Tag: Omar Courtz

Your Summer 2026 Soundtrack? Spotify’s Predictions Are In

May 29, 2026

"Songs of Summer predictions" text appearing on a stylized postcard

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify’s global editors have been keeping a close eye on the musical landscape and are ready to unveil the songs they think could shape this year’s soundtrack.

“I think above everything, we all know that a song of the summer is about the vibes,” said Talia Kraines, Editorial Lead, Pop at Spotify. “It’s a song that makes you feel good, that you can listen to outside in the sunshine with your friends, and that has the ability to travel across genres, people, and countries.”

From hot new releases to chart-climbing anthems and surprise viral hits, our picks are made for beach days, road trips, rooftop parties, and everything in between.

And for the first time, we’re letting listeners predict the song they think will be the season’s biggest hit with in-app voting. Just tap “Vote” at the top of the Songs of Summer playlist, then share your pick on social media or via Spotify Messages.

Songs of Summer 2026 predictions

Dance music is a summer staple, but this year we’re seeing several party-ready tracks turning up the heat with a nostalgic twist. “New Religion” (Bebe Rexha and Faithless) and “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” (HUGEL and SOLTO) sample sounds from summers past, while “Talk To You” (ANOTR and 54 Ultra) and “DANCE…” (Slayyyter) channel disco, ’90s house, and early 2000s French electronica.

But the energy doesn’t stop there. Artists from Ghana to Colombia are keeping partygoers moving this season with internationally-inspired sounds. “Kakalika” by DopeNation fuses Ghanaian azonto with South African Amapiano, while “CHÉVERE” by ARIA VEGA and Ryan Castro brings Caribbean and Latin Afrobeats energy. 

Sadboy summer is also trending. Songs like “Freakin’ Out” by Dexter and The Moonrocks, “Babydoll” by Dominic Fike, and “Earrings” by Malcolm Todd are perfect for nights when you’re looking for something moodier.

And for storytelling in song, country is taking us places. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and STELLA LEFTY’s “Boston” are rooted in specific locations, evoking the warmth and reflection of long summer nights.

Without further ado, here are Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer predictions, listed in alphabetical order by artist first name. 

Whether it’s a pop powerhouse, an Afrobeats groove, or a dancefloor-ready hit, these songs all have one thing in common: the potential to define summer 2026.

Stay tuned! We’ve got more surprises coming all summer long. 

Casa Spotify: Puerto Rico Celebrates its Unique Sounds and Influential Legacy With Performances, Workshops, and More

June 12, 2023

Puerto Rico is famously known as La Cuna del Reggaetón (the Cradle of Reggaetón), and it’s still living up to its reputation as a Latin music giant today. In 2022 alone, listeners globally streamed nearly 13 billion hours of Latin music on Spotify, with five of the top 10 Latin music artists hailing from the influential island. And it’s this rich legacy of music and culture that has us excited to open up the doors of Casa Spotify: Puerto Rico. 

Located in the heart of San Juan, this music and creator residency will take place June 20-23 and will serve as a hub for the music industry. Artists, aspiring creatives, and industry professionals will have access to a range of educational sessions, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, industry networking opportunities, and showcases. We’ll also be curating a state-of-the-art interactive museum experience that dives into the history of reggaetón and how the influential island of Puerto Rico earned its nickname.

Showcasing Puerto Rico’s music scene

Casa Spotify will serve as the venue for numerous showcases featuring many of Puerto Rico’s best artists—emerging talents and legends alike. Open to the public, these performances will complement the week’s slate of panels, and they’re open to fans as well. Take a look at our showcase lineup:

  • El Nuevo Urbano: This showcase highlights some of Puerto Rico’s strongest emerging talent. Performers include Jovaan, vf7, and Hades66, with a special appearance by Arcángel. 
  • Mujeres en Música: RaiNao, Ana Macho, and Chesca will take the stage in celebration of women and LGBTQIA+ artists in music. 
  • Sonidos de la Isla: Following the discussion on the various sounds coming out of Puerto Rico, iLe and Luis Vazquez will headline this showcase with PJ Sin Suela.
  • Rompiendo Puerto Rico: Celebrating urban artists across the island, Brray, Omar Courtz, Dei V, and Hozwal will offer up some of PR’s hottest sounds.
  • Fan Experiences: Top Spotify fans of Chencho Corleone, Young Miko, and Arcángel will be guests of honor at our exclusive “Fans First” experiences throughout the week. 

To wrap up the week, there will also be a surprise performer at the closing party. (Hint: It’s one of Puerto Rico’s legendary and most influential artists.)

Experts as educators

Along with the showcases and fan experiences, our workshops, panel discussions, and masterclasses during Casa Spotify will be led by experts from every corner of the industry. Each day of the residency will feature different educational sessions and will cover a wide range of topics. Here’s a sneak peek: 

  • Written By Live: Chris Jedi & Gaby Music: Two of the most prolific producers in Latin music—Chris Jedi and Gaby Music—will be leading the Written By Live panel, where they will give the live audience a deep dive into the hit songs they helped create. Attendees will have the chance to hear early demos of those hits and also find out what it takes to enjoy success as a songwriter.
  • Mujeres en Música: This panel will celebrate the impact women in music have had on the industry as a whole. Rising artist paopao and featured performer Chesca will be sharing their journeys on how they’ve built their careers and brands as women in the industry while reflecting on the importance of allyship among creators. 
  • Sonidos de la Isla: Spotlighting the various sounds that are emerging from Puerto Rico, this panel will feature doctor-turned-rapper PJ Sin Suela and artists Luis Vazquez and iLe as the featured speakers. Attendees will learn how these artists found success by crafting a unique sound and will get their insights on the global resurgence of tropical music.

But that’s not all we have planned. We’ll also be tapping our own talent to lead masterclasses on ways managers and artists can take full advantage of Spotify for Artists, the fundamentals of writing and publishing music, and the best practices when crafting pitches for PR and media outreach. These classes are designed to give Puerto Rico’s new wave of rising artists the tools necessary to reach the next level in their musical careers.  

As a leading force in how Latin music is streamed worldwide, we’re committed to elevating Puerto Rican artists to the global stage. And with Casa Spotify: Puerto Rico, we aim to connect with Puerto Rican artists, managers, and labels; develop long-term relationships; and make sure artists have our support and resources at their disposal. 

Check out the latest Puerto Rican sounds taking the world by storm on our Casa Spotify: Puerto Rico hub.