Tag: RADAR

RADAR Türkiye Celebrates 1 Year With a New Class of 5 Genre-Bending Artists

November 14, 2024

It’s been a year since RADAR, Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, launched in Türkiye. During this time, our RADAR Türkiye playlist became one of the most successful editions of the program globally, amassing nearly 30,000 saves to date. The RADAR Türkiye class of 2023 is also riding a wave of momentum, with Böyleyken Böyle, Ege Can Sal, Paptircem, Selin, and Sena Şahin seeing an average 50% increase in their follower bases over the past year.

We recently launched our second edition of RADAR Türkiye, featuring Baran Mengüç, Ceren Sagu, Lotusx, Rana Türkyılmaz, and TUANA. As part of the program, all are included on our RADAR Türkiye playlist while receiving additional playlist support and off-platform promotion.

These five artists showcase the range of sounds reflected in the country’s latest listening trends. For years, pop and hip-hop dominated the local charts, but Spotify data now reveals a resurgence of alternative genres like rock, alt-pop, and arabesk—reimagined for a younger audience. Cross-genre collaborations and the integration of local cultural motifs are enriching Türkiye’s music landscape, with influences ranging from Turkish folk to electronic music.

“We are proud to be supporting another selection of Turkish artists, who are greatly inspired by different music styles as well as art, digital culture, and what is happening in the international music scene,” said Fırat Tekaüt, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager at Spotify. “As future voices of the music scene, I have no doubt that their unique visions and diverse backgrounds will contribute greatly to Türkiye’s evolving and interconnected music landscape. After all, it’s this very diversity and constant change that shapes both the Turkish music scene and the trends we see on our platform.”

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

Baran Mengüç

A multifaceted artist spanning pop, R&B, and traditional Turkish sounds, Baran Mengüç incorporates classical Turkish instruments into his music, creating a unique fusion that he calls “Ottoman Pop.”

Ceren Sagu

Ceren Sagu brings a youthful spin to arabesk, a genre traditionally associated with older generations, by blending it with modern trap beats, showcasing the resurgence of interest in this style among younger listeners.

Lotusx

Blending hyperpop with modern hip-hop and introspective lyrics, Lotusx continues to appeal to Gen Z’s love for emotional, genre-blending tracks.

Rana Türkyılmaz

Rana Türkyılmaz got her start channeling ’90s and ’00s rock nostalgia—but with a fresh indie twist. One to watch in Türkiye’s rock scene, she’s capturing the hearts of local rock enthusiasts.

TUANA

TUANA is transitioning from dance-pop to an alternative indie sound, in tandem with the growing interest in cross-genre experimental music among younger listeners.

Hit play on our RADAR Türkiye playlist to discover more emerging Turkish artists.

Celebrating 10 Years of Spotify in the Philippines

November 1, 2024

Since launching in the Philippines 10 years ago, Spotify has redefined how Filipinos discover and engage with music, fostering a thriving, fan-driven culture. Our Top 50 – Philippines chart is now close to 75% local, showcasing the vibrancy of the local music scene. 

Furthermore, Pinoy music streams have quadrupled globally over the past five years, with the U.S., Canada, Indonesia, Poland, and Australia representing the top markets outside the Philippines. Global daily streams of playlists like KALYE have increased by 600% in the last five years, while P-Pop on the Rise has grown by 138% year over year. 

To mark a decade of Pinoy music’s growth on Spotify, we’ve celebrated with a special edition of Spotify Lounge, a refreshed Pinoy Music hub, and a unique collaboration with Billboard Philippines on a special Spotify issue packed with interviews with top artists, industry insights from our music team, and our impact in the Philippines.

 

Spotify honors the best and brightest Pinoy artists

Spotify Lounge: Philippines Edition brought together 400 artists, labels, VIPs, media, and business partners to celebrate all things Pinoy music. Highlights from the night include performances from Ben&Ben, Moira Dela Torre, and Spotify RADAR artist Maki, who were celebrated for their innovative sounds and styles, shaping the next wave of Pinoy music.

RADAR Artists Give FC Barcelona an Assist With Their Matchday Takeover

October 14, 2024

Through our first-of-its kind partnership, Spotify and FC Barcelona are committed to uniting the worlds of music and sport. And when the Barça men’s squad recently stepped onto the pitch for a showdown with Getafe CF, RADAR, Spotify’s global emerging artist program, was ready for a matchday takeover. 

