Tag: Italy

Il riepilogo dell’Investor Day 2026 di Spotify: eleviamo le ambizioni per la prossima era dei media

May 21, 2026

Oggi, a New York City, Spotify ha presentato il suo terzo Investor Day, offrendo al mondo della finanza uno sguardo più approfondito sul proprio business, sulla strategia di prodotto e una visione a lungo termine, nell’anno che segna anche il suo 20° anniversario. Nel corso dell’evento, si sono tenute le presentazioni dei due co-CEO, Alex Norström e Gustav Söderström, che hanno diretto, insieme ai membri del leadership team globale, il loro primo Investor Day da quando hanno preso il timone all’inizio del 2026.

A quattro anni dall’introduzione del concept Spotify Machine, l’evento di quest’anno ha tracciato l’evoluzione successiva: un servizio che passa dalla cura editoriale e la raccomandazione di contenuti all’era generativa. Spotify sta costruendo un futuro di contenuti veramente personali e interattivi, grazie al Large Taste Model proprietario e 3.400 miliardi di segnali di preferenza giornalieri dai fan più appassionati del mondo. L’ambizione è di offrire agli utenti più modi di creare, scoprire e connettersi.

Continua a leggere per i principali punti chiave dei nostri speaker.

Alex Norström e Gustav Söderström riflettono sulla crescita di Spotify e delineano la strada da percorrere

Alex Norström and Gustav Söderström

I Co-CEO hanno aperto la giornata celebrando il ventesimo anniversario di Spotify ed evidenziando la scala che è stata raggiunta con 184 Paesi e 761 milioni di utenti attivi. Ci sono oggi circa 300 milioni di abbonati, rendendo Spotify uno dei più grandi business basati su abbonamenti nel mondo.

“Il business di Spotify si basa sul portare creatività e cultura nel mondo, aiutando artisti, creator e autori a connettersi con il proprio pubblico e a far crescere la propria carriera”, ha commentato Alex, aggiungendo che “l’opportunità che ci attende non è mai stata così grande”.

Hanno messo in luce i progressi compiuti dal precedente Investor Day del 2022, tra cui un CAGR dei ricavi FXN del 18%, un margine lordo del 32%, un’espansione del margine operativo di oltre 18 punti percentuali e quasi 3 miliardi di euro di free cash flow nel 2025.

Insieme, hanno delineato quattro grandi idee che definiranno il prossimo capitolo.

La prima è che il mondo funziona secondo una legge di potenza. E per Spotify, questo apre significative opportunità di monetizzazione. Dato che non esiste “l’utente medio”, Spotify sta costruendo un portafoglio di prodotti e add-on con un ARPU (ricavo medio per utente) più elevato, per catturare maggior valore dagli utenti più partecipi. Questo approccio si sta già dimostrando efficace: gli utenti di Audiobooks+ generano un lifetime value che è molteplici volte superiore rispetto agli utenti solo Premium.

Il secondo è che Spotify si sta trasformando da player singolo e passivo in un player multiplo e interattivo. Questo cambio strategico proviene direttamente dall’osservazione del comportamento degli utenti, che condividono e realizzano organicamente playlist in modo collettivo. Oggi, questo comportamento si estende a tutta la piattaforma con funzionalità come Jam, utilizzata da circa 50 milioni di persone, e playlist collaborative, ascoltate da quasi 50 milioni di persone, creando un effetto rete che rafforza le relazioni nel mondo reale attraverso la musica.

Il terzo punto è incentrato sull’intelligenza artificiale. Il mondo si sta muovendo verso la generazione; gli utenti di Spotify hanno il pieno controllo e l’obiettivo è dare loro esattamente questo. Uscendo dalla sfera della cura editoriale e la raccomandazione algoritmica di contenuti, l’esperienza è ora plasmata da ogni utente in tempo reale intorno al loro gusto specifico, al contesto, all’intenzione. Con funzionalità come Prompted Playlists e Profilo dei Gusti, l’azienda dà maggiore controllo agli utenti e costruisce il primo media player per l’era generativa.

E il quarto, “Time Well Spent”. Spotify si classifica stabilmente fra i luoghi online in cui le persone maggiormente sentono di trascorrere bene il proprio tempo, perché non punta a massimizzare l’engagement ad ogni costo, piuttosto costruisce una piattaforma longeva in cui le persone possano sentirsi a proprio agio. Questo è rilevante perché le persone sono meno propense a pagare per qualcosa di cui si pentono dopo averci trascorso del tempo.

Gustav Gyllenhammar ha comunicato l’approccio per raggiungere un miliardo di abbonati

Gustav Gyllenhammar

Gustav Gyllenhammar, SVP of Markets & Subscriptions, ha illustrato la strategia di crescita e la convinzione di arrivare a raggiungere un giorno un miliardo di abbonati. Il percorso dell’utente inizia con il piano gratuito, che stimola il coinvolgimento, consolida le abitudini e crea le basi per la conversione a Premium nel tempo. Da lì, si investe nel valore, rafforzando la fidelizzazione ed espandendo l’ARPU. La stessa strategia continua a scalare attraverso mercati, culture e fasi di maturità diverse. Gustav ha inoltre sottolineato il ruolo dell’intelligenza artificiale nell’accelerare il modello, aiutando a localizzare più rapidamente e a personalizzare il funnel Freemium al momento giusto.

Ha condiviso dati provenienti da tutto il mondo che dimostrano la solidità del business di Spotify nei mercati sviluppati, in crescita e maturi. In Svezia, la penetrazione degli utenti paganti si avvicina al 50% della popolazione, oltre 10 volte la media globale. Negli Stati Uniti, i dati Midia mostrano un aumento della quota di mercato dei piani Premium di 8-10 punti percentuali negli ultimi sei anni. In Brasile, il tasso di conversione è raddoppiato fino a raggiungere il 44% dal 2016, mentre la base utenti è cresciuta di quattordici volte. E in India, uno dei mercati più grandi per MAU (utenti attivi mensili), il numero di abbonati è cresciuto di sette volte rispetto a quanto presentato nello scorso Investor Day. In tutti i mercati, questa crescita è alimentata da una profonda localizzazione, attraverso campagne culturalmente rilevanti, partnership locali e integrazioni di pagamento.

Nicole Burrow e Natasa Soltic spiegano perchè “Time Well Spent” è una core business strategy

Nicole Burrow

Nicole Burrow, VP of Product Design, e Natasa Soltic, VP of Core Experience, hanno approfondito come rendere prezioso il tempo su Spotify sia alla base di tutto ciò che viene realizzato e del modo in cui portiamo il business a crescere.

Spotify è dove si intersecano prodotto e cultura. Wrapped né è una prova, il riepilogo annuale personalizzato che ha generato oltre 620 milioni di condivisioni nel 2025. Spotify ha la capacità di presentare una campagna di marketing che diventa un fenomeno culturale anno dopo anno grazie ad una semplice idea: nessun rimpianto. E proprio la scorsa settimana, è stata introdotta una speciale esperienza in-app per celebrare il ventesimo compleanno Spotify. Quasi 100 milioni di persone hanno interagito nei primi sei giorni, contribuendo a determinare il giorno con il maggior numero di nuovi abbonati di sempre sulla piattaforma.

