Tag: playlists

The Crossover Effect: Artist Collaborations Thrive on Spotify

The crossover collaboration is one of music’s great traditions. When artists from different genres, regions, or simply different career stages bring their talents together on a track, it’s sure to capture fan attention. It can even breathe new life into a song or group. 

When Run-D.M.C. linked up with Aerosmith in the ’80s to reimagine the latter’s single “Walk This Way,” it resulted in an international smash hit. It also helped birth the rap rock subgenre and still stands as Run-D.M.C.’s biggest hit. Decades after its release, the song has racked up hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify to date.

More recently, we’ve seen major crossover collaboration moments from the likes of SZA and Phoebe Bridgers on “Ghost in the Machine,” PinkPantheress and Ice Spice on “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” and Taylor Swift and The National on “The Alcott.” 

While these collaborations offer new avenues for creative exploration, they also bring together each artist’s distinct fan bases, providing an opportunity for everyone involved to expand their audiences.

“I think one of the biggest things is how music collaborations can connect genres,” explains John Stein, Spotify’s North America Head of Editorial. “We see a lot more of these collaborations, and I think each artist’s core audience seems to be more open to these moments than in the past.”

It’s easy to see why artists love this approach, but how do fans respond? Are they listening more on Spotify when they discover a new artist on one of these songs? 

We took a look at more than 40 of the biggest crossover collaborations from the last 12 years and found that six months after the collab was released, 75% of artists involved saw an increase of at least 10% in overall Spotify streams across their catalogs compared to the six months prior. More than 50% of those same artists saw their number of streams grow by at least 50% in that same time period, while 30% saw their number of streams rise by at least 100%.

And while many of these collaborations are well received, some of them have been very well received.

There are few examples that paint this picture more clearly than Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus uniting on “Old Town Road – Remix.” In the six months following the song’s release, the increase in shared listeners between the two artists skyrocketed by nearly 390,000%.

For further proof, you can also look back to 2017, when Latin music icon Luis Fonsi joined forces with reggaeton godfather Daddy Yankee on “Despacito.” The song quickly caught on with fans around the world, but its popularity went into overdrive and the song became an inescapable tour de force when Justin Bieber hopped on the “Despacito (Remix)” three months later.

Luis in particular saw his fame reach unforeseen heights, and in the six months following the release of the original version, streams of Luis Fonsi on Spotify jumped by more than 2,600% (compared to the six months prior). 

But it was the remix, specifically, that helped to expand the Puerto Rican singer’s reach in English-speaking markets. Spotify streams of Luis Fonsi in the U.S., U.K., and Canada combined spiked by more than 4,300% in the six months following the release of “Despacito,” with most of that increase coming after the remix dropped. 

“When the ‘Despacito’ remix came out, it felt like a huge and rare moment to have artists from such different backgrounds and genre spaces collaborate and experience such success,” John says. “Now it feels like it happens all the time, and there’s almost a level of expectation that artists are going to mix it up and work with artists from different spaces. And I think we see that reflected in the data on the platform and in the reaction on our playlists.”

Such is the case with Nigerian afropop star Rema and American pop star Selena Gomez, who created a cross-continental connection on the 2022 hit “Calm Down.” 

“When Rema dropped the solo version of ‘Calm Down’ last year, it was doing really well in terms of streams, especially in Africa,” John explains. “Then, at the exact right moment, Rema teamed up with Selena Gomez on a new version of the track.”

In the six months following the collaboration’s release, daily Spotify streams of Rema in North America increased by more than 230% compared to the six months prior. Meanwhile, daily Spotify streams of Selena Gomez in sub-Saharan Africa increased by more than 120% in that same time period.

“With Selena being such a big pop star globally, I think the song reached an audience that checked it out to see what Selena was doing,” John says. “But they kept coming back because it was such a good song.”

And much like Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, the respective fan bases of Rema and Selena Gomez started to merge together. In the six months following the release of “Calm Down,” the number of fans who listened to both artists increased by over 600%.

A springboard to success

For emerging artists, the crossover effect can help them break through in previously untapped markets, or help them define their musical identity on their own terms.

