Tag: lizzo

The Stars of ‘Joy Ride’ Reveal Their Top Songs for a Road Trip Adventure

July 6, 2023

Arriving in theaters this week, Joy Ride is the tale of four unlikely friends who embark on a hilarious and unapologetically explicit adventure through Asia. 

When the high-achieving Audrey (Ashley Park) travels to China for a business trip with her irreverent best friend, Lolo (Sherry Cola), they are joined by Audrey’s college pal turned Chinese soap star, Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and Lolo’s K-Pop-loving cousin, Deadeye (Sabrina Wu). From there things go sideways, but over the course of the film, the no-holds-barred mayhem turns into a journey of bonding, friendship, and debauchery. 

Offering a glimpse into the Asian American experience—particularly for young women—Joy Ride reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are.

Music also plays a prominent role in the film. K-Pop’s massive cultural impact is felt throughout it, but especially when the quartet creates their own K-Pop group, Brownie Tuesday, complete with a cover of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP.”

To celebrate the release of the film, the four stars put their heads together to create the Joy Ride Official Playlist, collecting their personal favorite songs that capture the collective spirit of the characters they portrayed.

With new and classic hits from BTS, BLACKPINK, Spice Girls, Drake, Lizzo, Vanessa Carlton, Kelly Clarkson, Victoria Monet, and New Edition, as well as official soundtrack cuts from The Linda Lindas, Queen WA$ABII, and VaVa, it’s a collection that evokes both nostalgia and a desire to sing along.

For the Record caught up with the foursome to talk about their picks, what it was like to perform “WAP,” and the influence of K-Pop culture on the movie. 

What inspired the mood for the Joy Ride Official Playlist? Were there any songs that you were especially excited to include?

Stephanie: I think that if we were on a road trip, we’d just want that nostalgia. There are certain albums and songs that spoke to you at an exact time and place of your life. I threw in one that’s very tweeny, which is not my typical forte of music, but it’s Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.”

Ashley: The four of us would be in a car looking out the window as if we were Vanessa Carlton herself . . . and then nobody would be driving. 

Sherry: “Say You’ll Be There” by the Spice Girls is a big one for me. It’s about friendship, you know, and having each other’s backs and having a good time while we’re doing it.

Stephanie: Sabrina, do you know the Spice Girls? 

Sabrina: Yeah I know the Spice Girls. To be clear, you’re gonna be surprised that some of those songs that I threw on the playlist are pretty old. I was thinking about the big breakup at the end and so I threw in “After the Love Has Gone” by Earth, Wind & Fire. 

Ashley: I added some BLACKPINK because we want that K-Pop type of beat behind us, but also included Kelly Clarkson because I think we all love to emote as well. We’re dramatic. 

Photo Credit: Ed Araquel

Stephanie: I also feel like a song I threw in that really represents our movie and our dynamics is the Saweetie song “Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat).”

Ashley: Yeah! They used that for the moment when we first walk in the airport as Brownie Tuesday so that we could feel like the best versions of ourselves. I always associate that with the movie.

Sabrina: I also felt like there needed to be a hot song that references travel. So I had “Coastin’” by Victoria Monet. And I’m gonna butcher the lines, but there’s a moment that’s like, “Feel like a Thursday how I’m throwin’ it back. Baby we can go North, South, East, West Coast.” And I thought that was pretty hot.

You cover Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for the big Brownie Tuesday airport scene. How did that go down?

Ashley: I think that’s special in the film because it was the first time us four got together and really collaborated creatively. We worked on that during the very first table read, and we discovered that Sabrina is an amazing beatboxer.

And we’re really happy that Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B gave their blessing to have the song in the film. That was the best form of allyship we could ask for. We’ve all blared the song to ourselves, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, this really pushes buttons and breaks barriers that shouldn’t have even been there.” I don’t even think I realized until we were recording it, but the way that the lyrics were rewritten by our writers was so specific to us and they still worked so well. I felt very liberated listening to it.

Sabrina: Cardi and Meg really did a lot for women’s sexuality and we are lucky to live in a world with them. We are not deserving of that song and their power. 

Sherry: Truly, truly, truly. Yeah. I can’t wait for Cardi B and Meg to watch the film.

That scene also includes a fully choreographed K-Pop routine. What was the whole experience like? 

Stephanie: Well I’ll just say that making a movie is like co-birthing a baby and also the most profound form of trauma bonding. We would film Monday through Friday and rehearse on Saturdays. And we were rewriting lyrics as we were going so it was kind of a frenzy and chaos—we really wanted to get it right. But it was really fun. We really wanted to honor the original songs and honor Deadeye’s vision of friendship and badassness.

Photo Credit: Ed Araquel

Sherry: Yeah. We really went all out. And shout out to Joe Tuliao, our incredible choreographer, and also the backup dancers. I mean, that was the squad.

Were there any K-Pop songs or artists you listened to during the shoot to prepare for the Brownie Tuesday scene?

Sabrina: I think we listened to a lot of BLACKPINK, if I remember.