To celebrate, we hosted a roster of our RADAR alumni from around the globe to connect with one another and celebrate their artist journeys. Rising artists including centromilacare, Jolagreen23, Charlie USG, Delilah, Joaquina, and THAI of the T-Pop boy band BUS were in attendance.

 

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Our six-person squad represents the promising talent coming out of Italy, France, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, and Thailand while spanning genres like pop, rap, alternative/indie and Música Mexicana.

“We know that there are exciting parallels between an athlete and an emerging artist’s journey, and through our RADAR program, we wanted to create a space for emerging talent from around the world to celebrate their shared passions,” said Rachel Ring, Global Music Programs Marketing Lead at Spotify.

 

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At the match, our RADAR artists had the opportunity to step onto the pitch and experience the stadium atmosphere, see their names up on the stadium LED boards, and support the team. In addition, they were featured in the RADAR takeover of the Barça Matchday playlist that gets FC Barcelona fans hyped up before every kickoff whistle.

Introducing the RADAR Creators U.S. Class of 2024

October 9, 2024

Discovery is at the heart of what we do at Spotify, and since 2020, our RADAR program has helped introduce rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising creators in more than 30 markets to new audiences around the world. 

Previously, we’ve supported creators through our global RADAR Podcasters playlist. But as more creators experiment and engage audiences through both video and audio, we want to be inclusive of all the ways they’re expressing their creativity. That is why we are expanding RADAR Podcasters to be RADAR Creators, reflecting our commitment to supporting creators across all formats on Spotify. In addition, we’re expanding the reach of RADAR Creators to several new markets: the U.S., Australia, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico.

To kick off RADAR Creators, we’re announcing our U.S. Class of 2024. Featuring diverse and engaging voices, these five shows cover topics that span pop culture, sports, wellness, true crime, and comedy. 

Here’s the scoop on the new RADAR Creators class.

Joy of Missing Out

After spending their twenties working for other people, Chloe Shih and Eric Wei are betting on themselves as they navigate their thirties. With their video podcast Joy of Missing Out, the two hosts provide listeners with a fresh and engaging perspective on taking “the road less traveled” and not conforming to societal expectations.

I’m Right You’re Wrong

We all have those friends we love to get into debates with over brunch. And every week on I’m Right You’re Wrong, hosts Isa Medina—who previously cohosted the hit podcast Sounds Like a Cult—and Lydia Keating explore the ethical questions that people in their twenties and thirties face every day by picking a side and engaging in a humorous debate. So if you’re unsure of where you land on nepo babies, or whether dating a friend’s ex is right or wrong, this is the video podcast for you. 

 

Small Ball with Kenny Beecham 

A self-described NBA super fan, Kenny Beecham has built up a dedicated following as a video creator who talks all things basketball. With a new season of hoops around the corner, Small Ball with Kenny Beecham is back to keep you up-to-date on all the action.

Black People Love Paramore

Every Thursday, Black People Love Paramore explores the niche interests of Black people that might seem random at first glance but are definitely a thing. From anime to Tony Hawk to title inspiration Paramore, host Sequoia Holmes aims to make Black listeners feel seen and connected through this lighthearted, Webby Award–nominated dive into pop culture. 

PRETEND

PRETEND offers a fresh approach on the true crime genre by uncovering the stories of the most notorious scams and con jobs. Host Javier Leiva pulls back the curtain on cult leaders and undercover FBI agents, exposing the transgressive masterminds who pretended to be someone they weren’t. 

Discover even more rising creators by visiting our RADAR Creators hub on Spotify.

RADAR Korea Invites Fans Inside the Vibrant World of RIIZE in Honor of the K-Pop Group’s First Mini Album, ‘RIIZING’

June 26, 2024

Since 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, supporting emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. In South Korea, RADAR has elevated the country’s best and brightest, helping groups like LE SSERAFIM and NMIXX catapult their careers and connect with new fans near and far.

That couldn’t be more true for RIIZE, the newest RADAR Korea artist and the first K-Pop boy group to be part of the program. RIIZE burst onto the scene in 2023 with the catchy pop single “Get A Guitar” and has been steadily climbing the K-Pop ranks ever since.

Since joining RADAR Korea in April, RIIZE has received Spotify support through special editorial placement, a personalized marketing plan, and more. Prominent features on our RADAR Korea playlist and exclusive social media content have helped RIIZE expand its reach and foster deeper connections with listeners. In just two months, the group has seen a more than 40% increase in monthly streams, a 13% boost in monthly listeners, and a 12% increase in user-generated playlists that include at least one RIIZE track.

