Tag: New York

Celebrate Filipino Heritage Month With Our First-Ever ‘Jasmine Presents’ Artist Showcase

October 6, 2023

Artists of Asian descent are not just thriving globally, they’re making a massive impact on the overall musical landscape. So in 2017, we launched Jasmine, a genreless flagship playlist that highlights Asian and Pacific Islander music communities around the world. Fans turn to Jasmine to discover artists from the United States, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia like Raveena, keshi, Higher Brothers, Anik Khan, Saweetie, and CHUNG HA. 

This Filipino Heritage Month, we’re leveraging Jasmine in a whole new way to celebrate the cultural heritage of artists and listeners emerging from the Philippines by hosting Jasmine Presents: Filipino Heritage Month, presented by Spotify Stages. This is our first-ever Jasmine artist showcase, and October 20-27, eight artists of Filipino descent—Mndsgn with No_4mat; Ez Mil with MBNel; Lyn Lapid with Ashley Mehta; RINI; and P-Lo—will be headlining shows at the legendary New York City venue SOB’s. The showcase is open to the public, and fans who want to attend can purchase tickets for each individual show by following the links below.

Jasmine Presents:

Filipino Heritage Month

October 20: RINI

October 23: Ez Mil w/ MBNel

October 24: Lyn Lapid w/ Ashley Mehta

October 26: P-Lo

October 27: Mndsgn w/ No_4mat 

“We are thrilled to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month this year through the first Jasmine showcase,” said Ronny Ho, Spotify Head of Dance and Electronic Development. “October is a special month to celebrate one of the first groups of Asian immigrants to immigrate to the United States. The vibrant and diverse Filipino community is highlighted in the breadth of our playlist and this year’s showcase, with talents in hip-hop, pop, electronic, and more.”

Ahead of the showcase, For the Record spoke with some of the featured artists to learn more about what makes Filipino culture unique and how their heritage has shaped them as artists and people.

How is your Filipino heritage reflected in your music?

EZ MIL: I can say that I’m very proud of my Filipino heritage and it’s evident with my songs I sing in the languages of the Philippines, like “Panalo.” I also try to incorporate Filipino sounds and tribal instruments in my music.

No_4mat: I try to make my music as organically as possible, so inevitably my life experiences as a Filipino have shaped my taste and creative inspiration. I have a few tracks, like “Manilla” and “Sisig,” that more directly reference trips back home and feelings I get from eating my favorite foods, like sisig. But beyond those, I think a lot of the sounds and melodies I’m drawn to are pulled from my childhood and Filipino culture. 

Ashley Mehta: Growing up in a Filipino household, I was always surrounded by music. Karaoke was always nonstop at family parties, and the love we all have for singing would always shine through. When I write music today I try to capture that same energy that feels very community. I like creating feel-good music that you can use as a sense of release!

Can you share some of your biggest Filipino influences growing up?

Lyn Lapid: Filipino singers such as Jessica Sanchez and 4TH IMPACT were huge inspirations for me. I’d watch them audition on international talent shows with my mom, and that inspired me to start singing for fun. Alex Wassabi and Roi from Wassabi Productions inspired me to start making my own videos and posting them online even if I thought nobody would be watching.  

Mndsgn: Growing up, I remember my parents renting a lot of Filipino movies from a nearby family-owned Filipino bakery. I wish I could remember some of the titles, but a lot of those films were really dark and dramatic, and some of them kind of freaked me out. In retrospect, I feel like watching those movies immediately brought me close to a deeper sense of the unknown. And ironically, the unknown is now something that I constantly search for in music.

Ashley Mehta: My biggest Filipino influences music-wise definitely include P-Lo, Jeremy Passion, and H.E.R. They all have an incredible energy that I take influence from! Aside from music, I would say Manny Pacquiao. Growing up we’d always watch Pacquiao fights and come together rooting for our culture. The representation really showed me how important it is to embrace who we are. 

Are there any Filipino artists that you’re excited about right now?