When Khalid had his breakthrough moment with his 2016 hit single “Location,” he was often labeled as an R&B artist. But after his 2017 collaboration with Alina Baraz—an artist who floats between the lines of pop, R&B, and electronic—on “Electric,” Khalid flashed his potential to be a pop star in the broadest possible sense.

And, like Luis Fonsi, Khalid is another artist who benefitted from the crossover effect. Following the release of “Electric,” streams of Khalid on Spotify spiked by more than 3,100% in the six months following its release (compared to the prior six months).

Building on the momentum of “Electric,” Khalid showcased his versatility as he hopped between genres on a number of high-profile collaborations. At every turn, the singer won over new fans, appearing alongside Alessia Cara on Logic’s “1-800-273-8255” and connecting with EDM producer Marshmello on “Silence.” To date, both songs have been streamed more than a billion times on Spotify.

“The editorial team used to have a lot of conversations about Khalid, and the general consensus was, ‘Wow, he is on everything,’” John reflects. “He has a really unique voice that brings a special quality to songs, so it makes sense in a lot of ways that he was finding success with those collaborations.”

Khalid’s fruitful run even included an appearance on Billie Eilish’s 2018 chart-topping juggernaut “lovely,” which has been streamed more than 2 billion times and remains his most successful song to date.

Amplifying crossover collaborations

In the streaming era, fans’ access to music isn’t limited by what’s on the radio or TV, or by what’s available at the record shop. With a few taps of the screen, fans have instant access to the catalogs of millions of artists.

So when a collaboration comes along that catches the ear of listeners, there are a variety of features on Spotify that both enhance the discovery process for fans and help expand the reach of those songs even further.

Many Spotify fans often start with search. And when they discover a new artist through a crossover collab, we’ve noticed a sizable jump in searches for that artist. 

When Grupo Frontera collaborated with Bad Bunny on “un x100to,” the star power of Spotify’s three-time most-streamed artist confirmed Música Mexicana’s status as an explosive genre on the rise.

In the two weeks that followed the release, daily Spotify searches for the Mexican sextet surged by more than 330% compared to the two weeks prior. At their peak, searches for Grupo Frontera increased by more than 1,100%.

The National experienced a similar bump from their collaboration with Taylor Swift, with Spotify searches increasing by more than 1,500% on the day of release.

For Spotify’s global team of editors, successful crossover collaborations also offer up a valuable signal that helps guide their curation of playlists. Every week, our editorial team sits down and discusses the latest cultural movements in the regions and genres they focus on. When a crossover collaboration starts to make waves, it can encourage editors to feature them in playlists they might not have appeared on before. 

“I know among our indie-focused editors, there was a discussion of the SZA and Phoebe Bridgers single and whether or not it was an indie track,” John explains. “While SZA might primarily be a pop or R&B artist, our editors overwhelmingly felt that it was an indie song, and having Phoebe on ‘Ghost In The Machine’ helped her open the door to Spotify’s core indie audience.”

Crossover collaborations can also appear on personalized playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly if a Spotify listener follows or regularly listens to one of the artists involved. When that happens, fans can easily discover the other artists.

“I think in the case of Ice Spice and PinkPantheress—with one being a rapper from New York and the other being a British artist who makes dance-oriented music—Release Radar has helped them both reach each other’s core audiences across genres and regions,” John says. “These types of collaborations can make listeners more open to checking out a new artist if they like what they hear.”

Spotify for Artists’ Fan Study has previously revealed that artists see their international reach increase significantly when they collaborate with someone outside of their home market. And we found the same to be true for Ice Spice and PinkPantheress. In the three months that followed the release of “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” daily Spotify streams of PinkPantheress grew by nearly 250% in the U.S. (compared to the six months prior). Ice Spice, meanwhile, had a breakthrough moment in the U.K., with daily Spotify streams of her songs rising by nearly 1,400%. At the peak, daily streams for PinkPantheress and Ice Spice soared by more than 400% and 1,900% in the U.S. and U.K., respectively.