To date, RIIZE has amassed more than 210 million Spotify streams and currently boasts nearly 4 million monthly listeners. Its music is traveling the globe, transcending language and cultural boundaries as it reaches listeners in Japan, Indonesia, the U.S., and beyond.

Six Artists, Six Distinct Sounds: Meet the RADAR Poland Class of 2024

June 20, 2024

As Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, RADAR supports emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has featured more than 20 up-and-coming Polish artists. From Jann to Zalia, Julia Pośnik to TYNSKY, stickxr to bambi, many of these entertainers have leveraged RADAR to boost their profiles and connect with new fans near and far.

Now we’re launching our fifth edition of RADAR Poland, featuring Daniel Godson, Jea Mira, Livka, Lotta, MAJA, and Zaleś. Blending multiple styles and genres into their own unique sounds, these six artists are putting their stamp on Poland’s diverse music landscape. As part of the program, all will be included on Spotify’s dedicated RADAR Polska playlist while also receiving additional playlist support and off-platform promotion. And while many of these artists are also songwriters, this year, for the first time, we’re also welcoming an artist who has built a career writing for others.

“The highly anticipated moment when we announce the yearly group of RADAR Poland artists is here, and we’re excited to introduce a group of diverse artists that have really embraced their own individualities,” said Mateusz Smółka, Music Team Lead at Spotify. “We’re delighted to continue to support emerging Polish artists in a crucial stage in their careers and enable them to reach a wider audience through our dedicated tools and playlists on and off platform.”

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

Daniel Godson

Photo credit: Adam Byra

Passionate about music since childhood, Daniel Godson went on to attend music school and sing in a church choir. The young artist’s warm voice lends an ethereal quality to his music, which blends pop, indie, soul, and R&B. He has released a slew of singles since 2022, with “Safe Zone” and “Czuję, więc jestem?” racking up the most streams on Spotify.

Jea Mira

Photo credit: Adam Byra

Born in Poland and based in London, Jea Mira has spent recent years honing her powerful, velvety voice and refining her sound on tracks like “Mine” and “Best I’ve Never Had.” Her indie-pop style exudes charm and character, with artists like Lorde, Rihanna, and Fleetwood Mac cited as inspirations.

Livka

Photo credit: Adam Byra

After Livka garnered buzz on social media with her covers of hit songs, fans quickly recognized her talent, falling in love with her sensitivity and sense of humor. A self-proclaimed Phoebe Bridgers enthusiast, Livka is known for her deeply emotional lyrics. She has released a handful of tracks since 2022, with her most popular, “bezdech,” approaching half a million streams on Spotify.

Lotta

Photo credit: Adam Byra

Karolina Pielesiak rose to fame as one half of Szparagi before launching her solo career in 2023 under the stage name Lotta. As it leans heavily into hyperpop, her music is a unique blend of experimental tones and dark humor, as evidenced by tracks like “nowa żona” and “oszukał mnie disney.”

MAJA

Photo credit: Adam Byra

Maja Janowska, known by her stage name MAJA, is a vocalist and social media influencer with a Gen Z following. Her 2023 debut single, “Klub złamanych serc,” is a guitar-driven, sentimental ballad that boasts nearly 640,000 streams on Spotify.

Zaleś

Photo credit: Adam Byra

Zaleś is a singer-songwriter who draws inspiration from several art mediums, including painting. He embraces a genreless sound that combines guitar pop, electronic, alternative, and rap. His 2023 debut album, Obrazy Uczuć, includes his top-streamed tracks on Spotify: “Interpretacje” and “Spadam.”

Dive into our RADAR Polska playlist to discover more artists shaping the future of Polish music.

12 Artists, 6 Countries, Endless Talent: Meet the RADAR Latin America Class of 2024

May 9, 2024

From reggaeton to Música Mexicana, Latin artists are reshaping the rhythm of global music. Recent years have seen the emergence of groundbreaking talent from cultural hot spots like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico—and at their heels are more rising stars, ready to take the music to even greater heights.

Since 2020, Spotify has helped artists across the region chart their paths to stardom through RADAR, our global program to support emerging talent. Previous editions of the program have featured Latin hitmakers like Peso Pluma, Blessd, Ovy On The Drums, and Maria Becerra. Today, these power players aren’t just breaking records on Spotify—they’re breaking down barriers and bringing their music to a global audience.

