Tag: playlist

Ready for Some Spring Cleaning? Spotify Has the Tips—and Playlists—for That

April 6, 2022

Maybe it’s the extra hour of daylight that has people searching “spring cleaning checklist” in droves. Or perhaps it’s the hint of warmer weather on the horizon. Whatever it is, spring is officially upon us, and this boost of energy has people looking for the right soundtrack for cleaning out that closet. Throughout the month of March, there’s been a 139% surge in streams of “spring cleaning” playlists on Spotify, and streams of our popular Cleaning Music playlist have jumped by 126% globally. 

Got spring cleaning of your own to do? Whether you’re looking to organize your physical space or your digital collection, Spotify has the tips to keep you motivated. 

Leave these in the “keep” pile

The top genres added to “spring cleaning” playlists in March were pop, dance pop, rock, and electropop. This makes sense, considering that 64% of respondents in a Spotify survey from 2021 said they prefer to listen to fast-BPM, high-energy music when doing housework. 

Some of the most popular songs added to “spring” playlists on Spotify include “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, “Golden” by Harry Styles, and “New Light” by John Mayer. 

Others that people have added to their “cleaning” playlists (and that we can imagine bopping along to while scrubbing that hard-to-reach area under the kitchen sink) include “My House” by Flo Rida and “No Scrubs” by TLC. 

Clean out your digital closet 

Organizing your physical space is important, but your digital space may also need some TLC. To help with that, we put together some tips for bringing order to your Spotify library. 

  • Organize Your Playlists: We know summer ’08 was a great time for new music, but you might not be playing those jams as often anymore. If you want to store your playlist away for safekeeping, you can add it to a dedicated folder. Simply right-click your playlist on your desktop or web player, select “Create Folder,” give it a name, and voila—your old playlists have a new home. 
  • Navigate Your Library: If you’re having a hard time sorting through all your saved tracks, the “Your Library” tab on mobile has you covered. Just tap the search icon to look for a particular song or artist, or sort your music by using the “Recently Played,” “Recently Added,” “Alphabetical,” or “Creator” filters.  
  • Keep Your Content Fresh: That playlist you made last year during spring break? It might need an update. If you have Spotify Premium, just tap the Enhance button at the top of your playlist to let Spotify suggest personalized song additions that match the vibe you’re going for.
  • Personalize Your Playlist Art: Take your playlist game to the next level with custom cover art. On your Spotify mobile app, tap the three-dot icon next to the play button and select “Edit” to upload a new image. If you’re using web or desktop, simply open the playlist and click the existing cover image to change it out for something new. 

Ready to get back to work? Start streaming one of our spring cleaning playlists on Spotify to get you in the groove. 

 

*Global data pulled from March 1-24, 2022 as compared to February 1-24, based on English spellings of “spring” and “cleaning”

Discover and Listen to Music With Even More Friends and Family—Plus Some of Your Favorite Artists—With Spotify’s Newest Blend Update

March 30, 2022

Music has been bringing people together for generations, from concert halls to car rides to online communities. Last year, Spotify took group listening a step further and launched Blend, a shared playlist that combines the best of Spotify’s personalization capabilities and collaborative playlist functionality into a single shared playlist, making it easy for users to get into a listening session that is made just for them. 

And as of today, Spotify is expanding Blend’s reach with two new updates: The first allows you to Blend with up to 10 people in a group—whether it’s your running club, favorite coworkers, group chat, book club, or chosen family. And the second gives you the chance to Blend with some of your favorite artists. 

Two’s a party (and so is 10)

Now that you can Blend with up to 10 friends or family members, you’ll be able to listen to a personalized playlist with your entire group chat. 

To blend with a group, just follow a few easy steps: 

  • Create + Invite: Just search “Blend” within the “Search” tab on Spotify. Then, tap “Invite” to select people to Blend with. 
  • Blend: Once your friend has accepted the invite, Spotify will generate your shared Blend playlist, which will include songs and recommendations that reflect everyone’s music preferences and tastes. You’ll even be able to see which songs were added for which friend. 
  • Listen + Share: After everyone has joined the collaborative playlist, you and your friends will receive a custom share card that you can use to spread the word on social media.

Have you ever been curious about your favorite artist’s creative influences? Now, you can find out—and see how yours compare—when you make a Blend with one of 20 music artists that merges tastes into one shared playlist made just for you. 

Spotify Kicks Off International Women’s Day With Love Letters, Playlists From Gender Equity Advocacy Organizations, and New Music Created Exclusively by Women

March 8, 2022

Today, Spotify is celebrating International Women’s Day by sharing the music and stories of women creators, artists, activists, and nonprofits around the world. The music, lyrics, and voices coming from women in the industry and beyond are complex and vibrant—something we’re amplifying for our listeners this month through the creation of platform initiatives, release of new music created entirely by women, and off-platform support of nonprofits. 