Stephanie: Yeah. We watched the BLACKPINK documentary together. 

Ashley: I wish the BLACKPINK song “Pink Venom” was out when we did the film, because I feel like the vibe of it is absolutely exactly what we needed for the scene.

Sherry: The whole scene was definitely an homage to BLACKPINK and just the fact that K-Pop is this global sensation that’s taking over.

Sabrina, did you discover any particular pockets of K-Pop fandom to help inform Deadeye?

Sabrina: Yeah, I definitely took a look at things like fancams when we were filming, because K-Pop was definitely in the cultural spotlight at the time—it was all over the internet. People were talking about K-Pop fans a lot because they disrupted a political rally in Oklahoma by buying all of the tickets. 

I was very aware of just how powerful of a global community it was, so that informed my character. And when I was growing up, I lived very much on the internet. I was obsessed with Asian YouTube and Asian hip-hop. And so I sort of brought that personal experience of being deeply involved in and drawn to Asian culture. So that’s sort of how Deadeye was born.

Ashley: Also what I love about the movie is we get to see the K-Pop community and really understand why Deadeye and the K-Pop army really love and cherishes this music and these groups. I’m so happy in the way that we present them as heroes and show how they show up for people they’ve never met in real life.

Discover all the ups, downs, and mayhem of this fearsome foursome in Joy Ride, playing in theaters now.

How Spotify Blend Creates a Connection Between Fans, Friends, and Artists

May 24, 2023

Whether you’re an artist, a listener, or a bit of both, there’s one thing that has been true since time immemorial: Music should be shared. If you’re grabbing the AUX on a car trip with friends or making a playlist for that special someone, there’s just a certain connection that comes with sharing in the genres and songs that have personal meaning to you.

That’s why in 2021, Spotify took that connection to the next level with Blend, our shared new social listening experience that combines the different tastes of friends and family, as well as fans and artists, into one. With Blend, you can create a personalized playlist that balances what you and your friends like to listen to, merging those music tastes to create something everyone can enjoy.

“Sharing music is a really vulnerable thing—but it also brings you closer together,” says Gianna Pisano, a product marketing manager at Spotify. “Those moments when you realize you and your friends have been listening to Stick Season by Noah Kahan on repeat, or have played boygenius’s new record for five days straight—Blend surfaces all of those insights, puts them together, and does all the work to make a playlist for you and your crew, updated daily. All you have to do is listen and explore.”

Connection in Collaboration

The creation of Blend came about via personalized features that were already in use on a smaller scale.

“Our personalization team was already working on a similar feature that we were excited about,” says Ian VanNest, a senior product designer. “Initially we had used it to connect mixes for listeners on Duo or Family accounts and that ended up being an instant hit. Eventually we decided that extending that functionality to everyone was the way to go.”

At launch, Blend allowed two users at a time to combine musical tastes. But the personalization team realized that more people would make for a merrier experience. So in March 2022, we expanded the number of people who can combine to 10, creating an even more powerful, collaborative tool that allowed even more people to feel connected to one another through their shared love for music.  

“Increasing the amount of listeners to make use of Blend was a natural next step,” says Maia Ezratty, an engineer who works on personalization at Spotify. “We don’t only connect over music with one person at a time. We listen to music with our families, go to concerts with our friends, and stream music at the office. I love creating a Blend with a group of friends when we’re together—right away, we have something that represents all of our music tastes that we can play while we hang out. And it’s a conversation starter!”

Beyond that, Blend has offered groups of listeners an opportunity to enjoy the music they have in common and celebrate the differences in musical taste on a granular level.

“Blend has a lot of perks to it, but by far the two best parts of creating a Blend with your friends are finding the artists you have in common and discovering artists that you didn’t know about,” says Ward Ronan, Spotify senior data scientist. “Music has always been a powerful way to bring people together, and Blend not only acknowledges that relationship, but actively helps it grow.

 

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Getting Closer to the Artists We Love

After fans responded enthusiastically to being able to Blend with groups, the personalization team started to think about how to evolve the playlist further. And in an age where it’s easier than ever for fans to connect with celebrities on a more personal level, the team found inspiration for their next innovation. The result was Blend’s new ability to let fans create a deeper bond with artists by combining their tastes.  

“We wanted to harness the power of Blend to create a bit of that same sense of connection between celebrities and fans,” explains Maia. “Music taste is so personal, and Blending with our favorite celebrities makes us feel like we’re getting to know them better by giving us a little window into theirs.”

In a few quick steps, fans can now Blend with artists like BTS to discover the songs that get the K-pop group dancing when they’re not onstage, find out which tracks they have in common with Megan Thee Stallion, and—most recently—see how much their overall taste aligns with that of Miley Cyrus. Find a full list of all available Blends here.

Blend has been incredibly popular with fans since it debuted in 2021. Recently, it’s grown significantly in popularity, and since June 2022, the number of Blends with artists has more than doubled. Of the artists fans can Blend with currently, BTS, Post Malone, BLACKPINK, Lizzo, and Stray Kids are the most popular as of May 2023.

