Tag: Diversity Inclusion and Belonging

Get To Know the Sounds of Ramadan Around the World

April 13, 2022

Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual rejuvenation, tranquility, and contemplation by those celebrating across the globe. Many Muslims come together with their families and communities for suhoor, the predawn meal, iftar, the post-sunset meal, and everything in between. For some, audio also plays a large role in setting the tone of the holiday. 

And just as Holy Month traditions play out differently in communities around the world, so does the audio people listen to for reflection or celebration. In the Arab world, observers will mostly play traditional instrumental nasheeds; Turkish celebrants may stream tracks from their favorite Ramadan television series; and in Indonesia, the top tracks played during Ramadan have a pop feel—all while guiding listeners to self-reflection.

Some tracks are universal—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s song “Ramadan – English version” is one of the most popular during Ramadan, with listeners tuning in from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Australia, Canada, Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. last year. Depending on where you’re listening from, you can find plenty of options throughout the month on Spotify’s Ramadan destination. 

For the Record asked five of our music editors celebrating Ramadan around the world to share some of the themed playlists they curated during the Holy Month and what makes the playlists unique to their communities. 

Middle East and North Africa

Curation: Ramadan Series مسلسلات رمضان and Ramadan Spirit by Alaa Ismail and Naoufal El Amrani

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

The Holy Month is a rich and diverse experience. People across the Arab world are very disciplined in fasting and praying in Ramadan; they decorate their homes with Ramadan lanterns and organize iftar banquets for families. Arabs tend to listen to spiritual hymns (nasheeds), especially during fasting times. After iftar, family and friends gather to watch their favorite Ramadan series, and therefore Ramadan series songs have a distinctive mark during the Holy Month. Ramadan Spirit and Ramadan Series playlists are inspired by the culture, customs, and traditions of the region. 

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Ramadan is very special and has its own charm; it is like a guest who comes to the house once a year and is welcomed with pleasure. Reflecting the spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with relaxing, spiritual, and instrumental tunes is key to our curation process. 

Pakistan

Curation: South Asian Sufi by Rutaba Yaqub

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

Pakistan is a family- and community-oriented nation. And in the month of Ramadan that feeling of togetherness grows even stronger. Families spend more time together for suhoor, iftar, and in between. Pakistanis love to host big iftar feasts for their families as well as for the needy. Thousands of people are fed on the streets with langar (a communal free kitchen). 

How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Because of the busy nature of Ramadan and Pakistan being a majority Muslim nation, the consumption of music, specially in the first 10 days of Ramadan, drops significantly. Most of the consumption happens before suhoor. After the 10 days, audiences ease into consumption of music with more Sufi/devotional content, which is musical content of mystical nature. “Tajdar-e-Haram,” a track performed by Atif Aslam, jumps to the top of charts as soon as Ramadan starts. That’s a very clear indication of listeners’ inclination to Sufi content. 

Turkey 

Curations: Ramazan and İftar by Nazlı Yırtar

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Gathering with family, neighbors around the iftar table; hosting visitors for big iftar dinners. Also the Ramadan-themed TV shows starting before iftar, where conversations around Ramadan are had and music reflecting the theme of the month is played between conversations. Our Ramazan and İftar playlists are definitely inspired by the music I used to hear on TV and radio during the Ramadans of my childhood.

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

I try to reflect the calm spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with instrumental music or Turkish classical songs that would bring our users the experience around those feelings of peace and serenity.

Singapore and Malaysia

Curations: Penenang Hati, Satu, MendekatiNya, Lagu Raya, Salam Raya by Nurul Husniyah

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the music played during the month? 

Ramadan is a time for connecting and reconnecting with loved ones, so one of the top priorities for most people is coming home to buka puasa or iftar with their families and to also spend time with their friends. Singapore saw the return of two really popular annual Ramadan bazaars at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam after a two-year hiatus. Even though they are scaled down, these events definitely add festive cheer to this year’s celebrations. Raya (the South Asian way to address Eid al-Fitr) songs will also be soundtracking homes and bazaars as early as the first couple of days to the first week of Ramadan.

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Indonesian artist Opick’s “Ramadan Tiba” (Ramadan is here) and Anuar & Ellina’s “Suasana Di Hari Raya” both start showing up in our viral charts as early as the first day of Ramadan. You can find both of these on Lagu Raya, the quintessential playlist for familiar tracks that dominates the charts throughout the month of Ramadan leading up to Eid al-Fitr. 

Penenang Hati and Satu are usually updated weekly due to the steady stream of artists releasing Ramadan-themed and spiritual tracks throughout the month. Penenang Hati features tracks that are more mellow, and nasyid (nasheed) tracks as well. Satu features more modern-sounding and upbeat Islamic and spiritual tracks.

Indonesia 

Curations: Refleksi Diri, Ketupat Lebaran by Dyah Paramita Saraswati  

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

The unique element in Indonesia during Ramadan is people here usually hang out together or do something unusual in the evening while waiting for iftar. We call the activity “ngabuburit.” That is why Spotify in Indonesia launched a campaign titled #NgabuburitDiSpotify for the second year in a row! Since Ramadan is a big cultural moment in Indonesia, television and radio stations tend to play Islamic songs that are related to Ramadan. Also, some artists launch Ramadan-themed songs during this period, mainly around self-reflection. 

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

For Refleksi Diri, on top of Islamic songs, I also program pop songs themed around wellness, self-reflection, and life contemplation. That is why one of the two music playlists I have programmed is named Refleksi Diri, which means self-reflection in English. As for Ketupat Lebaran, which loosely relates to “The Best of the Festival of Breaking Fast” in reference to the local delicacy ketupat that is served during this period, I program songs that are centered around the celebration of Lebaran or Eid (a period which marks the end of the month of fasting and celebrations over the control over one’s desires).

 

Stream one of the most popular songs during Ramadan—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s “Ramadan – English version.” 

One Year and More Than 184 Markets Later, Spotify’s EQUAL Program Continues To Celebrate Women Artists Around the World

April 1, 2022

400 ambassadors. 184 markets. 13 million hours of listening. 35 playlists. These numbers represent the powerful impact of Spotify’s EQUAL program over the past year. 

Since its launch, EQUAL has shined a spotlight on women artists through global partnerships, activations, new content experiences, and on- and off-platform support—all created to foster equity for women in audio and celebrate their contributions. On Spotify, listeners can find the EQUAL Hub, which is a dedicated space to highlight women creators. The EQUAL Global Music Program extends resources and opportunities to women artists and amplifies their music through the flagship EQUAL Global playlist and EQUAL local playlists. 

On the platform, it’s clear our listeners are big fans of the women who are featured in our EQUAL campaigns. Take a look at some of the things EQUAL artists have achieved over the last year.

