Tag: germany

Loreen, Nemo, and More Reimagine Eurovision Anthems for Spotify Singles

May 5, 2025

As Europe gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles. Five artists from across the continent—Nemo, Loreen, Marina Satti, BABIE LATO, and ENNIO—have come together to reimagine iconic Eurovision hits.

With anticipation building for this year’s contest, Spotify’s Eurovision 2025 playlist has already been streamed for more than 6.7 million hours by eager fans since its launch in February. These newly released Spotify Singles, recorded at our Stockholm Studio, will amp up the excitement even further, breathing new life into beloved classics from the competition.

“The Eurovision Song Contest brings all of Europe together in a celebration of music and culture,” said Federica Tremolada, EU General Manager at Spotify. “Our new Spotify Singles aim to unite Europeans across different countries and generations to showcase the lasting impact of Eurovision. The contest provides a launchpad for some of Europe’s brightest artists who continue to shape the sound of the continent. I’m proud that Spotify provides a further platform to amplify these artists and fuel the export of European culture.”

Dive into each new track and its history below.

“Satellite” by Nemo

Fresh off their Eurovision win for Switzerland last year, Nemo is putting their unique spin on Lena’s quirky pop hit “Satellite,” which won the contest for Germany in 2010.

“I had so much fun recording in Stockholm,” said Nemo. “I’m thrilled to share my extraterrestrial spin on Lena’s ‘Satellite’ as the first Swiss Spotify Single.”

Stream Nemo’s cover.

“Arcade” by Loreen

Swedish pop phenomenon and two-time Eurovision winner Loreen lends her signature style to Duncan Laurence’s haunting ballad “Arcade,” which brought victory to the Netherlands in 2019 and has since become a global streaming phenomenon.

Stream Loreen’s cover.

“Fovame” by Marina Satti

Marina Satti, a former Eurovision contestant representing Greece, brings her distinctive sound to “Fovame,” a rendition of MARO’s atmospheric track “saudade, saudade,” which represented Portugal in 2022.

“The days we spent at the Spotify Studios in Stockholm were truly unforgettable, and the studio experience was crazy,” recalled Marina. “I’m beyond excited to share with you my rendition of ‘Saudade’ as the first-ever Greek Spotify Single. I can’t wait for you to hear it!”

Stream Marina Satti’s cover.

“Tattoo” by BABIE LATO

BABIE LATO is a project by Polish artists Margaret, Sara James, and Zalia. The trio tackles Loreen’s history-making hit, “Tattoo,” adding a Polish touch to the Eurovision-winning track from 2023.

“‘Tattoo’ by Loreen really struck a deep chord in our Polish- and Eurovision-loving hearts,” they said. “We had so much fun reworking this track—discovering a new sound and weaving in a touch of Polish nostalgia made us fall in love with it even more.”

Stream BABIE LATO’s cover.

“Wunder gibt es immer wieder” by ENNIO

German indie artist ENNIO introduces a new generation to the classic European pop tune “Wunder gibt es immer wieder,” originally performed by Katja Ebstein for Germany at the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest.

“Recording this Spotify Single allowed me to honor a classic while making it my own,” ENNIO said. “It means a lot to me. Thank you Spotify!”

Stream ENNIO’s cover.

These new releases are a testament to the creativity and artistry of Europe’s music scene. Spotify is proud to help amplify these talented artists and their unique interpretations.

Check out our Eurovision 2025 playlist to hear this year’s official song entries.

Spotify Expands Its Audiobooks Offering To Listeners In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein

April 15, 2025

As the world’s most popular audio-streaming subscription service, Spotify is committed to expanding the audiobook industry, enabling more listeners than ever to discover and engage, and paving the way for future innovation.

We saw early adoption of podcasts and audiobooks in Germany, with labels and fans embracing both formats. Recognizing this potential, we spoke to our users and began innovating and building podcasts globally.

There’s already a strong appetite for audiobooks across German-speaking markets. With millions of people enjoying audiobooks on Spotify in Germany, we’re excited to enhance this experience by providing a Premium experience for our users of Spotify Individual and Duo or Family Plan Managers.