New playlists and a refreshed EQUAL hub

Spotify is starting off International Women’s Day With Love, a podcast playlist series created in partnership with social impact agency Invisible Hand with production support by Pod People. With Love celebrates and honors 24 women who share “love letters” to their past selves or to a key supporter who changed their lives during a pivotal moment in time. There will be three playlists: one for Artists, one for Storytellers, and one for Changemakers. Artists like Fefe Dobson and Pyra, songwriters like Jennifer Decilveo and Kuinvi, creators like Munroe Bergdorf and Rintik Sedu, and activists like Dominique Morgan and Lauren Wasser all share their stories in the collection playlists. These personal anecdotes of wisdom, gratitude, and compassion spotlight the vast landscape of what it means to be a woman and the outsized impact that women have in the world.

Spotify is also highlighting five global nonprofits focused on gender equity by amplifying each nonprofit’s own curated playlist themed around the voices of the communities they serve. Organizations include:

In addition to spotlighting these organizations on the platform, Spotify will be giving donations to each of them to support their critical work.

The With Love and nonprofit playlists will all live on the EQUAL Global Hub, which continues to be a one-stop destination for listeners who want to discover music from emerging women artists. 

This month, the hub is getting a new look and feel and will be available in new markets, including those in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. It will also include an EQUAL Arabia playlist from MENA and EQUAL Pakistan. Both are the latest markets to join EQUAL.

EQUAL x Spotify Singles

In addition to these playlists, listeners can find brand-new music on the EQUAL Global Hub. EQUAL and Spotify Singles, two of Spotify’s innovative music programs, are uniting to bring listeners recordings from an incredible slate of emerging women artists.

EQUAL fosters equity for women in the music and audio space and has helped highlight the careers of women around the world. Spotify Singles, which launched in 2017, gives artists an opportunity to record new versions of their own songs, songs of artists they love, or an original song. Since its launch almost six years ago, tracks from the program have collectively hit over 5 billion streams.

For International Women’s Day, the two programs collaborated to produce three songs created exclusively by women—from the production to the recording to the engineering. 

Ethel Cain, whose music reflects on her upbringing as a backwoods churchgoer in the deep South and who is Spotify’s first-ever transgender EQUAL ambassador, took this moment to cover Britney Spears’s 2003 hit “Everytime.” Produced by Ethel and recorded in Los Angeles, the harmonica-backed cover of the iconic ballad with its haunting, acoustic guitar  puts her wide-ranging, layered vocals at the forefront. 

“I’ve always loved this song and immediately knew I could take Britney’s melodies and make something super dreamy with it,” shared Ethel. “I usually record alone at home, so working in the Spotify studio with all the synths and old vintage gear was a really special and fun experience. I think Britney wrote a very lovely song, and it was an honor to put my spin on it.”

Mexican composer, singer, songwriter, and producer Bruses took to the studio in Monterrey, Mexico, with producer Daniela Mendez to record her own unique spin on Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.” Known for her Latin-inspired indie-pop sound, Bruses brings girl power front and center in this single. 

“For me, the most important thing with this song as a fan was to respect the original essence. It’s one of those hits that last a lifetime; it’s a classic,” explained Bruses. “In this version we add a bit of rock and punk, especially in the chorus. I always imagined that part a little heavier, so we added some electric guitars, and it was from the little we recorded; the rest is sampled. It is very much directed towards electronic music or pop.”

South Korea’s SUNMI gives fans an all-new original track, titled “Oh Sorry Ya.” Created in collaboration with the Los Angeles-based songwriting duo, LYRE, the song kicks off with a swell of new-wave synths in a shadowy minor key before building to bubblegum pop perfection with a huge, infectious chorus that still has hints of darkness beneath. 

“It was a huge honor being part of Spotify’s EQUAL project, and I really hope that fans and listeners worldwide enjoy, get inspired, by this track,” said SUNMI. “Team LYRE and I have put a lot of thought into producing this multidimensional track together. It’s truly ‘created by women’ and hopefully loved by everyone.”

If you want to hear more from SUNMI, check out Spotify’s Mic Check episode, where the K-Pop artist shares more about her new single and opens up to us about the family tragedy that brought her to the music industry. 

EQUAL Collective brings off-platform support

Last year, Spotify launched the EQUAL Collective, bringing together a group of nonprofit organizations from around the world that are focused on furthering gender equity in music. These 14 organizations were given an opportunity to collaborate together on new ideas to help reach more women creators and further their work.

This year, for International Women’s Day, Spotify is excited to announce that we are awarding two teams, composed of four organizations, a grant of $50,000 in order to bring the following concepts to life:

  • Femme Africa and P_ssy Party are helping solve for representation of women creators in Africa by developing a curriculum and online directory to connect creators within the industry.
  • MEWEM (France) and MIM (Spain) partnered together to develop the MEWEM Golden Ticket, a concept that will award eight women entrepreneurs from across Europe free access to international professional festivals to pitch their own projects and new ideas, develop their businesses, and meet future partners within a high-level network.

Year-round, Spotify aims to celebrate the incredible impact that women have on the world. This month, we are excited to bring front and center for listeners new music and new playlists from women.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by listening to songs entirely written, produced, and performed by female songwriters on Spotify’s Created by Women playlist below.