Plus, here are just a handful of accomplishments from EQUAL ambassadors and local market initiatives:

  • Seven of EQUAL’s Polish ambassadors have been nominated for the Fryderyk award this year. 
  • Five of EQUAL’s Dutch ambassadors have been nominated for the Edison Award this year. 
  • EQUAL French ambassadors Juliette Armanet and Barbara Pravi were both nominated for Victoire de la Musique awards, the French GRAMMY equivalent, with Barbara winning her category. 
  • Three EQUAL U.K. ambassadors were nominated for BRIT Awards. 
  • Last year in Spain, we hosted a roundtable called “EQUAL ESPANA” where singer-songwriter Rozalén and Spotify’s Head of Music for Southern Europe, Melanie Parejo, came together to discuss the importance of women in the Spanish music industry. 
  • In Japan, two new playlists are launching in the market to celebrate EQUAL’s first anniversary: Curated by Women and EQUAL Anime.
  • In Colombia, Spotify is taking EQUAL to the stage for the first time. Throughout the month of April, across seven performances, Spotify will bring together 13 outstanding artists including EQUAL Colombia ambassadors Goyo, Paola Jara, Lido Pimienta, Andrea Echeverri, Elsa y Elmar, Ventino, and more to make a statement for gender equality at full volume.

 

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We know this is only the beginning of bringing women creators front and center. Spotify will continue to highlight and amplify women’s voices by curating top audio destinations for women artists with global playlists like EQUAL: K-Pop, EQUAL: Indie, Women of Rock, and Galdem – Queens. As we reflect on EQUAL’s first year, we know there’s more work to be done and Spotify is committed to fostering equity in the music industry and beyond. 

 

Now that you know all about EQUAL, it’s time to celebrate the program’s anniversary by listening to the EQUAL Global playlist below.

 

USC Annenberg’s ‘Inclusion in the Recording Studio?’ Study Finds That More Work Toward Gender Equity Is Needed

March 31, 2022

Women in music hold many roles—they are singers and songwriters, producers and engineers. They must overcome age-old barriers to put their artistry and creativity to work and make their voices heard among fans worldwide. And yet despite decades of progress, women are still vastly underrepresented on the top music charts.  

The 2022 study “Inclusion in the Recording Studio?”, the fifth annual report on the music industry from Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, details the numerical realities of this inequality. The report, which was funded by Spotify again this year, provides a comprehensive industry update on inclusion—and shows that much more needs to be done. 

Spotify has been working hard on creating spaces and opportunities for women with on-platform campaigns such as EQUAL. But as we’ve seen clearly, the results are not good enough.

“To rise to a challenge, the industry must first understand it. This is why the efforts of Stacy Smith, Karla Hernandez, and the entire team behind the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative are critical,” said Dawn Ostroff, Chief Content & Advertising Officer, Spotify. “These results underscore the need for action. We are committed to continuing to support this important research, to elevating women who can, in turn, create opportunities for women, and to making meaningful progress to improve equity across the world of music.“

Read on below, or head straight to the report.

Artists of color are increasing on the charts

The study explores the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity for artists. In contrast to the lack of women artists, artists from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups represented over half of 2021’s artists. But Dr. Smith explains, “Although the data reveal an increase for women of color, these findings indicate that there is more work to be done.”

Women songwriters and producers remain outnumbered 

“Inclusion in the Recording Studio?” didn’t only look at front women but also at those behind the scenes, and it found that women songwriters and producers remain outnumbered. Overall, across a total of 1,522 producing credits in the 10-year sample, 97.2% were men and 2.8% were women. 

A nod toward nominees

The study assessed every nominee at the Grammys® that received recognition in the categories of Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Producer of the Year for the same time frame. It found that women were more likely to be nominated for Best New Artist (44.4%) and Song of the Year (28.8%). On the other hand, they represented the lowest percentage of nominees in the Album of the Year (9.7%) and Producer of the Year (1.9%) categories. 

“Uplifting women in music is crucial, as it allows women to grow in their careers and opens the doors for younger women aspiring to work in this industry,” said Karla Hernandez, the study’s lead author. “This is especially true for women of color, who are often excluded from prestigious institutions and career recognition. We must see women’s work showcased and nominated, giving them space in writing rooms and studios. By actively working toward inclusion, we can bring forth a new wave of talent and creativity.”

There’s much more to be done, and the report also recommends changes to increase the number of women as artists, songwriters, and producers and provides solutions for sustaining growth for underrepresented artists. Read the rest of the data, as well as the recommendations, in the full report.

The Dinner Table and PRESENTE—Spotify’s Newest Editorial Communities—Amplify Black and Latinx Podcasters 365 Days a Year

March 9, 2022

Podcasting is becoming an increasingly accessible medium that anyone can use to tell their story. But as with any form of media, more has to be done to propel the voices of marginalized communities onto the mic. One way Spotify is doing this is through programs like Sound Up, which empowers and equips burgeoning podcasters with tools and resources. Another way is through the amplification of existing podcasts from podcasters of color—so that important topics and stories can find their audiences, and audiences find them. That’s where Spotify’s Podcast Editorial team comes in. 

Over the past year, the Podcast Editorial team has been curating homes for podcast themes like True Crime Scene, theLINER, and Play Your Part, which can be found from the podcast homepage and Search on the Spotify app. But the two latest pages take our responsibility to a new level. They’re podcast editorial communities that focus on and serve Black and Latinx audiences by putting content from and for these communities front and center, 365 days a year.

These two new community pages are The Dinner Table, curated by Black Culture Editor Bianca Garwood, and PRESENTE, curated by U.S. Latinx Culture Editor Barbara Gonzalez. Though these curations may be new, the topics covered on each podcast are not—and the goal of the editors is to use the power of the platform to turn the volume up on these stories. 

In an interview with For the Record, Bianca and Barbara each spoke about the thinking behind their new podcast editorial communities. 

What inspired the creation of The Dinner Table and PRESENTE?

Bianca: As a Black person, I’ve noticed that it has become an unfortunate norm to consume news and updates that show other Black folk in compromising positions. We’re constantly demanding folks to see our humanity. And this is our reality. And those voices need to be heard, but it’s also important to talk about the full spectrum and to highlight the fullness of Black lives, independent of our plight.

You know, there’s joy in Blackness, there’s peace in Blackness. There’s love in Blackness, there’s healing in Blackness, and that’s the point of The Dinner Table. We’re serving wellness with a side of laughter. Ultimately this ladders up to Podcast Editorial’s approach of counteracting the doom and leaning into inspirational and aspirational podcasts.  