Taken altogether, the numbers on display here tell a powerful story about the crossover effect. This insight is invaluable, suggesting that the cross-cultural exchanges and expression of fresh ideas can lead not only to globe-expanding visibility, but the opportunity to forge new career paths. As the songs grow, so do the artists.

Ride on the Coastal Cowgirl Trend With Paige Lorenze’s Music Playlist Picks

Coastal cowgirl: It’s a vibe. This aesthetic, inspired by a mixture of slow-paced country living and sun-soaked coastal dreaminess, has been trending on social media lately, and it’s making waves on Spotify. 

From across the globe, we recently saw a nearly 1,430% increase* in the creation of user-generated coastal cowgirl playlists. These playlists feature a mix of genres like country, new wave pop, indie pop, stomp and holler, and sunshine pop.

Some of the top tracks added to user-generated coastal cowgirl playlists on Spotify include “Texas Sun” by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, “Cowboy Take Me Away by The Chicks, “Slow Burn and “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves, “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell, “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Take It Easy” by Eagles, “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus, “Island In The Sun” by Weezer, “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas, and “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina.

Paige Lorenze, a content creator, channels coastal cowgirl pretty effortlessly. She was raised in Vermont and, after spending a few years in New York City, settled in Connecticut, where she now shares her love of horses, fashion, and fun with her followers. A glance through Paige’s vlog shows days spent at her barn and looks featuring cowboy boots, but she also posts beauty tips and has highlights of her international travels.

Paige’s predilection for the trend made her the perfect person to take over Spotify’s own coastal cowgirl playlist. She helped curate a list of songs that serve as the perfect soundtracks for the desert, beach, or rural dirt roads. For the Record caught up with Paige to learn more about the coastal cowgirl vibe, and how she picked songs for the playlist.

How would you define the “coastal cowgirl” vibe?

The coastal cowgirl vibe is all about incorporating western fashion with coastal elements, creating a relaxed-yet-chic look. It’s about blending earthy tones with denim and leather pieces, accessorizing with cowboy hats and boots, and incorporating horse-riding culture. Whatever makes you feel grounded in nature and in your roots. 

How did you pick songs for Spotify’s coastal cowgirl playlist?

I wanted to curate a playlist that reflects the coastal cowgirl vibe and showcases artists who represent this culture. I included country and indie-folk artists like Kenny Chesney, Leon Bridges, and Mazzy Star, who write calming, breezy songs that are perfect to sing along to in the car or play during a relaxing day on the beach. 

Can you talk specifically about a song you included and why you thought of it for the playlist?

One song I included was “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. I chose this song because it speaks to the idea of building a strong sense of self and overcoming obstacles. Plus, it’s a classic that everyone knows and loves! I grew up loving this song, as I’m sure a lot of people did. 

Why is this playlist the perfect curation for fans getting ready for festivals this summer?

This playlist is perfect for anyone getting ready for festivals because it captures the essence of the western and coastal cultures, which is what these festivals are all about. The songs are a mix of old and new and represent different genres that everyone can enjoy. And the playlist creates the perfect atmosphere for a day filled with sunshine, music, and good vibes.

What’s your favorite thing about this trend?

I love that the coastal cowgirl trend is sustainable and timeless. It’s all about good basic pieces and good boots that will last you forever. I love that all my boots are so in now. I have some amazing cowboy boots and boots passed down from my mom. Also, I love how growing up riding and having horses in the fields behind my house is paying off! 

 

Channel your own coastal cowgirl vibe with our playlist below.

*This data is global and reflects the increase in playlist creation from February 16 through March 2 to March 2 through March 16, 2023.

Spotify Amplifies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists With New Playlists and a Music + Talk Show

a series of artists looking at camera and a graphic treatment on top

In 2017, Spotify launched Blak Australia, a music playlist that spotlighted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians. Since then, our support of First Nations artists has grown into Dreaming Loud, with multiple playlists and programs featured on the platform to amplify these talented creators.

Now we are excited to debut new playlists that highlight Indigenous artists and give listeners music tailored to different genres—and even tailored to family members. Fans will now find a hip-hop playlist called Proppa Bars, a mood playlist called Big Ancestor Energy, and two new kids’ playlists, Too Deadly Bub and Blak Hits for Kids.