Now we’re launching the RADAR Latin America class of 2024. Featuring 12 artists, the class represents Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Argentina. These artists reflect the region’s rich tapestry of styles and genres, including Argentine cuarteto, Música Mexicana, Brazilian funk, and reggaetón Mexa, as well as sounds like pop, hip-hop, rock, and R&B.

As part of the program, RADAR artists receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist and special editorial placement. Additionally, this year, Spotify is teaming up with Meta to provide the class with personalized guidance, empowering them to create effective social strategies and enhance their online presence. This will be essential for expanding the artists’ reach and engagement on digital platforms.

Spotify is also partnering with the artist-fan community platform sesh to offer mentorship to each artist. Through sesh, which helps artists forge deeper connections with their listeners, they will build custom strategies for greater growth and retention of their fan bases.

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

RADAR Mexico

CHOCA

On Spotify, reggaetón Mexa has grown over 120% in its home country in the past year alone. Hailing from Mexico City, CHOCA is ready to take the genre even further. The artist launched her music career in 2021 with the release of her first single, “Bluntsito,” and has continued to fine-tune her flow, as evidenced by her latest single, “Bebe Ricota.”

Delilah

The young Música Mexicana artist Delilah has made a name for herself in corridos tumbados, a subgenre of Mexican corridos. She was the first female singer to join Natanael Cano’s record label, Los CT, and dropped her first single under the label, “Amor Perdido,” earlier this year.

The Warning

The Monterrey-based rock band The Warning is composed of three sisters: Dany, Pau, and Ale Villarreal. The group initially made waves with a series of independent releases, paving the way for their 2022 album ERROR. They have since graced stages alongside rock legends like Muse, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses.

Stream our RADAR México playlist to hear the country’s next wave artists to watch.

RADAR Brazil

Os Garotin

Rio de Janeiro-based band Os Garotin was formed by Anchietx, Leo Guima, and Cupertino. The three friends (and solo artists) have come together to blend Brazilian soul, hip-hop, and pop into a sound they describe as danceable R&B. The trio first gained attention in 2023 with their debut EP, Só Vem, and are currently preparing to release their debut album, OS GAROTIN DE SÃO GONÇALO.

MC NAHARA

MC NAHARA has emerged as one of the main female voices of Brazilian funk, with several million followers on social media. Most recently, she featured Brazilian funk mainstay Djonga on her track “Mexeu com a Mente,” while collaborations with rapper MC Saci and producer Wc no Beat are on the horizon.

Xamuel

Boasting more than 4.5 million followers on social media, Xamuel is a young Brazilian artist from Rio Grande do Sul who got his start in the region’s battle rap scene. After footage of one of his battle raps went viral in 2022, Xamuel developed the hit into his breakout single “Alguém Conseguiu Entender?” which he followed up with his major label debut single “Sozinho.”

Dive into our RADAR Brasil playlist to discover more emerging talent.

RADAR Andinos

Susana Cala

Susana Cala is a singer-songwriter from Bogotá, Colombia. After composing songs for renowned Latin artists such as Morat, Andrés Cepeda, Sebastián Yatra, and Ximena Sariñana, she launched her own career as a pop artist in 2021. She describes her sound as bedroom pop and cites artists like Julieta Venegas and La Oreja de Van Gogh as her inspiration.

Joaquina

The young Venezuelan American singer-songwriter Joaquina is one to watch in Latin pop. She took home the Best New Artist award at the 2023 Latin Grammys for her debut EP, los mejores años (notas de diario), a collection of poetic pop-rock reflections on heartbreak, rage, and teen angst.

Greccia

Greccia is a singer-songwriter from Lima, Peru, who describes her sound as a mix of dream pop, alternative urban, and R&B. She launched her music career just over a year ago with the release of her first single, “aviéntate,” and is currently working on her first studio album, arriving later this year.

Check out tracks from other talented artists in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru in our RADAR Andinos playlist.

RADAR Al Sur

Magui Olave

Magui Olave was born and raised in a cuarteto family in Córdoba, Argentina. She got her start in music doing backup vocals for her cousins, Argentine cuarteto singers Ulises Bueno and Rodrigo (also known as “El Potro”). Today, she has several studio albums under her belt.

Valentina Marquez

Valentina Marquez is a rising star in Argentine cuarteto, having followed in the footsteps of her father Lisandro Marquez, a member of the cuarteto band Sabroso. Just two years into her music career, she has already accumulated nearly 20 million streams on Spotify.