Barbara: So in terms of PRESENTE, of how we came to be, I think it’s really in the name. That’s why I always love starting there. The word PRESENTE translates to “present” in Spanish and Portuguese, and it’s used as a call and response in Latinx spaces to pay respect to who’s in the room. So, when we say “presente,” really we yell it—that’s why it’s in all caps—we’re making ourselves known, we’re bringing each and every single identity that we hold to the space. And we’re also bearing witness to every other person in the room doing the same. And that’s really the spirit. 

Latinidad is not a monolith. We consist of so many different races, sexualities, gender expressions, regional cultures, and so many more identities. So, as long as your perspective isn’t invalidating another person in the community’s identity, your voice deserves to be heard in PRESENTE. 

What approach have you each taken to curating content for these communities? 

Bianca: The Dinner Table name and concept itself came about from personal experience. Growing up, my mom was one of 11. So holidays and family functions were full of people, food, and laughter—my grandmother’s house was always packed to the brim. And if I wasn’t eating at the table, I was doing homework at the table. I was getting my hair done at the table. The table in itself was kind of a nucleus to many of my cultural experiences during my childhood and formative years. For many Black families, the dinner table is a centerpiece, you know, and in many of our homes it reflects joy, community, and laughter.

On the flip side, in terms of wellness, I also wanted to take the opportunity to highlight conversations that often aren’t had at the dinner table, but should be. You can find these under “Well As Hell” with topics like food and its effects on mental health, belief systems outside of the construct of Christianity, positive effects of cannabis, Black womanhood outside of social norms, healing the inner child, and Black mental health. All these conversations that are sometimes swept under the rug—I thought this would be a great opportunity to delve deep and highlight Black joy but also highlight the wellness in that as well.

Barbara: There are a few different branches that I’ll be highlighting on PRESENTE. One of the franchises is titled Let’s Unpack That. We know that while certain generations may have beliefs about certain things in our culture, and may have passed these somewhat harmful beliefs down to us unintentionally—those might not necessarily resonate with generations today. So Let’s Unpack That will include cultural conversations about current events, social movements, and cultural norms—basically, how I always describe it is “anything that’s a conversation on Twitter.” 

So whether it’s the 50 millionth time that we’re discussing whether we should be called “Latinx” or “Latine,” or we’re talking about another instance of anti-Blackness or anti-Asian sentiment in our community, this is the place where we highlight creators having those conversations. 

Another really great franchise that we have is Subculture Spotlight. That’s speaking to what I mentioned about Latinidad is not a monolith; we have so many ways of being Latino. So we’ll be diving into specific nationalities, religions, and different neighborhoods in the United States that are historically, predominantly Latinx.

So one that I published for our launch is about Dominicans in the United States. Some things I would love to explore in the future are different podcasts about Venezuelan migration and Nuyorican legends. And then [re]PRESENTE is a franchise highlighting different things in Latinx culture in terms of representation across pop culture, history, and politics.

Why are these community pages important?

Bianca: I think these pages are important because they give users an all-access pass to content that they are aligned with or inspired by. It’s thoughtfully curated with them in mind, you know. It gives folks access to content at their fingertips. 

Barbara: This ties into our team’s belief that hearing the community should be something that we do in all of our work. Podcast creators, listeners, and people featured in these episodes are part of this unique community that we want to make sure that we’re constantly feeding. And I think it’s particularly important for Latinx and Black communities to have their own spaces because creators from those communities haven’t historically gotten the same support. We need to be working overtime to make sure they know that we’re here trying to support these creators.

This is Spotify’s way of saying, “We see you, we’re loving everything that you’re doing, keep having these conversations because we want to be able to support you in every single way that we can.” 

Start getting to know PRESENTE with the first guest curation from Kat Lazo, co-host of The Get Up.

Spotify Kicks Off International Women’s Day With Love Letters, Playlists From Gender Equity Advocacy Organizations, and New Music Created Exclusively by Women

March 8, 2022

Today, Spotify is celebrating International Women’s Day by sharing the music and stories of women creators, artists, activists, and nonprofits around the world. The music, lyrics, and voices coming from women in the industry and beyond are complex and vibrant—something we’re amplifying for our listeners this month through the creation of platform initiatives, release of new music created entirely by women, and off-platform support of nonprofits. 

New playlists and a refreshed EQUAL hub

Spotify is starting off International Women’s Day With Love, a podcast playlist series created in partnership with social impact agency Invisible Hand with production support by Pod People. With Love celebrates and honors 24 women who share “love letters” to their past selves or to a key supporter who changed their lives during a pivotal moment in time. There will be three playlists: one for Artists, one for Storytellers, and one for Changemakers. Artists like Fefe Dobson and Pyra, songwriters like Jennifer Decilveo and Kuinvi, creators like Munroe Bergdorf and Rintik Sedu, and activists like Dominique Morgan and Lauren Wasser all share their stories in the collection playlists. These personal anecdotes of wisdom, gratitude, and compassion spotlight the vast landscape of what it means to be a woman and the outsized impact that women have in the world.

Spotify is also highlighting five global nonprofits focused on gender equity by amplifying each nonprofit’s own curated playlist themed around the voices of the communities they serve. Organizations include:

In addition to spotlighting these organizations on the platform, Spotify will be giving donations to each of them to support their critical work.

The With Love and nonprofit playlists will all live on the EQUAL Global Hub, which continues to be a one-stop destination for listeners who want to discover music from emerging women artists. 

This month, the hub is getting a new look and feel and will be available in new markets, including those in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. It will also include an EQUAL Arabia playlist from MENA and EQUAL Pakistan. Both are the latest markets to join EQUAL.

EQUAL x Spotify Singles

In addition to these playlists, listeners can find brand-new music on the EQUAL Global Hub. EQUAL and Spotify Singles, two of Spotify’s innovative music programs, are uniting to bring listeners recordings from an incredible slate of emerging women artists.

EQUAL fosters equity for women in the music and audio space and has helped highlight the careers of women around the world. Spotify Singles, which launched in 2017, gives artists an opportunity to record new versions of their own songs, songs of artists they love, or an original song. Since its launch almost six years ago, tracks from the program have collectively hit over 5 billion streams.

For International Women’s Day, the two programs collaborated to produce three songs created exclusively by women—from the production to the recording to the engineering. 

Ethel Cain, whose music reflects on her upbringing as a backwoods churchgoer in the deep South and who is Spotify’s first-ever transgender EQUAL ambassador, took this moment to cover Britney Spears’s 2003 hit “Everytime.” Produced by Ethel and recorded in Los Angeles, the harmonica-backed cover of the iconic ballad with its haunting, acoustic guitar  puts her wide-ranging, layered vocals at the forefront. 