Today we’re launching an enhanced audiobooks offering in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Eligible Premium listeners in these markets will have access to 350,000 audiobooks, including titles in German, French, and Italian.

Eligible Premium subscribers will receive 12 hours of audiobook listening each month, and additional 10-hour allocations can be purchased as needed from €9.99. Listeners without an eligible Premium subscription will be able to pay to unlock access to individual audiobook titles a la carte.

Delivering a better listening experience

In Germany, there’s a rich tradition of storytelling and “Hörspiele” (audio plays), which has paved the way for the popularity of audiobooks. Today, audiobooks are a significant part of the cultural landscape, preserving and promoting literature in a modern format.

With Audiobooks in Premium, users will find a host of new benefits that will make the listening experience even better. Along with an expanded catalog—which includes titles like Cornelia Funke’s Tintenherz, Caroline Wahl’s 22 Bahnen, and Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing—listeners can:

Search more easily via our dedicated Audiobooks tab.
Explore recommendations from our Home feed.
Access our hub to discover top titles curated by our editorial experts.
Save their progress in an audiobook, ensuring they can easily pick up where they left off during their next listening session.
Pre-save upcoming releases from their favorite authors with Countdown Pages.
Use our Spotify Sleep Timer so they don’t lose their place.

“We are turning up the volume on where people are already listening, and getting even more great stories to them with this new catalog and listening experience. In the markets where we have already launched, we’ve already accelerated growth for the audiobook business, and that’s what we’re committed to doing here in Germany and across Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein,” said David Kaefer, VP Audiobooks Business.

Find your next great read by browsing the Audiobooks hub on Spotify.

*Terms apply. 12 hours/month from our subscriber catalog available to Individual and Duo or Family Plan Managers only.

The Spotify Partner Program Expands To Nine New Markets, Giving More Creators New Ways To Monetize Their Content

March 27, 2025

Since announcing the Spotify Partner Program last fall, we’ve heard from creators who are optimistic about the flexibility, control, and opportunity that our new monetization program provides. And following the successful January launch in the US, U.K., Canada and Australia, we’re expanding the Spotify Partner Program to nine new markets.

Starting April 29, eligible creators in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are able to enroll.

The Spotify Partner Program offers audience-driven payouts to creators from Spotify Premium video engagement and the ability to monetize via ads in Spotify Free and on all other podcast listening platforms. This can help creators navigate seasonality shifts and shifts in brand/advertiser interest and give them a more consistent, reliable way to earn.

As a brand-new revenue stream for enrolled shows, Spotify Partner Program delivered impressive results immediately. Hundreds of podcast creators surpassed $10,000 in monthly revenue, with the top earners crossing well into six figures in the first month alone.

Additionally, Spotify Partner Program creators in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia will have more opportunities to earn Premium video revenue for listeners in new markets starting on April 29.

Video podcasts are on the rise, and the number of creators actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify has grown by more than 50% year over year. Listeners are responding in kind, with over 250 million users having watched a podcast on Spotify, and nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners saying they prefer podcasts with video.

With more creators able to enroll in Spotify Partner Program, listeners will have access to a bigger and better catalog of video podcasts, as well as seamless background and foreground toggling. Premium users will also have the ability to watch videos with fewer ads. While a creator’s baked-in sponsorships will remain in the episode, traditional dynamic ads will not interrupt the video for Premium users, creating a seamless experience on any device.

“Spotify is committed to providing creators with more options to grow their audience and engage with fans on the format that best suits their style and show—either audio, video or both,” said Roman Wasenmüller, Head of Podcast Business at Spotify. “As we continue to evolve and expand the Spotify Partner Program, we are focusing on increased revenue and consumption for creators.”

Spotify has led audio streaming worldwide for nearly two decades. As video accelerates, we’re investing to make Spotify the video and audio destination for creators and listeners. With the Spotify Partner Program, we’re helping creators build and retain loyal audiences by delivering the best possible version of their content.

Find out more about the Spotify Partner Program by visiting the Spotify for Creators website.

Spotify’s Biggest German-Language Podcast, ‘Gemischtes Hack,’ Returns With a New Twist: Video

September 27, 2024

Since landing on Spotify in 2019, German-language podcast Gemischtes Hack has grown to become not just one of our most-streamed podcasts globally, but our most popular podcast in Germany.

