and our playlists—finding new and creative ways to partner together with artists. 

I’ve worked on Spotify’s Pride campaign for the past three years. I came in and was very, very passionate about LGBTQIA+ artists and how we can better serve that community and the fan base. After working on Pride, I started working on what would be an evergreen program very similar to Frequency or EQUAL with a colleague (the Head of Rock on our Editorial Team, Laura Ohls). We started working on this probably two years ago and in that time, the team has grown exponentially, become more robust, and received a lot of support company-wide.

Why is GLOW important to you?

I, along with the majority of the community, am very weary and skeptical of corporatized Pride. If a company is going to show up in June, they have to show up throughout the year. Where this program is amazing is that its sole purpose is to support the community on- and off-platform year-round. The way that we are showing up in this program also feels different—we’re supporting these artists because of who they are holistically. These are artists who are doing incredible things and they just so happen to be queer.

Who are some queer artists or cultural icons who have inspired you?

In the ’90s it was hard to find robust queer representation, and you had icons like Elton John and George Michael, so when The xx showed up and I found out that Romy and Oliver from The xx were both queer, it kinda blew my mind and it was the first time that I felt seen. St. Vincent was pretty huge for me and really made me understand myself more in college. Frank Ocean—truly, his tumblr coming-out letter, I want to get it framed and put it up in my house because that was so huge not only to me, but to music and culture in general—I think that was around the time that I was truly figuring myself out, so it meant a lot.

And the beautiful thing that we’re seeing now is just, more. The floodgates have opened and we have so many artists to choose from. 

 

Cahleb Derry, he/him, Associate Manager, Music Marketing

Cahleb Derry

What would you say is the ethos of GLOW?

We always go back to this commitment to amplify LGBTQIA+ artists. So while there’s a lot of other flashy aspects of GLOW, and there’s billboards and there’s editorial support, behind all of that, the question we go back to is, ‘How do we tangibly influence the resources that LGBTQIA+ artists have?’ We know in the industry that there are hurdles that marginalized artists face in creating and putting out music that other artists don’t face. 

We know that a lot of artists only get hit up in June during Pride to do campaigns. And then July 1 hits and there’s no work to be found again. Performative support wittles down an artist to their identity. If you only ask artists to activate during Pride, you ask them to give this boxed-in, performative version of themselves. For some artists, their identity is crucial to their work, right? It drives their writing, their artistry. For other artists, they’re just artists who happen to be LGBTQIA+ and they still should receive the support that LGBTQIA+ artists need. And we know that we, at Spotify, have a responsibility as the largest music audio platform in the world to fill in these gaps.

Why is GLOW important to you?

I am gay, so as someone who’s in the community, this program means so much to me. For example, Sam Smith, one of our 11 launch artists, their sophomore album, The Thrill Of It All, was my coming-out album and it saved my life in so many ways. I know firsthand how important LGBTQIA+ artists are for representation, but also for validation, and it just means a lot to see a company like Spotify really doing the amplification work. And to be helping lead the charge? I kind of have to pinch myself a lot and realize like, yeah, this isn’t just a campaign.

LGBTQIA+ culture is the culture. LGBTQIA+ artists, since the beginning of time, have shaped  some of the biggest genres that we have—from disco to jazz to pop—and unfortunately, with the way our industry functions, artists aren’t given the proper tribute, support, or platform that matches the effect and impact of LGBTQIA+ artists’ contributions. 

How does music empower queer communities? 

To me, it’s survival. Literally, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor being a gay anthem is an example, but it’s about connecting people, and it’s about safe space. We know that in New York and Chicago and Detroit and LA, the ballroom space was where Black and Latine queer folks who were shunned were able to go and shine. And music was the soundtrack to this. Even when queer culture and queer people were relegated to basements, to spaces deemed “unused” or in “disarray,” music kept those spaces alive.

Music is how I made sense of my emotions growing up. It gave me language to describe how I felt and gave me validation to feel confident in those emotions. Music is the soundtrack to our lives and to our survival, and it’s the soundtrack to our joy. Music is this creative playground where you’re allowed to imagine anything. Music is the most tangible thing we have to imagine queer futures that are happier and brighter and better and freer. 

Bel Aztiria, she/her, Equity Global Music Programs Lead

Bel A

What is your role in bringing GLOW to life?