MBNel: Ez Mil, ParisPlayedYou, JoeMari, and Yatta Bandz, just to name a few.

Mndsgn: Nathan Bajar is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn that I’ve been a fan of for quite some time now. His songwriting is always so fresh and tasteful. There’s something in his music that really retains an honesty to his roots. The LA band Xinxin has also been resonating with me lately. The lead vocalist, Janize Ablaza, is Pinay, and the way she floats on each song is effortless. No skips on their records!

If there was one aspect of Filipino culture you could share with the entire world, what would it be?

Mndsgn: One of the most essential aspects in Filipino culture is the communion through food.  We love eating and we know everyone else does too. It’s such a centerpiece in our heritage and it’s probably our favorite way to gather and connect.

MBNel: Having respect for elders and taking family serious. I didn’t really realize or appreciate the value of that until I got older.

Ez Mil: I would say hospitality, and specifically, our ability to make people feel welcome or feel “at home” regardless of their background or nationality. I believe the world could benefit from fostering a culture of inclusivity and warmth. It promotes the idea of being interconnected and it celebrates diversity.

Lyn Lapid: If there’s one aspect of Filipino culture I’d share with the world, it’d be the incredible music that so many Filipino artists make. When I visited the Philippines earlier this year, I was blessed to meet the insanely talented dia maté and Elise Huang, a couple of local Filipino artists who make music on a whole other level.

No_4mat: If there was one aspect I’d share, it would be the hospitality via food and our open-arms mentality. We want everyone to eat and have a seat at the same table, which is the attitude I try to bring to my own life.

Don’t forget to grab your tickets for the Jasmine Presents showcase here. And to get hyped for the showcase, you can discover the diverse sounds of the Asian diaspora on Jasmine. 

Spotify’s Soundtrack Behind The Runway Celebrates Fall Fashion Week With Inspiring Designers From New York, London, Milan, and Paris

September 7, 2023

It takes more than a little confidence to strut down a runway. It also requires the right beat to punctuate the walk and accentuate the mood. The music that accompanies the fashion helps evoke the vibe of a collection and the spirit of a designer. And music has a role long before the show, often providing inspiration during the creative process of designing. Fashion and music go hand in hand, and on Spotify, there are more than 630,000 fashion-inspired playlists created by listeners. So, as fashion month kicks off around the world, Spotify is celebrating the innovators leading the way and the music that inspires them with our new destination, The Soundtrack Behind The Runway.

The Spotify destination features takeovers of some of our top fashion and culture playlists. Across New York, London, Milan, and Paris, designers including Advisry’s Keith Herron, Luar’s Raul Lopez, MAINS London’s Skepta, Etro’s Marco De Vincenzo, GCDS’s Giuliano Calza, and Rabanne’s Julien Dossena will curate the tracks for popular playlists like Fashion Forward and Runway. Follow us around the world to learn about Spotify’s special playlist takeovers and hear from the designers and creative directors themselves.

 

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

August 10, 2023

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

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

But it goes further than that . . . 

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

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

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

Quase um quarto de todos os streams no Spotify são para o Hip Hop. Os editores globais do Spotify refletem sobre o crescimento do gênero

August 10, 2023

Quando o Hip Hop completa 50 anos, fãs de todo o mundo comemoram suas bodas de ouro. Para um gênero que teve um começo inesperado em um parque do Bronx, este marco é uma prova do enorme impacto e influência que o Hip Hop teve em praticamente todos os cantos do globo.

E hoje no Spotify, o Hip Hop está mais forte do que nunca, com artistas e fãs de todo o mundo se descobrindo e se conectando. Em 2023, quase um quarto de todas os streams no Spotify globalmente foram para músicas de Hip Hop, lideradas por artistas como Drake, Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Ice Spice e Metro Boomin.