And earlier this month, hosts Tommi Schmitt and Felix Lobrecht returned from their summer break ready to record a fresh season of the wildly successful podcast in a brand-new studio that the pair built in collaboration with Spotify.

Spotify’s Michael Krause Talks Industry Trends Ahead of Our Music and Podcasting Summits in Germany

April 17, 2024

On April 18 and 19, experts from across the audio industry—including artists, publishers, and marketing and advertising professionals—will once again gather in Berlin for Spotify’s All Ears Podcast Summit and All Music Friday Summit.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in panel discussions and workshops and see performances and live podcast recordings. This year’s events follow the tremendous success of our 2023 summits in Berlin, during which All Ears made history as the country’s largest-ever podcast event.

For the Record sat down with Michael Krause, Spotify’s General Manager for Europe and the managing director for the summits, to talk audio trends, the music and podcasting scenes in Germany, and more.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s summits?

I’m very excited to bring the industry back together and continue our conversations around the future of the audio field in Germany. I’m of course partial to seeing some of my Spotify colleagues talk, like Sten Garmark, who oversees the user experience and has worked on countless new functionalities we’ve rolled out these past few months, or Sulinna Ong, who leads our global music editorial teams. But most importantly, I believe it’s the energy in the room, the unexpected discussions that will pop up, that make it so thrilling.

What are some of the most exciting and interesting trends you’re seeing in audio, locally and globally?

What’s got me excited is the new ad formats launched over the past few months and the enthusiasm we’re seeing here in Germany, as well as across Europe. We’re innovating on the ad experience, we’re introducing better targeting with tools like Streaming Ad Insertion, we’re helping advertisers reach podcast listeners at scale with the Spotify Audience Network, and we’re proving the impact of digital audio advertising with Spotify Ad Analytics. Most recently, we launched call-to-action cards (CTA cards) in Germany as a new format that makes podcast ads interactive for the first time, with an experience that enables listeners to hear, see, and click.

Germany is one of the largest music markets globally. How is Spotify contributing to that growth?

It’s always been our mission to create connections between fans and artists the world over. We’ve lowered barriers to entry into the music field, and we’re seeing more and more artists thriving on Spotify. What is of the utmost importance to me, and to my teams, is that we enable the new professional artists of tomorrow to find success on our platform. Our programs such as EQUAL and RADAR are empowering them to do just that.

You’ve been at Spotify for seven years now. What are some of the most impactful changes you’ve witnessed during your tenure?

When I joined Spotify, podcasts were barely a thing. Seven years later, we’ve grown into podcasting, audiobooks, and have just launched courses in the U.K. But most importantly, we’ve gone from being available in 80+ countries then to 180+ countries today. Over 600 million people use Spotify—that’s so many opportunities for audio creators to connect to new fans. I’ve always been a big believer in the company, but the growth, the developments have taken us all on an incredible journey. And I’m even more excited for what lies ahead, both as a user and as a bandmate.

Podcasts are huge in Germany. How do you think the local podcast market will continue to evolve? Any specific goals you have?

We’ve launched so many tools and functionalities over the past year that enable creators to develop and engage with their communities, and it’s rewarding to see them start using them. Video podcasts are one of those, and it’s such an incredible, different way to interact with fans. We want to continue to allow all of our creators to develop and grow their audiences on our platform to give them the flexibility of deciding what makes the most sense for their content and for their communities.

You’ve just unveiled the Loud and Clear report for 2023 in Germany. What’s most compelling to you, and what opportunities lie ahead for Spotify in Germany?

What’s most impressive to me is that German artists were discovered for the first time in 2023 more than 6.7 billion times. That’s a staggering amount of discoveries, and that directly goes back to our mission—to unlock the potential of audio creators at large and connect them to their audiences worldwide. And what’s both an opportunity and a massive success is that revenues generated by Spotify for German artists grew by 14% from 2022 to 2023, whereas Germany’s music industry revenues at large grew by 7% in that time frame. Spotify revenues in that market grew twice as fast. We have become a key driver and contributor to the German music industry, and we’re excited to continue partnering with artists and creators in Germany to further develop their careers.