I lead our Equity Global Music Programs, such as GLOW and EQUAL. I am in charge of bringing our equity principles to life within Spotify’s 360 programs, which elevate and celebrate artists for who they are, around the world. I lead the go-to-market strategy through ideation, launch, and adoption. My role is focused on the vision of contributing to a music industry where everyone is fairly represented and included for who they are, and wherever they are from. 

Within GLOW, my role is to take the program from ideation to launch and beyond, setting the overall strategy towards the mission of celebrating and elevating LGBTQIA+ creators and serving users all year round and beyond cultural moments. By bringing together my expertise in equity programs and in international strategy and in music, I have the privilege of being the connector of experts in over 20 different company functions and music representatives for the 50+ countries where GLOW is live, to ensure that this program utilizes Spotify’s resources as best as possible to serve the community and honor its immense contribution to music and culture. 

Why is GLOW important to you?

I grew up in a small town in rural Argentina, where I didn’t have any positive examples of people being accepted, included, and celebrated for who they were. I migrated at a young age, which exposed me to more expansive experiences around sexual orientation and identity, but also to a new way of feeling different, of living within another culture. When I started working in music, which was always my passion, I had more positive experiences of inclusion through seeing colleagues from the community thrive and be inspired by the music itself, and I made it my mission to contribute to a world where we can all feel included and valued for who we are.

Today, I feel safe to be who I am in most places I inhabit, and I have the chance to put my experience, resources, and skills back in service, for more people to hopefully feel included and represented, too. To me, GLOW represents the opportunity and privilege to work within a company that is well positioned to drive social change, where people are passionate about equity and gather to take steps in that direction.

What do you see as the future of the program?

I know we live in a world that is far away from equity for all of us, that the issue is bigger than music, and that we can’t do it alone. But I also believe in the power of music, and I hope that GLOW can inspire and uplift more of our voices to the narrative, contributing to a future world where people are free to be.

Tune into GLOW to hear the latest, hottest songs coming from LGBTQIA+ artists around the world.

Meet Four Spotify Pulse Fellows From Our Development Program for Black Creatives—and Apply to Join the 2023 Cohort

January 10, 2023

Behind Spotify’s platform, playlists, and programs are passionate individuals who harness creativity in their work every day. And because creative thinking is at its best when pulled from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, unleashing the full scope of creative potential at Spotify means giving as many people as possible a seat at the table. So one year ago, we announced several new ways we’d be working with existing partners—like the 4A’s Foundation, which provides scholarships and career opportunities for young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys—to add and fill those seats.  

The Spotify Pulse Fellowship is the result: a cocreated, yearlong creative development program for Black professionals with one to three years of professional experience in the advertising industry. To bring it to life, we partner with programs that are already doing inspiring work supporting, developing, and empowering Black creatives like MAIP (Multicultural Advertising Internship Program), D&AD Shift, Marcus Graham Project, ONE School, and our newest program partner, BLAC Internship. Tapping into organizations already created for and by Black creatives is key to finding talent for the Spotify PULSE Program. It initiates opportunities for individuals in underrepresented communities to gain access to careers at the top, and ensures the opportunities and offerings we’re enabling are even more intentional, impactful, and meaningful.

This week, we’re excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the second cohort of the Pulse Fellowship. Learn more by getting to know some of the inaugural members and their work across Spotify. 

Miso Brown, He/Him, Art Director/Production

Miso Brown, Spotify Pulse Fellow

Tell us a little bit about your experience at Spotify so far. 

The experience has been great. Working on ideas and coming up with concepts for the culture is probably as close to a dream job as I could imagine. I mean, working on “Ripple Effect TX” was fantastic. I always love being on set and taking in the beautiful chaos of shoot days. But “Sunday Dinner” TX came together, and you could feel the level of interest and involvement from all of the team members, stakeholders, and crew, so it really felt like being a part of something important.

You’re already six months in, but there’s still plenty more of the fellowship to come. What are you most looking forward to on the horizon? 

I’m looking forward to working on more “Sunday Dinner” content and potentially pitching some of my own ideas for projects, especially stuff focused on emerging artists. For me, hearing the stories of musicians and creatives, whether they be emerging or established, has always been close to my heart; they’re the best kinds of underdog stories. There are also some really cool catalogs of music coming to Spotify, so I’m already ideating new ways to get people involved with hip-hop musically and culturally. 