Mas, vai além disso… 

  • O Hip Hop é o segundo gênero mais popular globalmente no Spotify, e mais de 400 milhões de usuários em todo o mundo escutaram música Hip Hop em 2023 até agora.
  • RapCaviar é a segunda playlist com maior número de seguidores no Spotify. 
  • Em todo o mundo, existem mais de 53 milhões de playlists editoriais e geradas por usuários no Spotify que mencionam Hip Hop ou Rap no título, e mais de 2 bilhões de playlists que contêm pelo menos uma música de Hip Hop.
  • Nos últimos três anos, quase metade dos 50 artistas mais escutados no Spotify em todo o mundo são artistas de Hip Hop ou Rap.

Um dos aspectos mais distintos da cultura Hip Hop é sua regionalidade, com sons únicos vindos de cenas locais dos Estados Unidos, como Nova York, Atlanta, Los Angeles e Miami, ajudando um dos gêneros mais dinâmicos do mundo a florescer.

É por isso que celebramos essas regiões icônicas com uma série de murais originais criados por Raj Dhunna.

Toast Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary With Our Special Playlist Hub, Murals, Animated Shorts, and More

August 3, 2023

Fifty years ago, hip-hop was born in the Bronx. And today, it continues to influence music and culture on a global scale. To celebrate this massive milestone over the next month, we’re creating murals in some of hip-hop’s biggest capitals, giving fans a personalized hip-hop listening experience with our DJ, and releasing a series of animated shorts. But to kick off the festivities, we’re launching the Hip-Hop Turns 50 hub.

Highlighting the contributions of hip-hop’s greats, this special destination will live on-platform over the next month and house more than 40 global playlists that reflect the various eras, regions, and trends that have shaped the genre over the last half-century. This includes many of our top data-driven and editorially curated playlists, as well as dedicated shelves for the 50 most-streamed rappers and hip-hop albums on Spotify. 

“We wanted to acknowledge the anniversary in more than one way. Three months ago, we kicked off conversations on social media with our Top 50 Hip-Hop lists and are now showcasing how hip-hop’s and Spotify’s history intersects,” said Carl Chery, Creative Director, Head of Urban Music, Spotify. “Throughout August, we’re paying homage to some of the artists that paved the way in their own cities with murals and billboards, creating an animated shorts series narrated by artists, and built out a destination on platform that features a variety of playlists from around the world. Stay tuned for more—here’s to the next 50″

Fans can dive into the best hip-hop songs of each decade with special curations for the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s, as well as the ’20s, where listeners can tune in to RapCaviar, our flagship hip-hop playlist, to find the best of hip-hop today. As part of the global hip-hop shelf—which features playlists like Spotify Italy’s Plus Ultra, Spotify India’s Rap 91, Spotify Korea’s KrOWN, Spotify U.K.’s Who We Be, the Spotify Middle East’s Arab Hip-Hop, and Spotify Philippines’ Kayle Hip-Hop—we’re showcasing the hottest, freshest, and most diverse hip-hop sounds being created around the world.

We’re also revisiting some of our editors’ top picks through our 50 years of hip-hop shelf, which features episodes from podcasts like the New York Times’s Popcast and Fab 5 Freddy’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop, as well as Spotify Originals like The RapCaviar Podcast, Dissect, The Ringer Music Show, and Nas and Miss Info’s The Bridge. 

You can check out more of For the Record’s hip-hop content from over the years by visiting our special Hip-Hop Turns 50 hub. 

Spotify celebrates in hip-hop’s biggest meccas

To honor some of hip-hop’s biggest game changers, Spotify is collaborating with illustrator and image-maker Raj Dhunna to design large-scale murals and billboards. These pieces will put a spotlight on artists in their respective hometowns and depict the ways rap’s most influential sounds spread from region to region. 

In New York, Spotify will unveil a mural acknowledging the history of drill as it grew from its origins in Chicago with legends like Chief Keef, and expanded into London and Brooklyn with artists like 808 Melo and Pop Smoke. A second mural will spotlight the impact of women in hip-hop and feature icons like Lil’ Kim and Cardi B. 

In Atlanta, Raj will create a mural that celebrates the evolution of trap music, which was pioneered by Atlanta’s own T.I. and cultivated into a global phenomenon by artists like New York’s Arcángel.

