Tag: New markets

What Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, and More of Our Newest Markets Are Streaming—365 Days In

February 24, 2022

Last year at Stream On, Spotify announced that we’d be launching in 80+ new markets around the world and adding 36 new languages to our platform—a sweeping expansion that would introduce Spotify to more than 1 billion people around the world. With this launch, we furthered our ongoing commitment to building a truly borderless audio ecosystem that connects creators, listeners, and content—and helped ensure that sounds and stories that once remained local could reach a global audience.  

By reaching even more countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, we gave millions of new creators the opportunity to create, discover, and build a career in audio creation—and gave a billion new fans the opportunity to hear it. 

Now, a year in, there’s plenty of progress to look back on. See for yourself: 

Can’t get enough of new music? Listen to Asakaa, the Ghanian drill genre making waves around the world.

Spotify Expands to Six More Countries Around the World

November 17, 2021

In February, we announced a sweeping global expansion to introduce Spotify to more than a billion people around the world. So over the subsequent months, we launched in more than 80 new markets and added 36 languages to our platform. Today, we’re furthering that commitment by launching in six more markets: Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

By making both our Free and Premium services available in Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Spotify users in those markets will now be able to listen to the global and local artists they have come to love—and explore new ones. What’s more, local artists will receive an opportunity to reach new audiences both at home and abroad.

Spotify is committed to being available to users and creators regardless of where they live. By adding these six markets to our global ecosystem, we’re better able to introduce the music and sounds of more people, places, and cultures to listeners around the world.  

Venezuela in particular has a unique sound that’s as diverse as the country’s landscape. Venezuelan music is a melting pot of sounds and rhythms that are derived from the many different people who immigrated into the country throughout the 20th century and paved the path for a diverse and rich musical identity. 

Venezuela has exported many recognizable names, like Ricardo Montaner, who has been representing and leading the culture globally for many decades; duo Chino & Nacho, who helped open the door to a new generation of artists internationally; and Danny Ocean, whose hit “Me Rehúso” has more than a billion streams on Spotify.

Already, Venezuelan artists Tayko and Irepelusa have been featured in our RADAR Andinos program—and with Spotify’s launch in their home country, their opportunities to grow their fan bases expand even further.

For the sounds of Venezuela, check out: 

  • Made In Venezuela – Contemporary and catalog content from Venezuelan artists for the world
  • Flow Venezuela – Urban releases from frontline Venezuelan artists
  • Llano Adentro – Music from the Venezuelan and Colombian plains

Iraq, too, has a unique sound to share with the world. Iraqi music, also known as the Music of Mesopotamia, has historic roots in ancient traditions. However, it has also continued to evolve through the eras—from the creation of the oldest guitar in the world and the invention of the lute, to the addition of a fifth string to the rhythms and the various Iraqi maqams. Iraqi music includes contemporary music styles such as pop, rock, soul, and urban contemporary, and has proven to be an important part of the country’s culture.

Iraq has exported many recognizable names, including Kadim Al Sahir, who has been dubbed the Caesar of Arabic songs and Iraq’s ambassador to the world for many decades; Majid Al Mohandis, who was awarded the title of “the Engineer of the Arabic song” because of his success in the Arab world; and Saif Nabeel and Aseel Hameem, who brought a new generation onto the stage.

Get to know the hits of Iraq in أفضل الأغاني العراقية, find new Iraqi songs on عراقي جديد, or fall in love with Iraqi Romance songs. And start streaming some of the other musicians from the region, including Saif Amer, Rahma Riad, and Mahmoud Al Turky. 

We’re so excited for even more artists and fans to now be able to connect—no matter where they’re listening from.

Spotify Is Now Available for More Users and Creators Across the Caribbean

September 29, 2021

Earlier this year, Spotify became available in more than 80 markets around the world, with several in the Caribbean. Today, we’re excited to share that Spotify is now available to even more users and creators in the Caribbean, including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Aruba, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, Saba, and Saint Maarten.

By expanding listening around the world, Spotify can connect more fans with their favorite artists and help them discover new ones, locally and globally. Launching in additional markets also gives local creators the opportunity to reach new audiences and access tools that enable them to gain more audience insights and propel their careers. 

Since February, Spotify has seen twice as many active creators coming from the Caribbean who are using the Spotify for Artists tools. This is a testament to the enthusiasm creators have in these markets and the desire for more resources and insights. We are excited to further enable this service in the region.

To accompany the launch, we are launching Zouk Station, a playlist featuring and honoring some of the greatest talents within the genre coming out of the Caribbean region. Get to know them by streaming the playlist below.

From Afropop to Amapiano, Uncover African Music’s Rise in the Latest Episode of ‘Spotify: For the Record’

April 8, 2021

Africa is one of the fastest-growing music markets in the world, which comes as no surprise when you consider the region’s wealth of new genres and sounds. Earlier this year, we announced the expansion of Spotify into more than 80 new international markets, including 39 markets across sub-Saharan Africa. 

So in the latest episode of our podcast Spotify: For the Record, we focus our sights on the immense talent from the region. From Pretoria to Nairobi, we explore the distinctive beats that are coming out of these cities and taking the world by storm. Here’s what you can expect in this week’s episode:

  • Burna Boy, who recently won a Grammy award for Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall, talks about the talent coming out of Africa.
  • Afrobeat superstar DaVido joins the podcast to discuss the diverse musical styles of Nigeria, and what it’s like to collaborate with top U.S. artists like Nicki Manaj.
  • Spotify RADAR artist Focalistic dives into the infectious sound of Amapiano, the uniquely South African take on house music.
  • Kenyan phenomenon Blinky Bill highlights the eclectic musical spirit of Nairobi.
  • Singer-songwriter and Spotify RADAR artist Tems gives us a taste of “alté” (a term for alternative Nigeria beats) with her soulful and spiritual rhythms.