Eugenia Quevedo

Eugenia Quevedo is another prominent female figure in Argentine cuarteto, having appeared on shows like Got Talent Argentina and La Voz Argentina (of The Voice franchise). Most recently, she collaborated with Argentine hitmaker Luck Ra on “OJALÁ,” a track from his chart-topping album QUE NOS FALTE TODO.

Stream our RADAR Al Sur playlist to hear more rising stars from the southernmost areas of Latin America.

RADAR Italy Returns With 6 Artists Transforming the Country’s Music Landscape

April 24, 2024

As Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, RADAR supports emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has featured more than two dozen up-and-coming Italian artists. From BLANCO to BigMama, ARIETE to Il Tre, Rhove to NASKA, many of these entertainers have leveraged RADAR to boost their profiles and connect with new fans near and far.

Now we’re launching our fourth edition of RADAR Italy, featuring Tony Boy, okgiorgio, Coca Puma, STE, Sally Cruz, and centomilacarie.

This group reflects the wide range of styles and genres that extend across the country. They’re driving music trends, influencing everything from rap to electronic to a Gen Z wave of fluid, genreless sounds. As part of the program, all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.

To introduce—and celebrate—this year’s class, we brought all six artists to Milan for our first-ever RADAR live event in Italy. Along with performances from our guests of honor, content creator Federico Felletti also interviewed each artist.

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

Tony Boy

Amid the growing popularity of rap in Italy, Tony Boy is one to watch closely. The young artist has made a name for himself as an urban singer-songwriter with a penchant for introspective storytelling. His new album, NOSTALGIA (export), is a strong follow-up to his earlier work, including 2020’s Going Hard and 2023’s Umile.

okgiorgio

As RADAR Italy’s first producer and DJ, okgiorgio sits at the forefront of the country’s electronic music scene. The artist pulls from genres like stutter house and U.K. garage to create music with equal parts emotion and danceability.

Coca Puma

Newcomer Coca Puma is a singer-songwriter, producer, and musician who combines genres such as indie, dream pop, nu jazz, and electronica. Her recent debut album, Panorama Olivia, showcases a unique approach to music that has been influenced by her experiences traveling abroad, jazz studies, and eclectic listening habits.

STE

Neapolitan music has emerged as a national phenomenon in recent years, and rap remains a prominent part of the city’s music culture. But R&B is also on the rise, and STE is one of Naples’ most promising representatives, fusing the rhythms of contemporary R&B with Afrobeats and traditional Neapolitan sounds.

Sally Cruz

With the release of her first single, “UN DISASTRO,” Sally Cruz launched her music career in 2022 just as pop punk was beginning to trend in Italy. Today, the artist is also influenced by urban and electronic sounds, evidenced by “LA NOTTE,” her collaboration with thasup and Mike Defunto that recently landed on Spotify’s Hot Hits Italia playlist.

centomilacarie

Centomilacarie, who has been playing music since the age of four, mixes raw and unfiltered songwriting with a diverse sonic palette to create a style all his own. Most recently, the artist collaborated with MACE on two songs from the Italian producer’s latest album, MĀYĀ.

Stream our RADAR Italia playlist to discover more emerging Italian artists.

RADAR Spain Returns With 6 Artists Shaping the Country’s Hottest Music Trends

April 5, 2024

Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, supporting emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Now we’re launching our fifth edition of RADAR Spain, featuring Mushkaa, Charlie USG, Luis Cortés, pablopablo, shego, and Samuraï.

These six artists reflect the rich tapestry of sounds taking the country by storm, from the rise of urban music in Catalan to the fusion of flamenco, soul, and R&B. And as part of the program, they will all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.

Across the previous editions of the program, 35 Spanish artists have used RADAR as a springboard to raise their profiles and connect with new fans across the globe. Take reggaeton star Quevedo: After being named one of Spotify’s RADAR Global artists in 2022, the singer dropped his collaboration with Bizarrap, “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” and went on to become the most-listened-to homegrown artist in Spain in 2022 and 2023.

The RADAR Spain class of 2023 is also riding a wave of momentum. One featured artist, singer-songwriter-producer SAIKO, has seen his monthly listeners grow by a cool 600%. Similarly, pop performer Marta Santos has boosted her monthly listeners by more than 120%, while singer Queralt Lahoz has seen a 90% spike.

This new class of rising stars is now ready to make their mark and showcase the innovation and experimentation that has long defined Spanish music. Keep reading to find out why these artists have fans buzzing.