Raj’s designs will also appear on billboards in Miami and Los Angeles. The L.A. billboard will feature Dr. Dre and Mustard, two of the city’s musical titans, with a tagline that reads “Long live the West Coast sound. Hip-hop is everywhere.” The Miami billboard, meanwhile, will pay tribute to the provocative sounds of the region’s most influential women rap acts.

Spotify will also commemorate hip-hop’s growth in Mexico and pay homage to its current and foundational artists with a mural that features over 15 Mexican hip-hop artists, including Akwid, Cartel de Santa, Santa Fe Klan, and Gera Mx.

The party continues

In addition to the on-platform destinations and custom murals, our AI-powered DJ will provide expert hip-hop commentary all month long on Spotify, supplying aficionados with cultural context about musical legends and retracing how hip-hop has grown through history.

To close out the month, Spotify will debut editorially curated animated shorts that underscore hip-hop’s influence in over nine countries, featuring narrations from artists. 

Our celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary will let fans discover and connect with artists of the past, present, and future. But this is only the start. Stay tuned for updates throughout the month as we commemorate one of the most beloved genres in the world. 

Hit play on our flagship RapCaviar playlist and discover the artists who are making their mark in hip-hop’s history books. 

Spotify Brings ‘Robert Presents a Listening Stand-up Show – Akiyama Dai-ichi Building’ to Japanese Comedy Lovers

October 12, 2020

This year, we found that Spotify listeners around the world are tuning in to comedy podcasts more than any other genre—making it the top-ranking global podcast category in 2020 to date. Now, Spotify’s newest Original podcast in Japan will be filled with laughs as well. Starting October 12, listeners can find Japan’s popular comedy trio Robert in a new weekly series, Robert Presents a Listening Stand-up Show – Akiyama Dai-ichi Building, a Spotify Original Podcast.

In the scripted stand-up comedy show, the trio (Ryūji Akiyama, Hiroshi Yamamoto, and Hiroyuki Baba), play janitors who share hilarious fictional conversations with the people who live in their building. Other characters will be played by a rotating cast of up-and-coming guest star comedians and talents like Shisonnu, New York, and Rice.

The podcast will be the first original comedy show for Spotify in Japan, presented in partnership with leading local entertainment company Yoshimoto. Robert Presents a Listening Stand-up Show – Akiyama Dai-ichi Building will satisfy listeners looking for the best in stand-up comedy and make fans laugh through an easily accessible, free audio medium. Most of all, the show sets the stage for the next generation of comedians yet to be discovered in Japan.

Stream the first episode of Robert Presents a Listening Stand-up Show – Akiyama Dai-ichi Building below.

Spotify’s NYC-Focused Content Hub Gives the Concrete Jungle Its Spotlight

May 14, 2020

New York, New York: The city that never sleeps is a city that listens to Spotify a lot. Now, New Yorkers can access music and podcasts tailored for them 24/7—all in one convenient hub on Spotify. Named Listen Local: New York, this new hub includes music that celebrates New York’s unique culture and podcasts that give residents the information they seek.

From CBGB to Lincoln Center to Broadway, New York City’s long-standing relationship with music is like no other. Curated playlists on the hub will share songs recorded in iconic venues and by iconic New Yorkers. The hub will bring the city’s diverse music history to life, allowing users to explore the sounds of the Metropolitan Opera one minute and recordings from the Apollo Theater the next. 

If there’s one thing that’s true of New Yorkers, it’s their city pride and—more specifically—borough love. This hub includes playlists for each of the five boroughs based on the distinct listening habits of the Spotify users living there. But it’s also available globally, so whether you’re based in New Jersey or New Zealand, you can experience the same music that’s trending in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens.

Inside the Divine World of Spotify’s Ariana Grande ‘Sweetener The Experience’

September 29, 2018

Ariana Grande’s album, Sweetener, presents a dream world of ethereal emotions, sights, and sounds—and Arianators everywhere have clamored to step inside. This weekend, Spotify is making that happen by bringing Sweetener to life.