Music has always been one of the most powerful ways for artists to share their lives and experiences, and for listeners to connect with one another and feel understood. And through Blend, fans have a magical way to connect with friends, loved ones, and even total strangers, in a shared moment of enjoyment. 

Want to compare your favorite anthems with Miley Cyrus’s? Click below and let Blend do the rest.

https://spotify.link/MileyBlend

May the Fourth Be With Your Spotify Listening

May 4, 2023

Check your calendar: The annual moment for date-related puns, internet frenzy, and fandom has arrived. May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day, is a celebration of one of the seminal sci-fi series of the modern age. And as always, Spotify is in on the fun. 

While we don’t have lightsabers, we’re bringing a galaxy far, far away a bit closer to home with some future-forward tech of our own. Spotify Premium users in the U.S. and Canada can tune into their DJ today, May 4, for a Star Wars surprise. Your personalized DJ will be greeting you with Star Wars commentary alongside your curated music sets, serving as your wise and thoughtful Jedi master. Just head to the Music Feed on Home to begin.  

Star Wars content for Jedi masters and young padawans alike

There’s nothing like the original series’ iconic music, so head to the Star Wars shelf on the Disney Hub to find all the classics, remastered. But after your jump to hyperspace, you can also find the Best of Star Wars playlist and Jedi Survivor Soundtrack, both of which bring together John Williams’s classic Oscar-winning score with newer works from the likes of Ludwig Goransson, Joseph Shirley, Kevin Kiner, and Michael Giacchino. 

If you’re as into the new series as Star Wars fan Lizzo (who was literally in the series!), you may already be familiar with our Mandalorian Official Playlist, which has grown in popularity alongside the release of Season 3. Today, press play from your desktop app to discover a special Star Wars Easter egg in the playlist. 

Looking for a Star Wars saga to sink into? Fans in the U.S., U.K, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada can head to the Spotify’s Star Wars audiobook shelf to hear classics like Star Wars Jedi Battle Scars; Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic); Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith; Shadow Hunter: Star Wars Legends; and Star Wars: Brotherhood. 

No matter how you choose to celebrate, may the force be with you. 

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

November 10, 2022

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Catch more Ripple Effect in the playlist below. 

 

The Top Songs of Summer 2022 Reveal a Return to Dance and Nostalgia

August 31, 2022

Songs of Summer on a fun colored background

Summer 2022 is coming to an end, but the music that soundtracked the past few months of longer days, road trips, festivals, and pool parties is sure to reverberate into the rest of the year. So before you toss those flip-flops to the back of the closet, let’s celebrate the listening trends that brought the heat this summer. 

Top Songs of Summer 

Back in June, Spotify predicted some of the songs that would soundtrack the summer months to come. Now it’s time to reveal what listeners were blasting between May 29 and August 29, 2022. 

Topping the global list with more than 610M streams over the last three months alone is none other than Harry Styles’ hit “As It Was.” It also claimed the top spot in 24 countries around the world including Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates.

The global runner-up and top track in the U.S. this summer is Kate Bush’s now-viral song from 1985, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” which became popularized after being featured prominently in the latest season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. It’s one of the most retro tracks to make it onto Spotify’s Songs of Summer list—37 years after its release. Fans born after the song was originally released are discovering it, with first-time streams from U.S. Gen Zs (aka listeners aged 24 and under) increasing over 7,800% since being featured on the show.

Bad Bunny dominated both the top global and U.S. Songs of Summer lists with tracks like “Me Porto Bonito,” “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Ojitos Lindos,” and “Efecto” off his latest album, Un Verano Sin Ti. “Me Porto Bonito,” in particular, is the Song of the Summer in 14 Latin American countries including Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

It wouldn’t be summer without some brand-new hot girl anthems like Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” and Doja Cat’s “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS),” which both landed in the U.S. Top 20 Songs of Summer list. And around the globe, “About Damn Time” and “Vegas” were the top two tracks most frequently added to user-generated hot girl summer playlists on Spotify.

Like what you hear? From sped-up songs to country classics, even more trends have made summer 2022 musically unique, and Spotify’s music editors are tracking their ebbs and flows across genres. Check out what trends our editors across Pop, Dance, Indie, and U.S. Latin had to say.

If you’re looking for more where that came from, check out our editor-curated Summer Hits, Summer Dance Hits, Indie Sunshine, and Verano Forever playlists—plus stream our Songs of Summer playlist below. 

Hot Podcasts of Summer

Whether it was superhero stories, throwback TV commentary, behind-the-scenes anime, or your daily dose of the news, Spotify listeners also tuned into podcasts to stay entertained and in the know this summer. Listeners dove into  . . . 