“I’ve always loved this song and immediately knew I could take Britney’s melodies and make something super dreamy with it,” shared Ethel. “I usually record alone at home, so working in the Spotify studio with all the synths and old vintage gear was a really special and fun experience. I think Britney wrote a very lovely song, and it was an honor to put my spin on it.”

Mexican composer, singer, songwriter, and producer Bruses took to the studio in Monterrey, Mexico, with producer Daniela Mendez to record her own unique spin on Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.” Known for her Latin-inspired indie-pop sound, Bruses brings girl power front and center in this single. 

“For me, the most important thing with this song as a fan was to respect the original essence. It’s one of those hits that last a lifetime; it’s a classic,” explained Bruses. “In this version we add a bit of rock and punk, especially in the chorus. I always imagined that part a little heavier, so we added some electric guitars, and it was from the little we recorded; the rest is sampled. It is very much directed towards electronic music or pop.”

South Korea’s SUNMI gives fans an all-new original track, titled “Oh Sorry Ya.” Created in collaboration with the Los Angeles-based songwriting duo, LYRE, the song kicks off with a swell of new-wave synths in a shadowy minor key before building to bubblegum pop perfection with a huge, infectious chorus that still has hints of darkness beneath. 

“It was a huge honor being part of Spotify’s EQUAL project, and I really hope that fans and listeners worldwide enjoy, get inspired, by this track,” said SUNMI. “Team LYRE and I have put a lot of thought into producing this multidimensional track together. It’s truly ‘created by women’ and hopefully loved by everyone.”

If you want to hear more from SUNMI, check out Spotify’s Mic Check episode, where the K-Pop artist shares more about her new single and opens up to us about the family tragedy that brought her to the music industry. 

EQUAL Collective brings off-platform support

Last year, Spotify launched the EQUAL Collective, bringing together a group of nonprofit organizations from around the world that are focused on furthering gender equity in music. These 14 organizations were given an opportunity to collaborate together on new ideas to help reach more women creators and further their work.

This year, for International Women’s Day, Spotify is excited to announce that we are awarding two teams, composed of four organizations, a grant of $50,000 in order to bring the following concepts to life:

  • Femme Africa and P_ssy Party are helping solve for representation of women creators in Africa by developing a curriculum and online directory to connect creators within the industry.
  • MEWEM (France) and MIM (Spain) partnered together to develop the MEWEM Golden Ticket, a concept that will award eight women entrepreneurs from across Europe free access to international professional festivals to pitch their own projects and new ideas, develop their businesses, and meet future partners within a high-level network.

Year-round, Spotify aims to celebrate the incredible impact that women have on the world. This month, we are excited to bring front and center for listeners new music and new playlists from women.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by listening to songs entirely written, produced, and performed by female songwriters on Spotify’s Created by Women playlist below.

Spotify’s Progress Toward Racial Equity: Reflections, Commitments, and Updates for the Year Ahead From Elizabeth Nieto and Spotify’s Equity and Impact Team

February 28, 2022

Each year, as Spotify celebrates Black History Month, we are offered an opportunity to take stock of how we are doing as a company when it comes to our work in the pursuit of racial equity. This February marks my first as Spotify’s Global Head of Equity & Impact, and it comes at a time when the company has faced new challenges as we learn and grow and the landscape evolves around us.

Making real and sustained progress has never been easy. Spotify understands the need for hard work, true reflection, and real accountability and we view our anti-racism efforts as an ongoing journey as we strive to live our values, both internally and externally. We are committed to fighting systemic racism and doubling down as this work advances. And while we still have plenty to do, we are making progress. That’s why, at each step of the way, we are looking to partners, employees, and creators to help guide our actions for the long term. 

We also understand the need to regularly communicate the progress we’ve made and identify actions that will build upon it in the years ahead. As we close out Black History Month in the U.S., we recognize the need to do more to combat racism around the world. 

So today, members of the Equity and Impact team—that’s me, Elizabeth Nieto, alongside Travis Robinson, Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, and Christopher Kenny, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Lead, Racial Equity Strategy—are sharing updates of both work we’ve done and work that’s underway across our global markets in the pursuit of racial equity. 

This is but a snapshot of our focus areas in our ongoing commitment to fostering an anti-racist culture at Spotify. And while we know we are not perfect, we remain unwavering in our approach and commitment to making meaningful change and progress as a company. 

With gratitude,

Elizabeth, Travis, and Christopher 

Deepening dynamic relationships with racial equity partners

We continue to collaborate with our external racial equity partners to inform how we can best leverage our brand and platform to mitigate systemic racism. Those conversations will inform our strategies for the year ahead and beyond. As one example, we support the healing and growth of our Spotify community through our partnership with Brooklyn Minds, a mental health organization. Brooklyn Minds facilitates sessions for employees who’ve been impacted by racial trauma. We also provide individualized support through our employee assistance program.

Focusing on giving to organizations with measured impact for the Black community

As we shared last April, Spotify’s Racial Equity Donations & Giving Program has committed $10 million—including the matching of $3 million from Spotify employee donations around the world—to over 300 organizations. The remaining $7 million has been donated to more than 15 organizations dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and elevating the next generation of Black voices and creators. This will be an annual commitment through our Racial Equity Donations & Giving Program. We also recently announced the creation of 28 scholarships to Black HBCU students, in partnership with UNCF (the United Negro College Fund).

Formalizing Spotify’s Creator Investment Fund

Over the last several years, Spotifiers have built initiatives to identify, support, nurture, amplify, and celebrate the many voices of creators who deserve to be heard. Much more must be done to further this existing body of work, which is where our recently announced $100 Million Creator Investment Fund comes in. It’s important that we continue to create new avenues of support to champion artists, songwriters, and podcast creators from diverse backgrounds. Spotify can help them build their own businesses by establishing passionate fan bases and substantially growing their reach.

There’s great excitement for this work, with many ideas and questions about next steps we must take. While it’s critical to move swiftly, we also understand it will take time to get this work right. Spotifiers from teams including Music, Podcasting, and Equity & Impact are co-developing plans and working closely alongside our creator and industry partners for input. We’ll share early plans with our ERGs (employee resource groups) for their input and further refinement.

We have identified an initial list of the existing programs and opportunities where we think these funds can be put to work quickly, including adding incremental support to the ongoing work of Frequency, Sound Up, EQUAL, and Pride, among others. Additionally, we will dedicate talent and resources to help lead this global effort. We will work with internal teams and outside organizations to establish new programs focused on areas such as studio space, creator tools, marketing and PR support, coaching, and mentorship.

Expanding and scaling our current Black creator and consumer engagement brands

Last May, when Spotify launched Frequency—our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform—we did so with a mission to create a space that represents the wide spectrum of Black artistry. Since then, listeners have tuned into Frequency music playlists like Ripple Effect and House Party and learned from the Heard You podcast playlist. We’re committed to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, creativity, and community year-round, with special emphasis on the month of February in honor of Black History Month in the U.S. This year, we’ve created a space to celebrate the multidimensionality of Black listeners, artists, and creators to truly encompass the breadth of Black creativity. 

