Tag: RADAR

La Nueva Cara del Folklore Mexicano, Silvana Estrada, Lanza un Cover de Manu Chao y una Nueva Versión de “Tristeza” para Spotify Singles

April 20, 2022

La voz de Silvana Estrada cautiva primero por una cualidad física y termina atrapando por su dulzura y profundidad. La cantautora mexicana de apenas 24 años se ha convertido en una de las artistas más prometedoras de la canción popular latinoamericana, siguiendo los pasos de mujeres como Natalia Lafourcade. 

Silvana creció en el exuberante estado de Veracruz, México, en una familia de músicos e instrumentistas. Desde muy joven, estuvo rodeada de guitarras, violas y violonchelos que su familia labraba minuciosamente. Criada cantando son jarocho mexicano y música coral barroca, y luego educada en jazz, Silvana es una artista con un estilo personal y un estilo de composición íntimo.

Como multiinstrumentista, Silvana toca con mayor frecuencia el cuatro venezolano, un instrumento delicado que se sincroniza con las variaciones de su voz.

En 2020, Silvana se convirtió en la primera artista mexicana de RADAR, el programa global de Spotify que apoya a los artistas emergentes. Hoy tiene más de 600,000 oyentes mensuales en la plataforma.

Luego que Marchita, un álbum íntimo que narra la historia de un primer amor y una dolorosa ruptura, recibiera elogios de la crítica y una entusiasta recepción de sus fanáticos, Silvana grabó un par de canciones para Spotify Singles en la Ciudad de México. La primera cara es una nueva versión de su tema “Tristeza” y el anverso es “Clandestina”, una versión del clásico del rock alternativo de Manu Chao.

For the Record habló con Silvana sobre este nuevo lanzamiento, su proceso como autora y lo que la inspira como artista.

¿Por qué elegiste “Tristeza” de tu álbum Marchita y en qué se diferencia esta versión?

Lo que más me gusta de “Tristeza” es el juego entre la melancolía de la canción y la intención de la melodía, que me parece más alegre y vivaz. Ese contraste me pareció agradable de explorar en una versión para Spotify Singles, algo más orgánico ya la vez nostálgico que la versión del álbum. También es una canción que en los conciertos se vuelve una plegaria contra la tristeza, así que quise darle esa intimidad de cuando cierras los ojos y deseas algo con mucha fuerza. 

¿Por qué elegiste hacer “Clandestina” y cuál era la intención que querías imprimir en esta versión?

Para mí “Clandestino”, la versión original de Manu Chao, es una canción icónica y siempre vigente en nuestra cultura latinoamericana. Estas palabras que cuentan la historia de un migrante me tocaron el corazón. Naturalmente cambié la letra; sin pensar dije ‘clandestina’ y así cantando la canción supe que me había encontrado dentro de ella. La migración es un tema que siempre me ha conmovido el alma. Ese acto está lleno de esperanza y fuerza, dejando la tierra amada en busca de un futuro mejor.

Hacer esta versión significó tomar un himno atemporal y encontrar mi lugar en él, darle mi visión que creo que es la de muchísimas mujeres mexicanas y latinas que cruzan fronteras y se descubren en esa soledad tan dura y tan hermosa de la que habla Manu Chau, “sola voy con mi pena, sola va mi condena”.

Marchita es un álbum introspectivo con sabor nostálgico. ¿Qué te inspiró a escribirlo?

Marchita es un viaje interior, un viaje que comenzó con el proceso de un duelo amoroso. Nació del dolor y del deseo de comprender las dificultades del alma y salió a la luz ya la curación de las heridas. Para cuando apareció la pandemia ya tenía todas las canciones de Marchita hechas, entonces no podría decir que influyó en el proceso. Sin embargo, puedo decir que en la cuarentena todo lo relacionado con Marchita tomó mucho más peso en mi vida. Fue como volver a enfrentarme a esa soledad que ya había experimentado al escribir el disco pero ahora con todas esas canciones alumbrando mi camino.

Nos gustaría saber más sobre tu proceso creativo. ¿Cómo empiezas a escribir una canción?

Mis procesos siempre son desordenados. A veces empiezo con una melodía ya veces con un poema. Tengo que profundizar mucho en las ideas para poder darles dimensión y convertirlas en canciones. Me ayuda mucho leer y siempre llevo una libreta donde escribo lo que se me ocurre.

¿Cómo influyó en tu forma de abordar la escritura crecer en una familia de instrumentistas y músicos en Coatepec, Veracruz?

Creo que crecer en un ambiente musical y artístico me dio sobre todo libertad. La libertad de saber que mi instinto es lo más importante aunque a veces me equivoque y la libertad de encontrar espacio para jugar sin miedo dentro de la disciplina que también se necesita generar constantemente.

¿Quiénes son las cantantes femeninas que te inspiran y han influido en tu música? ¿Cuáles son los autores que más admiras?

Las cantantes a las que recurro cuando me siento perdida son Mercedes Sosa, Soledad Bravo, Ella Fitzgerald y Billie Holiday. Mi autora favorita de todos los tiempos es Violeta Parra; Ella es una inspiración.

 

Escucha los Spotify Singles de Silvana Estrada aquí.