  • Batman Unburied. The early-summer sensation from Spotify, Warner Bros., and DC is a psychologically thrilling take on the Caped Crusader that took the world by storm. The series, which was adapted into multiple languages, was a hit around the globe and rose to the top of Spotify’s podcast charts in 17 markets worldwide.
  • TV Nostalgia. This summer, the cast of Pod Meets World took fans back in time by rewatching episodes of Boy Meets World and sharing memories and behind-the-scenes moments from the iconic series. Meanwhile, on Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen, Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Coletti rewatch Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County for the first time in 18 years. The former sweethearts relive their high school experiences, break down the truth of what happened on and off camera, and share what really happened in Cabo. Both shows have found places at the top of the trending podcasts on Spotify’s summer charts. 
  • SPYxFAMILY. A breakout Spotify Original that came out of Japan, the podcast was released alongside SPYxFAMILY Anime, the anime adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series of the same name. The podcast series, hosted by one of the show’s voice actors, takes fans behind the scenes of SPYxFAMILY, going in-depth on the anime’s backstory and giving insights into each episode. The series has topped the podcast charts in Japan, holding the number one spot for more than a month.
  • The Journal. Every day of the summer (and throughout the year, for that matter), Kate Linebaugh, Ryan Knutson, and the team at The Wall Street Journal take you inside the most important stories, explained through the lens of business. In for a special summer treat? Make sure to check out The Journal’s special three-part series, Hack Me If You Can, published in June.

 

 

Find the complete Songs of Summer top lists below. 

 

 

Spotify’s most-streamed songs of summer globally:

  1. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  2. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush
  3. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone
  4. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny
  5. “Glimpse of Us” by Joji
  6. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny, Bomba Estéreo
  7. “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” by Bizarrap, Quevedo
  8. “Efecto” by Bad Bunny 
  9. “Moscow Mule” by Bad Bunny
  10. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  11. “PROVENZA” by KAROL G
  12. “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  13. “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
  14. “Party” by Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro
  15. “Te Felicito” by Shakira, Rauw Alejandro
  16. “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber
  17. “Tarot” by Bad Bunny, Jhay Cortez
  18. “Bam Bam (feat. Ed Sheeran)” by Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran
  19. “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix” by Elton John, Dua Lipa, PNAU
  20. “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic

Spotify’s most-streamed songs of summer in the U.S.:

  1. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush
  2. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  3. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone
  4. “Glimpse of Us” by Joji
  5. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny
  6. “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy
  7. “Jimmy Cooks (feat. 21 Savage)” by Drake, 21 Savage
  8. “I Like You (A Happier Song) (with Doja Cat)” by Post Malone, Doja Cat
  9. “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
  10. “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  11. “First Class” by Jack Harlow
  12. “WAIT FOR U (feat. Drake & Tems)” by Future, Drake, Tems
  13. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  14. “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS)” by Doja Cat
  15. “Efecto” by Bad Bunny 
  16. “Moscow Mule” by Bad Bunny
  17. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny, Bomba Estéreo
  18. “You Proof” by Morgan Wallen
  19. “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic
  20. “Party” by Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro

*All data was compiled between May 29 and August 29, 2022.

Spotify Everywhere Shows the Way We Soundtrack Everyday Life

August 4, 2022

If it feels as though there are thousands of ways you can listen to Spotify, you’re right. In fact, we’re available on more than 2,000 devices that fit Spotify seamlessly into your life when they’re coupled with our exciting and innovative features and integrations.

As a way to showcase the many places you can listen to Spotify, we’re hosting Spotify Everywhere this week in New York City. This immersive audio experience lets guests try out interactive demos, take part in sharable photo opportunities, and discover new features that will make listening to songs and podcasts even more enjoyable.

Curious what’s on display? Here’s a glimpse at all the current (and future) ways that Spotify integrates with your life.

Lounging about in the living room 

Upon arriving at Spotify Everywhere, our guests first visit our living room experience. It’s here they learn about how Spotify Connect turns Spotify into the ultimate remote control for a wide range of speakers from companies like Sony, Google, Sonos, Bose, Amazon, Roku, Ikea, Devialet, Marshall, Naim, Bang & Olufsen, and more.

We also have the Microsoft Xbox gaming station, which highlights Spotify’s custom integration with Microsoft’s console to let people listen to their favorite songs while playing the hottest new games.

But ultimately, low-key moments in the living room are also a great time to discover new music, and so we’ve been inviting guests to sit down in our listening nook and take a moment to learn about the upcoming redesign of our Home feed, which will make it even easier to discover personalized recommendations for music and podcasts in the app.

Now you’re cooking 

For the foodies out there, there’s no better place to hang out than the kitchen. That’s why we’ve made sure to show how our integration with the Samsung Bespoke Family Hub™ refrigerator means all their favorite songs, podcasts, and playlists are at their fingertips while grabbing a snack. Those curious enough to peek inside will also discover a few easter eggs we left behind that offer some choice playlist recommendations.

And since no kitchen experience is complete without a little cooking, it’s here where we invite guests to grab a snack and check out our recipe book, which offers step-by-step tutorials on how to use some of Spotify’s more handy features, like how to look up lyrics to a song or make collaborative playlists with friends. 

