Tag: Lorem

Spotlighting the Artists To Watch in 2024

January 10, 2024

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time to predict which artists will make their mark in 2024. Continuing our annual Artists To Watch campaign, we’ve expanded the list to feature even more artists across many more genres. 

Along with streaming data, we tapped our North American music team and editors of our playlist brands—Viva Latino (Latin), Pop Rising (pop), Hot Country (country), juniper (folk), New Noise (rock), Lorem (indie), R&B Rising (R&B), Most Necessary (hip-hop), and mint (dance)—to help select the 90 rising talents featured below. You can also find all of our picks rounded up in one convenient spot with our brand-new Artists To Watch playlist. 

You’ll find Musica Mexicana crooner Chino Pacas among Viva Latino’s picks, and introspective hitmaker Teddy Swims included in Pop Rising’s selections. Country and folk singer-songwriters MacKenzie Carpenter and Chance Peña made Hot Country and juniper’s cuts, respectively, while all-women rock band The Beaches and moody indie songstress Chappell Roan were tapped by New Noise and Lorem. Meanwhile, South African vocalist Tyla, Texas rapper That Mexican OT, and Greek electronic producer Argy were recognized by R&B Rising, Most Necessary, and mint, respectively. 

Who else should you keep an eye on in 2024? Keep reading for the full list of Artists To Watch. 

Viva Latino’s Artists To Watch

Bellakath
Chino Pacas
Dei V
Estevie
Gonzy
Jasiel Nuñez
Junior Zamora
Saiko
Xavi
Yami Safdie

Hot Country’s Artists To Watch

Anne Wilson
Dylan Gossett
Graham Barham
Lauren Watkins
Mackenzie Carpenter
Matt Schuster
Michael Warren
Owen Riegling
Sam Barber
Wyatt Flores

Pop Rising’s Artists To Watch

Aidan Bissett
Alexander Stewart
bludnymph
Emei
Isabel LaRosa
Matt Hansen
Meg Smith
METTE
SNOW WIFE
Teddy Swims

juniper’s Artists To Watch

Bo Staloch
Chance Peña
hey, nothing
Jack Van Cleaf
Kara Jackson
Mon RovÎa
Paris Paloma
Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners
Searows
Tiny Habits

New Noise’s Artists To Watch

Amira Elfeky
Destroy Boys
Jack Kays
Jhariah
julie
Scowl
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
The Beaches
The Last Dinner Party
ThxSoMch

R&B Rising’s Artists To Watch

Amaria
Bellah
Chxrry22
Elmiene
Jordan Ward
Khamari
Lekan
Leon Thomas
Naomi Sharon
Tyla

mint’s Artists To Watch

Argy
BUNT.
DBN Gogo
HoneyLuv
Knock2
LP Giobbi
Mochakk
Sammy Virji
Shermanology
Uncle Waffles

Lorem’s Artists To Watch

Abby Sage
bar italia
Chappell Roan
Frost Children
Hannah Jadagu
hemlocke springs
Provoker
sign crushes motorist
waterbaby
Wisp

Most Necessary’s Artists To Watch

310babii
41
BabyDrill
BigXthaPlug
Hunxho
Lay Bankz
ODUMODUBLVCK
Skilla Baby
That Mexican OT
Veeze

Press play on our Artists To Watch playlist to discover the sounds of all the artists we’re expecting to make waves in 2024. 

The Marias, Hannah Jadagu, glaive, and Cuco Have Made Lorem Their Musical Home—And So Have Their Fans

July 12, 2023

Spotify’s indie editors created Lorem five years ago to be a metaphorical “placeholder” for the artists who would go on to influence the future of music. Since then, the alt-pop playlist has written its way into the headphones of its young listeners, becoming Spotify’s home for Gen Z bedroom and indie-pop fans around the U.S. and beyond. The playlist now has one of the highest save rates on Spotify. 

Listeners flock to Lorem for its raw, unpolished collection of burgeoning stars who write music not to fit into a particular genre but to capture even a fleeting feeling. The vibe of the playlist changes constantly, but not chaotically. It reflects the culture, the places, and the headspaces that both artists and their fans come from.

“Lorem is meant for the artists who didn’t quite fit into mainstream pop but who we knew would end up shaping what we know now to be popular,” said Lizzy Szabo, Senior Editor for Indie Music at Spotify. 

“Back when we started the list, artists like BENEE, Conan Gray, Clairo, girl in red, and Dominic Fike were grouped in the bedroom pop category but all ended up making their way to Today’s Top Hits,” she shared. “So, before it was common practice, we’d add tracks that were starting to have viral moments—those you’d hear on TV shows, or random catalog tracks we knew the audience would love to rediscover or hear for the first time—alongside artists we’d find via social media, our submissions portal, or recommendations from blogs and artists.” 