To celebrate, we are updating all our existing First Nations playlists with a new visual identity created in collaboration with Aboriginal artist and designer Arkie Barton. The new design “represents a coming together of community and mobs from all across so-called Australia, specifically within the digital space of the Spotify First Nations arena,” shared Arkie.

Oscars Music Director Rickey Minor Reveals His All-Time Favorite Nominated Songs

On Sunday night, movie fans around the world will tune in to the 95th Academy Awards—aka the Oscars—to celebrate Hollywood’s exceptional talent. Once the show begins, it’s the musical numbers that help create the magical atmosphere the event is known for. 

This year’s musical director for the show is Rickey Minor, who previously worked on tours for the likes of Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and Ray Charles, and also served as the musical director and bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Rickey’s job for the Oscars is to plan out the music that will play throughout the show, and then work with the house orchestra to bring it all to life.

Ahead of the big night, we teamed up with Rickey on a special Oscars-themed playlist. From classics like Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” to Encanto’s “The Family Madrigal,” this playlist is not only a collection of Rickey’s favorite Oscar past nominees, but also a look back at the show’s rich musical history.

For the Record recently sat down with Rickey to discuss his work leading up to the Oscars, this year’s nominees, and what excites him most about working on this iconic show. 

What do you work on in the lead up to the Oscars?

There’s a lot of music to prepare. It’s upward of 170 pieces, so my team and I have to get through it all in two days of pre-recordings and rehearsals. And then we get in, perform sound check, and it’s time to go. But it’s all exciting.

Thankfully, this is a show with a rich, 95-year legacy. You don’t have to rewrite the book. You just have to come in and infuse a different perspective. This is my third time doing the show, and so I look at the years before and bring that inspiration to this year’s incredible films. When it comes to the music, I think a lot about ways to be more inclusive—not just with different eras, but also with different countries and genres—because all of us make up this world. So my thought is that if you’re in South America or Europe, how cool would it be to hear a cue that references a movie from your part of the globe?

How is working on the Oscars different from working on a tour, a TV show, or other projects?

The pressure is bigger because there’s a lot riding on it. Generally speaking, for all of us working on the show, we have one chance to get it right. And when an article goes out, or a book goes out, or a record goes out, this is what will be remembered as our best work. It requires a mix of paying attention to detail, but also letting go. If it feels right, it’s right. If it feels wrong, it’s wrong.

There might be times when my team and I debate whether a certain decision might be too on the nose. Like, is it patronizing to introduce someone from another part of the world with music from their country? But I just try to approach it with respect and offer a sense of representation. Because if we don’t support each other and celebrate our differences, they’re not there.  

How does the music featured during the Oscars help to set the tone for the entire show?

Music is life. Life is music. We speak in rhythm, we walk in rhythm, and our hearts beat in rhythm. And so, with the Oscars, the tone of the show really starts with the music. Yes, it’s all about the films, but it’s also all about the great music from these films that takes you back. And so, having these iconic musical moments helps everyone feel the moment—the joy, sadness, and triumph.

Can you tell us about your creative process?

When I start a process like this, I listen with my eyes closed so I can really get a sense of what the music makes me feel and then decide whether or not it’s an emotional moment I want to include.  

The show has to have a lot of different styles and diversity in the music, but it also has to have a flow. So there’ll be a time where I have a very romantic moment, and it’s lush and beautiful, and then I’ll drop into some hip-hop. Then I’ll jump right out of that into classical. I’ll go wherever the flow feels right. 

If you have someone that’s an iconic artist, then you’re going to want something grand and beautiful, and to give them their due and give them time to walk out. There’s no rush to get them there. And I have to keep in mind not only the television audience, but the audience in the building. It’s really a chess game.

When it comes to the music from this year’s Oscar nominees, is there anything that stands out to you?