GLOW Artist LIE NING Finds Power in Life, Hope, and Radical Love

November 16, 2023

LIE NING has quickly risen in the German music scene as an artist devoted to exploring the realm of the human experience, all with a sound that shifts between R&B and contemporary pop with an airy, almost nostalgic feel to it. And now they are being celebrated as the newest Spotify GLOW artist.

Spotify GLOW is our global music program through our Creator Equity Fund celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. Our goal is to support people of this historically marginalized community of voices and reassert our commitment to equity in audio, ensuring that queer creators—and their contributions to music and culture—are heard and honored year-round.

Growing up in an artistic commune in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood in Berlin with 25 other people, LIE NING was exposed to languages, performers, dancers, and perspectives that instilled in them a passion for communication through creativity. Their sultry voice and keen storytelling emerged as a way to further express their experiences. Their debut EP, traffic songs for the inbetweens, became a critical hit. And their first full-length album from this year, Utopia, which includes tracks such as “beautiful,” “i see you,” and “offline,” introduced listeners to the feelings of euphoria, hope, and radical love that has become a common theme in LIE NING’s work.

LIE NING’s latest EP, sweatshop, continues the journey of expression with a more carnal, aggressive, and sensual feel, delving into their experiences as a queer Black person.

For the Record sat down with LIE NING to talk about their new EP, the importance of art, and what makes them GLOW.

What was your initial reaction to being named a Spotify GLOW artist?

I’m honestly just so happy. To have this platform that combines both my passions, my art and my representation as a member of the queer community, is just beautiful.

What do you hope people take away from your music?

I think—especially right now with everything going on inside and outside of the music industry—the world is very loud, very demanding, and very fast. So I’m always longing for this space of calm and rest. I want my audience to come to my shows knowing that they’ll be able to experience the emotions that will set them free and that they’ll be in a safe space where we all look out for each other.

Also, sweatshop, my newest EP, is about my experience as a queer Black person. And honestly, a lot of it was really hard to write about because as a Black person I’ve been sexualized and fetishized from very early on in my life. I’ve had terrible experiences, but putting them into my music was very therapeutic and I hope that maybe someone will get some of that emotion through listening to it.

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

I am obsessed with ANOHNI. They have such a warming tone in their voice and in the way they express hurt and pain. It never felt like they were giving up, and it always feels quite hopeful and melancholic. I found a lot of inspiration in their performance.

And then obviously there’s so many performers in the Berlin queer scene. It can be quite a wild scene, but it’s very accepting and beautiful.

How do music and art empower the queer community?

I think trauma in general is something that is impossible to grasp and impossible to share because it’s so personal and so subjective. By being a member of the queer community and the Black community, I find that there’s this sense of collective trauma that we all share because we’ve been through similar experiences. So, what art can do, which I think is so special and should never be underestimated, is hold this very complex, abstract, and complicated world of past and present emotional experiences and allow others to experience it on a level they understand.

When we talk about the queer community, for example, a lot of artists in the ’80s were suffering and dying from HIV and AIDS. A lot of them started drawing nature and found quite beautiful elements within their art because there was so much hope. Despite all the hurt and pain, there’s this power that art has to make people still believe and be faithful.

What makes you GLOW?

The core of what life is makes me GLOW. I’m very glad that I’m alive because I get to experience nature and I get to feel human touch and human connection and I get to experience so many moments. It’s just incredible.

Listen to LIE NING’s latest EP, sweatshop, now.

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

August 10, 2023

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

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

But it goes further than that . . .

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

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

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

Spotify Hosts Summits in Germany To Bring Creators and Industry Professionals Together

April 24, 2023

a group of participants standing on stage at the all ears summit

Last week, hundreds of artists, publishers, creators, and individuals working in the audio industry met up in Germany for Spotify’s All Ears Podcast Summit and All Music Friday Summit. The events offered a chance for attendees to hear from experts in their fields and gain insights on reaching larger audiences across podcasting and music.

Welcoming the podcast industry to Wilhelm Hallen

The 2023 All Ears Podcast Summit made history as the largest-ever podcast event in Germany. Experts from production, marketing, publishing, and advertising presented, shared advice, and connected. The conference, which spanned five stages at the Wilhelm Hallen conference center, included panels, interviews, workshops, and live podcast recordings.