Though the list’s sound has shifted over the years, it still follows artists along their journeys, throughout their progress, hits, and explorations. “We will continue to curate them alongside even more developing artists, and playful throwbacks,” said Lizzy.

Take some of the artists currently featured on Lorem, including glaive, Cuco, and Hannah Jadagu. When asked to describe their music, the only thing each of the Lorem-playlisted artists had in common was the flexibility of their categorization.

The State of Indie Music, According to Spotify’s Editors

February 28, 2022

One of the characteristics that gives indie its wide-ranging appeal is its ability to embrace a variety of sounds, moods, and geographies in ways that few other genres can. This overlap of influences is not lost on Spotify’s global team of indie music editors, responsible for playlists such as All New Indie, Lorem, and Oblique. Though these three playlists have three unique moods, each is very much rooted in indie.

Groups of Spotify editors make up our Global Curation Groups, or GCGs. As the name suggests, they sit in offices around the world and are in the know on the artists that listeners are streaming the most, the new tracks that are about to break, and the trends that come out of these listening habits. Plus, they’re genre experts—as well as fans themselves—who thrive on deep cultural discussions about the music they curate. 

Which is why For the Record spoke to the indie GCG editors to get a sense of what’s hot in 2022 and what to expect going forward. Here’s what we heard.

A new sound for a new generation

Indie has dramatically expanded its horizons in recent years, according to our editors. Sonically, indie is pulling inspiration from electronic, pop, and hip-hop more than ever, from a wildly diverse group of artists. And geographically, indie’s increasing global popularity has led to the genre being infused with a diverse array of regional sounds.

This cross of so many different genres and cultures has led to it functioning as a springboard for exciting new creators who pop up in playlists like Modern Alternative.

One rising star in particular is RADAR artist Arlo Parks, who is also nominated for two Grammys in 2022. Drawing from a variety of influences, including folk, disco, and trip-hop, her music offers a window into growing up Black in London.

Artists who defy convention

Thanks to the rising influence of Gen Z, the genre is also being pushed forward by a community-driven mindset that values collaboration and experimentation. For proof, look no further than PinkPantheress, another RADAR artist who skyrocketed from social media buzz to bona fide pop stardom in 2021. Her ability to seamlessly meld dance and pop sounds into something all her own led one editor to describe her as a “genre chameleon.” PinkPantheress’ genre-bending sensibility aligns with that of artists like Grimes, who coined the term Ethereal to describe her own unique sound. It also inspired Spotify’s editors to create the Ethereal playlist, which explores the different ways rock, pop, and electronic intersect.

The indie community is also drawn to those artists who defy convention at every twist and turn. That includes Shamir, whose influences can jump between house, country, and industrial, and whose music often touches on gender, sexuality, and their experience as a Black, non-binary individual.

But more than indie just pulling inspiration from other genres, a lot of its versatility comes from the stylistic approaches of artists. While Caroline Polachek blurs the lines between indie and Top 40 pop, an artist such as Mitski often takes a more conceptual approach to her songs, with lyrics that have a theatrical vibe to them.

Global fans, local influences

This variety serves as a driving force behind playlists such as POLLEN, which provides a snapshot of the many different ways indie artists are playing between the lines. Our editors say that indie is less about a specific sound or location, and more about a feeling that fans identify with—but that doesn’t mean indie lacks a sense of place.

For indie artists around the globe, the local sounds still serve as an important influence. Belarus’s Molchat Doma rode the hype around post-punk and synthwave inspired by the ’80s, which is captured in a new playlist called Insomnia. Colombia’s Bomba Estéreo, meanwhile, merges electro and cumbia with indie to create an unmistakably tropical sound. Including artists such as Mdou Moctar and Altin Gün, the playlist Folk Fabrique encapsulates  indie’s mix of traditional sounds from across the globe. 

Our editors expect indie will continue to become more representative of the different sounds and perspectives that are bubbling up from emerging artists. But at the same time, they believe that indie is getting back to its roots and embracing the underground, nonconformist mentality that gave birth to the genre. Instead of big-budget productions, we expect artists to embrace more of the lo-fi, DIY sounds that we’ve heard in eras past.

Perhaps, going forward, artists will get more of the spotlight they deserve because the emphasis will be put on the music—and not the production values.

Want to discover even more of the voices taking over indie in 2022? Be sure to check out some of our editors’ picks for the hottest playlists: Outliers, not just a phase, and melomania.

 

Tune in for the Newest Pop Culture, Music, and Playlist-Inspired Shows on Spotify Greenroom

September 13, 2021

Spotify Greenroom is now available to listeners in over 135 markets around the world, and with it, the innovative new live shows listeners can’t get enough of. From conversations around sports from The Ringer to discussions around music from artists like Pop Smoke, Greenroom has a little bit of something for everyone—and that’s even more true starting this week.