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring young Black creatives looking to work in your field?

The biggest piece of advice I have sounds like a long-reused trope unfortunately, which is, “Be yourself.” But I think more specifically, “Be more afraid of what would happen from not letting your real self shine through than getting it wrong.” The fear of wanting to get it right, whatever “it” may be, will keep you stuck in “survive thinking” instead of “thrive thinking.” To be creative in your job, even if you aren’t traditionally considered creative, you need the freedom to be able to make some mistakes. And you only bear the benefit from that if you give yourself the permission to make a few mistakes, learn from them, and be better on the next one.

 

 

Alyssa Williams, She/Her, Art Director/Design

Alyssa Williams, Spotify Pulse Fellow

Tell us a little bit about your experience at Spotify so far.

Spotify cares. The people care and it shows in the culture. People are not afraid to reach out and ask questions about material that they are not familiar with and are willing to loop in people who are. I’m excited to see that this company encourages real conversations about culture, community, music, and unity.

You’re already six months in, but there’s still plenty more of the fellowship to come. What are you most looking forward to on the horizon?

I’ve worked alongside the most talented intellectuals in the game; therefore, I’m looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge from my mentors as possible. Whether that be knowing where to find the coolest snacks in the office or learning design secrets you can’t find on YouTube. I look forward to creating meaningful work with meaningful people for meaningful people.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring young Black creatives looking to work in your field?

Keep that same energy. The energy that was the key to opening doors that made you successful. Just because you are in the door doesn’t mean the grind is over. Keep challenging yourself and studying your craft. When you focus on your craft, you always win.

 

Zane Durham, He/Him, Copywriter 

Zane Durham, Spotify Pulse Fellowship

Tell us a little bit about your experience at Spotify so far. 

Spotify has provided a nurturing environment that allows me to have organic growth within my career. Being able to touch multiple types of work in a short amount of time allows me to see the depths of my creativity. So far I’ve loved creating assets for some of my favorite artists, such as Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd for “My Top 5.”

You’re already six months in, but there’s still plenty more of the fellowship to come. What are you most looking forward to on the horizon? 

With the time we have left, I would love to continue our work with emerging artists across Frequency and really build visibility to independent artists.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring young Black creatives looking to work in your field?

I would say be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can early on. Don’t be afraid to ask those clarifying questions to help yourself be better prepared. Lastly, do not tie your creative identity just to the work you do in the office; continue to be the creative genius that makes you an asset to any agency or company. 

 

Amare Symone She/Her or They/Them, Copywriter

Amare Symone, Spotify Pulse Fellow

Tell us a little bit about your experience at Spotify so far.

Being a part of the inaugural cohort for the Spotify PULSE Fellowship has been magical. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate in diverse team settings and have witnessed the importance of team building in relation to the creative process and the final product. My favorite project that I’ve worked on thus far has been Jemele Hill’s Unbothered Network launch with Spotify. The theme of the work is very much aligned with my own creative ethos and why-factor. It was a blessing to amplify Black women’s voices across different industries. Throughout it all, I’m grateful for my family, friends, mentors, peers, PULSE fellows, the One Club for Creativity, 4As Foundation, and the entire One School US family.

You’re already six months in, but there’s still plenty more of the fellowship to come. What are you most looking forward to on the horizon? 

Time waits for no one, and that’s the exact reason why you should live each minute to the fullest. With that said, I’m looking forward to giving myself freedom to live more. When I go out and live, then I’m able to go and create work that changes the world. I’m also looking forward to strengthening my skills as a creative storyteller and building community across the advertising space. 

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring young Black creatives looking to work in your field?

One piece of advice that I’d pass on to aspiring Black creatives is to remember YOUR North Star. There are days that you’ll stare at your hands and wonder why you’re even creating. Your North Star will always be there to ground you and remind you who you are and where you came from. Also, never dilute who you are. It’s your authenticity that helped you dream so big, and it’s also what will make your ideas shine. Go be the light that you’ve always been.

 

The 2023 Spotify PULSE Application is now live. Learn more and apply here.

4 Years of Heart & Soul: Mental Health Support at Spotify

December 20, 2022

heart and soul lockup on purple, pink, green background

At Spotify, we’ve long understood that in order to do your best work, you need to feel your best. But since not every day can be top-notch, it’s important that our employees know that we’ve got their back throughout it all.