“Ogni giorno compiamo scelte per far sì che si abbia la sensazione che il tempo su Spotify valga la pena di essere trascorso. Prendiamo i momenti ordinari e li rendiamo più coinvolgenti, più personali e più significativi attraverso le esperienze che creiamo”, ha dichiarato Nicole. “Questa certezza, e le scelte che compiamo guadagnando la fiducia delle persone, guida il modo in cui progettiamo. Ci mantiene concentrati sulle esperienze che le persone apprezzano e scelgono consapevolmente di ripetere”. Ha inoltre evidenziato un recente studio sull’affinità con il brand che mostra come, tra le principali piattaforme, Spotify si sia classificata al primo posto per tempo ben speso. Alla domanda inversa, quale servizio non si rimpiange mai di aver usato, Spotify si è nuovamente classificata al primo posto.

Natasa Soltic

Natasa ha poi spiegato come i team che sviluppano prodotti partano dall’osservazione dei comportamenti degli utenti e identificando i segnali piú significativi. Funzionalità come SongDNA e About the Song sono state realizzate con questo approccio, trasformando l’interesse dei fan in un contesto più profondo, interazione più stretta e maggiori motivi per tornare. Dal lancio di marzo, SongDNA ha generato oltre 265 milioni di interazioni. L’AI sta anche trasformando la velocità con cui si passa dalla visione all’esecuzione per la creazione di prodotti che danno agli utenti maggior controllo, connessione e personalizzazione.

Charlie Hellman, Joe Hadley, e Rene Volker annunciano il futuro della musica su Spotify

Charlie Hellman

Charlie Hellman, SVP, Global Head of Music, Joe Hadley, Global Head of Music Partnerships & Audience, e Rene Volker, Head of Live Events, sono saliti sul palco per parlare del cuore di tutte le attività: la musica.

Charlie ha aperto con la dimensione dell’impegno verso il settore. Spotify ha pagato oltre 11 miliardi di dollari all’industria musicale solo nel 2025, un incremento di più del 10% rispetto all’anno precedente. Si tratta di un tasso di crescita più che doppio rispetto a tutte le altre fonti di guadagno musicale messe insieme. Dall’inizio dell’attivitá, Spotify ha pagato oltre 70 miliardi di dollari.

Ha inoltre annunciato accordi di licenza storici con Universal Music Group e Universal Music Publishing Group, che consentiranno a Spotify di lanciare un nuovo strumento con cui i fan potranno creare cover e remix dal catalogo degli artisti e dei compositori aderenti, con il loro consenso, e con crediti e compensi garantiti fin dall’inizio. Il nuovo strumento sarà lanciato come componente aggiuntivo a pagamento per gli utenti Spotify Premium e creerà una fonte di guadagno aggiuntiva per artisti e compositori, oltre a quanto già guadagnano su Spotify.

“L’intelligenza artificiale generativa sta accelerando la creazione a un ritmo senza precedenti”, ha dichiarato. «Accanto a opere nuove e originali, si assiste a un’ondata di cover, remix e reinterpretazioni costruite sulla musica esistente. Senza un sistema di diritti in atto, gli artisti possono perdere il controllo del proprio lavoro e il valore può essere creato senza tornare nelle mani di chi lo ha prodotto. È esattamente il tipo di problema che Spotify è nata per risolvere”.

Joe Hadley

Joe ha sottolineato che in un mondo sempre più dipendente dall’intelligenza artificiale, la competenza umana diventa più rara e preziosa. Spotify porta con sé due decenni di gusto editoriale e istinto culturale, combinati con una conoscenza locale e una portata globale, e tutto ciò rappresenta un patrimonio che nessuno può arrivare ad eguagliare utilizzando una scorciatoia. Ha inoltre evidenziato la crescita dei video musicali, con più di due terzi degli abbonati Premium che ora hanno guardato video musicali su Spotify.

Rene Volker

Rene ha chiuso la sezione musicale con uno degli annunci più importanti della giornata: Reserved by Spotify. Per la prima volta, i fan più fedeli di un artista su Spotify Premium avranno due biglietti del tour riservati per loro, prima che vadano in vendita al pubblico generale. Reserved by Spotify arriva questa estate con Live Nation come partner di lancio. Spotify è l’unico servizio di streaming audio a offrire questo tipo di accesso riservato ai biglietti Live Nation, aiutando i fan ad accedere a molti dei tour più attesi negli Stati Uniti, con altri mercati in arrivo presto.

“Ogni servizio di streaming ha la stessa musica», ha dichiarato Rene. «Reserved è qualcosa che solo Spotify può offrire — e questo cambia il significato di essere abbonati”.

Roman Wasenmüller e Maya Prohovnik tracciano la rotta per i podcast come secondo motore di reddito

Roman Wasenmüller

Roman Wasenmüller, VP e Global Head of Podcasts, e Maya Prohovnik, VP of Podcast Product, hanno approfondito il tema dei podcast.

Roman ha dichiarato che i podcast sono ora al loro secondo anno di redditività e che la crescita sta accelerando. Ha spiegato che il vantaggio di Spotify deriva dall’operare su tre livelli: come piattaforma consumer che approfondisce il coinvolgimento, come editore che scala la pubblicità e come insieme di strumenti che aiutano i creator a monetizzare e crescere.

Ha inoltre annunciato il prossimo lancio delle Membership, un nuovo set di strumenti che consentirà ai fan su Spotify di iscriversi direttamente ai loro creator preferiti, idonei al programma.

Maya Prohovnik

Maya ha presentato innovazioni di prodotto che rendono i podcast più facili da trovare e più utili da usare, come trascrizioni, capitoli automatici e domande in tempo reale su ciò che si sta ascoltando. Ha anche evidenziato il lavoro sui Personal Podcast, sottolineando che dopo aver riscontrato una forte domanda da parte degli utenti che creano audio personalizzato con i propri agenti e lo salvano su Spotify, sarà reso presto più semplice generare audio brevi, privati e personalizzati direttamente all’interno di Spotify.

Infine, ha menzionato l’esperienza fitness in espansione, inclusi i video di allenamento attraverso la partnership con Peloton. In arrivo: sessioni di corsa guidate e adattive, in cui gli utenti possono chiedere a Spotify una playlist a un ritmo e una velocità specifici.

Owen Smith svela la strategia per espandersi dagli audiolibri al mondo più ampio dei libri

Owen Smith

Owen Smith, VP e Global Head of Audiobooks, ha descritto la rapida espansione nel settore dei libri.

In due anni, Spotify è cresciuta da 150.000 a oltre 700.000 titoli di audiolibri in Premium in 22 mercati. Quasi la metà dei nostri ascoltatori di audiolibri ha meno di 35 anni — significativamente più giovane rispetto al mercato generale — e stiamo aiutando l’editoria a raggiungere uno dei suoi target demografici più difficili: i giovani uomini. Le ore di ascolto sono cresciute del 60% dal 2024 al 2025, con quasi la metà dei consumatori di audiolibri che ha iniziato ad ascoltare negli ultimi dodici mesi.