For the Record had the chance to talk to Saruul Krause-Jentsch, Spotify’s Head of Podcast in Germany, who shared more about the summit.

“Podcasts are an important audio entertainment medium in Germany, about which, in which, and with which there is a lot of discussion,” she noted. “We generally take great pleasure in exchanging ideas with all our partners, creators, and competitors. Spotify is the most important podcast pioneer in Germany, not only because of our great content, but also because of the technology and tools we have available for creators. This event helps guide the conversation of the future of podcasting while also sharing more about our creator-focused mission with Spotify for Podcasters.”

Hear a New Side of Anke Engelke and Riccardo Simonetti in the German Spotify Original Podcast ‘Quality Time’

February 24, 2023

What do you get when you put a comedian and a pop culture icon together in a room to chat? One captivating—and honest—conversation. Popular comedian Anke Engelke and entertainer and activist Riccardo Simonetti are ready to give fans just that in the new Spotify Original podcast Quality Time mit Riccardo & Anke.

The two German stars met on the set of one of the country’s biggest television shows, Wer stiehlt mir die Show? (Stealing the Show!), and quickly forged a bond. Now they’re ready to take their friendship to the next level and share it with the world as they discuss everything from showbiz to vulnerability. For the Record went behind the podcast mic, chatting with the duo about the making of their show and what it’s like to record with a close friend.

What do you get from podcasting that you don’t get from acting or performing onstage?

Anke: Being in front of cameras is fun, and I’m still grateful and happy on a daily basis for having found the job that suits me best. But podcasts are so much more real! Acting is make believe. Podcasts are, at least to me, authentic: no script, no makeup—the opposite of being in front of a camera. I have quite a radio history, actually. I was one of the hosts of a kids’ radio show when I was 12, continued doing radio every now and then as a teenager, and worked at one of Germany’s most renowned public radio stations for 12 years after school. I really love not having to show my face!

Riccardo: On camera you have to be aware of so many things, and people are not always really listening to what you say. Because they might be too focused on the fact that I’m a gay man who wears makeup; they are simply distracted by my appearance. In a podcast, people want to listen to what you have to say, and you are able to be more vulnerable. I’m looking forward to showing people that part of my personality.

What might surprise fans about the podcast?

Anke: That friendship, dialogue, and respect are underrated.

Riccardo: When I’m on TV, I’m usually invited to be a confidence booster, to inspire people, and to say smart things. In a podcast, on the other hand, I can also be candid, vulnerable, and maybe more honest about how I feel in certain moments.

What’s your favorite part about cohosting with each other?

Anke: It’s such a luxury to be able to spend time with Riccardo. He inspires and surprises me every two minutes—no, wait—every minute! A friend listens. A friend does not use their listening time to think about the next punchline or a clever response. And Riccardo is a great listener because he is genuinely interested in other people’s thoughts and feelings.

Riccardo: It feels like therapy, and the fact that I get to talk to Anke every week feels like the ultimate gift. I learn so much from her, and I hope that our audience will connect to our conversations as much as we do while we’re having them.

What topics do you cover on the podcast?

Anke: We both work in show business and enjoy sharing stories that deal with both the fascination and the problems our jobs evoke. On the other hand, we’re interested in current politics, music, cinema, theater—the list goes on and on. Anything can happen when we meet to talk, and isn’t that the most beautiful prospect? That you’re in a safe space but never know what to expect?

Riccardo: I think people have a pretty good idea of what our job looks like but not really how it feels. The feeling of the experience, the vulnerability, and maybe also the silliness of it is what I want to talk about.

Catch up with Anke and Riccardo, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

German Singer Leony Brings Empowering, High-Octane Musical Energy as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

February 9, 2023

Leony got her first big break at the age of 14 when she was uploading covers of her favorite songs online. Now the 25-year-old is a chart-topping star and one of Germany’s most in-demand artists, with a debut album due to release this year. She’s also this month’s EQUAL Ambassador.