Four years ago, we created Heart & Soul, a global mental health initiative for all Spotify employees. We believe that everyone’s experience of mental health, from illness to well-being, should be welcomed, respected, and championed—and that all our employees should be able to access the support and care they need, when they need it. 

In celebration of this anniversary, we’ve released a report on our Heart & Soul accomplishments and learnings to date. The report includes a timeline of the initiative, first-person perspectives from our Ambassadors, recommendations for other companies looking to create similar programs, and more. 

And our work is based on three pillars: raising awareness and building knowledge, enabling self-care and professional support, and normalizing the conversation. Take a look at a sampling of our work: 

Heart and Soul pillars

To read the full report, head to Life at Spotify.

Spotify’s Equalizer Sessions in Germany Help Women Build Lasting Connections

December 15, 2022

women sitting around a dinner table laughing at the spotify equalizer session. photo credit: swetlana holz
Photo Credit: Swetlana Holz

What do you get when you bring an impressive collection of women artists, podcasters, and influencers together for dinner? Magic—and an environment that inspires meaningful connections. 

Spotify has hosted Equalizer events in Europe to combat gender inequality in music for some time. The latest event, our Equalizer Sessions in Germany, was a three-part series in collaboration with the feminist-creation space and network eeden. These sessions took the form of dinners in Hamburg. Each one was hosted by different artists, alongside eeden cofounders Jessica Louis and Nürsen Kaya, with the aim of sparking conversations among women in the audio industry. 

The first event was hosted by artists Shari Hosseini and Maryam.fyi, the second by artists Lia Sahin and Jamie Watson, and the third by artist Antje Schomaker and writer Anastasia Umrik. The events were filled with musical performances and discussions of topics like mental health, equality, diversity, and Spotify’s EQUAL program.

These intimate dinners allowed women to connect, share personal experiences, and get to know others in both a personal and professional manner. For the Record chatted with Conny Zhang, Head of Music for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, about the sessions and how they’re helping support diversity in the audio industry.

What was the goal of the Equalizer Sessions in Germany? 

We wanted to create open and safe spaces for women from various pockets of the media and entertainment industry to connect and share an evening of conversations. While the sessions were meant to be open and without a frame of specific topics, each session was hosted by one to two women who set a tone or a topic of conversation based on their experience working in the industry. Ultimately, the aim was to bring together women to create a long-lasting network. 

What was your favorite moment during the event you attended? 

My favorite part was the immediate connection that I felt with all attendees, spurred by the conversation starters provided by the hosts. It was lovely to see female creators and industry professionals connect on various topics regarding professional and personal issues. 

Why is it important to have creation spaces that are specifically and explicitly feminist? 

Until there is more equality within the industry in regard to network, resourcing, education, and more, it is still important to provide spaces that are targeted specifically for female audiences. Those spaces provide a setting to share experiences with people who have had similar journeys or might have already progressed through. Ideally, the work does not end there as it’s equally important to connect women with decision makers—regardless of gender—to further close the gap. 

As the Head of Music in Germany, you pay close attention to gender equity in music in particular. Where do you see the biggest gaps currently?

On a global scale, only one in five artists is female, and streaming reflects the reality of the industry. We cannot change these structures in single parts, but we have to all work together to do our best to close gaps in education, network, and access to resources. 

What advice do you have for up-and-coming women audio creators?

Given that there are many structural and systemic barriers, it feels almost incomplete to only give advice for women creators as there are many systemic issues that need to be addressed. I would still like to encourage them to keep going and to not give up. Building up a network of supporters and sponsors is vital in anyone’s career. 

Check out photos from the three events below.

Spotify Partners With Inevitable Foundation To Support and Empower Podcasters with Disabilities

December 1, 2022

Across the TV and film industries, writers with disabilities are heavily underrepresented. While an estimated 15% of the global population is disabled, these individuals only make up 1% of the creative workforce. When it comes to podcasting, though, there’s a huge opportunity to shift the balance on representation. Thanks to a lower barrier to entry, podcasting has offered an alternate route for creators with disabilities to make their mark. But the rapidly growing and evolving nature of the podcasting industry means there’s still a lot of need to invest in underrepresented artists. Until now, there haven’t been any programs that support podcasters with disabilities who are working to break through.