Continua inoltre lo sviluppo di strumenti che collegano i diversi formati di lettura, tra cui Page Match, che aiuta gli utenti a passare senza interruzioni dalla lettura di libri fisici o ebook all’ascolto di audiolibri, e la partnership con Bookshop.org che consente agli utenti di acquistare libri cartacei tramite l’app Spotify.

Owen ha rivelato che Audiobooks+ è sulla buona strada per raggiungere 100 milioni di dollari di ricavi ricorrenti annualizzati questo luglio, e che saranno presentati livelli aggiuntivi con più ore per i lettori più assidui, nonché piani Family e Student.

Per gli autori, ha annunciato che Spotify for Authors si espande in 10 nuove lingue e che i nuovi Strumenti di Creazione di Audiolibri — in lancio in versione beta all’inizio di giugno — daranno agli autori autopubblicati accesso alla generazione di voci digitali integrata direttamente nella piattaforma, senza requisiti di accordi in esclusiva.

Le Prompted Playlist saranno disponibili per gli audiolibri questa estate, portando per la prima volta la possibilità di effettuare in linguaggio naturale anche la ricerca di libri.

Katie English illustra il rifacimento della macchina pubblicitaria di Spotify

Katie English

Katie English, Global Head of Ad Product, ha spiegato come sia stato ricostruito il business pubblicitario attorno all’esperienza Spotify. “La nostra piattaforma pubblicitaria deve essere costruita per Spotify, non semplicemente aggiunta a Spotify”, ha dichiarato. Ha evidenziato l’opportunità di offrire grandi esperienze pubblicitarie attraverso musica, podcast e video per le 483 milioni di persone iscritte al piano gratuito, il tutto alimentato da un nuovo sistema unificato.

Ha sottolineato la crescita degli High Impact Sponsorships e dello Scaled Biddable, che insieme offrono agli inserzionisti più modi per connettersi con il pubblico di Spotify attraverso cultura, performance e automazione. I canali Biddable rappresentano ora più di un terzo del business pubblicitario, e Spotify gestisce ora uno dei più grandi exchange pubblicitari audio a livello globale.

Ha anche evidenziato un forte slancio nel primo trimestre, con gli inserzionisti attivi in crescita del 68% su base annua e una significativa crescita globale in Europa, Medio Oriente e Africa (in crescita di quasi il 10% su base annua) e in America Latina (in crescita del 25% su base annua). Guardando avanti, Katie ha sottolineato di essere concentrati sulla crescita del mercato pubblicitario di Spotify, sull’utilizzo dell’intelligenza artificiale per rendere la piattaforma più efficace e sulla creazione di nuove esperienze pubblicitarie più native all’ambiente Spotify.

Gustav Söderström e Niklas Gustavsson spiegano come l’AI sta trasformando il business

Gustav Söderström

Gustav Söderström è tornato sul palco insieme a Niklas Gustavsson, VP of Engineering, per spiegare come Spotify stia costruendo l’intelligenza e l’infrastruttura alla base della prossima generazione di esperienze personalizzate.

Gustav ha spiegato che il vantaggio a lungo termine di Spotify nell’AI non deriva dalla costruzione di LLM di frontiera, ma dall’applicazione dell’intelligenza generale al nostro “Large Taste Model” proprietario, addestrato su migliaia di miliardi di segnali comportamentali e anni di dati di interazione degli utenti attraverso musica, podcast e audiolibri. Ha descritto come il Large Taste Model combini più livelli di intelligenza, tra cui comportamento degli utenti, metadati con licenza, strumenti per i creator e contesto culturale, per andare oltre la raccomandazione e verso la generazione e la personalizzazione in tempo reale. Le prime implementazioni stanno già generando miglioramenti misurabili nel coinvolgimento, tra cui una crescita del 9% nei salvataggi di canzoni in Autoplay, un miglioramento del 9% nella scoperta di podcast dalla Home e quasi il 20% in più di interazioni con i messaggi di DJ. Gustav ha sostenuto che l’AI non è semplicemente una voce di costo, ma un’opportunità di monetizzazione che può approfondire la fidelizzazione, aumentare il valore nel tempo e supportare un modello di pricing a livelli con esperienze premium potenziate dall’IA e add-on su misura per gli utenti più coinvolti della piattaforma.

Niklas Gustavsson

Niklas ha poi evidenziato come l’AI stia trasformando sia il modo in cui Spotify sviluppa i prodotti, sia la velocità con cui riesce a lanciarli. Ha citato Honk, l’agente di codifica AI interno di Spotify, che automatizza le attività di manutenzione e aiuta gli ingegneri a lavorare più velocemente con meno attrito. Oggi, il 99% degli ingegneri di Spotify utilizza l’AI ogni settimana, oltre il 73% dei contributi al codice è assistito dall’AI e i flussi di lavoro stanno riducendo drasticamente il tempo necessario per prototipare, testare e validare nuove idee in tutta l’azienda.

Niklas ha anche descritto un cambiamento significativo nel modo in cui gli utenti interagiscono con Spotify. Storicamente, la piattaforma deduceva le intenzioni attraverso segnali come gli skip e i salvataggi. Con l’AI generativa, gli utenti possono ora dire direttamente a Spotify cosa vogliono in linguaggio naturale, abilitando esperienze più interattive e personalizzate come DJ, Prompted Playlist e Profilo del Gusto.

Ha inoltre presentato Studio by Spotify Labs, un’app desktop autonoma che porta i Personal Podcast oltre i loro attuali limiti e consentirà agli utenti di generare esperienze audio private e personalizzate, come briefing quotidiani, salvati direttamente nella propria Libreria su Spotify. Sarà disponibile a breve come Research Preview per gli utenti Premium in più di 20 Paesi. Studio comprende i gusti su Spotify attraverso musica, podcast e audiolibri, e può attingere alla conoscenza del mondo per aiutare a trovare l’audio ricercato più velocemente. Si può anche scegliere di permettergli di agire per proprio conto: ricercare argomenti, utilizzare un browser web, organizzare informazioni e aiutare a completare attività attraverso gli strumenti che l’utente usa ogni giorno.

Christian Luiga condivide un riepilogo finanziario e un framework di reinvestimento disciplinato

Christian Luiga

Il Chief Financial Officer, Christian Luiga, ha evidenziato i progressi compiuti dal 2022 e il percorso verso i nostri obiettivi per il 2030. Ha sottolineato che circa un terzo dell’espansione del margine lordo è arrivato dal business musicale, con il resto trainato da audiolibri e podcast — e che oggi sia la musica che i verticali non musicali operano con un margine lordo superiore al 30%. Nel 2025, il margine lordo generato da Marketplace è stato 4 volte superiore a quello del 2021.

Christian ha inoltre sottolineato che i miglioramenti raggiunti riflettono un modello finanziario disciplinato: crescita di utenti e abbonati, espansione del margine lordo e controllo rigoroso dei costi, investendo nelle aree in cui vediamo ritorni chiari. Ha sottolineato che solo negli Stati Uniti, il lifetime value dei clienti è aumentato di oltre il 70% dal 2022, rafforzando la solidità del modello di business e il profilo di ritorno degli investimenti.