We recognize the need to do a better job of cascading these stories to a broader audience and will continue to scale our approach to our work of promoting Black stories and experiences. For example, we’ll amplify the great Black creators who are sharing stories that resonate with the community, like the Spotify original Who We Be TALKS_ from the U.K.

2020 Equity & Impact Report and 2021 restructuring

Our 2020 Sustainability, Equity & Impact Report charted the meaningful progress we’ve made through our cross-functional Spotify Racial Equity Coalition, alignment to our BLK 5-Star strategy, and expansion of the work of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging in a variety of ways. But it was only a first step in measuring our work and impact.

So in 2021 we restructured our organization to bring together three existing teams: Social Impact; Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging; and Sustainability. We did this because we believe in the power of our people, their stories, and the impact we have as a platform to imagine and deliver a sustainable future that is welcoming for all in a world that’s centered on justice, equity, and environmental sustainability. We’re seeing greater synergy and collaboration as a unified approach across our three groups. The cohesion of the team is reflected in our Sustainability, Equity & Impact report. 

Continuing anti-racism education and inclusive storytelling training internally

We launched inclusive storytelling training and education within Spotify’s Marketing, Music, and Podcasting Creator teams in 2021 and continue to conduct key diversity, equity, and inclusion  sessions monthly. Within our Studios organization, efforts are underway to establish greater creator representation and also partner with anti-racism practitioners to train and educate all employees. We plan to relaunch our formal anti-racism training for employees this year.

Expanding our focus on inclusive hiring and workforce development

While we have seen progress in our Black employee representation in the U.S. over the last four years (3.7% in 2017 to 9% by end of 2021), we are working on driving the same level of advancement toward diverse representation in our leadership ranks. In late 2021, we launched an inclusive hiring training course for all interviewers and hiring teams. Topics covered within this training are associated with anti-racism, microaggressions, bias, and other relevant diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations. In deep partnership with our Talent Acquisition team, the Inclusive Hiring team has also curated related sourcing and diversity recruiting partnerships that focus on greater visibility and identifying better ways of attracting talent to Spotify from underrepresented communities.

In 2022, we’ve been working hard to expand our inclusive hiring goals for racial diversity in the U.S. but have also begun the process of identifying areas of improvement in ethnic diversity in key markets globally. For instance, we are working to identify greater ways to increase Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation in our U.K. workforce. We will launch a workforce development conference for our Black Spotifiers across EMEA. In addition, in a few weeks we will launch our first-ever Global Belonging Week for all Spotifiers. This will feature global diversity, equity, and inclusion content, training and education for all band members to learn and also provide for localized “pass the mic” sessions where employees in specific offices will discuss topics such as anti-racism, intersectionality, and meaningful change.

Spotify’s Sound Up Program Continues to Bring Diverse Voices to Podcasting

February 28, 2022

Since its start in 2018, Spotify’s Sound Up has helped underrepresented creators get their feet—and mics—in the door for podcasting. The program’s aim is to diversify the voices in the audio space by providing participants with educational opportunities, resources, and access to industry experts. Sound Up graduates have released popular shows that have ranked on Spotify’s podcast charts, including Dope Labs, Search Engine Sex, You Heard Me Write, and FOGO: Fear of Going Outside.

Now, four years after its inception, Sound Up has launched in 12 markets (Japan, Italy, the U.S., U.S. LatinX, India, Mexico, Australia, Sweden, the U.K., Germany, Brazil, and Argentina) and helped hundreds of graduates find careers in podcasting. 

How does Sound Up work? In each market, 10 participants are selected to be a part of the program. The creators then go through a four-week virtual or in-person immersive experience where they hone their storytelling, get more experience in audio production, and have a chance to workshop their ideas. After the session ends, the participants continue to receive year-round support from Spotify as they create professional pilots of their ideas, which have a chance to become a Spotify Original.

In 2020, as people around the world altered their lifestyles based on social distancing protocols and COVID-19 risks, Sound Up also had to adapt. “It was an incredibly difficult two years where, globally, we had to adjust the program to virtual trainings,” shared Natalie Tulloch, Sound Up Global Lead. “But we also got the chance to see wonderful stories begin to take shape, and now as we launch new podcasts, it feels incredibly gratifying.”

For the Record traveled across the globe to check in on a few of the current and recently graduated program participants to learn more about their experiences and the podcasts they are creating.

Gigi (U.K.)

Gigi just finished the program and is working on her podcast, Journeys With Grace, which is an immersive self-contained story of discovery. From storytelling to copyright details, Gigi’s Sound Up experience taught her plenty about the industry. Her favorite part of the process was developing the trailer and pilot episode. “Layering up my trailer with soundscapes and adding atmospheric audio here and there was fun to me—a stressful kinda fun,” explained the podcaster. “I’m a creative, so seeing my vision come to fruition was a super-dope moment. You can’t really replace that feeling.” Now her focus is on developing the script and finding a way to invite listeners into her show in an intimate way. “I’m looking forward to the process, the vision being out there, and the podcast finding and resonating with the people it’s supposed to.”

For U.K. and Ireland creators who are interested in the Sound Up program, applications are open now through March 14, 2022. Submit your application here.

 

Fatima Hellgren Camara (Sweden)

Fatima Hellgren Camara’s podcast Välkommen till Ön (Welcome to the Island) is a comedic look at annoying people and their frustrating habits. Each week she discusses these people and whether they should be sent off to a deserted island far, far away. The show just finished its second season, during which Fatima learned how to edit and produce her own episodes. Her favorite part of Sound Up? “To have been given the opportunity to learn an entirely new skill set,” shared the host. “However, my absolute favorite part was getting acquainted with technical equipment.”

 

Roba Kadhem (Sweden)

Currently in its third season, Lyssna Tjejer (Listen Girls) is a podcast cohosted by Roba Kadhem and Aya Said. On the show, the two discuss topics from Pink Room, Scandinavia’s largest Facebook group for women. Through Sound Up, Roba has experienced a greater sense of community from others in the industry. “It was so cozy to see these incredible people every week and get to know them so well even through a virtual meeting,” explained Roba. 