Spotify Celebrates K-Pop With a Relaunch of Its Flagship Playlist, Now Called ‘K-Pop ON! (온)’

March 2, 2022

It’s been one year since Spotify debuted in South Korea and almost eight years since the launch of our flagship playlist, K-Pop Daebak. Since its unveiling in 2014, the playlist has racked up billions of streams for Korean artists and has expanded their reach around the world. As K-Pop continues to dominate the charts, Spotify is building on this momentum with a complete relaunch of its K-Pop Daebak playlist, now called K-Pop ON! (온). 

K-Pop is more than a music genre—it’s a cultural hub for fandoms, superstars, fashion moments, and more. With K-Pop ON! (온), Spotify is creating a destination that gives fans and artists even stronger ways to connect with each other. That’s the reason for the new playlist name and the addition of the Korean word “온,” which means “100” or “whole.” When combined with the English word “on,” the playlist’s name embodies the idea that K-Pop is always on 100 for the whole world. And that couldn’t be more true; every day, K-Pop brings new songs, styles, and trends to the world. With K-Pop On! (온), fans aren’t just tuning in to a playlist, they’re immersing themselves in a worldwide phenomenon. 

Since 2018, K-Pop streams on Spotify have increased by 107% in the United States and 230% globally, resulting in almost 8 billion streams per month around the world. The love of the genre is truly global, with the U.S., Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Malaysia, Canada, Singapore, and the U.K. rounding out the list of the top countries that stream K-Pop. The music has taken over the Spotify platform. In fact, in the last 90 days, there have been over 4.7 million searches for the term “K-Pop” on Spotify. 

These searches include a wide array of artists and songs, ranging from big hits by top stars to deep cuts from emerging artists. Since the playlist’s original launch in 2014, BLACKPINK and BTS have been the most-streamed artists, while the most-streamed songs have been “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK, “FANCY” by TWICE, “DALLA DALLA” by ITZY, “Kill This Love” by BLACKPINK, and “SOLO” by JENNIE (from BLACKPINK). 

 

 

Spotify couldn’t launch K-Pop ON! (온) without help from a few fan-favorite artists, so it’s rolling out star-studded billboards around the world to celebrate. Fans will find larger-than-life images of NMIXX in LA; BTS, aespa, and NMIXX in NYC; ATEEZ, Red Velvet, NCT DREAM, and more in South Korea; aespa, SEVENTEEN, BLACKPINK, and more in Indonesia; BTS, NMIXX, and IVE in Japan; and BTS, TWICE, and ENHYPEN in Toronto—with more exciting content to come, across the platform and on Spotify’s own channels. 

Want to join the millions of fans around the world singing and dancing along to K-Pop? Stream our newly minted K-Pop On! (온) playlist here.

Get Even More ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Bridgerton,’ and ‘Money Heist’ With Our New Netflix Collaboration and Dedicated Hub

November 23, 2021

Today’s trending shows and movies aren’t just inspiring fandoms, they’re also fueling internet-wide obsessions. So much so that within two weeks of Squid Game’s debut on Netflix, Spotify listeners had created more than 22,500 unique themed playlists to keep the experience going. It’s clear that after the credits roll, viewers are left wanting even more—and they come to Spotify to hear it.

So starting today, the two streaming companies are coming together to launch an all-new Netflix Hub on Spotify where fans can get the full audio-streaming experience from the entertainment they love.

On the hub, Free and Premium listeners in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Ireland, and India can access official soundtracks, playlists, and podcasts, along with exclusive Spotify content. By simply searching “Netflix” on Spotify, you can find and sing along to the music behind some of your favorite Netflix shows—all in one place.

Within the hub, fans will have easy access to official playlists for buzzy TV hits like La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), Bridgerton, and On My Block, as well as the official soundtrack for shows like Squid Game, Bruised, and Cowboy Bebop. Creators are also here to explore the shows and movies you can’t stop talking about on Netflix-related podcasts like Okay, Now Listen, Netflix Is A Daily Joke, 10/10 (Would Recommend), and The Crown: The Official Podcast. 

To kick off this next chapter in the golden age of audio streaming, we’re unveiling an enhanced album experience for Netflix’s new action-packed Western film, The Harder They Fall. Film buffs and music enthusiasts alike will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the movie’s soundtrack, led by Jay-Z, and the album’s exclusive audio liners from featured artists like Kid Cudi, Koffee, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Listeners can access these unique Spotify features through Canvas, Storylines, and playlist Clips.

And the collaboration doesn’t stop there. In honor of the second part of the final season of La Casa De Papel (Money Heist), Spotify has refreshed the La Casa De Papel destination. There, you’ll find new videos from the cast and the show’s official playlist featuring tracks from the latest episodes. Dedicated fans can also take their connection with the show a step further with a quiz sure to steal your heart. Take the Character Match Playlist quiz to find out your perfect La Banda character and soundtrack match.

Get to know your favorite Netflix hits on a whole other level—visit Spotify’s newest hub now. And just like on Netflix, the hub will update with new audio adventures, so be sure to check back often.

*Update May 27, 2022: Users in Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Norway, and Sweden can now enjoy a localized Netflix Hub filled with official soundtracks, playlists, and exclusive Spotify content. Listeners in Japan, Germany, and Mexico will enjoy the same great content, plus podcasts.