Starting Monday, we’re unveiling five new shows on Spotify Greenroom. Each is unique, with an original set of hosts and featuring a variety of topics, but each is steeped in pop culture expertise, whether that’s movies, television, news, or music.

One of the shows in particular are inspired by one of Spotify’s most popular playlists, Lorem. Lorem comes to listeners as LOREM Life, a mix of culture and discussions on music, art, the environment, sustainability, fashion, and space. It’s hosted by beloved Gen Z influencers Dev Lemons and Max Motley, who will engage artists and influencers alike.

Read on for a little bit about each show from the hosts themselves, then check out what’s coming to Greenroom this week. 

LOREM Life – Hosted by Max Motley and Dev Lemons

Wednesday, September 15, 9 PM ET

Greenroom offers a unique way to engage with music and playlists in particular. Why are you excited to use the platform in this way?

Max: I’m excited about the platform because I think it offers a cool opportunity to have a conversation. Usually when talking about music it’s very one directional and hard to actually host a discourse about it. I think Greenroom will provide a unique space for music fans to connect, converse, and celebrate music.

Dev: I’m super excited about this opportunity because I feel that Greenroom will be a fun, casual space for everyone to engage in conversation about music, fashion, and pop culture. I’m honored to represent the Lorem playlist, since it’s always full of fantastic artists. I’m especially excited to cohost a show with Max since we always have such great conversations offline as well! Having a show together on Greenroom will be a really candid, engaging experience for everyone. 

What are the key differences you’ve noticed between Spotify Greenroom and Twitch or TikTok?

Max: I guess one of the obvious differences would be that TikTok and Twitch have video, but one feature of Greenroom that is really cool is the opportunity to talk directly with fans in the room. The opportunity for users to have their voices heard instead of being limited to comments I think provides a really cool space where conversation isn’t so one-sided. 

Dev: Since you don’t have to show your face on Greenroom, the pressure of worrying about your appearance is taken off the table. Not only for the hosts, but for the viewers who will want to join in on the convo. 

How has the transition been from being a social media personality to a live-audio host? 

Max: I think the jump hasn’t been as drastic as one might think. Making video content for over a year, I’ve gotten really comfortable behind the camera and talking music. I also come from a background of college radio, which I’m sure will come in handy. In the end I’m really excited about the opportunity, especially to be doing it with my close friend Dev and about the Lorem community, which I am super passionate about. 

Dev: I actually got my start in entertainment as an actress in my high school’s theater club, so I have strong roots in live entertainment. I love doing prerecorded stuff for social media since I have more control over what the end product is, but I’m really looking forward to the candidness of hosting a live show. It’ll allow room for fun, off-the-cuff moments that we may have never thought of if this show were scripted. I’m excited to feed off Max and the guests’ energies! 

____________________________________________________________________________

Hooked on live audio? Here’s a list of all the new shows coming out this week.

MONDAY, SEPT. 13

A Gay In The Life – 8 PM ET

Newlyweds, actor Garrett Clayton and writer and educator Blake Knight, host a weekly live-audio talk show that provides a safe space for conversation about the LGBTQIA+ experience, educating listeners about queer news and issues, current events, history, and culture.

Take A Seat – 10 PM ET

Every week Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam of the Watch What Crappens podcast will dive into a new pop culture fascination they’ve been obsessing about. Fans will be an integral part of the show by sharing their own pop culture fascinations and asking questions to these Bravo aficionados. Ben and Ronnie will recap some of their favorite reality shows that they aren’t able to cover on their podcast.

The Movie Buff – 11 PM ET

Every week, film buff and comedian Jon Gabrus reviews and breaks down the latest movie everyone is talking about. He’ll banter and debate with listeners on their hot takes and might even roast a few of them along the way.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 14

Most Necessary: Live – 9 PM ET

Most Necessary: Live is the official voice of generation next. Artists added to the popular Most Necessary playlist are often unsigned and given their first look. Host B.Dot brings the playlist to life on Spotify Greenroom’s signature hip-hop show, discussing who’s coming up in hip-hop and what’s happening before these artists go mainstream. Guests join to debate what’s trending and involve artists and fans alike to dive deep into the week’s playlist.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15

LOREM Life – 9 PM ET 

The LOREM listener is a dynamic, tuned-in, insatiable fan of culture and community. We’ll feed them  a mix of culture and music discussion they want to hear about—from music and art to the environment and sustainability to fashion and space. Hosted by beloved Gen Z influencers Dev Lemons & Max Motley, both with large followings on TikTok and other digital platforms, artists and influencers alike will join in to speak to this core audience and indulge in the LOREM life. 

Bonus: Tonight, September 13 at 9 PM ET – Deuxmoi’s show Deux Me After Dark will be recapping all of the red carpet looks and gossip from this year’s Met Gala with guest Hillary Kerr, cofounder of Who What Wear. Sign up for Greenroom to tune in and follow your favorite shows here.