Throughout the episode, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, shares insight regarding the rhythms of the region. She also walks us through some of the data we’ve seen since expanding to more countries across the continent. On the podcast, hear which artists are taking the top spots in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.

Listen to “Afropop to Amapiano: African Music Ignites.”

Spotify Is Now Available in Russia, Croatia, Ukraine, and 10 Other European Markets

July 14, 2020

Today, Spotify launched in 13 new markets across Europe, bringing the total number of markets to 92. Now, listeners in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Ukraine can enjoy a listening experience that includes 50 million tracks, 4 billion playlists, and localized music personalization features.

Our expansion in Europe comes as consumers in the region embrace streaming. Russia in particular is one of the world’s top 20 largest streaming markets—and this launch opens the door for nearly 250 million fans to start discovering new music from their countries and around the world. Newcomers from these 13 markets will join Spotify’s existing 286 million listeners and 130 million Premium subscribers, so it’s also a huge moment for artists who will be able to engage with more fans than ever in an increasingly connected world.

Mabrook! Spotify is Deepening Our Commitment to Arab Culture Around the Globe

November 14, 2018

From Arabic classical and pop to gritty folk, funk, and hip-hop sounds, Arabic music is alive, poetic, energetic, and complex. This is why we are excited to announce that today, Spotify is launching in 13 new markets across the Middle East and North Africa—and making these unique sounds available to music lovers around the Arab world and beyond.

The Arab region is richly diverse, with varied musical styles and genres. Now, all users in the Middle East and North Africa will have access to Spotify’s entire catalogue of over 40 million tracks and billions of playlists, including a library of brand new, fully curated playlists available exclusively for listeners in the MENA region. From Today’s Top Arabic Hits (أفضل الاغاني العربية)—the finest and freshest hits from the Arabic world—to Feel Good Arabic Hits (احساس جديد) and dance-floor favorites on Arabic EDM (بالعربي) music fans in MENA can enjoy artists, albums, and songs across every genre for every mood and moment, all in a fully localized Arabic Spotify service with right-to-left text alignment.

The 13 new market launches increase Spotify’s total footprint to 78 total markets globally.

“I am super excited to share with you that, from today, Spotify is now available across the Middle East and North Africa,” says Cecila Qvist, Spotify’s Global Head of Markets. “Spotify is launching in MENA with a full Arabic service, dozens of locally curated playlists for every mood and moment, and access to a full catalog of millions of songs, for both our free and premium users. Music fans will also enjoy Spotify’s personalized music recommendations from day one, which will help them easily enjoy, discover, and share new music from local and international artists.”

Of course, there are many millions of lovers of Arab music living outside the MENA region. So, in addition to these 13 new markets, we are also launching a globally accessible Arab hub as part of our Global Cultures initiative, which will connect the music and culture of the Middle East with listeners everywhere.

“As an artist who lived in the Middle East for 30 years, toured the world as a musician and now lives in the U.S., I’ve experienced the differences and similarities between Arabs around the world—and how close they are, even if they’re from different places,” says Suhel Nafar, Spotify’s Senior Arab Music & Culture Editor. “The Arab hub provides the unique platform that brings the full spectrum of Arab culture and creativity, past and present. Celebrating the different dialects, styles, flavors, and sounds.”

Listeners worldwide can explore the Arab hub to find playlists such as Yalla Araby (“Let’s go Arabic”—hits from the Middle East and North Africa); Women Wa Bas (Arab female artists); ’90s Arabic Hits (big at Arab wedding parties); and Arab Indie (emerging Arabic tracks and artists). More playlists highlight essential hits from various regions and cultures, like Egyptian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Moroccan, and Syrian.

“I wanted to focus on moods and moments that are important in Arab culture and history. Stargazer is dedicated to the Arabs who originally influenced astronomy. Many people don’t know that many stars have Arabic names. ‘Altair,’ shortened from ‘Nisr Al-Tair,’ means ‘the flying eagle’ in Arabic. People can sit back and relax to the instrumental playlist, which features various genres of classical music and maqamat (traditional melodies), and enjoy a piece of our culture.”

The Arab hub provides the unique platform that brings the full spectrum of Arab culture and creativity, past and present. Celebrating the different dialects, styles, flavors, and sounds.

— Suhel Nafar, Spotify’s Senior Arab Music & Culture Editor

From the Arab hub, listeners can also navigate to Arab X, which features crossovers of songs by artists and producers from the Arab diaspora, whether Lebanese-Colombian artist Shakira or Moroccan-American rapper FrenchMontana. Newcomers to Arabic music should start with Yalla Araby or Mahraganat, also known as electro-shaabi. (“When you walk in New York past the halal carts, those are the songs they will be playing,” Suhel says.)

Music is at the core of communities around the globe. Though the instruments used, rhythms created, and topics explored may change, the desire to express ourselves remains universal. That’s why we’re so proud to bring these sounds and stories to music lovers around the Arab world and beyond.

Listen to Yalla Araby and the rest of the Arab hub on Spotify.