Today, September 28, Ariana’s interactive Sweetener The Experience activation launches on New York’s Lower East Side. The experience will open to the public for two days on Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30. Inside, each Sweetener track is translated into a colorful, multi-sensory moment for fans to experience room by room.

Follow along through our virtual tour of Ariana’s world.

raindrops

“raindrops” introduces the cool, captivating vibe of Ariana’s latest release. To reflect its soft, melancholy feel, the room features a floating altar where you can meditate beneath an illuminating cascade of angel tears.

the light is coming

Nicki Minaj joins Ariana on “the light is coming,” so in honor of two inspiring queens, the twinkling room is illuminated by warm pink light. As Ariana sings, “The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole.”

R.E.M.

The palette turns muted and dreamy for “R.E.M.,” matching Sweetener’s soft, nude-toned cover art. Feel free to get comfortable in the massive “cloud squish zone,” and even bask in the lush scent of Ariana’s new fragrance, Cloud.

successful

Kevin Mazur/Getty

On “successful,” Ariana celebrates the triumphs of women everywhere. To capture this self-empowerment vibe, the space is surrounded with mirrors featuring inspirational messages and affirmations like “boss” and “you are beautiful.” You can even write your own uplifting messages to other Arianators.

blazed

Kevin Mazur/Getty

On the Pharrell-featuring “blazed,” Ariana sings, “The universe is so vast to me.” In this room, you can travel to space via glittering stars and a 360-degree night sky with galactic projections.

get well soon

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Celebrate the special connection between Ariana and her fans with a room full of telephones. Pick up any phone to hear an inspiring message of wisdom and advice.

God is a woman

Kevin Mazur/Getty

An iconic track deserves an equally awe-inspiring experience. To mimic Ariana’s “God is a woman” music video, the room evokes a painterly quality with warped mirrors and surreal, space-like walls.

sweetener

The album’s title track is light and uplifting, so the “sweetener” room is all effervescent, pastel eye candy. There’s even a mirrored pond in the middle of the room, perfect for reflecting on just what makes life so sweet.

no tears left to cry

Kevin Mazur/Getty

“no tears left to cry” will turn your world upside down—literally. Ariana’s bold, feel-good dance anthem is celebrated with a fully furnished, upside-down room.

breathin

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Ariana is known to open up to fans about her personal struggles, so the “breathin” room is built upon the mantra of “Just keep breathin.” With soft, wispy fabrics and calming, neutral tones, the space is a welcome retreat.

better off

Kevin Mazur/Getty

“better off,” a slow, melancholy ballad, is an intimate reflection on being alone. Therefore, this room offers a spot for a much-needed moment of solitude among the crowds.

everytime

The “everytime” room features delicious mocktails and snacks for when you need a quick recharge.

pete davidson

Kevin Mazur/Getty

As any fan knows, Ariana is head over heels for her fiancé Pete Davidson. To honor love in all forms, you can choose a love lock—inspired by Paris’ Pont des Arts bridge and Boston’s St Botolph’s bridge—to dedicate to a loved one in the “pete davidson” room.

borderline

Kevin Mazur/Getty

“borderline,” about the early stages of love, finds Ariana (and guest star Missy Elliott) playing hard to get. “Just meet me at the borderline,” Ariana sings. The room is a graphic, linear space with interactive features, swings, and a place for fans to meet in the middle, as the song suggests.

goodnight n go

Before fans exit the experience, the “goodnight n go” room offers a chance to bid Ariana farewell. Inside, you’ll find a guest book for writing sweet messages to Ariana (she’ll read them at the end of the exhibit).

Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener The Experience” will be located at 138 Bowery in New York City. As soon as the exhibit was announced, our RSVP list was filled in a matter of minutes by Arianators. However, the experience will be available all weekend (September 29 & 30) through a walk up line. You can also check @Spotify’s Instagram stories this weekend as more tickets may become available.