Mushkaa

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Just a few years into her professional music career, Mushkaa sits at the forefront of the Catalan urban music scene. With a distinct urban/pop sound, the artist is helping take music in the Catalan language beyond its traditional geographic borders.

Charlie USG

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Charlie USG got his start performing covers of popular Spanish songs on the streets of Madrid. In 2022, he released his first original song, “Gran Vía 82,” in honor of the corner where he developed his first fan base. Today, the singer-songwriter combines classic rock elements with contemporary pop sounds.

Luis Cortés

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Luis Cortés’ gypsy and African ancestry helped shape his diverse musical palette, with the musician blending flamenco, soul, and R&B into one unique sound. He recently dropped three new singles: “Sin Ti, Sin Mí,” “Mama,” and “ME DUELE QUERERTE.”

pablopablo

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

After getting his start as a producer and composer, pablopablo burst onto Spain’s indie music scene in 2022. Since then, the artist has collaborated with Spanish pop star C. Tangana on several releases, including “Estrecho / Alvarado (feat pablopablo).”

shego

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

The Madrid-based rock band shego dabbles in rock, pop, punk, and electronica. Currently working on its second studio album, the female-fronted group has been steadily climbing the ranks of Spanish indie rock.

Samuraï

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Samuraï takes us back to the punk-pop sounds of the 2000s. The artist mixes alternative pop, electronic, and urban sounds, fusing her passion for video games with her music in a fresh, vibrant way.

Stream our RADAR España playlist to discover more emerging Spanish artists.

RADAR US Is Back With the Raw and Unfiltered Raps of Sexyy Red

February 12, 2024

RADAR was launched in 2020 to support artists and creators as they chart their paths to superstardom, and it has since become the global home for what’s next in music.

In recent years, we’ve been proud to support RADAR alumni like Zach Bryan, Tyla, Villano Antillano, Reneé Rapp, and Peso Pluma. And this month we’re proud to name Sexyy Red as our latest RADAR US artist.

 

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All eyes were on the St. Louis rapper in 2023 when she found success with her track “Pound Town”; she later joined SZA on Drake’s single “Rich Baby Daddy.” Influenced by 2000s southern rap from the likes of Three 6 Mafia and Gucci Mane, Sexyy Red collaborated with Nicki Minaj, Lil Durk, NLE Choppa, Summer Walker, Chief Keef, G Herbo, 42 Dugg, Young Nudy, Latto, and Moneybagg Yo in the last year alone.

But Sexyy Red is just getting started, and we’re committed to helping her career grow even bigger. Through RADAR, we’re working to introduce Sexyy Red to reach new audiences, deepen her connection with her Day 1 fans, and amplify her upcoming releases. She’ll not only be the featured artist of our RADAR US playlist but will receive additional support on- and off-platform. 

Sexyy Red’s addition to our list of RADAR artists follows the recent refresh of the program’s look and feel, which invites fans to step into the world of tomorrow’s stars and find out what inspires them and what keeps them going.

Stream RADAR US to check out the irresistible sounds of Sexyy Red and more of our RADAR picks.

How Spotify’s Playlists Captured the Biggest Music Trends of 2023

November 29, 2023

With another year coming to a close, Spotify is back with your personalized Wrapped, our annual recap of your listening highlights from the past 12 months that includes your top songs, artists, and podcasts, as well as your most distinct streaming habits. But we’re also taking a step back and looking at 2023’s biggest music trends on Spotify.

Thanks to the in-the-know editors responsible for creating our editorial playlists as part of the Global Curation Groups, the most iconic musical moments of the year were reflected on Spotify. Whether it was blockbuster movie soundtracks that grabbed the world’s attention, viral social media moments that bubbled up to the mainstream, or classic genres finding new fans in Gen Z, our experts were on top of it all.

For the Record sat down with our editorial team and got the scoop. 

Peso Pluma and Música Mexicana go mainstream

RADAR US artist Peso Pluma made himself known to the world in March with his feature on Eslabon Armado’s “Ella Baila Sola.” Fast-forward to now, and that song is one of the top-five most-streamed songs of 2023 globally—and is about to hit Spotify’s Billions Club. Meanwhile, the Música Mexicana genre at large has enjoyed a surge in popularity, dominating the global charts this summer.

Explore this trend on: Lo Mejor de La Reina 2023, Corridos Perrones, Corridos Tumbados, Today’s Top Hits

Folk rising

In 2023, a slew of indie artists emerged with folk-inspired albums including Mitski, Toro Y Moi, and boygenius. Plus, we heard new folk voices like Searows and 2024 Best New Artist Noah Kahan. 