I was inspired by a lot of it. Just looking at the songs alone, “Naatu Naatu” from RRR was a very exciting and fun number, and it made me feel proud of the inclusion that we have, and that we’re looking at art from a different way. Same thing with Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. I mean, just put her in front of a microphone and I’m good. Then there’s “Applause” from Tell It Like A Woman, which was written by Diane Warren. I’ve known her my entire musical life and it makes me proud to see her receive an honorary Oscar. I also loved “This Is a Life,” from Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

Really, I feel like the winner because I get to do all five of these songs as well. 

Each year, as the show starts, what do you find you’re most excited about?

I have to be honest, every moment is amazing. Once the show starts, there’s a lot that I have to stay on top of and I’m watching so that I don’t lose track. There’s so much going on in the headset in between the director and the shots and the cues coming in. But I really just want to be present for every single moment and not miss a thing. I love seeing all the emotions, like the joy people express during their speeches. And sometimes I have to pull myself out because I have to say I’m on it, but I’m still so in it.

What’s your takeaway for fans? 

I say, get dressed up and get ready to party. Put your dancing shoes on, because we’re giving you all that energy. And make sure you have some tissues, because there are going to be some tears. Tears from the winners—and tears from everyone else.

5 Ways Spotify Playlists Help Your Songs Reach Fans Around the World

Today at Stream On, artists, songwriters, producers, podcasters, and authors from around the world joined for the latest announcements and hands-on demos of the new tools and resources coming to our platform. We also hosted our companion event, Play On, which featured a series of talks and interactive sessions that inspired and educated creators about how they can leverage the full potential of our platform.

Among these sessions was a Spotify for Artists Masterclass on playlists and music discovery hosted by Spotify Head of Artist and Industry Partnerships International Bryan Johnson, with panelists including Spotify Global Head of Editorial Sulinna Ong, Spotify Creative Director and Head of Urban Music Carl Cherry, and Spotify Head of Global Hits J.J. Italiano. Over the course of the talk, they dove into the ways artists can use—and maximize—the power of Spotify playlists to help grow their careers.

In recent years, streaming has helped music, and culture at large, cross borders across the world. And one of the main ways fans are discovering new artists is through playlists

Spotify playlists fall into one of three categories:

  • Made by Editors: Curated by our team of editors at Spotify, these playlists consist of beloved global and regional playlists, including Today’s Top Hits and Pollen.
  • Made for You: These algorithmically driven playlists—like Discover Weekly and Release Radarare tailored to each Spotify listener based on their taste profile and on a range of different signals.
  • Made by You: These playlists are created by fans who aren’t just sitting back waiting for new music; they’re leaning into artist discovery and actively finding tracks to share with other fans.

So how do these playlists drive artist discovery, exactly? There are five key factors:

1. Spotify playlists are global

Spotify exists in more than 180 markets around the world, and that has allowed us to develop a connected ecosystem of playlists across many different genres and regions. Along with our global offerings, we have thousands of playlists like African Heat, MANSIÓN REGGAETÓN, and K-Pop ON! (온) that help spotlight music coming out of regional and local scenes.

Together, these form our Playlist Pyramid, which starts with our more local and niche playlists, and filters up to our global playlists. Sitting at the top is Today’s Top Hits, which is the biggest and most popular playlist.

For many artists, their Playlist Pyramid journey will start with local or regional playlists. These are often streamed by highly engaged fans who are looking to discover new music, and they give artists a solid platform for building their audience. But from there, an artist can take many paths up the pyramid. When a song starts to perform well, it will be placed in the region’s larger playlists, and it may even be tested in other markets to see how it’s received by an international audience. If the song continues to resonate with fans, the artist can take the next jump up the pyramid, appearing in global playlists like Rap Caviar, Viva Latino, and Mint. And for artists whose songs really hit globally, they could earn a place in Today’s Top Hits.

The rise of Ghanaian singer and rapper Black Sherif is a great example of how this journey can unfold. His lyricism and unique blend of drill, Ghanaian highlife, and trap caught the ears of our editors in Sub-Saharan Africa, which led to his being playlisted in popular local lists like +233 Bars, Asakaa, Ghana Party, and more. As Black Sherif started to perform well on these playlists, he was placed in the region’s top flagship lists—Hot Hits Ghana, No Wahala, and African Heat—which further accelerated his popularity. 