The kitchen also features the Blender Bar, which provides a series of scannable QR codes that let guests experience the joy of Spotify’s Blend playlists. Combining the best of Spotify’s personalization capabilities and collaborative playlist functionality into a single shared playlist, the Blend feature allows you to combine your tastes with up to 10 friends, or with some of your favorite artists, such as Lizzo.

Where the magic happens

Next up on the Spotify Everywhere tour is a stop in the bedroom, which is where guests experience one of our most unique and innovative integrations: Philips Hue + Spotify. Any song played on Spotify is magically synced with Philips Hue’s array of smart bulbs and lamps, and the result is a symphony of light that pulses, flashes, and changes colors in time with the music.

It’s here that guests can also learn how to use the Google Clock App and our Sleep Timer feature. So whether you want to wake up to the Morning Coffee playlist or doze off with the Sleep playlist, Spotify will help make sure you’re ready to take on the day.

Time to accessorize

Those visiting Spotify Everywhere also have a chance to plunder our closet, which is full of Spotify-branded swag such as shirts, bucket hats, and socks. And they can check out some of the latest and greatest wearables, like smartwatches from Fossil and Garmin as well as wireless earbuds from Sony that take advantage of our Spotify Tap integration. With a single press of a button, anyone using Spotify Tap–enabled earbuds can jump back into the most recent playlist or album they were listening to, and even pause the audio or skip tracks.

Ready for a road trip?

While a house might serve as the setting for Spotify Everywhere, there are so many other places where you can access your favorite songs and podcasts. And so guests can step outside to the driveway to see all the ways to listen to Spotify in the car.

With our personalized Your Daily Drive playlist, the dreaded morning commute will feel like a breeze. If you’re hitting the highways and adventuring somewhere new, our in-app integrations with Google Maps and Waze will help ensure that you never get lost. And if you have a stereo equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, all you have to do is connect your phone via USB to activate the in-dash experience optimized for cars.

Step into the metaverse

Sure, you can listen to Spotify from the comfort of your home or while out in the world. But did you know you can also experience Spotify in the metaverse? Earlier this year, we launched Spotify Island on Roblox, where fans and artists from all over the world can hang out and explore a wonderland of sounds, quests, and exclusive merch. And to offer a taste of the metaverse IRL, we have a 360-degree photo booth to capture our Spotify Everywhere guests in a unique way.

Fun in the sun

To cap off the Spotify Everywhere experience, our guests can grab a drink and relax in our backyard while listening to a selection of chill tracks from our DJs, Brittany Sky and Vashtie.

And it’s a well-deserved rest because, as you can see, we have a lot to share at Spotify Everywhere. Whether you’re at home, on the go, or linked up with one of our many other partners such as Delta, Tinder, or Rivian, there is no shortage of ways to access all your favorite songs and podcasts on Spotify. And hopefully, you’ve also discovered a few new ways to get the most out of your Spotify experience. 

To learn more about Spotify Everywhere, check out our dedicated hub by clicking here.

Blend With Lizzo, Post Malone, and The Chainsmokers—And Buy Their Merch

July 20, 2022

Lizzo, Post Malone, and the Chainsmokers on a green background

Listen to this story read aloud in 2 minutes and 20 seconds. 


Music fandom is about more than just listening to music and going to shows: It’s connecting with an artist, their songs, and their fellow followers. And what better way to signal your love, and maybe strike up a conversation with another fan, than by repping your favorites with a t-shirt or other merch? 

At Spotify, we’re always looking for new ways to grow the bond between artists and fans. Our latest feature, Blend, combines the best of our personalization capabilities and collaborative playlist functionality to help you create a playlist that syncs your music taste with that of your friend’s or artists’ like BTS, Charli XCX, Kacey Musgraves, and Megan Thee Stallion. 

Now we’re expanding the popular feature to even more artists including Lizzo, The Chainsmokers, and Post Malone. And we’re also adding a new element: the opportunity to shop artist merch from the Blend experience so you can literally wear your love on your sleeve. 

Here’s how you can Blend with one of these artists and then purchase their merch:

  1. Click on an artist’s name in this story to be directed to Blend. Or, check out the artist’s link from their social channels. You can now choose from Lizzo, The Chainsmokers, and Post Malone. 
  2. Let Spotify make a playlist tailored to your shared tastes.
  3. Check out your social sharecard. It contains your Taste Match score, which shows the percentage of music taste you two have in common. Then, share it directly to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.
  4. After you get your Taste Match score, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the artist’s featured merch via our integration with Shopify. All the pieces of merch have been selected by the artists themselves and include items such as t-shirts, vinyl albums, and more. 

It’s our mission to build new opportunities for creators to live off their work, and our larger partnership with Shopify makes it easier than ever for artists to sell their merch on Spotify. By putting merch alongside the music experience, we’re increasing purchase opportunities and generating incremental sales for creators.