Explore this trend on: Indie Twang, Juniper

Shoegaze returns courtesy of Gen Z

Shoegaze has been around since the late ’80s, but it experienced a resurgence in 2023 among Gen Z, who found new bands like Wisp as well as aughts stalwarts like Panchiko.

Over the past year, the genre has thrived within various Gen Z internet communities that have fostered pockets of interest and given birth to exciting new acts. Perhaps unknowingly, the emerging class of neo-shoegaze artists is contributing to genre diffusion, blending techniques from various music genres to create something fresh and unique.

Explore this trend on: Shoegaze Now, IRL Angel

Rema carries Afrobeats into Spotify’s Billions Club

Rema has been a hitmaker in Africa since 2019, but it was a collaboration with Selena Gomez on “Calm Down (Remix)” that shot him to international fame in 2023. The global smash earned the Afrobeats star a Grammy nomination, as well as a spot in our highly coveted Billions Club, making “Calm Down” the first African artist-led track to do so. 

Explore this trend on: African Heat, Billions Club, Today’s Top Hits

Taylor Swift’s eras on tour

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour kicked off in March and was the live-music event of the year. Taylor not only picked songs from all 10 of her studio albums to perform in a stunning three-hour show, but she also set aside time each night for acoustic performances of two surprise songs. And according to Taylor’s rules, no two songs could be repeated unless she messed it up the first time. To capture this epic moment, we collected all of the surprise songs in a playlist, which was updated every weekend during the U.S. leg of her tour.

Explore this trend on: Surprise Song Era

Troye Sivan and Hyunjin’s IRL friendship

This past summer, Troye Sivan posted a TikTok that went viral about trying to find Hyunjin of Stray Kids. We joined in on the fun with a playlist and they eventually collabed on a remix of “Rush,” which also featured PinkPantheress.

Explore this trend on: what a moment

Peggy Gou takes house music to the top of the charts

House, one of the original genres of dance music, has grown in popularity since the pandemic. This summer, we saw massive house hits resonate with fans internationally, including Peggy Gou‘s “(It Goes Like) Nanana.” 

Other huge moments for house music include artists like Fred again.., Black Coffee, Chris Lake, and FISHER, who are breaking records around the world, and breakthrough opportunities for exciting artists like LP Giobbi, John Summit, and Dom Dolla

Explore this trend on: Umami, Housewerk presents…Best House of 2023, Summer House

It’s a Barbie world

Ahead of the Barbie release this summer, we saw “Barbiecore” aesthetics manifest in the pop culture zeitgeist. Once we got word that Barbie was going to feature a star-studded soundtrack with hits like Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and Aqua’s “Barbie World” and Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” we brought all things Barbie to life on Spotify through the “pinkification” of several playlist covers, new editorial playlists, and partner playlists.

Explore this trend on: Hot Pink, Barbie Official Playlist

Hyper techno surges

There was an influx of high-BPM dance pop songs in general, and with it came a new wave of tracks that showcased a harder sound using classic techno and big room beats and basslines. We saw a surge in streams—especially from European Gen Zs—of techno-infused songs like Niklas Dee’s “Not Fair,” Creeds’ “Push Up,” and BENNETT’s “Vois sur ton chemin.”

Explore this trend on: rave, techno party

Jersey Club is everywhere 

Jersey Club production became ubiquitous not only in U.S. hip-hop but around the world. We also saw the genre’s influence find its way into K-Pop and thoughtful electronic music. Pioneers such as DJ Smallz 732, UNIIQU3, and Cookiee Kawaii were tapped to remix some of 2023’s biggest hits, and newcomers such as Kanii, keltiey, and Lay Bankz staked their claims as names to watch.

Explore this trend on: Jersey Club Heat presents…Best Jersey Club Songs of 2023

Tyla’s turns her viral moment into crossover success

South Africa’s Amapiano sound has been winning the hearts of electronic and dance fans after TikTok dances and DJ mixes helped it go viral in 2020. In 2023, RADAR Africa artist Tyla took her career to the next level, blending her R&B sound with Amapiano and South African dance genre Bacardi house on her hit song “Water.” After Spotify Africa’s partnership with the Giants of Africa Festival—a basketball event in Rwanda where Tyla’s viral dance was first seen—many posted their own versions of the dance challenge on social media, which led to “Water” skyrocketing around the world and earning a feature from Travis Scott on the remix.