 

Arunima Tenzin Tara (India)


In Dinner by Ear, host Arunima Tenzin Tara gives listeners tips on preparing dinner in only 30 minutes. Arunima is currently testing out new recipes, developing quick versions of dinners she loves, and reading up on as much food history as possible. Still in the middle of her Sound Up program, all this preparation will allow her to start recording episodes as soon as it’s time. Her favorite part of the experience thus far has been determining why she was making this show and who her audience was. “I think this exercise was something that I enjoyed because it forced me to critically analyze my podcast concept and narrow the audience down to a very particular kind of person,” explained Arunima. “This focus has helped me gain clarity about the kind of recipes to include in the show.” As she moves into the next phase of the program, Arunima will have the chance to record sounds in the kitchen, create original music, and spend time perfecting her voice.

 

Shreya Dasgupta (India)

Shreya Dasgupta’s podcast, Imagined Tomorrow, features a variety of experts who use their backgrounds in science and technology to speculate on India’s future. Shreya is using the tools she learned in phase one of her Sound Up experience to prepare for a new season; she’s currently in the outlining, researching, and reporting process for upcoming episodes. So far, she’s had two favorite parts of the program. “The first has been getting to know such incredibly creative fellow podcasters,” said Shreya. “The second has been learning from the Sound Up mentors and others on the Spotify team who not only placed their faith in my idea, but have been super committed and enthusiastic about seeing my vision through.” Shreya will soon be entering phase two of her Sound Up experience.

 

Maickson Serrão (Brazil)


Maickson’s Pavulagem – Contos da Floresta (Pavulagem – Tales From the Forest) is a nonfiction podcast about Amazonian folklore stories. The creator is currently working with his team to map out the storyline for all 12 of the show’s episodes. “We’ll talk about creatures like Mãe da Mata (Mother of the Forest), a really famous legend here, but also unknown tales like the bird that eats people,” shared Maickson. “I have already interviewed some traditional storytellers. These people live off the many rivers in the region and are also elders from Indigenous people from the Brazilian Amazon.” During his Sound Up experience, Maickson appreciated how hands-on the program was while still allowing plenty of opportunity for creative freedom. “I hope that all participants from Sound Up become very successful and that the program continues to impact the lives of many other young talents in our country. Many stories need to be told of Brazil’s pluralities and blooming diversity,” said Maickson.

 

Samara Costa (Brazil)

ZUMBIR is a podcast that highlights Afrofuturist fictional tales. The creator, Samara Costa, is currently working on ideas for episodes, and that involves a lot of traveling. She recently visited Angola as part of her research. “The Angolan stories and myths made a big impact on me, especially the sound, mysticism, and lifestyle of young Angolans,” explained Samara. “I think that the combination of both Brazilian and Angolan references will be elements that will serve as a basis for the creation of some ZUMBIR episodes.” Her favorite part of the Sound Up experience was seeing her pilot episode come to life, from an idea on paper to a polished episode. “I was able to feel the voice of the characters, how they talk, walk, how they laugh, all through audio.… It was fantastic! All of this was created with the technical and emotional support of everyone involved in Sound Up, from mentors and organizers to friends that I made during the program.”

 

Caio (Brazil)

Raízes is a documentary podcast that tells the stories of Brazilian families. In the first season, Caio investigates his own origins in an effort to answer one question: Where did I come from? The Sound Up participant is currently working on producing the first season and has already written two scripts. “I’m betting that a lot of people will connect with the charisma of the characters and their stories,” shared Caio. For the next phase of his journey, the podcaster is hoping to continue telling tales from the people of Northeast Brazil. 

 

Lucas Moura (Brazil)

Lucas Moura’s Calunguinha, o cantador de histórias (Calunguinha, the Singer of Tales) is a fictional podcast that Lucas hopes will expand the imagination of Black children by sharing the history of Black people in both Brazil and around the world. Lucas is currently working on finalizing scripts and finding the right voices to make them shine. The creator’s favorite part of the Sound Up program was the artists he was able to meet with for the podcast. “We invited one artist (Lázaro Ramos) to participate in our podcast and he accepted,” explained Lucas. “There it became clear to me that Sound Up is a project that can help broaden my horizons.”

 

Peppa Smith (Australia)


Yaama Mama is a podcast created by Peppa Smith that focuses on parenting Indigenous kids. Through both serious themes and sarcastic commentary, the show examines and dismantles the way parents are taught to raise children in her community. Peppa is currently in research mode, working on collecting information to be used in her episodes. One of her favorite parts of Sound Up was the people she’s had a chance to meet. “There’s been meetings where I have met with some hugely clever and talented people in the industry,” said the podcaster. “I’ve also been lucky that the other members of the cohort for 2021 are a brilliant, funny, and incredibly good-looking mob.”

These creators and their stories are just a small sampling of the podcasts that are being developed through Sound Up. To learn more about the program and how it’s working to amplify underrepresented voices, visit Sound Up’s website.

Our New Frequency Studio, Scholarships, and More—Here’s What’s Happening on Spotify Throughout Black History Month

February 1, 2022

Last May, when Spotify launched Frequency—our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform—we did so with a mission to create a space that represents the wide spectrum of Black artistry. Since then, listeners have tuned into Frequency music playlists like Ripple Effect and House Party and learned from the Heard You podcast playlist.

We’re committed to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, creativity, and community year-round, with special emphasis on the month of February in honor of Black History Month. This year, we want to celebrate the multidimensionality of Black listeners, artists, and creators, truly encompassing the breadth of Black creativity—so we’ve created a space to bring that to life.  

Programs and Opportunities IRL

Introducing: Frequency Presents The Free Studio. We’re building upon Spotify’s existing investment in Black artists and creators by opening a short-term creator studio to host a number of diverse artists and creators. The space will consist of recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more. It will provide a physical space to foster creativity from rising artists whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture. We’ll be releasing more details, including the chosen creators, soon. In the meantime, check out the Frequency Hub on Spotify for newly refreshed playlists. 

Beyond The Free Studio, we’re also continuing our commitments from prior years. In spring of 2021, we reaffirmed our commitment to combating racial inequity with a focus on organizations dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and elevating the next generation of Black voices and creators. Two of these partners are the 4A’s Foundation and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Our new scholarships with each organization help young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys access education and career opportunities. 

Listen—and join in—on cultural conversations

We’re also ensuring that listeners can find Black History Month–specific content on the platform. Look out for new podcasts and special episodes from the following shows:

  • Today, we’re announcing Abolition X, hosted by Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo, and Richie Reseda. This conversation isn’t just about getting rid of police and prisons. It’s about replacing revenge-based thinking in every part of our lives. In each episode, incarcerated people, artists, and organizers address how abolition intersects with different parts of Black culture. Tune in when it launches February 15 and catch a trailer below.
  • A new season of NO SKIPS with Jinx and Shea debuts February 3 with a new episode on Madlib’s Madvillainy.
  • Spotify Original podcast Dope Labs will host special episodes this month on the Winter Olympics and HBCUs featuring Spotify’s Xavier “X” Jernigan. 
  • Co.Lab is a Spotify for Artists event series where industry experts and fellow artists offer their perspectives on the topics affecting working artists today. A product of Co.Lab, Co.Lab Sessions is a podcast that makes conversations from the event series and distills them into quick-hit episodes complete with top-notch tips and advice from various guests. Our Frequency ambassadors (Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley-Chickwe, and Tommy Brown) participated last year and their podcast episodes will be released Friday, February 11. 