Eventually, our hip-hop editors took note of his growing audience, which was starting to cross borders, and supported him across various playlists, including our global flagship playlist for drill, City to City. He has since become an emerging name outside Sub-Saharan Africa and was selected as one of our six RADAR artists in 2022.

2. Spotify playlists are curated

Placements on our editorial playlists are driven by a combination of the cultural knowledge, passion, and expertise of our editorial teams, and the variety of data insights we gather from Spotify’s audience. Crucially, music submitted via the playlist submission tool is the starting point for all songs, and Global Curation Groups, which are tapped into the latest trends and discussion points, can also determine the outcomes of where a song’s journey continues in the editorial ecosystem.

If you’re an artist who wants to better understand the pitching process, the panelists shared a few best practices to get you started:

  • Do pitch your music before it’s released: Using our playlist submission tool on Spotify for Artists is the most effective way to pitch new music. To give your track the best chance of getting playlisted—either editorially or algorithmically—we recommend pitching your song at least seven days in advance of its being released. 
  • Do provide as much info as you can: Our editors love having context when considering a song for placement. Who made it with you? When was it made? Where did you make it? It is also helpful to include any press, music video plans, release schedules, and promotions, as well as the social media accounts linked in your artist profile. If there’s an interesting story around you and/or the song, definitely let us know. 
  • Do think globally: When you pitch a song for placement, it’s visible to our entire team of editors around the world. They’re also constantly sharing their discoveries with each other. So if there are markets or regions outside of your own where you think your song will attract fans, be sure to include those suggestions when you pitch.
  • Do engage your audience: While you can’t pitch your music to us post-release, our editors still look at signals from our broader data to see which songs are resonating. Engaging with your audience and encouraging them to stream your tracks can help build momentum and catch our editors’ attention.
  • Don’t pay for playlist placement: You cannot pay to get on an official Spotify playlist. If someone or a third-party company is offering placement on a playlist in exchange for money, this is a streaming manipulation service that goes against Spotify’s guidelines for music promotion. Additionally, we routinely remove user-generated playlists that claim to offer this, so it won’t benefit you in the long run.
  • You can only pitch via Spotify for Artists: This is the place where ALL editors go to look for new music, and it’s your route to get your music in front of our editors. 

3. Spotify playlists are personalized

Personalization is one of Spotify’s most loved features, drawing upon a multitude of signals to connect the right song to the right ears at the right time. Personalized playlists include not only the aforementioned Discover Weekly and Release Radar, but also playlists like Blend and Daily Mix. They also include playlists like Beast Mode and Songs to Sing in the Shower, which are personalized for each listener but are based on a larger pool of potential tracks chosen by editors. 

One-third of all new artist discoveries on Spotify happen in these personalized sessions, which also help to drive future streams from new fans. Submitting a pitch at least seven days before release day via the playlist submission tool also helps ensure that an artist’s new release shows up in their listeners’ Release Radar.

4. Spotify playlists are driven by fans and artists

The majority of Spotify streams come from active streams, where fans are seeking out the music they want to hear by visiting album pages, artists profiles, or liked songs. This also includes streams from listener playlists. These can help signal to Spotify (and to other fans) that we should be paying attention to a particular song or artist. Artists can also engage fans by creating playlists that feature their music, or tracks by other like-minded artists that they’ve worked with and are inspired by. This can not only help to catch the eye of editors when they’re looking at streaming data, but could also lead to visibility on other artists’ profiles.

5. Spotify playlists are timeless

Spotify playlists are composed of the hottest tracks of the moment, as well as classics from the past. That’s because catalog music—or music that is more than 18 months old—maintains a large presence on Spotify. According to our Catalog Fan Study, roughly 75% of active streams consist of catalog music. Furthermore, catalog music has become increasingly popular with younger audiences who are discovering artists from previous generations for the first time.

While artists can’t pitch catalog music, our editors are always looking at the data to see if a catalog song is a good fit for one of our editorial playlists. And if an artist’s catalog song happens to go viral on a playlist, the benefits are sizable: On average, artists can see a 70% jump in streams for the rest of their music. 