Spotify is partnering with the Inevitable Foundation to launch Elevate for Podcasters, a program that empowers professional podcasters with disabilities with the funding, mentorship, equipment, and accommodations they need to level up their careers.

“We want to create a world where disabled storytellers are able to create projects about anything they want, regardless of whether their stories contemplate disability, which is only one part of their complex identities,” Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, the cofounders of Inevitable Foundation, told For the Record in a statement. “For a community that has been shut out of so many creative industries for so long, the lower barriers of entry for podcasting create a fruitful starting point to make sizable gains when it comes to fostering the next generation of disabled podcasters and storytellers.”

Those who are accepted into the program will receive a $10,000 grant, which can be used for:

  • Professional Development: Content-based professional development such as script consulting, and education and workshops on broader storytelling; technical professional development such as education on editing and mixing.
  • Accommodations: Expenses to make podcasts more accessible, including transcripts and other forms of access. 
  • Equipment: Essential equipment for podcasting, editing, or work. 
  • Show Marketing: Essential marketing expenses for a show, which includes ads, creative, and festival fees. 
  • Living Expenses: To support the ongoing careers of disabled podcasters. 
  • IP Licensing: To license IP to adapt into a fiction podcast. 

Participants will also receive ongoing support through quarterly check-ins with the Inevitable Foundation team, as well as community-building events where members can expand their professional networks and meet other creatives with disabilities in podcasting, film, and television.

“At Spotify, we’re constantly looking for ways to amplify diverse and underestimated voices through the power of audio,” says Dina Gabriel, Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Spotify. “This partnership with the Inevitable Foundation offers a unique opportunity for us to utilize our platform to create pathways for creators with disabilities and provide them with tools and resources that will help them hone their craft and build their professional careers.” 

How to apply

So who is eligible for the Elevate for Podcasters program? For starters, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • They self-identify as disabled. 
  • They are 18 years of age or older.
  • They are currently pursuing a career in podcasting.
  • They are not enrolled in an accredited degree program. 

In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • They have an agent/manager for podcasting.
  • They have writing, directing, or producing credits on a fiction-genre audio project completely funded by a major audio platform or production company.
  • One of their audio projects has been acquired by a major studio, production company, or podcast network.
  • They’ve successfully crowdfunded $10,000 or more for one of their audio projects. 
  • They’ve created their own fiction podcast that has received over 10,000 listens per episode on average over a 30-day period. 
  • They’ve created and produced at least 30 fiction podcast episodes (can be across multiple shows).  
  • They’ve had their show recognized by a mainstream or independent outlet (that has multiple writers) for news or criticism. 

We’re thrilled to launch this first-of-its-kind program as a way to raise the visibility of this talented group of artists. Those interested in Elevate for Podcasters can click this link and apply starting today. Winners will be selected starting in early 2023.

For more information, please visit https://inevitable.foundation/podcasters.

Spotify Expands NextGen Audio Program to Historically Black Colleges & Universities

November 18, 2022

The Spelman College logo on the left and the Spotify logo in the right. both are in white against a black background

At Spotify, we understand the power of amplifying the voices of all kinds of creators. This is especially important for communities that have historically been underrepresented in media, including the audio industry. Over the years, we’ve created bespoke programs like Sound Up, Frequency, and EQUAL to showcase and uplift the diverse roster of artists, musicians, songwriters, and podcasters on our platform while creating space for new voices, stories, and perspectives.  

With this spirit, today we’re announcing the expansion of NextGen, Spotify’s ongoing program designed to infuse, activate, and grow podcast culture on college campuses, to Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) campuses across the U.S. This new initiative is supported by the Spotify Creator Equity Fund, which powers the company’s commitment to showcasing and uplifting creators who have historically been underrepresented in the audio industry. 

Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, is onboard as the first HBCU to offer NextGen programming beginning early next year during the spring semester.

The Spemlan College Campus with students walking to class and sitting on benches. There is a school building in the background and green trees on the left

“We look forward to collaborating with Spotify on the new NextGen programming that will be offered to help further elevate the voices and creative content of our students,” said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of Spelman College. “At the core of what drives the Spelman experience is our students’ ability to combine their academic learning and practical experiences as pathways to career and entrepreneurial opportunities. Thank you to Spotify and Michelle Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Spelman, who helped make this partnership possible.”