Spotify Greenroom is also a new, entertaining, and educational resource for listeners looking to listen and learn this Black History Month. 

Spotify Original Greenroom show The Grapevine Live is hosted by Ashley Akunna and Donovan Thompson. It’s dedicated to driving the conversation around Black culture, the Black perspective, and current events. This month, Ashley and Donovan will dedicate The Grapevine Live’s episodes to various aspects of the Black experience and Black history with episodes focused on: 

  • “Killing the Stigma of HIV in the Black Community” – February 3
  • “Black Fashion: In Remembrance of Andre Leon Talley” – February 10
  • “The Murder of Lauren Smith Fields” – February 17
  • “To Be Young, Gifted and Black – A Celebration of Us” – February 24  

Tune in to these on Thursdays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

Plus, check out some other Black voices on Spotify Greenroom, including:

  • Most Necessary Live – Hosted by Brian “B.Dot” Miller – Tuesdays at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
  • Money Moves – Hosted by Lauren Simmons – Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Finally, Spotify Canada will highlight Black artists in underrepresented spaces by featuring creators such as Julian Taylor, Fefe Dobson, Kaytranada, and WondaGurl on the cover of various playlists across a variety of genres. 

This Black History Month, learn from new podcasts like Abolition X. Get a sneak peak with the trailer below.

Spotify’s New Scholarship Programs With 4A’s Foundation and UNCF

January 30, 2022

In spring 2021, when Spotify reaffirmed our commitment to combating racial inequity, we did so with the future in mind. We knew we had to work intentionally and holistically to make a true impact in the ongoing fight against racism and injustice. So when we announced we’d be contributing $10M to support legislation and fund global organizations that are making a difference in the search for racial equity, we aimed to find partners that would enable our impact to be long-lasting. 

In the U.S., two of these partners are the 4A’s Foundation and UNCF (United Negro College Fund), which focus on scholarships and career opportunities for young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys. Spotify has been partnering with the 4A’s Foundation in various ways for a few years now, notably through its MAIP (Multicultural Advertising Internship Program) initiative, which creates opportunities for individuals in underrepresented communities to gain access to careers at top companies. (There are MAIP alumni working at Spotify in a variety of roles). 

“With many of our partners, we are invested in a joint future together,” Travis Robinson, Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Spotify, explained to For the Record. “This is where we see true, meaningful change as we walk side by side with an organization; where we find good synergies as we co-create something new to support young Black creators. For the 4A’s Foundations and UNCF, this was the path forward for us.”

And now, our new, co-created programs with 4A’s Foundation and UNCF—The Spotify-UNCF Scholars Program, The Spotify Frequency Scholarship Program, and the Spotify Pulse Fellowship—allow us to ensure that the opportunities and offerings we’re enabling are even more intentional, impactful, and meaningful. 

We asked Travis to explain the new programs, as well as Spotify’s larger work and role in advancing equity and access for Black creatives.

Why is it important for Spotify to play a role in advancing equity and access for Black creatives and musicians? How do these programs fit into those goals?

It all boils down to how we show up as a brand for our employees, for the communities we serve, and the creators we have an opportunity to work alongside. I believe we have a responsibility, but also an opportunity, with advancing racial equity and access. I believe in how Spotify’s brand can show up in the world in a meaningful way. We’re working to execute on the plan of action we laid out in our 5-Star BLK Strategy, which focuses on People, Culture, Content, Donations & Giving, and Public Policy Advocacy. 

We know the Black community continues to shape culture. For us to stay at the pulse of culture and continue to be a platform where creators can connect with their fans, we must be on the journey of advancing racial equity through access and representation. So we’re doing that in part through our Frequency initiative, which celebrates Black Culture, Creativity, and Community on platform. And then one component within our Donations & Giving initiative was related to partnering with organizations that were aligned with our efforts as a Racial Equity Coalition. That’s where these partnerships and programs come in. 

Can you tell us a little bit about each of the programs being announced? 

The Spotify-UNCF Scholars Program (one of two Spotify x PLUS1 for Black Creatives) will provide renewable three-year need-based scholarships and leadership development components to Black students attending HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) interested in pursuing a career in music and media. The program will support two cohorts of 20 students per year during each of the next two academic years, giving each of them aid for their sophomore through senior years.

The Spotify Frequency Scholarship Program (the second of two Spotify x PLUS1 for Black Creatives) will provide renewable two-year need-based scholarships to Black students attending any accredited college or university interested in pursuing a career in music. The program will support two cohorts of eight students per year for two years each (junior through senior year) during the next two academic years. The four scholarships will be awarded in honor of Frequency’s four ambassadors: Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley–Chickwe, and Tommy Brown. This is the first of its kind, and we believe this collaboration in the music industry is going to really make a difference in the lives of these students. I am excited to see what is to come with this program, and to see how things expand in the future.

The Spotify Pulse Fellowship Program is a year-long creative development program for Black professionals with one to three years of professional experience in the advertising industry. We are accepting alumni from 4A’s MAIP, the Marcus Graham Project, the One School, and/or D&AD (Design & Art Direction).

These opportunities are available to Black creators at different points in their music journeys. Can you speak to why these two points (college and post-college) are so pivotal? 

We are a team that wants to activate meaningful impact in an intentional way. We know for many in the Black community, there are many avenues into music, entertainment, and media. I want us to be intentional and relevant in our reach and how we provide access to opportunity. These programs are two of many ways we are investing in the community for those early in their career, just getting started and those who are seasoned—we are looking for and wanting to work alongside Black creators at all points.  

According to multiple research studies, we know that Black college graduates tend to be at a greater disadvantage as it relates to the wealth gap due to college debt. We also know that not all Black kids consider college as an avenue to growth and career development simply because of the economics of how to pay for an education. With UNCF, we are able to provide scholarships that will help with some of these financial impediments. 

We also are dedicated to investing in the selected Spotify Scholars’ personal and professional development to kick-start their career in media. That is why a program like the Spotify Pulse Fellowship is also important. This program provides direct access to the advertising business with a unique, curated experience.  

What’s next? Either for these programs or beyond them? 