Explore this trend on: RNB X, RADAR Africa, African Heat, RADAR Global 

Women run hip-hop  

Female rappers continued their reign in 2023, with top names like Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Latto, Ice Spice, Kaliii, Doechii, and the year’s breakout star, Sexyy Red, making some of the most creative and worthwhile hip-hop this year. 

Explore this trend on: RapCaviar presents…Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2023, Feelin’ Myself 

Pop-punk’s greatest legends return

We witnessed the resurgence of pop-punk’s most iconic figures with mainstays like Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, Green Day, and Neck Deep returning in 2023 with a taste of new music. Additionally, blink-182 welcomed back Tom DeLonge and embarked on a global tour to celebrate their new album, ONE MORE TIME…. 

Explore this trend on: Pop Punk’s Not Dead

The nu-metal revival continues

Nu-metal and alternative metal have made triumphant returns this year, with a younger audience discovering and devouring the catalogs of bands like Deftones, Korn, Slipknot, and more. Additionally, we’re seeing a wave of new nu-metal songs from rising artists who are embracing the sound and paying homage to their predecessors.

Explore this trend on: new nü, ALLURE

Alt country crosses over

This trend in country music had a slow build that reached new heights with the release of RADAR US artist Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak in 2022, and took off 2023 with hits like Dylan Gossett’s “Coal.” This acoustic, gritty sound was typically reserved for alternative country and folk playlists in the past, but it has fully moved into the mainstream with songs that have been fan favorites across our flagship playlists. 

Explore this trend on: Hot Country presents…Best Country Songs of 2023, Hot Hits USA, Today’s Top Hits, homegrown

Looking for more of the songs that have left their stamp on 2023? Check out our flagship playlist Today’s Top Hits. 

2023 RADAR Colombia Artists Release Spotify Singles in Collaboration with Renowned Producer Ovy On The Drums

November 24, 2023

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Without a doubt, RADAR has become a home for new music. The Spotify program, which finds talented local emerging artists and gives them the platform they need for a global reach, has especially taken hold in Colombia. Over the course of 2023, RADAR Colombia has gone to new heights by working with Ovy On The Drums, the renowned producer for KAROL G. Ovy, who is also an artist in his own right, joined forces with Spotify to collaborate with three promising Colombian artists on new music.

Ovy, who was also a RADAR artist in 2020,  is the perfect partner to help these promising artists increase their visibility both on digital platforms and beyond, and teach them the composition and production processes used by the region’s and the world’s most outstanding artists. 

This year, RADAR in andean countries has also evolved to provide more solid support to the careers of our program artists. To aid in our search for talented acts, and to ensure our process is informed and equitable, we embarked on a RADAR tour where we connected with over nine promising artists, all of whom had clear plans for launching their work, showed steady commitment to their projects, and were backed by solid teams. From this talented group, we selected the three artists of the year :  Junior Zamora, Valentina Rico, and Loyal Lobos. We flew all three artists to Medellín to record a Spotify Single with Ovy On The Drums.

Get to know the artists and listen to their singles below.

Junior Zamora

Originally from Cali, Colombia, Junior Zamora established himself in the world of music as a talented composer, arranger, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His unique style, which combines Afro influences with coastal rhythms, urban currents, R&B, and Latin Pop, is reflected in his greatest hits. Junior’s ability to capture and convey a wide range of musical nuances establishes him as a prominent figure in Colombian music.

Valentina Rico

Valentina Rico, a singer and songwriter from Medellín, Colombia, made her mark in the music industry when she was a teenager. Working with Sony Music Publishing Latin, she has written songs for artists such as David Bisbal, Paulina Rubio, Luis Fonsi, Morat, and Danna Paola. Her career includes hits like her album Si Te Soy Sincera and singles like “Miel” and “En Qué Planeta,” which have boosted her recognition as one of the breakout artists. She has also participated in the RADAR Songwriters program.

Loyal Lobos

Loyal Lobos is the musical project of Andrea Silva, a singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. Her songs, which reflect memories of her childhood and experiences as a young adult, address themes of love, sexuality, and femininity. Introduced to music from her childhood, Silva moved to Los Angeles at 18, where Loyal Lobos was born.  Her latest EP, LOBA Vol I, has mesmerized her fans with songs like “Si Volviera A Conocerte” and “Autosabotear“.

These types of programs and projects create more opportunities for emerging artists. In fact, Junior Zamora, was signed by Sony Music after being announced as a RADAR artist.

Check out tracks from other talented artists in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru in our RADAR Andinos playlist.