Spotify currently partners with the University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, and New York University to offer NextGen podcast programming and curriculum. Now our intention is to leverage this impactful program to create a new class of Black content creators, equipping them with tools and resources to develop their podcast skill sets. We’ll also connect HBCU students with our roster of experts from Spotify’s Studios team, as well as the voices of our Originals & Exclusives, in hopes of inspiring them to consider a career in podcasting and offering a chance to hear firsthand about how to make it in the audio industry.

“As an HBCU grad myself, I know firsthand the remarkable energy and creativity that flows through these institutions. It’s palpable,” said Kristin Jarrett, Equity & Impact Strategy and Outreach Lead at Spotify. “NextGen allows us to get closer to this exceptional pipeline of Gen Z talent and storytellers, powering our goal of having a diverse roster of creators on our platform on our road to 50 million creators and 1 billion users.”

Here are some of the NextGen initiatives we intend to bring to Spelman College:

  • Dedicated on-campus podcast recording space with professional equipment
  • Events featuring Spotify executives and podcast talent
  • Spotify support of existing, relevant curriculum and access to tailored training programs
  • Co-creation of student-led original audio content
  • Potential academic scholarship support
  • Invitation and consideration for Spelman College students to participate Spotify’s 10-week internship program

Spelman College students can contact Michelle Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English, to learn more about the program.

Stay tuned for details about future NextGen x HBCUs!

‘Ripple Effect: Frequency Sunday Dinner’ Heads to Houston, Texas

November 10, 2022

There’s no area of the U.S. that hasn’t been shaped by Black music and culture. To recognize and celebrate this reverberating creative legacy, Spotify’s Frequency playlist series, Ripple Effect, has been traveling around the country bringing local artists together to discuss their hometowns and their work through various “Sunday Dinners” powered by Frequency.  

Monaleo, OG Ron C, Xavier Omar, Teezo Touchdown, and Madeline Edwards

After stops in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) and California (Bay to LA), Spotify’s Ripple Effect: Frequency Sunday Dinner made its way to Houston for a conversation with local artists about the ways that Black music and culture from Texas have influenced the city, state, and globe. Artists including Monaleo, OG Ron C, Xavier Omar, Teezo Touchdown, and Madeline Edwards joined together to discuss the legacy, current state, and future of Black music coming out of Texas, hosted and moderated by Bun B. 

“Being able to sit at the table and have something to bring to it felt amazing—being acknowledged as an artist amongst people that directly inspire me was unlike anything else,” said Houston native and rapper Monaleo. 

 

 

 

They also homed in on their hometown pride, sharing what makes Texas so influential in music and culture to them, by way of food, landmarks, hometown establishments, and more in a beautiful video directed by multidisciplinary Houston native Nate Edwards. 

“My favorite part of being a guest at the Sunday dinner was being able to shed light on unique aspects of the Black Texas music scene that not many people know about,” said Texas-raised country singer Madeline Edwards. “A misconception of Black Texas music is that it represents exclusively rap, hip-hop, or R&B, yet we have multiple generations of Black artists that have completely reshaped the framework of authentic Texas music. It was really special getting to shed light on some of my favorite artists in this category, including Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., Black Pumas, Abraham Alexander, Kam Franklin of The Suffers, and Micah Edwards. 

Monaleo agreed and supplied even more Texas-based artists. “The Black music scene in Texas is innovative and creative. I am able to draw a lot of inspiration from the Texas music scene because our culture is so rich and full of originality. I wish people were more aware of how innovative Texas music culture is and how many amazing acts come out of Texas: Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, KenTheMan, Lebra Jolie, Travis Scott, and UGK.”  

These artists join the ranks of other Black musicians who have been named and spotlit for being hometown heroes during Ripple Effect: Frequency Sunday Dinners. Frequency is a global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on and off our platform. Last year, it landed in the DMV to celebrate local artists at a dinner with Ari Lennox, Pusha T, local go-go artist Big G, and Rico Nasty. In June, Frequency headed to California to celebrate local creators and amplify the music and culture of the Bay Area to South LA with artists Joyce Wrice, Guapdad 4000, Hit-Boy, Victoria Monét, Vince Staples, and Duckwrth.

Stay tuned for the next episodes in New England, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. 

Catch more Ripple Effect in the playlist below.