Guardando al 2030, Christian ha delineato i principali obiettivi finanziari: un CAGR dei ricavi intorno al 15%, un margine lordo dal 35% al 40%, un margine operativo superiore al 20% e una forte crescita del free cash flow.

Christian ha aggiunto: “Nel corso della giornata avete sentito parlare dei meccanismi. I KPI che monitoriamo sono centrati su coinvolgimento, ricavi, efficienza e fidelizzazione. Le nostre scommesse, come Audiobooks+, DJ, Reserved, hanno obiettivi chiaramente quantificati legati a questi driver. Ed è il modo in cui queste scommesse si costruiscono l’una sull’altra nel tempo a generare miglioramenti duraturi nel lifetime value”.

I Co-CEO chiudono riaffermando l’ “Anno della Crescita dell’Ambizione” di Spotify

Alex Norström

Alex Norström e Gustav Söderström hanno concluso la giornata riaffermando gli obiettivi e le opportunità di Spotify negli anni a venire. Alex ha dichiarato che gli aggiornamenti condivisi nel corso della giornata mostrano perché siamo fiduciosi nel futuro di Spotify, non solo per la dimensione che abbiamo costruito, ma anche per le opportunità ancora davanti a noi.

Gustav Söderström

Gustav ha aggiunto che l’evoluzione di Spotify ha seguito un percorso chiaro: prima l’accesso, poi la personalizzazione, ora la generazione. Ogni passo ha ampliato ciò che Spotify può diventare, moltiplicando i vantaggi in termini di scala, dati e comprensione degli utenti.

Alex ha dichiarato: “Ciò che conta di più in questo prossimo capitolo — gusto, fiducia, scoperta, cultura — ha sempre avuto importanza per Spotify. È il motivo per cui esistiamo. È dove abbiamo successo. Ed è ciò per cui continueremo a costruire”.

“Siamo orgogliosi di ciò che abbiamo realizzato”, ha dichiarato Gustav, “ma siamo ancora più entusiasti per i prossimi vent’anni”.

Esplora tutte le notizie e gli annunci dall’Investor Day 2026 di Spotify.

Dichiarazioni previsionali:

Desideriamo avvertirvi che alcune delle dichiarazioni di cui sopra costituiscono “dichiarazioni previsionali” ai sensi della Sezione 27A del Securities Act degli Stati Uniti del 1933, come modificato, e della Sezione 21E del Securities Exchange Act degli Stati Uniti del 1934, come modificato. Le parole “sarà”, “si aspetta”, “crede” e termini simili intendono identificare dichiarazioni previsionali. Esempi di dichiarazioni previsionali includono, a titolo non esaustivo, quelle relative a proiezioni o stime sulle prestazioni future della nostra azienda. Tali dichiarazioni previsionali comportano rischi significativi, incertezze e ipotesi che potrebbero far sì che i risultati effettivi differiscano materialmente dalla nostra esperienza storica e dalle nostre aspettative o proiezioni attuali, inclusa la nostra capacità di attrarre potenziali utenti, fidelizzare gli utenti esistenti e monetizzare i nostri prodotti e servizi; la concorrenza per gli utenti, il loro tempo e gli inserzionisti; i rischi associati alle nostre operazioni internazionali e alla nostra capacità di gestire la nostra crescita e la portata e la complessità del nostro business; i rischi relativi al nostro utilizzo dell’intelligenza artificiale; e altri rischi come indicato nei nostri documenti depositati presso la Securities and Exchange Commission degli Stati Uniti. Non ci assumiamo alcun obbligo di aggiornare le dichiarazioni previsionali per riflettere eventi o circostanze verificatisi dopo la data del presente documento.

Misure finanziarie non-IFRS:

La discussione di cui sopra include misure finanziarie non-IFRS che non devono essere interpretate come alternative alle misure finanziarie determinate in conformità con gli International Financial Reporting Standards, o IFRS. Si prega di fare riferimento all’appendice della nostra presentazione per l’Investor Day, disponibile sul nostro sito web, per una riconciliazione di queste misure finanziarie non-IFRS con le misure IFRS più strettamente comparabili.

Meet Spotify’s RADAR Creators Global Class of 2025, the Next Wave of Podcast Talent

October 15, 2025

At Spotify, we’re all about supporting rising talent and helping them connect with fans worldwide. Our RADAR program is designed to do just that, and this year’s global class of RADAR Creators is bigger, more diverse, and more innovative than ever.

This annual list spotlights the most promising emerging creators who are making waves and defining the future of the medium. RADAR combines marketing, editorial, and promotional support to help emerging creators reach new audiences and deepen listener connections.

First launched in 2020 to champion up-and-coming artists, RADAR has since grown to include support for songwriters and podcast creators. Since its pilot in 2022, RADAR Creators has supported more than 120 shows globally. Over the years, several RADAR creators have gone on to become breakout names—like Good Children, where childhood best friends Joe Hegyes and Andrew Muscarella unpack the side effects of being a little too well-behaved.

This year, we’ve expanded the program to feature creators in 11 countries, podcasting in multiple languages and across popular genres, including true crime, digital culture, sports, entertainment, knowledge, and wellness. From Scott Evans inviting guests into his home on House Guest for honest, unscripted conversations to the Tiger Sisters—Cherie Brooke Luo and Jean Luo—blending late-night sister talk with boardroom strategy, this dynamic group embodies the vibrant culture of podcasting. The Class of 2025 is also pushing the boundaries of what a podcast can be, with many innovating in video, a format that has skyrocketed in popularity since becoming available on Spotify.

“RADAR Creators are shaping the future of podcasting,” said Jordan Newman, Head of Content Partnerships at Spotify. “They’re redefining what storytelling sounds and looks like, connecting with audiences in new and meaningful ways.”

Check out the full list of 2025 RADAR Creators below.

Meet the global RADAR Creators Class of 2025

US

Spain

Australia

Indonesia

Colombia

Philippines

Italy

Germany

France

Sweden

As RADAR continues to grow, each new region brings its own unique flavor to the mix. We’ll continue to expand RADAR’s reach, strengthening on-the-ground support and opening up even more in-person opportunities for creators around the globe.

Head to the RADAR Creators hub to explore the full class.

RADAR Italia Celebrates 5 Years of Success With a New Class of Rising Stars

June 18, 2025

Since popping up in 2020, RADAR Italia has not only supported emerging artists but also reflected the cultural and musical richness of Italy. Over the past five years, it has spotlighted more than 40 rising talents, helping them grow and often gain international recognition. In turn, these diverse voices have made Italy’s music scene more inclusive, representative, and attuned to a new generation of fans with their unique sounds.

“This anniversary is a chance to celebrate the achievements of the many artists who have been part of the program. For five years, RADAR Italia has been a reference point for emerging talent, offering not just visibility but also concrete tools to grow and carve out a space in music,” said Melanie Parejo, Head of Music for South and Eastern Europe at Spotify. “But our commitment goes beyond selection: We support them at every stage of their journey, helping build authentic connections with audiences and explore new creative opportunities. RADAR is a bridge between artists and the millions of listeners looking for new voices and stories to discover.”