As you can see, playlists are vital to how fans connect with new artists and how artists engage those new fans. And we’ll continue to use our ecosystem of playlists to support artists as their musical journey unfolds.

Are you an artist looking to get your track on Spotify’s playlists? Visit Spotify for Artists to pitch our editors.

Set the Mood on Valentine’s Day With a Playlist Curated by Michael Bublé, a Blend With Your Soulmate, or the Top-Streamed Love Songs

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and chocolates and flowers aren’t the only things that should be top of mind. What music will you have queued up for the drive to dinner? What’s the perfect soundtrack for a little at-home slow dancing? We have some suggestions on how lovebirds can get in on the musical fun together. 

We Blend together

When it comes to music, are you and your significant other “two peas in a pod,” or more “opposites attract”? Spotify’s Blend feature can help you celebrate whatever mix-and-match music style you share.  

Start by heading over to Your Library, tap the “+,” and hit “Blend.” Then you can invite your friend, lover, or crush to join the fun. Once they accept, you’ll unlock a shared playlist and a personalized taste match score to compare your listening preferences. From “Relationship Rising” to “Off the Charts,” you can share your score (and love) loudly and proudly with friends on social media.

If there’s not a special someone in your life right now, you can still get in on the Blend fun by creating a unique playlist with your favorite artist crush, like BTS, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, The Chainsmokers, Post Malone, and Charli XCX.

The Newly Rebranded KrOWN Playlist Gives International Fans a Taste of Korean Hip-Hop

a graphical image that's a black box with KrOWN written over it in gold.

K-Pop ON! (온) is the Spotify destination for K-Pop fans—but what if you’re looking for the best in Korean hip-hop? Well then, we’d like to introduce you to KrOWN. This editorial playlist is the ultimate place for K-hip-hop listeners around the world and serves as a brand that symbolizes the hottest of South Korea’s hip-hop scene. 

This new playlist gives local and international fans of the genre a one-stop destination to listen to the latest music from their favorite and soon-to-be favorite artists. The name is a combination of “KR,” the country code for South Korea, and “Crown/Own,” which refers to the crowned kings and queens who own K-hip-hop worldwide. 

KrOWN originally existed as the K-Hip-Hop+82 playlist. Prior to the rebranding, Spotify listeners streamed the playlist more than 20 million times just last year and racked up more than 430,000 followers. 

The playlist’s top streaming countries include the United States, Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Japan—proving that Korean hip-hop truly is a global sensation. In fact, listeners streamed K-hip-hop tracks more than 13.1 billion times on Spotify, with Gen Zs (18- to 24-year-olds) accounting for nearly half of the listenership.

Other Spotify playlists like TrenChill K-Hip Hop, K’illin’, From Bottom to Top, and Jazzy Hip-Hop give fans a taste of the many sounds within Korean hip-hop, and the newly rebranded KrOWN will be the perfect home for the overarching genre.

Check out the newly relaunched KrOWN playlist below.

K-Pop Fans Can Now Blend With Some of Their Favorite Groups on Spotify

K-Pop fans, Spotify has a listening experience that will let you connect with your favorite bands in a new way. Through Spotify’s Blend feature, you can sing and dance along to an all-new set of playlists that merge your personal music taste with that of some of the biggest names in K-Pop.

Blend was introduced last year as a new way for two Spotify users to combine their musical preferences into one shared playlist made just for them. Earlier this year, we announced updates that included the chance to Blend with some of your favorite artists. 

Now Spotify is expanding the collection of Blend artists to include K-Pop superstars BTS, Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, NMIXX, and AB6IX. When you Blend with these artists, you’ll get a curated playlist that combines your favorite tracks with theirs. You’ll also receive a share card showing your taste-match scores and the songs that bring you two together. The cards can be shared directly to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter so you can show off your matches with other members of the ARMY, Stay, ENGENE, MOA, NSWER, and ABNEW fan bases.

Ready to see what these bands have been listening to lately? Grab your headphones and Blend by following the link for your favorite K-Pop artist below.