 

KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky Join to Help Refresh Spotify’s Flagship Latin Music Playlist, Viva Latino

November 16, 2021

From high-energy reggaetón to soulful pop, today’s Latin music is diverse, catchy, and impossible to pin down. Its beats and sounds pull from influences across the globe as Latinx creators continue to push the genre to new heights. And it resonates with Spotify listeners, who, in 2020 alone, streamed nearly 11 billion hours of Latin music worldwide. 

Capturing and amplifying the vibrant scene is Spotify’s flagship Latin music playlist, Viva Latino. Since its launch in 2014, the playlist has been a staple that houses the genre’s most exciting new tracks. As a result, over the last seven years, the catchy collection has grown to 11.3 million followers, making it the third-most-followed playlist on Spotify globally and the biggest Latin music playlist on the platform. The playlist’s rise mirrored a platform-wide trend: Latin music consumption grew by 1,680% during the same period.

Spotify is celebrating the evolution and impactful playlist—and the many artists and fans who have grown alongside it—throughout November. We kicked off a playlist campaign featuring a refreshed tagline, Elevando Nuestra Música, or “Elevating Our Music,” alongside an updated look. Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City residents will notice the playlist highlighted across each city, and listeners around the world will find even more videos and updates online. That includes a campaign video featuring three of Latin music’s biggest stars: artists KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky, who joined forces to show Viva Latino’s accompanying role in everything from commuting to working out. Spotify also partnered with Latinx TikTok content creators Sofia Bella, Alexia Del Valle, and Jayla Milan, who shared their unique perspectives on what the playlist, the artists, and the songs mean to them.

Viva Latino was created around the wants and needs of Latin music fans who, based on Spotify data, discover 46% more music than the average listener. Since then, the global playlist has kept fans engaged with a blend of today’s top songs and the trending hits of tomorrow. And now, for many listeners, these tracks have become a soundtrack for everyday life.

The playlist has had a major impact on Latinx creators, too. That’s because Viva Latino features not only the biggest names in the Latin Music scene, but those just launching their music careers, too. It’s given many emerging artists a boost as engaged listeners propel their favorite Spanish-language songs to the Global Top 100 and Top 50 charts.

KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky have each experienced the playlist’s impact firsthand. Rounding out the campaign, all three reflected on their first song to be featured on Viva Latino and the doors that opened for them in Spotify Clips, exclusive video clips on the platform.

“Latin music has become an indispensable part of pop culture, and we’re excited to see Viva Latino play a big role in that evolution,” shared Antonio Vázquez, Head of U.S. Latin Editorial at Spotify. “We’re celebrating the artists and fans who make this the ultimate destination for Latin hits by unveiling a sophisticated new look for the playlist that steers away from stereotypical cultural symbols, as well as introducing an inclusive tagline, Elevando Nuestra Música, a mission that pushes and motivates us to take our music to the global stage.”

Seven years after its debut, Viva Latino remains as essential as ever. As creators and fans look to the future, we’re excited that this is just the beginning.

Step into the future and elevate your day with the refreshed Viva Latino playlist now.

Keke Palmer Steps Out of Character to Share Advice, Anthems, and Four Exclusive Spotify Playlists

November 16, 2021

Actor, singer, writer, viral meme creator, producer, and Emmy Award winner Keke Palmer is a creative force. The star is a master of reinvention, charming the internet with her off-the-cuff antics. Whether you know her from Hustlers or recognize her voice from hosting the Met Gala red carpet (where she coined the now viral sound, “I know it ain’t Thee Stallion!”), chances are she’s crossed your screen.

Among her many creative projects are a handful of characters and sketches that the performer shares on social media. Longtime fans have seen the personas evolve into a one-woman show, Turnt Up with the Taylors, which recently won Keke a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. Now, she’s taking her characters into a new dimension—the written word. Her newly released collection of five short stories, Southern Belle Insults, follows main character Janet on her journey to self-confidence with the help of four magical wigs. Each new ’do conjures an alter ego, transforming Janet into Lady Miss Jaqueline, Chelsea, Keri, and Sophie. 

To really get to know the fabulously eccentric characters, Keke curated four exclusive Spotify character playlists. For the Record spoke with Keke to learn more about her inspirations, her song selections, and her personal anthems.

You’re an Emmy Award winner, a published author, star in Jordan Peele’s upcoming film, and have even more projects in the works. Do you have any advice for aspiring creators?

My advice is to go for it. When I think about Southern Belle Insults, I literally just went for it on my page, SNL style, and did a sketch. Eventually I’ve been able to build out a world. Don’t wait for the platform or the situation to come to you. Be willing to go out there and set the tone yourself because you never know what that can inspire.

Who or what inspires your wit and your performances?

Being under the gun all the time. It’s a survival technique, to be quite honest with you, to avoid moments of awkwardness. A lot of my quote-unquote talent, especially when it comes to personality or comedy, is based on survival. “Oh, I don’t know what to do now. Let me get silly.” It’s how I deal with pressure situations and happens to also be a skill that I can use in a job like entertainment. When I did [TV show] Scream Queens, I also saw a lot of great improv skills from Niecy Nash.