RADAR Italia has served as a launchpad for many artists, with the likes of BLANCO, Mara Sattei, Tony Boy, ARIETE, and Rhove representing some of the most influential voices in Italian music today.

On average, our featured RADAR Italia artists experience over a 100% increase in streams and an almost 200% increase in listeners within a year of joining the program. That includes BigMama, who went from 11,000 monthly listeners before joining RADAR Italia in 2021 to over 800,000 listeners by the time she took the stage at Sanremo in 2024.

“Being part of Spotify RADAR was a milestone in my career, and I hope it will be the same for the young artists selected this year,” said BigMama. “Most importantly, the collaboration with Spotify doesn’t end when the program does—it continues over time, because when you become part of RADAR, you’re part of a family forever.”

Celebrating five years with RADAR Italia’s Class of 2025

To mark the fifth anniversary of RADAR Italia, Casa Spotify hosted a special event to both reflect on the program’s achievements and present the artists featured in the 2025 edition: Marte, Carla Hero, Emma Nolde, Glocky, Sayf, and camoufly.

Eurovision 2024: Swiss Singer Nemo Took the Crown, but There’s More Talent To Celebrate

May 13, 2024

From Céline Dion to ABBA, the Eurovision Song Contest has served as a launchpad for a number of global stars over the years. Reaching a worldwide audience in the hundreds of millions, the annual competition is Europe’s biggest music event—and on Spotify, the hype and attention are reflected in our streaming data every year.

During the May 11 final in Malmö, Sweden, Switzerland’s Nemo was crowned the 2024 winner with “The Code.” The singer is the first non-binary artist to win Eurovision and wrote the genre-bending track to explain how they came to terms with their identity. In the 24 hours following the event, it was the most-streamed song of the competition on Spotify.

But the emerging talent that Eurovision introduces to the world goes far beyond the winning act. Between May 7 and May 12, discovery of Eurovision artists and music was in full swing on Spotify. Let’s take a look at some of this year’s top performers.

Reaching new legions of fans

Ireland’s entry, “Doomsday Blue,” from self-styled “Ouija pop” artist Bambie Thug emerged as a surprise hit during the final stage of the competition. On Spotify, the electro-goth song saw a whopping 950% increase in streams during the final week compared to the period leading up to the final. “Rim Tim Tagi Dim,” the 2024 runner-up from Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, experienced a similar boost, with streams up almost 730% during the final week.

As for the most-streamed song globally during the final week on Spotify, the Netherlands came out on top with “Europapa” by Joost, which received the highest listenership among users aged 18-24. Nemo’s “The Code” and Baby Lasagna’s “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” came in second and third, respectively, followed by Italy’s entry, “La Noia,” from Angelina Mango and Ukraine’s entry, “Teresa & Maria,” from Jerry Heil and alyona alyona.

Stories of continued success

On Spotify, Eurovision is clearly a cultural moment that unites fans across the globe through a shared love of music. Our platform is where fans go to dive deeper into an artist’s catalog, and for the contestants, there’s more to gain than just the Eurovision crown.

Take Swedish pop phenomenon and two-time Eurovision winner Loreen: Since she clinched her second win in 2023, streams of her entire discography have jumped over 600% on Spotify. On May 14, 2023, her entry “Tattoo” broke the then record for the most-streamed track in a day globally by a female Swedish artist. To date, the electropop anthem has been streamed nearly half a billion times on our platform.

Måneskin is another epic success story: Since their 2021 Eurovision victory, the Italian rock band has experienced a whopping 2,000% increase in global Spotify streams. The group has smashed a number of global records, and two of their songs—“I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” and “Beggin’”—have notched over 1 billion streams.

Keep the Eurovision party going with our 2024 playlist, featuring an exclusive editorial watchfeed.

RADAR Italy Returns With 6 Artists Transforming the Country’s Music Landscape

April 24, 2024

As Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, RADAR supports emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has featured more than two dozen up-and-coming Italian artists. From BLANCO to BigMama, ARIETE to Il Tre, Rhove to NASKA, many of these entertainers have leveraged RADAR to boost their profiles and connect with new fans near and far.

Now we’re launching our fourth edition of RADAR Italy, featuring Tony Boy, okgiorgio, Coca Puma, STE, Sally Cruz, and centomilacarie.

This group reflects the wide range of styles and genres that extend across the country. They’re driving music trends, influencing everything from rap to electronic to a Gen Z wave of fluid, genreless sounds. As part of the program, all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.

To introduce—and celebrate—this year’s class, we brought all six artists to Milan for our first-ever RADAR live event in Italy. Along with performances from our guests of honor, content creator Federico Felletti also interviewed each artist.

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

Tony Boy

Amid the growing popularity of rap in Italy, Tony Boy is one to watch closely. The young artist has made a name for himself as an urban singer-songwriter with a penchant for introspective storytelling. His new album, NOSTALGIA (export), is a strong follow-up to his earlier work, including 2020’s Going Hard and 2023’s Umile.

okgiorgio

As RADAR Italy’s first producer and DJ, okgiorgio sits at the forefront of the country’s electronic music scene. The artist pulls from genres like stutter house and U.K. garage to create music with equal parts emotion and danceability.

Coca Puma

Newcomer Coca Puma is a singer-songwriter, producer, and musician who combines genres such as indie, dream pop, nu jazz, and electronica. Her recent debut album, Panorama Olivia, showcases a unique approach to music that has been influenced by her experiences traveling abroad, jazz studies, and eclectic listening habits.

STE

Neapolitan music has emerged as a national phenomenon in recent years, and rap remains a prominent part of the city’s music culture. But R&B is also on the rise, and STE is one of Naples’ most promising representatives, fusing the rhythms of contemporary R&B with Afrobeats and traditional Neapolitan sounds.

Sally Cruz

With the release of her first single, “UN DISASTRO,” Sally Cruz launched her music career in 2022 just as pop punk was beginning to trend in Italy. Today, the artist is also influenced by urban and electronic sounds, evidenced by “LA NOTTE,” her collaboration with thasup and Mike Defunto that recently landed on Spotify’s Hot Hits Italia playlist.

centomilacarie

Centomilacarie, who has been playing music since the age of four, mixes raw and unfiltered songwriting with a diverse sonic palette to create a style all his own. Most recently, the artist collaborated with MACE on two songs from the Italian producer’s latest album, MĀYĀ.

Stream our RADAR Italia playlist to discover more emerging Italian artists.

Spotify Celebrates International Women’s Day With the Music that Powers Movements on EQUAL

March 6, 2023

Music has often stood at the forefront of social change, especially when it comes to the fight for gender equality. For women’s rights in particular, music has been a decades-long source of power and inspiration.