The Black experience is global, and we see opportunities to improve racial equity not only in the U.S. We are eager to listen, learn, and understand the experiences in different markets where we can make a difference—in Europe, for instance. I am also excited about our recent announcement as a group of technology companies working together to take diversity, equity & inclusion in the industry to the next level. While we are excited about what’s on the horizon for new activations that we believe will be impactful internally and externally, I also want us to scale the initiatives & programs that have proven successful at Spotify. There’s plenty of work to do. 

Dive further into Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community with Frequency.

Spotify Joins the Valuable 500 With a Commitment to Disability Inclusion

December 3, 2021

Product accessibility has always been a focus for Spotify. Earlier this year, we introduced improvements to Spotify’s mobile experience that included buttons with increased readability features, options for text resizing, and a beta for podcast transcripts. 

We recognize, however, that there is more work to be done to ensure an inclusive experience for listeners, as well as for our artists and creators. So today, we are reaffirming our focus on accessibility and announcing that Spotify has joined the Valuable 500, a global network of companies committed to disability inclusion.

At Spotify, our platform is for everyone, and so is our workplace. You are welcome as you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what’s playing in your headphones. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of Spotify, and we are committed to being accessible for all. 

Here’s how we’re committing to the Valuable 500 goals across our workplace, platform, and users:

Our bandmates: The more perspectives we have represented and amplified within the halls of Spotify, the more we will all contribute, thrive, and be brilliant. We are committed to embedding disability inclusion and accessibility in everything we do for our people around the world. We will continue to develop our global mental health initiative, Heart & Soul, and are committed to making our global office spaces fully accessible and inclusive. 

Listeners: Spotify is part of the lives of more than 381 million people around the world, and ensuring our platform is accessible to everyone is a priority. Our dedicated Accessibility team is laser focused on creating inclusive experiences for all and will continue to ensure we are building a product with accessibility at its core. 

Artists and creators: Our platform is powerful, and we’re using it to amplify the voices, stories, and cultures of marginalized and underrepresented communities around the world. We will continue to develop our support for artists and creators with disabilities and use our platform to share their talents.

We all have the best intentions, but for us, that isn’t enough. To foster a diverse and inclusive culture, we’ve put a dedicated global Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging strategy into action. Read more about our work here. 

 

The Valuable 500 was launched in 2019 by Caroline Casey, an award-winning social entrepreneur. On our Spot On! podcast, a show about the intersection of leadership and diversity, listeners can hear Caroline share more about the global network and learn tips on how to break the silence on disability.

 

Hear From Leaders Across Business, Activism, and the Arts in Spotify’s Second HR Original Podcast, ‘Spot On!’

November 29, 2021

Who are the leaders in the world today who inspire us? They are the ones who challenge the status quo, harness their own uniqueness, and do what no one else has done before. They are the ones who are courageous and vulnerable at the same time and who advocate equity and self-care amongst vitriol and adversity.

In November 2020, Spotify’s Head of Diversity & Inclusion at the time, Isa Notermans, had a desire to challenge the norm when it came to creating a positive impact. So she launched our second HR Original Podcast, Spot On!, to create the opportunity to speak to and hear from some of the world’s most inspiring leaders. 

Season one featured six episodes, with amazing guests including Valerie Jarret—a lawyer, businesswoman, and politician who was a senior advisor to former U.S. President Barack Obama—and Vic Mensa, a rapper, singer, record producer, and activist. 

Now, we’re wrapping up a second season of Spot On! This time, Spotify Head of HR for Global Units Preeti Singh spoke with thought leaders across the spectrum of business, activism, and the arts. 

The first episode of the second season featured Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Co-President of the Recording Academy. The next few episodes included insights from Jason Mayden, who is on a mission to use his talents for good and help today’s youth discover their own passions; Caroline Casey, an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of the Valuable 500; speaker, poet, and award-winning filmmaker AD Thomason; and Heidi O’Neill, President of Consumer and Marketplace at Nike.  

The last three episodes of the season featured Bing Chen, an entrepreneur and community builder dedicated to enabling more authentic representation and societal equity for Asians and Pacific Islanders; Katelin Holloway, who is currently a founding partner at Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six; and finally, British musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and mental health and LGBTQ+ activist Olly Alexander.

The season may have come to an end this past Friday, but you can still tune in to learn about the powerful moments that have shaped each of these leaders’ lives and how they’ve disrupted the norm in their pursuit of changing the world.

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Combating Inequity

April 27, 2021

Day after day, we are reminded how far we all still must go to combat racism and systemic inequity in our society and our company. Spotify’s support of the Black community remains unwavering, and our commitment to do more is stronger than ever. We’ve made strides in our efforts, but we still have a long way to go. 

Today, we are sharing our progress and how we plan to do more to continue to fight against racism and injustice.

Combating Racism in Our Workplace

Our commitment to combating inequity and racism starts in our hallways—both physical and virtual—which is why workplace diversity (who we are) and inclusion (how we engage with each other) are both so important to achieve equity. The BLK 5-Star Strategy has helped make a holistic and lasting impact at Spotify through our focus on People, Donations & Fundraising, Policy, Content, and Spotify Culture. 

Some of our progress so far when it comes to our own people includes: 

  • Launching our Inclusive Hiring Strategy. As of the end of December 2020, representation of Black Spotifiers in the U.S. increased to 8.3% (from 6.4% in June 2020, 5.7% in 2019, and 3.7% in 2017), with 7.2% at Director+ level by the end of December 2020.
  • Reorganizing and expanding the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) team to encompass DIB Strategy Specialists, Early Career Pipeline, Heart & Soul, Inclusive Hiring, and Social Media & Digital Storytelling teams.
  • Launching the Black Coaching Initiative, with over 60 BLK members participating in executive coaching and 30 BLK members participating in the personal branding academy.
  • Developing an education hub for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging learning & development.
  • Updating our Racial Equity content on our external career website and expanding our content on DIB via the 2020 Sustainability, Equity, and Impact Report.

Effecting Policy Change

Our commitment to policy change is about using Spotify’s global reach and influence to effect and drive real change. We will do this by supporting legislation and funding organizations that are truly making a difference in the search for racial equity. Our giving initiative provides us with the opportunity to build strategic programs and partnerships focused on empowering the next generation of Black creators. A few examples: 

Empowering and Celebrating Creators On Platform

We’re committed to using our powerful platform to empower and celebrate creators of every race, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, and gender, and curating top audio destinations featuring Black, LGBTQIA+, women, AAPI, and other underrepresented voices. A few examples that we’re proud of:

Last June, in honor of Blackout Tuesday, we stated: On this day—and every day—Spotify will support our employees, friends, partners, artists, and creators in the fight against racism, injustice, and inequity. We are using the power of our platform to stand with Black creators, amplify their voices, and accelerate meaningful conversation and long-needed change.

We continue to stand with the Black community and fight against racism, injustice, and inequity around the world.