Did you feel like you incorporated her lessons into your characters?

The thing I picked up most is how much she trusted herself. Obviously my brain isn’t going to create improv in the same way hers does because that’s just not possible. However, I understood from watching her that there was a lot of trust going on. And that helped me when it came to my own stuff, to just trust that I know what I’m doing. Have fun with it. Don’t be afraid. Be honest. Be the truth in the scene.

Turning to the playlists, what was the experience like curating these? Can you tell us which song most represents each character? 

It was a lot of fun. My music range is different from the music I perform myself, so it was exciting to be able to identify with those styles through the characters. I wanted to capture the tone and vibe of each character’s voice through the songs. For Lady Miss Jacqueline and her feminist-but-old-school edge, there are two songs that I most identify with her: “Criminal” [by Fiona Apple] and “Private Dancer” by Tina Turner. Those two anchor the playlist.

For Chelsea “Barbie” Taylor, I’d say “No Scrubs” [by TLC] and “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. Because the thing about Chelsea “Barbie” Taylor is she’s a culture queen, so she can give you Alanis Morissette one minute and she can give you Blu Cantrell the next. She’s that pop culture chick.

Keri is that more turnt up, I-don’t-give-a-****-type vibe. The two songs that really represent her are “G4L” by Rihanna and “Alone” by Heart. Again, they’re quite diverse. She’s going to be listening to rock and “G4L” because Rihanna is a pop queen who has jumped across many different genres in her time.

Sophie’s a romantical, whimsical kind of character. The main songs that represent her would be “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King and “It’s Getting Better” by Cass Elliot, because she’s always trying to be inspired and empowered. She’s looking for the grace and the gratitude in every situation.

Speaking of songs that most represent someone, do you have a song that you would say captures you, or a personal anthem?

I used to always say “One Step at a Time” by Jordan Sparks because I really do feel that [sings] “you take one step at a time.” It’s such an inspiring song. On one hand, it’s a cross between that and “Firework” by Katy Perry. And then on the other hand, it’s a song of mine that I wrote some years ago. It was titled “I Don’t Belong to You,” and it’s about how I don’t belong to other people’s ideas of me. I’m a strong believer that I get the right to change at any point in time that I want to change, and nothing defines me other than me.

Whether you’re searching for some Lady Miss empowerment or simply want to get inside Keke’s head, there’s a playlist with your name on it. Explore the four exclusive curated character playlists now.

New Book by Nashville Broadcast Personality Cody Alan Uses Country Songs To Tell the Story of His Life

November 4, 2021

CMT producer and host Cody Alan is used to being behind the mic, interviewing the country genre’s top artists about their shared passion—country music. But next week, the South Carolina native will be turning the focus on himself, using his words in a new way and telling his own story in his music-infused memoir, Hear’s The Thing.

“I can’t help but think how much better the world would be if we were to listen to each other, listen to ourselves, and listen to our hearts and our intuition,” he explained. “That has guided my life. One of the main points of the book is that this can guide yours too.”

Ahead of Hear’s The Thing’s release on November 9, For the Record heard from the soon-to-be author about the book, his life’s journey, and the passion for country music that threads the two together. 

How did you get inspired to write your memoir, Hear’s The Thing?

I’ve been able to interview, I think, almost every country music artist simply because of the work I have done for CMT for so long on television and radio. I get to do the kind of interviews that still blow my mind with people like Dolly Parton and some of the greats like Loretta Lynn and George Strait, Garth Brooks—and then with the new crop of country artists, from Luke Bryan to Carrie Underwood, to Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and beyond. So having these stories over the years with so many of these people made me think, oh, maybe I could share these stories. They might be fun for people to read about. 

And then I came out [as gay] in 2017 and I realized that I had sort of an interesting spot in country music, being different than most everybody else. And that perspective could also be helpful for people to hear or read about or learn from.

You’ve hosted so many interviews and conversations with people from across country music. How did that experience translate into writing?

Writing is a lot more difficult for me. I’m much better on air. If I have bullet points rather than sentences, I don’t have to read word for word. On the radio, you learn to think on your feet and everything happens spontaneously. So that has helped me as a conversationalist. But when it comes to writing a book, of course, we all know it’s words and punctuation marks and paragraphs and getting all of that right. 

And so that was challenging because it just wasn’t my usual way of doing things. But over time I got a little better at it. And like I said, it took years and years and years to turn the book into what it is now. And with all those challenges came a lot of learning and growth to create a book that I’m so thrilled with. It has not only been a labor of love for me, but it’s made up of words that I’m really proud of that I think are gonna help a lot of people.

How did music come into your creative process? Was there anything in particular you played while planning or writing the book? 

Country music is a soundtrack to so much of my life. I can relate back to my earliest memories of hearing country music played at my house in South Carolina growing up. My mom made breakfast every single morning—every single morning!—while country music was coming out of the speakers on the radio in the kitchen. And so I completely relate the smells of breakfast being made to the sounds of country music. And then throughout my life, it’s always been one of those things I fell back on.

When I divided up the chapters for the book, I wanted each to have the lyric of a song that related to that chapter. So for one chapter you have Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins,” and it says that “through anything that love can conquer.” And another chapter where I talk about coming out a little more poignantly, I quote from a Luke Bryan song, which says that we should all “love who we love.” And throughout the book there are moments like that where I’ve got songs leading the way as you’re diving into the chapter.

I’m a pure music person; I love music. It drives everything that I do and certainly was a driving factor in the book.

In our recent Spotify: Discover This episode on Country music, BRELAND and Lily Rose spoke about being minorities within the genre. How have you noticed the country scene change in recent years to open to more types of individuals?

I love Lily Rose. What a great musician and artist. I’ve had a couple conversations with her myself and I dig her stuff so much. There has been, over the past couple of years, just a new openness and inclusivity that didn’t exist before. I came out in 2017. There’s been tremendous change since then. When I came out there just weren’t a lot of people who were gay and making country music. And so it was a bit scary to speak up, to be completely honest. But since then, there’s been this flurry of people, including chart-topping artist TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne finding his way and speaking his truth. And how powerful is it when you have someone with his success represent? 

And I’ve seen more of that happening—and not just among the LGBTQ individuals but also with African Americans. There’s BRELAND, there’s Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen. You see this flurry of activity where diversity is being celebrated in country music, and I think it’s an awesome thing. There’s a real outcry now among many people to show that country music is not what you think it is. It is open. It is free. And it’s more diverse than it ever has been. And it’s I think opening doors for a lot of people who are different; I think that’s a beautiful thing and I invite it and I love it.

Tell us about the playlist you made to support your book launch. There’s country music—but also Madonna, Panic! At The Disco, Lizzo, and other surprises. 

Every song means something to my life. For example, Keith Urban wrote the forward for my book, which was a big freaking deal for me because, like, it’s Keith Urban! I could make you a playlist complete of Keith Urban songs and each one would have meaning to me—that’s the type of impact he’s had on my life. So I knew I needed to include a few songs from him, including “Somebody Like You.”

“High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco—no one can not smile when they hear that song. It’s a jam. It’s probably one of my most-played songs on Spotify. Anytime I need a lift up, I play that song and feel better. And it reminds me where I came from and that if you believe in something, it can come to pass. I talk about that in the book. I believed a kernel of truth that I could be on TV, and that somehow blossomed into reality. That song reminds me of that.

I grew up in the ’80s so Madonna was the ’80s to me. I can’t not have Madonna on a playlist of my life. The video for “Express Yourself” . . . there were men hammering, like in a factory or something. As a questioning gay boy trying to understand myself, that helped me understand that I wasn’t like the other boys. There’s something groundbreaking about that video. 

I wanted to include The Chicks and “The Long Way Around” because they had so much to do with my Texas time. I feel like so much of my life has been taking the long way around and making the choice that other people would not. When I left South Carolina, I was the first in my family to leave the zip code. I decided to go my way differently and take the long way around, and it certainly led to lots of great things. But at first it was a little scary. 

But making those different choices led me to lots of happiness and led my family to eventually see that taking a long way around is not a bad thing. It’s actually often the way you have to go in order to find yourself and your dreams.

Dive into the songs that have meant the most to Cody’s life in his “Hear’s The Thing” playlist.

For Kenyan Artists, the Emerging Gengetone Genre Is a Way of Life

August 31, 2021

Around the world, young listeners and artists are reimagining and reshaping modern music to reflect their point of view. This is particularly true in Kenya’s capital and largest city, Nairobi, where the emerging genre gengetone is on the rise—and with it, a heated new Spotify playlist known as Gengetone Fire.

Gengetone is inspired by genge, a Kenyan hip-hop genre that was popular in the 2000s. The music is often in Sheng, or Swahili slang, as is the name of the genre itself, which means “group or mass of people.” Recently, young creators have revived and evolved the local beat, drawing from dancehall and reggaetón to create the new sound of Kenya’s streets. And as for lyrics? Artists use the genre to rap about their lives and express their hardships. 

“With gengetone, you’re free to be yourself,” Iphoolish, a member of the popular group Mbuzi Gang, explained to For the Record. “It lets you sing how you feel and in the way you want.”

Plus, the genre’s high-energy, danceable rhythms have staying power. “The gengetone sound is enticing,” added Joefes, another member of Mbuzi Gang. “For example, if I play two or three tracks now and you leave, when you get home, it will be stuck in your mind. You will not know what it is exactly, but the effect is lasting.”

Spotify music editors for the region also noticed that the resonant beats were sticking with listeners across Nairobi. In response, they launched Gengetone Fire, a Spotify exclusive playlist that features hot hits from across the scene and stays true to the reality on the ground, which is that the genre pays no mind to mainstream media. It is for the streets, by the streets, and it spreads quickly.

No matter how the catchy tunes move, listeners and creators alike are confident that the audience will only continue to grow. Joefes even compares the emerging genre to reggaetón, predicting a similar global popularity as more listeners discover it. After all, the genre’s appeal goes beyond its beat to speak to an experience.

“Gengetone [tells the story] of the life that youth are going through in the hood,” said Joefes. “It’s not a genre, it’s an identity. Gengetone is a sound that’s alive in the streets, especially in Nairobi, because it started right here.”

The genre’s local roots are meaningful to Nairobi’s next generation of creators. In Kenya, other international music like Nigeria’s Afrobeats and Tanzania’s bongo fava had long dominated radios and clubs. But that all changed in 2018, when gengetone emerged and became the first homegrown genre in several years to take over the country’s airwaves. It has since spread like wildfire, achieving millions of streams on YouTube and a growing following on Spotify. 

Female artist Ssaru, a rising star in the male-dominated landscape, explained the national pride the music evokes: “When it came, it filled a gap in the music industry. Before, we used to just listen to music by other people, but now we have something to own as Kenyans. This is the type of music that brings youth together.”

As gengetone continues to evolve, Spotify editors recommend keeping an eye on some of the genre’s most popular artists, including: Ethic Entertainment, Boondocks Gang, Sailors 254, Ochungulo Family, and Matata. These young performers are leading the Nairobi scene and moving the music forward, connected in their passion for the hip-hop sound. Artist Exray Taniua, a member of the trendsetting Boondocks Gang, put it simply: “Gengetone is a culture, a way of life . . . Gengetone is everything to us really. It should be considered a basic need.”

Discover the gengetone way of life and start listening to Gengetone Fire now:

Brooke Wells and NOBULL Bring Beast Mode to the CrossFit Games

July 22, 2021

On July 27, 2021 hundreds of athletes from around the world will meet in Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the 15th annual CrossFit Games. The event tests athletes in a variety of unannounced fitness tasks, from long-distance swims to handstand walking to rope climbs. Those who are competing have to be prepared for anything in order to earn the title of “Fittest on Earth.”

For this year’s Games, Spotify Advertising is partnering with global training brand NOBULL and athlete Brooke Wells for specialty audio and video ads, as well as a sponsorship of Spotify’s most popular workout playlist: Beast Mode.

Brooke, who has qualified for and competed in the Games since 2015, knows that the road to the competition requires unrelenting hard work and dedication. She’s logged long hours of daily training to get her body and mind prepared for the grueling tasks she will face in Madison.

Ahead of the Games, For the Record caught up with Brooke to learn what it’s like to compete and what music helps her train her best.

You spend so much time training for the CrossFit Games. How does it feel to finally arrive at the event?

It’s extremely exciting and a bit of a relief to finally make it to this point in the season. Qualifying for the CrossFit Games is no guarantee, and the training is extremely demanding. I am so ready to be back on the competition floor in front of an in-person crowd and show everyone how hard I’ve worked.

You’ve talked about how preparing for the competition isn’t just physical but also mental. How do you get in the right mindset before you compete?

I embrace a feeling of focus and calm just before I walk out onto the competition floor. There is so much physical preparation that goes into CrossFit competition, but the work is mental too. I’ve worked hard on both elements throughout my career. When I’m about to compete, I trust that I’m exactly where I need to be and that I’ve done the hard work to get myself there.

How does music play a role in your workouts? 

Music plays a very important role during my training sessions. We spend long hours in the gym and sometimes the right song will help keep me in the right mindset. My training partners know I’m the DJ of our gym and that I’ll keep the energy up!

What type of music do you listen to when you train? 

I love high-energy music that matches my training intensity. I listen to a mix of EDM and hip-hop. Some of my current gym staples are Drake, Future, Kevin Gates, and SAINt JHN.

Do you prefer different genres for different types of workouts? 

I like music to match my mood. Sometimes that could be a lifting session to country music, or something higher intensity for a quick metcon [metabolic conditioning]. Occasionally a podcast will help distract me during a long conditioning run or bike. 

What are your go-to Spotify playlists to listen to while training?

My go-to Spotify workout playlist is Beast Mode. I am so excited to be able to take over this playlist during the CrossFit Games. The Beast Mode playlist is an iconic workout playlist, with hundreds of songs that are fueling millions of people’s workouts. I love knowing that the other people listening to Beast Mode are putting in the hard work just like me. 

How do you like to wind down from a day of competition? Is there any music that helps you reset and relax?

Recovery is so important, especially during competition. I have a lot of tools to help my body physically recover, and music plays a role in helping my mind wind down so I can reset and be prepared for what the next day will bring. It could be meditating to something like Deep Focus, or anything that has a slower pace. 

Get ready for the CrossFit Games by streaming Spotify’s Beast Mode playlist below.

 

 

Poland’s EQUAL Artist of the Month Hania Rani Composes Music That Lights Up the Soul

July 20, 2021

She’s a neoclassical pianist, musician, singer, composer, and award-winning artist, but Hania Rani’s resume only tells one side of her story. To get the full picture, you have to listen to her music, which features scores of wistful piano touched by sparse vocals and subtle synths. 

Hania grew up in Gdańsk, Poland, and later split her time between Warsaw and Berlin, where she studied piano and gained exposure to jazz and electronic music. Her career includes credits on full-length feature films, performances at iconic European venues, and accolades from across the Polish music industry, including multiple Fryderyk nominations, the country’s equivalent to a Grammy or BRIT award. 

Hania’s reign continues as Poland’s EQUAL artist of the month. Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying the work of women creators globally through an extension of resources and opportunities and by creating a global, cohesive, branded experience. As an EQUAL artist of the month, Hania will also be featured on the program’s bespoke playlist.

For the Record asked Hania to fill in the blanks and share her inspirations, creative process, and hopes for the future of music. 

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

At the end of the day, I have to say that many of the artists who have had a really deep impact on my music are women. I really need to mention names like Agnes Obel, Juana Molina, Martha Argerich, Maria João Pires, and Mica Levi. Watching their creative process is always a huge lesson for me. Apart from these, I also need to mention Nils Frahm, who will always have a very special place in my heart.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ____.

Learn, research, create, and go for things that make the blood in your veins flow a bit faster. Be curious, look deeper, and don’t be satisfied with shallow solutions. Don’t worry about whether something is reserved for women or men. If it interests you deeply, go for it. 

One notable moment in my career so far ____.

Releasing my first solo album, Esja. Everything that has happened afterwards was just a result  of this decision.

My creative process consists of ____.

Improvisation, craft, and intuition. I consider these to be very important elements of music I would like to create, music that is a source of freedom and spontaneity but is also rooted in skills and technique. I search for things that can’t be explained, things that sound intuitive but actually are deeply processed and planned from the craft side. My songs seem effortless but are created as a result of knowledge, experience, and confidence. When composing, I spend a lot of time improvising, recording, and deciding on the motifs worth developing. 

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ____.

Simply seeing girls and women working in the music business and achieving their goals. I am always happy seeing women being awarded, mentioned, seen, and admired—not as an exception or because they are women—but because they delivered to the world a high-quality work of art or their voice played an important role in a discussion. 

One up-and-coming woman artist I’m excited to watch is ____.

Sama’ Abdulhadi! She is an extremely brave and exciting artist from Palestine who is not only producing amazing music, but is also an exceptionally fearless human being. I hope her voice will change more than just the music scene.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

I was always more interested in fragility, empathy, and intensity of sight than the idea of bringing even more power to a world overwhelmed with noise, chaos, and violence. But if my values could have a voice, it would probably be the soft but hypnotizing sound of Melanie De Biasio singing “I’m Gonna Leave You.”

Experience Hania’s unique sound and other women artists on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist below:

The Spice Girls Continue to Find Fans 25 Years After Their Hit ‘Wannabe’

July 8, 2021

In July of 1996, the Spice Girls burst onto the music scene with their platform heels, Union Jack clothing, and their single “Wannabe.” Their lyrics of female empowerment made waves and started a global “girl power” revolution unlike anything the music and pop culture industry had witnessed before, with a lasting impact ever since.

So to celebrate the anniversary of their debut hit, on July 9 the Spice Girls will be releasing an EP, Wannabe 25, that includes a demo of the original single, a remix by Junior Vasquez, and a new ballad called “Feed Your Love.”

On the platform, Spotify’s celebrating the occasion with This Is Spice Girls, the ultimate destination for fans of the girl group. There, listeners will find a new long-form version of the “Wannabe” music video that’s exclusive to Spotify. The playlist also includes new storylines from the band, where they share details on their biggest hits.

Spotify may not have been around during the group’s ’90s inception, but that doesn’t mean fans aren’t listening to their music on the platform two decades later. In fact, “Wannabe” has been streamed more than 590 million times on Spotify, with listeners in the United States streaming the most, followed by Germany and the U.K. 

“We continue to see a huge number of streams daily for their music, ranging from the songs we all know and love, such as “Wannabe,” “Stop,” and “Spice Up Your Life,” to niche releases that only a die-hard fan would play on repeat,” shares Sulinna Ong, Head of Music at Spotify U.K. and Ireland. “They truly changed the pop landscape forever, giving women a voice in the industry and giving fans the confidence to be their true selves.’’

Music from the Spice Girls has also found a home on millions of user-generated playlists—20 million, to be exact. As to the age of those streaming the British pop sensation’s tracks on Spotify? You may be surprised to learn that 18-to-24-year-olds are the ones streaming the Spice Girls’ music most (despite being born after the group’s first single was released).

Remarking on this, the band said, “Spice Girls has always been about unity and inclusion, and it makes us so proud that after 25 years our music is still inspiring a whole new generation. Thanks to Spotify for keeping us connected to our fans around the world. Streaming has been a huge part of keeping our music alive and it’s amazing that so many people around the world listen to us on Spotify.”

For fans looking to dive a little deeper into the archives, there’s plenty of podcast content on Spotify that offers a glimpse into the lives and minds of Sporty, Baby, Ginger, Scary, and Posh Spice. The WANNABE podcast shares insights into where the famous five are now, and how their careers progressed since their time in one of the world’s most famous girl bands. BBC’s Raw, a podcast that curates “rare and newly discovered interviews,” released an episode that highlights sound clips from the group members from 1996 and 1998.

Whether you want to practice the dance moves to “Stop” or hear the WANNABE podcast cohosts discuss Melanie C’s single “Who I Am,” there’s plenty of Spice on Spotify. 

Revisit the Spice Girls’ catalogue and sing along to your favorite girl power anthem below.