“Women are leading the way forward on the biggest challenges in our world today. Their voices must be heard at full volume,” shared Lorraine Ní Annracháin, Global Lead of Social Impact at Spotify. “Too often, women are confronted with harmful gender stereotypes, discrimination, and threats of violence, especially when they raise their voices and demand change. Women-led movements around the world are a powerful driver of change, and we’re excited by the opportunity to amplify and support the work they do, every day, and to explore the role that music can play in driving social change.”

Spotify recognizes the power of our platform to amplify the voices of women everywhere. In 2021, we launched the EQUAL Global Music Program to ensure we were amplifying the work of women artists year-round—whether the music comes from an emerging artist in Germany or a Canadian country crossover legend.

Since EQUAL’s inception, we’ve added more than 5,000 artists to EQUAL playlists and supported over 700 ambassadors in their home countries and beyond. Collectively, these artists received nearly half a billion streams within their first month of joining the program. And the amplification goes beyond the work we’ve done with EQUAL—these artists have also been added to more than 4,000 Spotify playlists.

Now, for International Women’s Day, Spotify is working with women artists, movement leaders, and partners around the world to share stories about the songs and messages in women’s music and how they have inspired social change.

“We are committed to uplifting the voices of women artists year-round, and for International Women’s Day, we’re reflecting on the power of music in the movement for gender equity, amplifying and supporting the voices of women creators, and celebrating the acts of courage and determination of women across the globe who have played an extraordinary role in uplifting their voices,” said Bel Aztiria, Global Lead of Social Equity Music Programs at Spotify.

A destination for music and inspiration—on- and off-platform

On Spotify’s EQUAL hub, listeners can browse and discover new artists through playlist takeovers. They’ll hear inspiring stories through music with the Playlist clips recorded by the artist. From Janelle Monáe in the U.S. to Lola Indigo in Spain, EQUAL artists are celebrating International Women’s Day by taking the reins and creating special playlists to celebrate women across the globe.

This month, we are also proud to announce the launch of our EQUAL program in Ukraine by spotlighting singer-songwriter Jamala. The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest winner now graces the cover of our EQUAL Global playlist, which features her song “Take Me To A Place.”

We’re also amplifying the voices of activists, movements, leaders, and the issues they care most passionately about. Tarana Burke, the founder of me too., Shar Jossell, an award-winning journalist, and Favianna Rodriguez, an artist, organizer, and social justice advocate, are all telling “Behind the Movement” stories on Spotify’s social media platforms.

We’re partnering with UN Women and Calling All Crows, organizations that champion gender equality, and continuing to support women creators.

Each month For the Record highlights EQUAL ambassadors from around the globe. For International Women’s Day, we caught up with two EQUAL ambassadors—Italian artist Emma and Chilean artist Francisca Valenzuela—who explained why music has the power to drive change.

Is there a song that makes you feel like you can change the world?

Emma: This got me thinking of one song that really has an impact on me: “Imagine” by John Lennon. A true masterpiece, and a manifesto that prompts you to imagine a better, fairer world where people can be respectful of others and of the environment we live in. That song gives you a boost to make the difference.

Francisca Valenzuela: “Arriba Quemando el Sol” by Violeta Parra. This song shows us what is right in front of us, but what we sometimes don’t see. In this case, it’s the quiet desperation, rage, and pain of perpetual social injustice. There is a collective pain and heartbreak that makes me feel activated, moved, and alive through Violeta’s beautiful, evocative, unnerving melody and precise, witty, confessional lyrics. She describes a specific and particular mundane reality of Chile, yet it is also an (unfortunate) universal day-to-day sentiment and situation of the world. There is such power and rebellion in writing and singing in a raw, true, and personal way—the personal can become political, and songs can become a vehicle for change or shedding light on a certain reality or story.

When did you realize that music has the power to drive real change?

Emma: The first time I “showed up” for myself in a song, I felt exposed and seen. That also made me rather vulnerable and easy to be targeted with criticism that was not always constructive. Then and there I realized how powerful music can be, how it can drastically move the needle in any conversation and influence the way you’re being perceived from the outside world.

Francisca: I think music and art have an impact on us individually, and through that power of connection, identification, and activation, we are mobilized, and even transformed. That inner change can affect outer change. It can also be a space to be free and alive, to connect, to feel truth, something that I think is a big part of the reason why I need to create and why I’m drawn to creativity and am a believer in music and art.

How have you used your own music to engage others in the fight for gender equality?

Emma: The music I make is the reflection of my beliefs; it’s like a mirror where I pour my heart and soul. What I fight for, the daily struggles to be recognized as worthy of respect, the power and the breakthrough. It’s all in there, always on the front line.

Francisca: I think I have engaged and promoted gender equality through my music in three ways. First, I write from a very personal, confessional place. There is radical emotional transparency and authenticity in my songs. A

nd the mere fact of showing parts of myself—and the reality of a woman in the world—feels powerful, rebellious, and illuminates certain realities and sides of ourselves that many times are hidden or inappropriate.

Second, I also make certain songs and creative pieces (videos, performances, etc.) with a specific fe

minist and/or message or emotion or objective in mind. These are more collective, conscious, and explicit songs or pieces—from my song “Por Que Me Lo Hiciste” about femicide to “Dulce” about the objectification of women.

And third, I’ve used my musical platform and visibility in Latin America to create an intersectional trans feminist initiative called Ruidosa (which means “women who make noise! Women who rumble!”), which is a Latinx music festival, community, and platform. Ruidosa was born because I wanted to be a part of the change but I also felt, at many times, alone and confused in our music industry and I wanted to learn from women I admire. How do they make their own paths, their own way? I wanted to create a community and celebrate that, too.

Where do you see real breakthroughs in the fight for women’s equality?

Emma: I won’t stand here saying it has all been solved and women won’t have to face other challenges in order to be seen as equal—that would be a lie. At the same time, it is difficult to list what’s causing us issues as there are so many topics still to be uncovered. Nevertheless here I stand, ready to fight the good fight for my team.

Francisca: I am a fan of women, and women in the creative worlds have always inspired me. Women in music have always been—and are—still pioneers, yesterday and today. Tremendous forces that lead creative disruption, that have incredible discipline. We all work so hard, we create community, we open new spaces. We see this in certain areas of the music industry and I can’t wait to see it in all areas—not just in creative or performative endeavors—from management to press to tech.

This will help us really change the paradigm and create new leadership and structures. Change the old-school patriarchal gatekeeper ways and systems. I am excited for a Latin American music industry that is truly diverse and free, and not promoting one narrative or one way of success or one way of being a woman.

Celebrate women with us year-round by visiting the EQUAL hub.

Celebrating 10 Years of Spotify in Italy and Poland

March 1, 2023

a graphic backdrop with two Spotify spokespeople featured looking at the camera

Ten years ago, Spotify launched in Italy and Poland, and we began our work to engage with local creative talent and the community through Spotify programs, festivals, and events. Since then, creators from both markets have seen tremendous growth in local and international listenership. Whether it’s Rhove and Måneskin in Italy or Marissa and Sara James in Poland, artists in both markets are representing their homelands locally and on the global stage. And we can’t help but raise a glass to a solid decade of achievements.