Altogether, the Bavarian-born artist’s tracks have racked up more than 500 million streams worldwide on Spotify. Her single “Faded Love” topped the official German radio airplay charts for eight weeks, and her follow-up single, “Remedy,” repeated the success as the number one most-played song in Germany. Her other number one single, “Raindrops,” is a collaboration with fellow German artist Katja Krasavice.

Now Leony is adding another accolade to the list as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month. The EQUAL Global Music Program aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As part of Leony’s involvement, her newest song, “Somewhere in Between,” can be found on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist along with music from other women artists making it big globally.

For the Record sat down with Leony to talk about her inspirations, her process, and her vision for an equitable future in music.

The artists who have most inspired me are ___.

Back in the day, it was Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera, and now it’s Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa.

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

Always stay true to who you are and be sure to stick up for yourself when no one else will.

One notable moment in my career so far is ___.

My upcoming first tour. A lot of people always doubted me, so to play my own tour for the first time is very special to me!

My creative process consists of ___.

Being in the studio with my team and just letting it flow, writing when the inspiration kicks in, and making sure to just have fun with it!

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ___.

More women artists getting booked for festivals. I attended a lot of festivals last year where I was the only female playing, and I really want that to change!

Some up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are ___.

Marie Bothmer and Anna Grey. They‘re both amazing singers and songwriters and definitely deserve more attention!

My girl-power anthem is ___.

Probably “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls. It‘s really this special moment when it comes on where suddenly all the girls unite—and I love it!

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

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

December 15, 2022

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.

German Artists Milky Chance, Robin Schulz, and Felix Jaehn Join the Billions Club on Spotify

November 17, 2022

Photo Credit: Viktor Schanz

What does it take to break into Spotify’s “One Billion Streams Club?” A lot of talent and a bevy of passionate fans who just can’t get enough. When an artist has a track that reaches a billion streams on Spotify, their song is featured on the BILLIONS CLUB playlist. Now, a new collection of German artists—the first to do so—can add this milestone to their careers. Get to know them below.

Milky Chance

Photo credit: Anthony Molina

Hailing from the Hessian town of Kassel, Milky Chance is the first German band to have a song reach 1 billion streams on Spotify. Their song “Stolen Dance” was recorded at the childhood home of the band’s lead vocalist, Clemens Rehbein. After publishing the song online in 2013, it soon became an international hit, reaching the top of the charts in more than a dozen countries.

“If someone had told us 10 years ago that this song would reach 1 billion streams, we wouldn’t have believed it. We still have to pinch ourselves from time to time,” said the band. “The magnitude of that number is incredibly hard to comprehend. We’re extremely grateful and want to thank our fans for their huge ongoing support.”

Since “Stolen Dance,” Milky Chance has released three critically acclaimed studio albums and recorded more than 5 billion total streams on Spotify.

Robin Schulz

Photo Credit: Philipp Gladsome

Musician, DJ, and record producer Robin Schulz has seen unparalleled success thanks to his talent for emotional melodies and beats. With more than 450 gold, platinum, and diamond awards—in 30 countries—it’s no surprise he can now add the “One Billion Stream Club” to his list of accolades. His track “Sugar (feat. Francesco Yates)” was released in 2015, and the catchy tune has racked up more than a billion streams. Most recently, Robin has collaborated with Dennis Lloyd (“Young Right Now”), Justin Quiles (“AEIOU”), and David Guetta (“On Repeat”) to release a series of dance-worthy tracks. All together, the artist has seen more than 10.5 billion streams on Spotify.

Felix Jaehn

Dance DJ and producer Felix Jaehn became a household name in 2015 with his house reinterpretation of Chaka Khan’s classic “Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better) (feat. Jasmine Thompson).” He reached new heights when, in the same year, he released his remix of Omi’s “Cheerleader.” The track reached number one in 55 countries and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks. The song’s success resulted in Felix’s becoming one of the most in-demand electronic acts in the world. Since then, he has continuously produced pop dance hits that dominate playlists, dancefloors, and airwaves around the world. To date Felix has racked up over 200 gold and platinum certifications and amassed over 10 million streams on Spotify.

These newly welcomed artists prove that there’s a lot of impressive musical talent emerging from Germany.

To listen to more tracks from artists around the globe that boast at least 1 billion streams, check out our BILLIONS CLUB playlist.