Blend with Lizzo, The Chainsmokers, and Post Malone by clicking on their names. And find a full list of all available artist Blends here.

Spotify Refreshes Popular Playlist New Music Friday with Global Rebrand

February 21, 2020

Whether you’re a music fan or an artist, Fridays are about to get even better. Today, Spotify’s highly influential New Music Friday playlist—a curated selection of the most anticipated new tracks of the week—is debuting a global rebrand.

The revamped playlist, which has 43 versions worldwide, will continue to serve as the leading destination for listeners who want to discover new music from both established and emerging talent. With over 3.5 million followers in the U.S. and 8 million globally, it’s an achievement and milestone for artists to have their new tracks included on the list.

With today’s visual relaunch, Spotify is continuing to support its ongoing investment in the must-hear playlist brand, with a major social campaign, New York and Los Angeles billboards, and new cover art. Inspired by a trend of artists making their own celebratory New Music Friday social media assets, Spotify For Artists will now test a new feature where all artists added to the U.S. version—to start—of New Music Friday will be able to grab and share a branded and personalized social asset a la Wrapped.

Spotify Amplifies Year-round Celebration of Black History with ‘Phenomenal Black Music’ Campaign

February 19, 2020

Black History is American History. Black History is World History. Black History is Now.

In 2018, Spotify launched Black History Is Now to recognize and celebrate Black creators and culture all year long—not just in February. Over the past two years, the program has seen collaborations with artists Janelle Monáe and Pharrell Williams, as well as distinguished designers Joy Miessi and Brandan “BMike” Odums. In 2020, we’re elevating and evolving Spotify’s mission to focus on the cultural impact that people of color have always played—all through the lens of music.

This year, Black History Is Now presents Phenomenal Black Music—a celebration of the songs and women that have shaped the way music is made, experienced, and replicated across the world. Spotify is inspiring people to discover and celebrate Black music and artists who have defined and continue to define global culture.

Through a series of activations and experiences, we’re looking at Phenomenal Black Music through two lenses: songs that define culture and Black women who have shaped music. As much as there is to applaud regarding the strides Black female artists have made in a traditionally male-dominated industry, there’s still plenty of room for progress.

Here’s how you can celebrate with us this month and all year long:

1. Listen to Spotify’s Black History Is Now hub with curated Phenomenal Black Music playlists. Check out Black History Salute, Black Girl Magic, Black Love Mixtape, and more. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4ezQVslkJiT?si=qhb2GZNXRaCL16XoScpG7g

2. Wear merch that brings the feelings of Phenomenal Black Music to life from prominent designers Joe Freshgoods—the fashion designer known for his “Don’t Be Mad” clothing line (whose biggest fans include Malia Obama, Chance the Rapper, and SZA)—and Jamilla Okubo, a mixed-media artist whose work has consistent themes that explore the intricacy of belonging to an American, Kenyan, and Trinidadian identity.

Credit: Mark Clennon

3. At the end of February, the Phenomenal Black Music campaign will culminate in a two-day immersive exhibit-style pop-up in New York City celebrating 32 exceptional songs and women. These artists span genres and generations, from Bob Marley and Mary J. Blige to Lil Nas X and Lizzo. The exhibit will feature a look into the music and musicians, with stories curated by music journalist Jewel Wicker, interactive elements curated by Spotify, surprise merch drops, and performances and panels throughout the weekend. As part of the experience, Spotify partnered with Levi’s® to bring product customization to the two-day event. Guests will have a chance to personalize a Levi’s® Trucker jacket, and all visitors will have access to exclusive patches from Joe Freshgoods and Jamilla Okubo. You can find more details here.

Explore the Black History Is Now hub here, and follow the celebration on @Spotify and @SpotifyNews.

Spotify Fêtes Best New Artists at 2020 Celebration

January 24, 2020

For the past four years, Spotify has celebrated the Best New Artist nominees at a one-night-only party to remember. The event is intended to help further amplify the voices of several breakout stars, and this year was no different. All eight members of the 2020 class—Billie Eilish, Black Pumas, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Maggie Rogers, Rosalía, Tank and The Bangas, and Yola—hit the stage last night and delivered electrifying performances. 

Collectively, the category’s nominees have racked up a total of more than 15 billion Spotify streams to date. We caught up with the artists from the red carpet at The Lot Studios in Los Angeles, California—read on to hear what they had to say and to check out the night’s picture-perfect moments. 

Lizzo

Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Spotify

  • “Aye yi yi” did Lizzo knock her performance out of the park. On the red carpet, Lizzo shared her thoughts on what the Best New Artist nomination meant to her: “For me, it was really cool to be like ‘Oh, I was impactful.’ Not only did I put out a good album, but I really showed the world who I was this year; and the world really fell in love with who that person was.” 
  • Lizzo is the collaboration queen. Everyone wants her voice on their tracks. With 23 collaborations to her name, Lizzo is the most featured artist of all the Best New Artist nominees.