Along with the growth in local music, there’s an ever-growing appetite for talk as well. Since launching podcasts in Italy 2015, we’ve seen the number of creator-generated shows increase by an average of 20% year over year in the market. Today, more than 50,000 titles are available, including hit shows like Muschio Selvaggio, The Essential, and Demoni Urbani.

To celebrate this landmark birthday in Poland and Italy, For the Record caught up with Melanie Parejo, Spotify Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe, and Mateusz Smółka, Spotify Music Team Lead for Eastern Europe and Southern and Eastern Europe, to talk about the hit tracks, hot trends, and growth both markets have experienced over the past 10 years.

ITALY

When Spotify Italy launched in 2013, there were 26,000 Italian artists on the platform and 180 million streams globally among them. How have we seen those numbers grow?

Melanie Parejo: Italy has always had a strong affection toward their local talents, and with 196,000 Italian artists available on Spotify as of 2022, it’s clear to see the strength that local music has in the Italian market. In terms of global listenership, after our first five years in the market, Italian artists were played on Spotify editorial playlists outside of Italy 800% more than when we launched. After 10 years, that number has increased to 1,000%, with Måneskin being the biggest export.

What are some of Spotify Italy’s greatest music achievements from the past 10 years?

Twenty-four Italian artists have participated in Spotify’s RADAR program since its launch in 2020. Artists like BLANCO, Rondodasosa, and ARIETE have seen particularly strong growth on the platform, with BLANCO going on to win last year’s Festival di Sanremo and beating Italy’s record for the most-streamed song in one day, together with Mahmood.

Emerging artists who have been included in RADAR have also achieved great mainstream success. Rhove, who was a featured RADAR Global artist, had Italy’s second-most-streamed song of 2022, with “Shakerando.”

Genre-wise, what have been some of the most exciting changes in Italian music since 2013?

When we look at the streaming habits of the younger generation, they have a more fluid relationship to genres. They are less occupied with sticking to one genre and identifying with it. Instead, we see them stream songs that span different decades and styles.

That said, the overall music tastes of Italians have evolved so much over the years. Back in 2013, the most-streamed genre in Italy was rock, with Italian rap not even in the Top 10. But in 2022, Italian rap was the most-streamed genre in the country. When it comes to rap from other countries, a significant number of Gen Z artists have shifted their main point of reference from the U.S. to the U.K. and France. They tend to blend languages and cultures in their songs, tapping into an identity and culture way more than when rap originally broke through here in 2016.

Summer hits have always been an integral part of Italian music consumption, but in recent years we’ve seen them become more diverse in sound. While they previously followed a conventional structure (carefree, joyful, Latin-infused pop tracks touching on a bunch of summer-related clichés), 2022 summer hits were a melting pot of sounds, artists, and moods. From BLANCO to Fedez to Capo Plaza to Rhove, what we saw and heard last year was a creative freedom we weren’t used to.

Spotify Italy initially launched during the Festival di Sanremo. What impact does the festival have on Spotify?

Spotify truly lives side by side with Sanremo. When the lights are out after the final day of the festival, Italians listen to their favorite songs on Spotify to stay in the Sanremo spirit. This year was a great example of that, with the official Sanremo 2023 playlist being the second-most-streamed playlist worldwide for one week. Locally, Sanremo songs dominated the Top 10 and Top 20 charts in Italy during the festival, with six songs from the festival having made it into the Global Debut Songs chart.

POLAND

How have music tastes in the country changed in the 10 years since Spotify Poland launched?

Mateusz Smółka: Massively! When we launched in Poland, the Top 10 artists in Poland were international artists. There were only five Polish artists on the entire Top 100 list that year. Looking back, international artists controlled the top three spots until about 2017. But in 2018, we saw the rise of Polish artists, most notably when the Taco Hemingway and Quebonafide collaboration, TACONAFIDE, and Dawid Podsiadło took the top spots. Since then, Polish artists have been in the Top 10 each year, with 76 Polish songs making the local Top 100 in 2022.

Streams of Polish artists on Spotify’s editorial playlists outside of Poland also increased by more than 700% over the past decade. For example, Rnbstylerz has over 2.8 million monthly listeners, with a majority coming from Germany, the U.S., and Mexico. And Catz ‘n Dogz, who are a part of GLOW, have a major chunk of listeners coming from the U.S. and the U.K. Tribbs has over two million monthly listeners and collaborates with producers around the world, picking up listeners in Brazil and Germany.

In your view, what are some of Spotify Poland’s biggest accomplishments in the music space?

Spotify’s RADAR program launched in Poland in 2021 and has seen 15 local artists participating since. The program has seen talents such as Zalia and Julia Rocka seeing incremental growth on the platform, as well as Szczyl and Dziwna Wiosna being nominated for Fryderyk awards in 2022.

Spotify’s EQUAL program also launched in Poland in 2021. Notably, Sara James became the youngest-ever EQUAL ambassador for the program and the first Polish artist to be a global ambassador. Artists such as Kaśka Sochacka and LUNA have particularly seen growth on the platform since their participation, with LUNA more than tripling her monthly listeners the month she joined the program.

Additionally, Fresh Finds has been live in the market for a year, and it has helped a number of independent Polish artists take the next steps in their careers. It has also proven to be a way to identify the next big talent.

What have been some of the most surprising listenership trends in Poland?

Back in 2013, we saw international rock bands being streamed the most, but now Polish rap and hip-hop dominate, as demonstrated by the popularity of our local hip-hop flagship playlist RAP GENERACJA, which has been the number one playlist in Poland every year since launch.

When it comes to the younger generation, we’ve found that they choose music to accompany their mood and the world they live in. They don’t care as much about when the song was made or what genre it is. They approach music with a lot more fluidity.

Celebrate 10 years of Spotify in Italy and Poland by listening to our anniversary playlists.

RADAR Global Artist Rhove Delivers His Positive and Passionate Hip-Hop Sound to the World Stage

December 14, 2022

Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to showcase emerging artists from all around the world, supporting them and taking their talents to the global musical stage. Now RADAR Global turns the spotlight toward Italian hip-hop artist Rhove.

Having started rapping from an early age in social centers and discos, Rhove—whose stage name is a portmanteau of his surname, “Roveda,” and his home of Rho, Milan, in Italy—very quickly attracted attention with his distinctive personality and musical style. In 2020 he took to recording and self-released his first single, “Blanc Orange (Nanana),” followed by “Provincia,” “Corso Europa” with Madfingerz, “Montpellier,” “La zone,” and “Jungle.”

It was with the 2021 release of “Shakerando,” however, that Rhove started seeing overwhelming critical success on the national level, reaching number one on Italy’s charts. And it remains his top song on Spotify, with over 95 million streams and growing.

Taking his influences from international artists like Morad and French performers such as Stromae and JUL (with whom he collaborated on a song for the French rapper’s new album), Rhove integrates French urban sounds with Italian influence into his music. His ongoing goal is to create music that transmits positive and encouraging messages and highlights the importance of humility, passion, and dedication. Nowhere is this more evident than in his debut album, PROVINCIALE, released this year, and in the new Spotify RADAR mini-documentary about him.