Blend with BTS

the band BTS is standing in front of a gas station looking at the camera posing

 

Blend with NMIXX

the band NMIXX are standing in front of the camera posing. Some members are kneeling and others are standing.

 

Blend with Stray Kids

The band stray kids are standing in front of the camera posing. their shadows are showing behind them.

 

Blend with TOMORROW X TOGETHER

the band tomorrow x together are on a white backdrop posing in front of the camera.

 

Blend with ENHYPEN

the band enhyphen are posing in front of the camera in this black and white photo. they are holding a sign that says "just stop."

 

Blend with AB6IX

the band ab6ix are standing outside in front of a concrete structure and are posing for the camera.


Update as of October 19, 2022: BLINKs rejoice: You can now also Blend with BLACKPINK on Spotify.
Find a full list of all available Blends here.

How To Celebrate Star Wars Day With Spotify

Calling all Jedi masters and young Padawans! You probably don’t need reminding that today is May the Fourth (aka Star Wars Day), but Spotify is here to help you celebrate by taking our Blend feature to a galaxy far, far away. You can now merge your musical taste with that of Yoda, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, or Princess Leia to create a shared playlist full of your favorite songs.

After you Blend with one of these iconic Star Wars heroes (or villain), you’ll receive a share card showing your taste-match scores and the song that brings you two together. You can then share the cards, which also reveal your listening preferences compared to the character, directly to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.

Three Things To Know About Spotify’s Featured Curators Pilot

Spotify’s community is unlike any other. We know that none of our 406 million global listeners stream quite the same way, and we’re always inspired by the creativity, passion, and originality our users bring to the platform each and every day. 

One of the biggest ways that listeners bring their individuality to life is through playlist creation. So this month, Spotify is testing a new way to amplify the playlists our listeners create. With the rollout of the Featured Curators pilot, Spotify is testing a new way for listeners to discover music they love with a collection of playlists curated by select Spotify users and influencers. 

Here’s what you need to know:

1. It’s inspired by—and made for—fans

The Featured Curators pilot is a limited-time test that promotes popular user and influencer playlists alongside our Spotify playlists. The curators we selected are music lovers with established followings and popular playlists on Spotify, or they’re users telling unique stories through playlists and creating authentic connections with other users.

2. It’s a first

Spotify transformed music discovery through flagship playlists like RapCaviar and personalized playlists like Discover Weekly. Now, we’re experimenting with taking playlist creation and discovery even further. We’re always testing unique and different listening experiences and programs for our fans, and we’re excited to watch this one unfold. 

3. It’s a limited pilot 

Users in select markets may soon begin to see Featured Curator playlists recommended in-app and on their homepages. As we continue to workshop the program throughout the testing period, we’ll be thoughtful in how we evolve and innovate the experience.

 

Our goal is always to make Spotify the number one destination for the best listening experience, and with this pilot, we’re giving listeners a new way to discover music from fellow fans who are as engaged as they are.

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

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. 

‘A1: The Show’ Brings a New Side of Australian Hip-Hop to Listeners

Hip-hop fans in Australia know exactly where to go to get a taste of the latest hits: Spotify’s A1 playlist. A1 has been rapidly growing in listenership and last year saw as many as 227,000 daily streams. The playlist is known for highlighting tracks of both seasoned stars and emerging talent. In fact, RADAR artist The Kid LAROI saw fast-rising success when his debut song “Blessings” first appeared on the playlist.

The demand for this genre shows that hip-hop is no longer a niche sound in Australia, but rather a global trend that has a dominating presence in mainstream music. Building off this demand, Spotify is excited to introduce A1: The Show, which uses our new music and talk feature. 

The format will put top tracks from the A1 playlist alongside talk show–like commentary from hosts. Listeners will get to hear the voices of local hip-hop artists, and the content provides new opportunities to expand the conversation around the genre in Australia.

A1: The Show will be hosted by Jade Le Flay, Jazmine Nikitta, and 24 Karat Kev, who are influential members of the Australian hip-hop community. Each episode will feature tracks from the A1 playlist (which is updated weekly) and will showcase both local and international artists. Check out the show below: