Tag: podcast

Sound Up Bootcamp: London Edition

September 7, 2018

If you’ve ever listened to a podcast and thought, “I could do this,” we want to hear your voice. Spotify is inviting aspiring podcasters in the UK who identify as a woman of colour to apply for the Sound Up UK week-long residential podcasting workshop, which will be held in London on November 5-9. Applicants don’t need to have any prior podcasting experience, just passion for the medium and an eagerness to bring their great ideas to life.

Sound Up UK follows our first Sound Up Bootcamp in New York, which received thousands of applications. Ten lucky finalists were invited to attend the programme, which consisted of a week of mentoring and networking with podcasting and radio greats. At the end of the week, three of the finalists were awarded $10,000 to produce their podcasts.

“The Sound Up Bootcamp in the US was an absolutely huge success, with over 18,000 applicants, showing just how much enthusiasm and talent exists in the field of podcast creation in 2018,” says James Cator, Spotify Head of Podcast Partnerships, EMEA. “The UK is a leading light in the world of podcasts, so we’re expecting to see a similarly enthusiastic response from ambitious podcast creators there. We are hugely excited to be able to support and promote more diverse and talented voices in the field of podcasting, and to give them a creative platform to share their work with the widest possible audience.”

We are hugely excited to be able to support and promote more diverse and talented voices in the field of podcasting, and to give them a creative platform to share their work with the widest possible audience.

James Cator, Spotify Head of Podcast Partnerships, EMEA

The ten finalists chosen to attend the London Sound Up Bootcamp will learn about the art of podcast creation; from learning about their audience and formulating a concept and story arc, to legal and licensing, graphic design, and technical studio skills. The course is designed and facilitated in partnership with the ShoutOut Network, whose company mission is to “find the next generation of voices.” This will culminate in a pitch session to a panel of industry experts, who will select three participants to receive support to further develop and record their podcast idea.

“The US Sound Up Bootcamp has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career,” says Natalie Tulloch, Director of Content Partnerships, Spotify. “The week was so much more than planned. It was a privilege being in the room with an amazing group of women. During the course of the week, it was more than learning about the business of podcasting—it was therapy, bonding, and plenty of laughter. We could not have done it without the amazing women in the podcast community in New York City who supported the initiative.”

Now women of colour in the UK have an opportunity to shape that community as well. Interested podcasters should apply before midnight on September 17 at http://bit.ly/soundupuk. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

‘The Joe Budden Podcast’ Lands Exclusive Partnership with Spotify

August 22, 2018

The Joe Budden Podcast, a top music podcast and go-to listen for hip-hop and rap culture enthusiasts, has teamed up with Spotify to bring the wildly popular series exclusively to the streaming service beginning September 12.

Since its inception, The Joe Budden Podcast has subsequently published over 175 weekly episodes; not only topping the podcast charts, but achieving a steady and fevered growth. Each week, listeners are welcomed into a raw, opinionated, and enthusiastic dialogue with Joe and his co-hosts Rory and Mal, as they discuss hip-hop music and news, conduct interviews with artists and cultural luminaries, and touch base on cultural events through their own unique and unfiltered lenses.

Beginning September 12, 2018, The Joe Budden Podcast will bring its hugely influential series exclusively to Spotify, doubling the number of episodes for the podcast. New episodes will drop every Wednesday and Saturday of each week.

“I’d like to thank Spotify for this tremendous opportunity to take The Joe Budden Podcast and podcasting in general to heights never before seen,” Joe says. “Our partnership is extremely humbling for me and adds yet another chapter to a career full of plot twists. This highlights a new way of thinking & a corporate ‘head nod’ to the shift taking place before our very eyes. I’m even more thrilled to embark on this journey with some of my closest friends and people I love. The podcast has been a great amplifier for my voice but fast growing into a platform for more and more artists to share their own personal feelings, stories and experiences. I’m anxious to get started and optimistic about what’s to come. While companies are spending endless amounts of dollars and research to find out what consumers want, how they want it and who they want it from, we’re in an space where all you have to do is listen to the people. Again, thank you Spotify for listening.”

Joe first became known to mainstream audiences with his self-titled 2003 debut album, which featured the Grammy-nominated hit “Pump It Up.” While continuing to release music, both as a solo artist and as a member of hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, he also began his career as a broadcaster and media personality, hosting Complex’s popular Everyday Struggle, co-starring on VH1’s Love & Hip: New York, and founding his own eponymously titled podcast.

Joe, Rory, and Mal

This partnership represents a major addition to the already broad slate of exclusive original audio and video content available to hip-hop fans on Spotify, including the RapCaviar enhanced playlist, vertical music videos and podcasts like Dissect, Microphone Check, and Good As Hell.

“As we continue to expand and diversify our content slate, teaming up with The Joe Budden Podcast is an exciting move for Spotify,” says Courtney Holt, Head of Spotify Studios. “We can’t wait to bring Joe’s loyal fans more of what they already love, and offer the opportunity for new hip-hop fans to discover him and listen.”

The Joe Budden Podcast will exclusively premiere two new episodes on Spotify weekly. In addition, Joe’s back-catalog of podcasts will be available on Spotify starting August 22 and will continue to be available on all channels where it has previously been distributed. You can listen here.

Jasmine Solano Talks the Highs and Lows of Success On New Podcast Series ‘Ebb & Flow’ (Sponsored By New Amsterdam Vodka)

August 20, 2018

Jasmine Solano knows how to connect with fellow hustlers.

“I’ve been told I’m a mix of Angie Martinez and Oprah when it comes to interviewing artists” she says. “That might be a stretch, but I’ll take it!”

Jasmine is the host of Ebb & Flow, a new podcast from Spotify and New Amsterdam Vodka launching August 20. The five-episode series features candid conversations with rising hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs who have dreamed, worked, and sacrificed their way to the top. As an accomplished DJ, musician, TV host, and influencer herself, Jasmine understands that success doesn’t always come easy, but with talent, dedication, and a little help from the cosmic forces that be, almost anything is possible.

Featuring guests Bryce Vine, GASHI, J.I.D, Saweetie, and Skizzy Mars, Jasmine promises that Ebb & Flow isn’t your “typical” interview series. Raw, personal, and real, it details “the struggles and celebration of the journey.” Below, Jasmine Solano opens up about her own success, how she first launched her career, and how her future with Ebb & Flow was written in the stars.

What was the worst job you ever had?

When I was 17, I worked coat check at a club. There was a good and bad side to that job. Managing 400 coats a night with people losing their tickets and being rude… that was not so fun.

But the DJ, who was generously cool, would let me get on the turntables for a bit at the beginning of the night, before anyone was at the club. I got to practice DJ-ing live there – so my worst job actually became a stepping stone for my future life.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever been given?

Keep going. If you’re on the talent or entrepreneurial side, there are highs and lows… which is why Ebb & Flow is such a great name for this podcast. There are so many risks and heartbreaks involved with being an artist and running your own business and brand. It’s so easy to quit.

You really have to keep going until it pops. Find your groove until it creates momentum. You should have a drive that’s unlike anything else. It has to be fierce, consistent and nonstop… always stay ready for what’s around the corner.

When did you feel like you had really “made it”?

I have a music duo with MeLo-X called Electric Punanny. We’ve toured worldwide several times, and during one of those tours we performed at Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. We played on the Favela Stage, which was an entire wall the length of a New York City avenue decorated like favelas in Brazil. It was wild.

During that experience, I realized, “Wow. We are global. Not everyone knows our name, but we made it.”

You’ve worn a lot of hats throughout your career, including DJ, host, and music influencer. What would you say is your main area of expertise?

DJ-ing is number one. I’ve been DJ-ing now for 15 years.

My second main title is producer, which means many things in my world: producer of music, events, tours, organizing and mobilizing people. I take on roles from booking agent to accountant and everything in between. My expertise varies, but my main passion is understanding the climate of music and culture.

Another passion of mine is bringing people together and creating a space in which they feel comfortable sharing their stories. The reason I was obsessed with Ebb & Flow when I got the call was because I am an artist as well. If anyone can understand the lifestyle, and the trials and tribulations of an artist’s life, it’s me. I love talking to people about why they are how they are. I think those conversations are so fruitful, not just for fans who already love these artists, but people in general who are trying to build from the ground up.

Ebb & Flow is not your typical interview series. In some of the episodes, artists started tearing up. We got into some really emotional talks. It really just felt like I was talking to some of my best friends. I think that just comes from artists talking to artists, entrepreneurs talking to entrepreneurs; there’s a sense of understanding and comradery. It’s going to be really beautiful for fans to hear these conversations throughout the series.

Ebb & Flow isn’t the first time you’ve collaborated with New Amsterdam Vodka. What do you value most about being a New Amsterdam Vodka ambassador?

The people behind New Amsterdam Vodka have their finger on the pulse in terms of what to support. A lot of artists and entrepreneurs need partnerships, especially for creative ideas that need funding and backing. New Amsterdam Vodka has been one of those brands identifying projects and people that are pushing the culture forward.

The ethos of New Amsterdam Vodka is similar to that of a touring artist: The person that is always out pushing the needle and making the most of life. It’s definitely the perfect partnership.

How were you first approached about hosting Ebb & Flow?

It’s a really funny story. Back in January, someone told me, “It’s about the ebb and flow.” People have probably heard that phrase their whole lives, but for some reason, I had not heard it in at least a decade. I loved the meaning behind it, which references the waves of the sea. Like the seasons and the tide, everything has cycles.

A week later, my acupuncturist had a candle that said “ebb and flow.” Then I heard a song on the radio called “Ebb and Flow.” Every two weeks, “ebb and flow” would somehow come up in my life.

Then I got the call for this show and expressed how much I loved the concept. Then they told me the title was Ebb & Flow, and I nearly lost it!

So crazy! Do you think that when it comes to success, there’s something cosmic at force, or do you think it’s more luck, or hard work? Maybe a combination?

It’s everything you mentioned. It’s cosmic energy, destiny … mixed with devotion, timing, hard work, and talent.

I’m no guru; I don’t know the formula. But when people have all of that going at the same time, special things always happen.

Listen to Jasmine Solano host all 5 episodes of Ebb & Flow starting today, August 20.

Your Favourite BBC Podcasts, Now on Spotify in the UK

August 13, 2018

If podcasts now act as your constant companion on a commute, at the gym, or while you’re in the bath at the end of a long day, you’re not alone: millions of listeners across the UK are making podcasts part of their lives every day.

The BBC was one of the first podcast creators in the world when it made Radio 4’s ‘In Our Time’ downloadable online in 2004. Today, the BBC podcast library boasts hundreds of programmes across thousands of episodes and caters to millions of listeners across the UK and worldwide.

“The BBC is one of the largest content creators in the UK, and have worked with the biggest and best audio talent in the world,” explains James Cator, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Partnerships, EMEA. “To have a comprehensive audio catalogue in the UK, the BBC are essential, so adding the BBC to our rapidly-expanding catalogue of podcasts was a natural partnership.” To that end, Spotify has added podcasts from iPlayer Radio and BBC Sounds to the platform, making hundreds of BBC podcasts available to Spotify users in the UK from today.

That’s thousands of episodes across a number of diverse genres – all in one place. To access the podcasts, users can simply visit the podcast section in Browse on Spotify and browse categories including Comedy, News & Politics, Educational, Sport & Recreation, Lifestyle & Health, Business & Technology, and Kids & Family.

“You can now be assured of finding the perfect podcast for every moment and mood on Spotify,” says James. “Whatever you want to learn about, or whatever mood you want to feel, it is all available to you, however you want to listen – on your laptop, phone, or on your connected devices via Spotify Connect.”

The number of podcast listeners in the UK is growing rapidly every year, with many of those streaming original BBC shows. And, in James’ opinion, everyone has their own unique reason for streaming.

“Podcasts allow people to turn time that would otherwise be wasted into time that is productive and full of interest and wonder,” James says. “You can satisfy your innate curiosity, listen to some of the best storytelling in the world, and hear gripping true crime stories, all while travelling to work. Escapism, personal development, education, comedy, there are so many reasons to listen, and there really is a podcast for every situation. You can find people talking about topics with an honesty that doesn’t exist in any other medium.”

And although podcasts are growing more and more popular, James notes that it isn’t for everyone – yet. “I think there is so much left to create, and the majority of the population doesn’t listen to podcasts – yet. The beauty of podcasts is that it is so easy for everyone – whether you’re an individual self-starter, a small independent media company, or a huge corporation – to create a podcast and experiment with new formats. The breadth and variety of podcasts are growing at an incredible rate, and I think we will see podcast listening become truly mass market in the not-too-distant future.”

If you’re an aspiring podcast listener in the UK but aren’t sure where to begin, check out some of James’ recommendations from the BBC, all of which you can stream on Spotify in the UK from today:

Short Cuts: Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.

James’ take: “I love this show. Each episode is based around a theme, and can be anything from short stories to poetry to documentaries. Some themes have been ‘tough love’, ‘fear’ and ‘magical realism.’ One episode was about ‘nothing.’”

Desert Island Discs: Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: What would you take to a desert island? Kirsty Young invites her guests to share the soundtrack of their lives.

James’ take: “A classic show that has interviewed some of the biggest names in the world and reveals so much about them from just the few items they’d take to a desert island. Bruce Springsteen’s is a particular favourite.”

The Infinite Monkey Cage: A witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. With Brian Cox and Robin Ince, updated weekly.

James’ take: “Brian Cox and Robin Ince look at the world through science, but in ways that are always surprising, often hilarious and fascinating from start to finish. Great podcast for ‘did you know…’ pub facts.”

To listen to BBC podcasts in the UK head over to the Podcasts within Browse on Spotify.

EuroPride 2018: Identify-ing the Music of Diversity

August 2, 2018

Thomas Sekelius’s favorite EuroPride memory is deeply personal—and musical. “Singing my song ‘One More in the Crowd,’ the official Pride song, last year at Stockholm Pride was quite an indescribable feeling,” he recalls. “Not only did I sing a song of my own in front of hundreds of people dancing and cheering, but I got to stand for a cause that I have preached since day one. That was so genuine.”

While U.S. Pride wrapped up at the end of June, the party is just getting started in many parts of the world, including our home country of Sweden. Right now, the continent’s annual EuroPride celebration has just kicked off in Stockholm, where we are currently launching its new original podcast series, Identify, hosted by Thomas.

Identify investigates how music helps construct a person’s sense of self. The podcast features celebrity guests—including sibling duo Arrhult, writer TramsFrans, actress Saga Becker, artist Gabriel Fontana, activist Juliet Atto, YouTuber Sara Songbird and rapper Beri—sharing intimate stories about how music has shaped and influenced them. Each celeb has also created a playlist of inspiring songs, available until the end of August on our Pride Hub in Sweden.

To learn more about Identify, we spoke with Thomas Sekelius about the message behind the series, what it’s like to be LGBTQ in Sweden, and the music that’s helped shaped who he is today.

Thomas Sekelius, host of Spotify’s Identify podcast

Q: EuroPride is underway in Stockholm – what are you excited for?

A: I’m looking forward to seeing the community come together to paint the city in the colors of the rainbow while being the absolute proudest they can be. Pride Week is full of events that in one way or another fit everyone and will guarantee an amazing few days. But let’s not forget that not only this week, but the entire year is equally ours as anyone else’s. Diversity, diversity, diversity. Embrace it!

Q: What is unique about being LGBTQ/coming out in Sweden?

A: The overall acceptance of LGBTQ people in Sweden is pretty far along compared to other countries. This doesn’t mean that we should relax and be satisfied. We have a long way to go, in Sweden as well as other parts of Europe and the world. Even though acceptance has been better by the people there is still a lot of discrimination against more marginalized groups. So more safe spaces are needed for sure until we are all treated the same.

Q: You are open about your sexuality in your song “Awakening.” Why is music a good outlet for coming out?

A: Music plants a feeling in the people listening. Instead of only writing them down, you can combine those words with a melody and a massive production and give everyone a chance to almost actually taste the rainbow. You can really capture a feeling.

Q: As the host of Identify, you ask your guests questions about how music has shaped their identity. What are three times when music shaped yours?

A: When I was little, in my preteen years, and within the last two years. When I was little, I used to love listening to music in Swedish, English, and Hungarian, which is my mother tongue. I could float away to the land of music. I found so much happiness in music. When I was in the seventh and eighth grades, I had a hard time in school and could find both strength, peace and a trigger to my tears in music. I was also in musicals, training with a vocal coach, singing in a choir, and so on. Music was a big part of my life. The last few years, I went deeper. I began finding an interest in writing music and paid more attention to the production of songs, whereas before I mostly just listened to melodies, voices and lyrics for the overall feeling. Today, I aim to write my own songs, and am learning step by step how to produce my own product.

Q: Why is it important to feature diverse members of the LGBTQ community in your podcast?

A: People all over the world might be in a minority such as LGBTQ, but they’re still different in sexuality, ethnicity, opinion, and perspective. I wanted to make sure I didn’t just interview people with similar backgrounds. I wanted to showcase diversity to raise the bar for learning while listening.

Check out the Identify podcast and the EuroPride Hub, now available through the end of August.

From a Newspaper Ad to the Birth of Thrash Metal: The Story of Metallica

July 27, 2018

Metallica has been synonymous across the world with furious drumming, lightning fast riffing, mosh pits, and sold-out arenas for the last 30 years. Through virtuoso ensemble playing and its use of extremely accelerated tempos, Metallica took rock music to places it had never been before. It is for that reason that Metallica was honored with the prestigious Polar Music Prize in Stockholm earlier this month.

Metallica’s success story is a story to behold. And at the Polar Music Talks, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich took fans back in time to the early 80’s to tell the full story. His talk is now available in an exclusive podcast on Spotify.

In the podcast, Lars Ulrich tells the story of a band dead-set on making it big with an entirely new sound that combined blazing speed, unconventional song structures, complex time signatures, and in-your-face lyrics. Lars put up an ad: “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with,” and a couple of outsiders answered the call. They started to jam together in an LA suburb garage before eventually moving up to the Bay area. By the end of the 80’s, they had birthed four massively successful albums and a new genre: thrash metal.

“Back then, people thought I was crazy listening to Metallica since it was so rough and filled with anger,” says Renaud Doucet, Senior Editor for Metal at Spotify. “But then the ‘Black Album’ came along and the story changed completely. The stars aligned and Metallica became a household name almost overnight with hits like ‘Enter Sandman’ and ‘Nothing Else Matters.’ The band went from being thrash metal pioneers to the one the biggest rock bands around, introducing mainstream audiences to heavy metal and paving the way for more bands in adjacent genres.”

Closing in on their 40th anniversary, the hard-riffing quartet isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. With their Polar Music Prize win, the band joined the ranks of legends like Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Elton John, Emmylou Harris and many more. This year, the band was accompanied by Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. Listen to Dr. Sarmast’s full polar talk depicting his brave work bringing traditional music back to Afghanistan.

Metallica is known for constant experimentation that allowed them to come up with new sounds and new ideas, which might be why you receive a different answer every time you ask a fan why they enjoy Metallica’s music. But no matter which of the many albums is your favorite, Metallica fans can all agree that from their first jam sesh to now, Metallica changed the music game.

Check out Metallica biggest hits in This is: Metallica and the complete interview from this year’s Polar ceremony in Stockholm.

Amplifying Female Voices of Color Through the Power of Podcast

July 11, 2018

Podcasts are taking over. As it stands, one-third of Americans tune in, with 12 percent of listeners streaming 10 hours or more a week. Needless to say, it’s an exciting storytelling medium—and one that can have a major impact when it comes to representing diverse voices. And while women of color have been breaking ground in podcasting well ahead of the latest boom, there’s plenty more to be done, with a recent study showing that only 22 percent of podcasts are hosted by women, and even fewer when it comes to minority women.

In order to begin shifting that imbalance, Spotify hosted the first-ever Sound Up Bootcamp, a weeklong June intensive for aspiring female podcasters of color. The goal of the program was to bring more diverse voices into the podcast world—specifically voices belonging to women of color.

“Podcasting is more accessible to makers than most other media—production costs are lower, and the gatekeepers fewer,” says Rekha Murthy, a podcast and radio veteran with over 20 years of experience who co-taught the workshop. “More people are starting to take advantage of that opportunity. I’ve learned more about the experiences and perspectives of people of color through podcasting than anywhere else. I’ve come to a better understanding and appreciation of my own identities as a woman, and as a woman of color, thanks to podcasts. I’m sure some of that is because I intentionally seek out these voices. But also, they are there in ways I rarely find in, say, broadcast radio. There are also not enough.”

Sound Up Bootcamp featured daily sessions for 10 women of color who had been selected from over 18,000 applicants. Murthy and her colleague Graham Griffith led conversations on topics ranging from identifying an audience to honing a breakthrough message. Over the course of the week, attendees also learned from experts in the field about the art of podcast creation, from initial ideation to editing, producing, and marketing.

The women in attendance included Titi Shodiya, Kristina Ogilvie, Janina Jeff, Shonté Daniels, Amanda B, Tiara Darnell, Ivy Le, Doreen Wang, Gabriela Quintana, and Sun H. At the end of the course, 3 of the women—Titi, Kristina, and Janina—were awarded up to $10,000 each to fund their proposed podcasts. You can read more about each of the winners, their backgrounds, and their groundbreaking ideas here.

Murthy is optimistic about the medium’s ability to reach women of color, and the palpable enthusiasm in the room of bootcamp participants—each with a unique and provocative story to tell—only fueled that belief.

“What excites me about podcasting is that it’s still new, and we have an opportunity to shape the field into something that looks and sounds more like our country and our world,” added Murthy. “I think we’ll also find that’s where success lies.”

Greg Herman, video and non-music programming manager at Spotify, agreed. “It all begins with the creators,” he said. “Once you begin writing podcasts for people outside of the standard male demographic, you naturally grow a wider audience. It really begins with getting your message out there.”

For many of the women in the workshop, personal inspiration came from some fresh voices already being broadcast in the podcast universe. Spotify’s Christina Choi, Senior Producer and Senior Partnerships Manager, shared a few favorites of her own with the group.

“Code Switch features interesting stories from a diverse group of journalists,” she said. “Ear Hustle is a fantastic podcast produced by inmates at San Quentin State Prison telling stories about prison life. Nancy is hosted by two Asian American hosts about LGBTQ culture. 2 Dope Queens is a comedy podcast featuring two black female comedians talking about society and pop culture. And Another Round is currently off at the moment, but it was one of the first podcasts hosted by women of color.”

Other podcasts that came up in conversation as fuel for creativity included The Nod, which “gleefully explores all the beautiful, complicated dimensions of black life.” Good Muslim, Bad Muslim dives into “the good and the bad about the American Muslim female experience.” The Mash-up Americans is “your guide to hyphen-America.”

And while the list goes on, much of it has yet to be written. If the powerhouse women represented at Sound Up Bootcamp have anything to do with it, that chorus of voices is about to get a whole lot louder.

Get to Know Amy Schumer and Her Best Friends on New Spotify Original Podcast Series “Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith”

June 21, 2018

Hang out with Amy Schumer! The stand-up comedian and writer behind Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck, and I Feel Pretty will pull you into her life with her new Spotify original podcast Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith.

Premiering today, the podcast features Amy and her best friends, Rachel Feinstein, Bridget Everett, and Keith Robinson—who just happen to be acclaimed comedians as well. They will discuss the intimate details of their lives and the world in general.

Mystery, Murder, and Storytelling in the World of German Hip-Hop

June 19, 2018

Set against Berlin’s hip-hop scene is a music journalist’s dark tale. Insane interview subjects, artist breakdowns, festival freak-outs and, ultimately, a murder. Intrigued? All this could easily be the premise of the next great action movie, but instead, it’s the newest fictional podcast hitting headphones across Germany: Visa Vie’s “Das allerletzte Interview.”

The podcast, which translates into English as “The Very Last Interview,” is a fictional crime story that draws from the experiences of one of Germany’s most highly respected hip-hop journalists, Visa Vie, who knows the German hip-hop scene from the inside out. Now, she’s turned to podcasting, combining hip-hop with one of her other passions: crime stories.

The whodunit tells the story of a loner named Clara who wrangles her way into the role of a head editor for Germany’s biggest hip-hop magazine. However, Clara has a sinister intention. Her goal is to kill Germany’s most popular rapper—but only after their very last interview.

Visa Vie had been formulating the story for quite some time. Although it was drawn from her own experiences, writing and producing the podcast wasn’t easy. “For me, the whole project was one of the biggest challenges of my career,” says Visa Vie. “I’m just incredibly proud to publish the first hip-hop crime series in Germany on Spotify.”

Visa Vie herself

 

Though modern German music is most commonly associated with rock or techno, the country’s hip-hop scene has grown since the 1980s, evolving into an equally important part of its musical culture. German hip-hop is home to a diverse range of styles that incorporates voices from the Turkish community, among other ethnic groups, that shape modern Germany. The Spotify playlist “Modus Mio,” a playlist for the German rap generation, has a huge presence on the platform, with over 740k followers.

“Das allerletzte Interview” isn’t the only fictional podcast to garner listener interest and streams. The American podcast “Welcome to Night Vale” has hooked its audience on tense and grisly tales of crime since 2012. It’s perhaps the intimate nature of putting in headphones and immersing ourselves in a story that has made crime and mystery podcasts so popular. Listeners are eagerly tearing through entire series as quickly as they can to uncover the truth and discuss their theories with friends.

Now, more storytellers around the world are writing podcasts. The growing number of people streaming (rather than just downloading stories) has helped to make Spotify the number two podcast-listening destination in the world. It means when people tune in, it’s not just music they’re listening to anymore. “Spotify has evolved from a pure music to an audio platform,” says Michael Krause, Managing Director EMEA of Spotify. “Podcasts and audiobooks are streaming a lot, especially in Germany, and have seen a tremendous upswing over the past year.”

Fictional podcasts and other forms of audio storytelling have surged in popularity in recent years. Spotify has even expanded its original podcast offering to help listeners find their new obsession, be it fictional stories, mindfulness tips, or Stanley Cup debates. The allure, says Michael, is obvious. “The fact that we have the hip-hop crime story from Visa Vie on board for the fourth German Spotify Original Podcast is great. Rarely has a thriller been written with so much passion, background knowledge and references to the German rap scene.”

So whether you’re into fact, fiction, or something in between, look out for more and more audio options to take you to a world even beyond music.

“Das allerletzte Interview,” Visa Vie’s 10-part crime/hip hop series, hits Spotify June 19.

Spotify Studios Launches Season 3 of Critically Acclaimed Dissect Podcast

May 15, 2018

Dissect is Now Officially a Spotify Original Podcast Series

Dissect, the podcast music enthusiasts, culture vultures, and sonic super nerds are virtually obsessed with, is now an official member of Spotify Studios’ Original Podcast portfolio. Dissect, launched in 2017 and created and hosted by Cole Cuchna, is a serialized music podcast that highlights one album per season, analyzing the meaning, social context and purpose of one song per episode. Dissect Season 3, which launched on Spotify today, will focus on acclaimed artist, songwriter, and producer Frank Ocean’s 2016 studio album, Blonde.

“Dissect spotlights the artist’s genius and listeners learn to appreciate the music on a whole new level, even if the album was released years ago,” said Cole Cuchna, Audio Originals and Podcasts at Spotify. “Spotify has provided another outlet for fans to indulge in music education and learn about artists they are passionate about or for some, artists they have yet to discover.”

Cole Cuchna, Audio Originals and Podcasts at Spotify and host of Dissect

 

Listen to the trailer here.

In the previous two podcast seasons, listeners dove into the historical and sociological contexts behind Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Kanye West’s My BeautifuL Dark Twisted Fantasy. Available exclusively on Spotify for the first week of release, Cuchna will explore various themes in Blonde,including the complexities of love, childhood, sexuality, authenticity, independence, nostalgia and coming of age.

Giving podcast fans an exclusive first-listen through Spotify is part of the platform’s ongoing commitment to being an audio-first platform.

“We are excited to have Dissect become part of Spotify as we continue to focus on the emerging premium audio landscape,” said Courtney Holt, Head of Studios and Video, Spotify. “A burgeoning cultural phenomenon, Dissect takes its listeners on a journey through the heart and soul of artist’s creative journey. Cole Cuchna is a rare talent and we look forward to seeing what he comes up with in Season 3 and beyond.”

The Season 3 podcast, which encompasses 17 episodes and over 10 hours of audio content, starts out by focusing on Frank’s early career, beginning with his upbringing, transition from songwriter to solo artist, and release of Channel Orange. The latter episodes dive into the unmatched, track-by-track lyrical and musical analysis of Blond. The podcast showcases the genius that is Frank Ocean by examining his beloved lyrical storytelling and exploring how he creates his musical environments. The season finale, will culminate with thoughts directly from Dissect listeners on their thoughts on the album.

The goal of Dissect is to illuminate the artistry and cultural impact of contemporary musical masterworks. Eternally relevant and inventive, Frank Ocean’s Blonde is a natural addition to the mix.

Fans can tune-in to Season 3 here.

Spotify and NPR Team Up To Feed Your Podcast Addiction

May 10, 2018

Podcast lovers, clear your schedules: Spotify users now have the NPR podcast catalogue at their fingertips. From classic NPR favorites like Fresh Air to TED Radio Hour, to the media giant’s latest viral titles like Invisibilia, Hidden Brain, and How I Built This, all of NPR’s podcasts have a home on Spotify.

Fans new and old are part of the one-third of Americans who listen to podcasts, with 12 percent streaming 10 hours or more each week. As podcasts bleed ever more into office talk and dinner conversation (“You have to listen to this episode of NPR’s How I Built This!”; “I’m obsessed with NPR’s Hidden Brain podcast – it’s like they know me!”) they’re increasingly a way to stay culturally relevant and on top of the latest trends. We listen to them at home as we unwind, on the road or rails as we commute, and while we work—and we’re listening to them on Spotify like never before.

Why have podcasts become the media of the moment? NPR’s Chief Marketing Officer Meg Goldthwaite explains. “Podcasts are stimulating. You get to imagine jumping out of a plane with Invisibilia host Hannah Rosin and her 74-year-old mom, or eavesdropping as Shankar Vedantam crawls through someone’s thinking on Hidden Brain.”

“And podcasts can challenge you. They can inspire you. They can change the way you listen to your world,” she said. “Our audience numbers show that people crave that and want to access podcasts on as many platforms as possible. Whether it’s getting out the door with Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits or Are & Be playlists, or wrapping up your day with NPR’s TED Radio Hour, listeners are now able to do it all from one app on Spotify.”

To date, people have spent hundreds of millions of hours listening to podcasts on Spotify, the number two podcast listening destination in the world. With the addition of NPR’s colossal catalogue, Spotify’s platform is expected to be an even bigger magnet for podcast junkies across the globe.

NPR is arguably one of the biggest and most respected names in podcasting, with top-notch—and, in many cases, award-winning—podcasts and longtime listeners. For NPR, sharing its eclectic podcast archive on Spotify instantly builds expansive global awareness of its programming. Meanwhile, the talented podcasters of NPR gain access to millions of Spotify listeners who might not otherwise stumble upon and listen to their shows.

“For both Spotify and NPR, joining forces just makes sense, and we’re delighted to bring NPR podcasts to Spotify users,” said Dossie McCraw, Global Head of Podcast Partnerships at Spotify. “Podcasts are gifts you give yourself in moments of the day when you want to catch up on the news or hear thoughtful commentary on issues affecting us all or just have some fun with a game show like Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.”

“This collaboration is a huge step towards greater discoverability,” said Goldthwaite. “Be it science or music or news or conversation, NPR podcasts on Spotify are another place for audio-hungry ears to feast.”

To listen to NPR’s robust podcast library on Spotify, check out the Podcast Hub under Browse.