Give a listen to Rhove’s tracks along with the rest of the best of our emerging artists on the RADAR Global playlist:

Tour Spotify’s New Office Space in Milan, Casa Spotify

October 13, 2022

Spotify is home to the world’s greatest creators—from musical artists to podcasters to, most recently, authors and editors. Our offices worldwide are a reflection of the talent and creativity found on our platform. Our latest office in Milan, Italy, which serves as our hub for the 28 countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, is no exception.

Dubbed Casa Spotify, our Milan office is located in the city’s bustling financial district. The modern new space helps us demonstrate our commitment to the creative community in the region. It will accommodate more than 100 employees representing more than 10 nationalities, and its doors are also open to employees who work from anywhere who come through the city.

The office, a villa encompassing six floors, was imagined and precisely designed to reflect the diversity of the teams and to host various functions and operations.

Get to know the space.

Head to reception and you’ll find a colorful geometric ceiling beckoning you inside to a minimalist seating area with plush, comfortable chairs.

A vital part of any office space is the work areas. Whether employees are plugging away at their desks or holding a hybrid meeting in a conference room, they have plenty of distinct spaces to work from throughout the day, on any given floor.

“Our office is a real home to all,” says Federica Tremolada, Managing Director, Southern and Eastern Europe. “The rooms themselves represent the different cultural facets of the region. The meeting rooms, for example, are named after our region’s playlists such as Plus Ultra or Estate Italiana,’ or our podcasts such as the hugely popular XRey, the first original podcast we launched in Spain, which reveals the story of the former King Juan Carlos.”

ARIETE Shares Her Vision for the Music Industry as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

April 19, 2022

In Italian, the word “ariete” means ram, which is the symbol for Aries, the first constellation in the zodiac. It is also Roman singer-songwriter Arianna Del Giaccio’s astrological sun sign and the inspiration behind her emblematic stage name.

ARIETE first entered the music scene via her social media channels, using her strong voice to garner steady attention during long days at home early on in the pandemic. As her popularity grew, she released a certified-platinum single, “L’Ultima Notte,” and two EPs and was selected to be part of Spotify’s global emerging artist program, RADAR. Then, in February 2022, ARIETE released her first full-length album, SPECCHIO. The record’s dreamy sounds and hammering drumbeats reflect both the quiet calm of a young woman producing music in her bedroom and the bubbling stardom of an artist ready to break through.

This month, ARIETE is the face of Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program, which aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As part of ARIETE’s involvement, her song “CICATRICI,” featuring Madame, can be found on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist along with music from other women artists making it big globally.

For the Record spoke with ARIETE to learn more about her thoughts on fostering equality in the music industry and the motto that moves her forward.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Definitely Clairo, PinkPantheress, and all the artists of the new generation who are trying to keep pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.

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

Never consider yourself “different” or on a lower level from your male colleagues. Art is art in every form of its deep creation.

One notable moment in my career so far is ____.

The first live shows I played last summer, which sold out. I had begun to release my music during the pandemic, and to be able to see the people [who came to the shows] from the stage and to share their emotions was a unique feeling that I’ll never forget.

My creative process consists of ____.

I don’t have a proper creative process. I take my inspirations from the simple things that color my everyday life and the people I love. Everything can be a source of inspiration for me and my music; I just sit down at the piano or pick up my guitar and everything goes by.

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

I think the gender gap is definitely an issue in modern music and society. I found it deeply concerning that in the 21st century, we’re still speaking about inequality between genders or genders themselves. We have to normalize this concept with all the cultural weapons we have, but I’m sure that eventually the next generations will treat this issue not as an issue but as the normal topic it should be.

One up-and-coming woman artist I’m excited to watch is ____.

PinkPantheress got me hyped, so I’m looking forward to seeing her as soon as possible!

My girl-power motto right now is ____.

Just kick a**. You’re great as you are, no matter what they say.

Ready to sing along to the world’s most powerful up-and-coming voices? Stream Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist now.

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.

Catch Up on the Festival di Sanremo With Camihawke and Alice Venturi on the ‘Tutte le Volte Che’ Podcast

January 31, 2022

Italy’s Festival di Sanremo is an annual music competition where artists perform new songs in the native country’s language. The show, which takes place at the famous Ariston Theater, is broadcast live on television and the winners are determined both by votes from a jury and by guests watching and voting from home.

This year, whether you’re a fan watching the performances in Liguria or tuning in from the comfort of your living room, you can find plenty of Sanremo-related podcasts and music on Spotify. Listeners can explore songs through playlists like Sanremo 2022 and Sanremo: La Storia on Spotify’s Sanremo Hub, and they can sing along to their favorite hits with the Lyrics feature on the app.

Fans looking to dive deeper into the festival can check out Tutte le Volte Che, the popular Spotify Studios podcast cohosted by Italian influencers Camilla Boniardi and Alice Venturi. For their weekly show, where they chat about their personal experiences, they will release six special episodes focused on the Festival di Sanremo. In these episodes, the two have fun recounting and sharing their opinions on this year’s performances.

For the Record caught up with Camilla and Alice to learn more about their special edition episodes and why the festival is so important to them.

The Festival di Sanremo is a pretty significant event for you two. Isn’t that where you first met?

Alice: We met in Sanremo in 2017 while we were both working with the same brand, in the same place, and with the same agency. But we had never met before! The job consisted of leading daily livestreaming from the brand’s spot in Sanremo.

A member of the staff introduced us and asked us to test making a livestream video together. The result was unexpected: We felt like we had known each other for forever, despite just meeting. A director of an Italian radio show saw us interacting and, just one year later, we started a new adventure as radio hosts together!

Why did you decide to create special podcast episodes dedicated to Sanremo?

Camilla: Our podcast, Tutte le Volte Che, aims to share real chats between 30-year-old friends sharing their point of view about everything happening—from serious to entertaining topics. And we couldn’t miss Sanremo! Festival di Sanremo is known as the most important music event in Italy and for a week, it’s the talk of the town! Everybody talks about Sanremo, especially the morning after each show. So, in this special edition of our podcast, we are going to talk about what’s happening during this festival but also share some gems from the past.

What is your favorite part of Sanremo?

Camilla: My favorite part of the show, besides the music performances, is the artists’ “grand entrance.” I don’t know why but I always hope one of the artists slides down the stairway, obviously without getting hurt. It would be a very fun moment!

Alice: I obviously love the music performances but also everything about Sanremo. Every year, I spend all of my “Sanremo week” watching artist interviews, sound checks, and I can’t resist following the festival’s bizarre moments, like “police chases in the night” (i.e., “the Orietta Berti situation” in 2020). Sanremo always has some big surprises!

Can you share a past winner (or winners) of Sanremo that you are big fans of?

Camilla: “Come Saprei” by Giorgia in 1995. Everybody knows that song by heart—even today. That’s why I think it was very deserving of the win.

Alice: Totally agree with Cami. But my favorite edition ever is the 2001 one, when Elisa won with “Luce” and Giorgia got second with “Di sole e d’azzurro.”

The festival starts tomorrow and the first special edition episode of Tutte le Volte Che is available now. Give it a listen.