Yola

Credit: Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Spotify

  • Born in Bristol, England, Yola’s country-soul vibe spans across genres, and at last night’s event, she highlighted the impact of her Best New Artist nomination: “It means a sense of validation … It just feels so much like I’m being lifted up by people. People are seeing me for my ability to write, for my ability to perform. Yeah, it’s an utter joy.”
  • Many listeners are discovering Yola’s music on Spotify’s Best Folk & Americana Songs of 2019 playlist. Also, Yola covered Elton John on her debut album—check out her soaring version of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

Billie Eilish

Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Spotify

  • “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya,” but Billie Eilish’s performance was “!!!!!!!” The singer’s stripped-down set, with brother Finneas on piano, included “bad guy” and “everything i wanted.” “The video for this song just came out today,” Eilish told the audience as she introduced the latter. “Very exciting!” 
  • With roughly 55 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Billie conquered the charts in 2019—and then some. Last year the singer had the largest number of songs on our Global Top 50 Chart at the one time. On April 1st—and this is no April fool’s joke—14 of the tracks on the Top 50 were Billie’s, and “bad guy” was in the number one spot. 

Black Pumas

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spotify

  • This soul-funk duo from Austin, Texas, said the nomination caught them by surprise. “We just started working on music two years ago with humble goals, you know,” said Black Pumas’ guitarist-producer Adrian Quesada. “‘Let’s just make songs that move us,’ and here we are two years later. It’s exciting.” 
  • Since the Best New Artist nominees were announced, Black Pumas saw the largest percentage increase in the number of playlists their music was added to.

Maggie Rogers

Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Spotify

  • “We’re always searching for language,” Rogers told Spotify before her set. “If you’re an artist, you were born an artist. Everyone here has been working for ten, five, seven, eight, however many years to make music and be at this place; and I think tonight is really about celebrating that work.” 
  • Of all the Best New Artist nominees, Maggie Rogers saw the biggest increase in streams in the week following the announcement of her nomination: Her music shot up more than 103%.

Lil Nas X

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spotify

  • Lil Nas X crushed the stage with his performance of “Old Town Road,” with Billy Ray Cyrus beside him. “It means I’m one of the few artists who the Grammys saw as deserving of a nomination in a year of so much amazing music. And I’m thankful for that. With Spotify, it’s easier for a new artist to be heard; and when ‘Old Town Road’ was just coming up, the playlisting helped so much.” 
  • While five of the Best New Artist nominees have remixed versions of some of their tracks, Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road – Remix” with Billy Ray Cyrus is the top streamed, with more than 870 million streams.

Rosalía

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spotify

  • Rosalía Vila (aka Rosalía) hails from Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Spain, though she’s certainly made her mark beyond her hometown. At Spotify’s Best New Artist event, she performed a rousing five-song set, which included a surprise appearance by Ozuna for the hit track “Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi.”  
  • Rosalía, who has collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, Pharrell, and James Blake, has the most geographically diverse audience of all the Best New Artist nominees. 

Tank and The Bangas

Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Spotify

  • The night ended with a “banga” performance from Tank and the Bangas, who had noted earlier that the best new artist category is a catalyst for discovery.  “(We) definitely checked out the Black Pumas and … Rosalia, everybody. You really are a Best New Artist because I’m checking out people who I never knew and that’s pretty dope within itself.”  
  • Listeners from Japan to the UK to Germany to Brazil have been streaming this band’s music. Their 2019 album Green Balloon has generated their two most-streamed songs, the curiously titled “Ants” and “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.”  

These are Spotify’s Top Workout & Wellness Trends – Plus 2020 Predictions to Help Kick-Start Your Resolutions

December 31, 2019

As we enter the New Year—or better yet, new decade—there are endless ways to get on that fitness, wellness, or self-care resolution. Since there are plenty of songs, podcasts, and playlists dedicated to helping people achieve their wellness goals on Spotify, we took a look at how listeners have been using music and podcasts to stay on track. Plus, we made some predictions for what trends the new year will bring.

So, with more than 54 million workout-themed playlists on Spotify, what songs do listeners sweat to the most? Eminem’s “‘Till I Collapse” is the most-streamed track on workout lists at the moment. Ed Sheeran’s “I Don’t Care” with Justin Bieber is second highest, followed by Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey,” “If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes, and “Beautiful People” by Ed Sheeran and Khalid.

It turns out that our listeners have a particular workout preference—running. Spotify listeners around the world have created more running playlists than any other workout type. Yoga follows in popularity, so you can be sure listeners are staying flexible as well.

We found that people want to learn about wellness from podcasts, too. Listening in the fitness and wellness podcast genre increased 145% in the past year. Plus, listeners are falling asleep—and in love—with sleep podcasts. The most popular podcast in the health and fitness category is Sleepy, where host Otis Gray reads classic stories to help listeners doze off. Is this what sweet dreams are made of?

As for 2020 predictions, we have reason to believe there’s going to be more meditating than ever before. We saw a 113% increase in streams of meditation playlists in the past year, higher than any other workout or wellness type.

Plus, we feel self-love will continue to reign supreme, with pump-up empowerment anthems like Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next,” Lizzo’s “Good as Hell,” and Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself,” popular on self-care playlists. These powerful women are here to say You’ve got this.

Keep up the motivation with even more workout and wellness trends:


Download the infographic here.

Get inspired by our Wellness hub or get your heart racing with Spotify’s most-followed workout playlist, Beast Mode.

Revisit the Biggest Songs, Artists, and Cultural Moments of the Last 10 Years with Spotify’s ‘The Decade Wrapped’ Podcast

December 16, 2019

With 2020 right around the corner—and the 2010s coming to a close—we’re taking a journey through the last decade in music with a new original podcast, The Decade Wrapped.

The podcast’s host, Eric Eddings, will be joined by critics, comedians, influencers, and writers as they look back at the music stories that defined pop culture between 2010 and 2019. This 10-episode series incorporates data and insights from Spotify’s popular Wrapped campaign. Launched earlier this month, the campaign revealed through personal Wrapped e-cards what our listeners have been streaming—not only over 2019, but over the past decade—as well as what the world listened to during that time. 

The first three episodes are available starting today, December 16, in the U.S. (The next seven episodes will be released daily over the course of the week.) Get a taste for the episode topics and featured songs:

2010: Nicki Minaj Tells Us to “Check It Out”/Female-Driven Pop

In the early 2010s, women like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Katy Perry took the stage . . . but no one matched the omnipresence of Nicki Minaj. Before even dropping a full album, she was featured on tracks by Lil Wayne, Kanye, will.i.am, and Gucci Mane. Her debut album, Pink Friday, didn’t disappoint—and over the years she became a force in hip-hop.

2011: One Direction (Re)invents the Stan

In 2011, British boy band One Direction recorded their first album, released “What Makes You Beautiful,” and finished up their first tour. One Direction’s teen audience was fully internet literate and ready to make the band their own. Fanfiction and fanart take flight. So of course we had no choice but to stan.

2012: “Gangnam Style” Introduces K-Pop to the U.S.

One of the most-watched videos in the history of YouTube, “Gangnam Style” set the stage for K-Pop hits like BTS to come. The song, which has been streamed over 208 million times on Spotify, is credited with bringing Korean culture into the American mainstream.

2013: Harlem Shake[s the Internet]

If there was any year that your grandma might be caught dancing to an EDM song, 2013 was it. The “Harlem Shake” showcased the immense viral power of crossover appeal and memes, and the song became a mainstream number-one hit, with more than 2.1 million streams on Spotify. The 2010s were the decade of user-created content—and this song embodied that ideal.

2014: “Uptown Funk” and Taylor Swift Go Retro

In 2014, the 1980s came back to the top of the charts as Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” featuring Bruno Mars, battled for number one. “Uptown Funk” propelled producers to the forefront; it became one of Ronson’s biggest hits and underscored the increasingly key role of producers in music then and today.

2015: Kendrick’s To Pimp A Butterfly Takes Flight, Drake Has the Biggest Year Ever, and Hamilton Shoots Its Shot

There were three differing perspectives on what the biggest musical story of 2015 was. Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly cemented Lamar as a cultural icon as it examined race, discrimination, anger, and violence. Meanwhile, Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and his diss track feud with Meek Mill fueled a massive year for him. And Lin-Manuel Miranda turned Broadway upside down when his hip-hop musical Hamilton exploded as a hit inside and outside the theater.

2016: Beyoncé Drops Lemonade

 With her release of Lemonade, Beyoncé solidified her status as a powerful force in music. Lemonade appeared to divulge intimate details about her life while at the same time commenting on black life in America. It was universally praised for its personal and political content—and also for crossing genres. Its controversial snub at the Grammys also marked the beginning of a broader conversation around recognizing black musicians.

2017: “Despacito” Gets All the Views

In 2017, “Despacito,” a catchy song from Luis Fonzi and Daddy Yankee, crossed a huge milestone to become the most-watched video. Not music video. Video. Oh, and it surpassed 1.3 billion streams on Spotify, making it the first Spanish-language song to reach the billion-stream milestone. 

2018: “thank u, next” and the Evolution of Ariana Grande

The year 2018 was all about Ariana Grande. She returned to music with the One Love Manchester concert and came out on top with “thank u, next,” proving that music has the power to help us process, heal, and face what’s next.

2019: The Yeehaw Agenda

The end of the decade gave us giant breakthroughs for two artists. For Lizzo, it’s a story of years of hard work that culminated in the artist’s becoming a mainstay in the mainstream. And for Lil Nas X, it was the perfect storm of a catchy song on TikTok and a cowboy hat.  

Take it all the way back with a listen to the first episode on Nicki Minaj and female-driven pop below.

https://open.spotify.com/show/4C9SyDbX6N7HfgxYAVs9NP?si=DSOxhIGkQsa7bQGpREV_cw