K-Pop Girl Group NMIXX Brings the Buzz as Spotify’s New RADAR Korea Artist

March 3, 2022

Two years ago, Spotify announced the launch of RADAR, a new emerging-artist program aimed at spotlighting rising talent from around the globe. From Sweden and the United States to France and India, the artists on Spotify’s RADAR have gone from being nascent figures in the industry to stealing the hearts of fans around the world. Now, following NMIXX’s successful first year in South Korea, home to K-Pop, Spotify has selected the girl group as its first RADAR Korea artist of 2022. 

NMIXX (pronounced “n mix”) came onto the scene last year as part of JYP Entertainment’s latest global K-Pop project. The group comprises seven members—LILY, HAEWON, SULLYOON, JINNI, BAE, JIWOO, and KYUJIN—and together, they embody the meaning of NMIXX. 

“Our name, NMIXX, combines the letter ‘N’—for now, new, next, or an unknown variable—and ‘mix,’ which symbolizes harmony and diversity. It’s about being the ideal mix for the new world,” NMIXX told For the Record. “We think the best substitutes of the letter ‘N’ for us are the words ‘now’ and ‘need.’ We chose the word now because we, NMIXX, are just getting started! And we chose the word need in the hope that more people will want and need us in the future.”

The group’s debut EP, AD MARE (which means “to the sea” in Latin), was released in early February. Along with the EP’s four tracks, NMIXX shared audio liners in which they greet Spotify listeners and express their excitement—in multiple languages, no less—about their new music. 

To celebrate NMIXX’s selection as Spotify’s first RADAR Korea artist of the year, For the Record asked the group to share their thoughts and experiences as they take on K-Pop’s global music scene. 

What was your reaction when you heard that you were selected for RADAR?

Spotify RADAR is a project that reaches many people from all over the world, and when we heard that we had the honor of being selected, we were moved and delighted! We are excited for the opportunity to connect with such a diverse audience.

What do you hope to take out of the RADAR experience?

It’s a real pleasure and honor to be able to get closer to more fans with our music through RADAR. We are looking forward to being featured on Spotify Singles with music that is unique to us, and we dream about one day being featured on the billboards in New York’s Times Square. We would also love to collaborate with other artists from around the world who work in different genres, like the project between AleXa and Bader AlShuaibi.

As a new K-Pop group, what do you want prospective fans to know about you?

We want people to know that we are an all-around group whose music features everything from rap to vocals to dance. Our goal is to make MIXX POP a worldwide phenomenon. It’s our own genre that brings multiple genres into one, and we want everyone to know its magic so they can really get into our music.

What messages do you want people to take from your music?

Our title track, “O.O,” symbolizes our eyes being wide open after peeking into the unknown. And our worldview became bigger with our discovery, so we would like you to join us in this incredible journey by listening to this song. “TANK” is about the tank-like confidence that burst from us when we were finally unveiled. We hope that those who listen to our music will take away the same powerful energy that’s been propelling us as we introduce the new genre of MIXX POP.

Why was it important for you to incorporate multiple languages into your audio liners?

We wanted to reach our fans around the world, and we thought the language was an important way to show more people who NMIXX is. That’s why we’ve been putting a lot of effort into learning different languages and sharing audio messages on Spotify both in English and Spanish, and we’re so thrilled by all the compliments we received!

Which artists have most influenced your music?

LILY: Taylor Swift has always been a role model for me, and I love and respect her dearly. I look up to her songwriting skills so much. She is also a strong and smart business woman who has done so well in this industry, and I hope I can navigate it with as much grace and wit as her.

HAEWON: For me, it’s The Weeknd and Imagine Dragons. The Weeknd is the artist that opened my eyes to R&B, and Imagine Dragons got me into pop. I first heard the song “Demons” when I was in elementary school, and although I didn’t understand the lyrics in English, the song touched me deeply.

SULLYOON: I listen and sing to Anne-Marie’s music a lot. It was her albums that made me love music even more.

JINNI: Beyoncé for me. I was blown away by how professional she was on stage. Just one line of her song, and she had the whole crowd wrapped around her finger. She has an incredible stage presence and energy, and I always try to learn from her.

BAE: Ariana Grande’s music has always comforted me and made me feel better. I have been listening to her songs since I was young, and the songs still remind me of the seasons, situations, scents, or emotions I experienced when I first listened to them. She’s the role model who started my dream of becoming a singer. I still listen to her music and see my own image in her songs.

JIWOO: I’d say Billie Eilish. She always has this confidence when she sings, and she delivers all the emotion and depth in each song to her fans, which really touched me. I learned a lot by watching her perform.

KYUJIN: I get a lot of my musical influence from TAEYEON! I absolutely love her unique stage presence, her voice, and her emotional depth. Her music has allowed me to feel and experience so much. It’s because of her that I first dreamed of becoming an artist.

As you look to the future, what are your goals as a group?

We want NMIXX to be a group that brings smiles and happy energy to our fans every time we go on stage. We want to become the kind of artists who are loved by many for a long time to come. And we always want to keep growing and improving. We want to follow the footsteps of the Korean groups that have come before us and become the kinds of artists who continue spreading K-Pop love worldwide.

Looking Back at Spotify’s Greatest Hits in 2021

December 13, 2021

In an all-around unforgettable year, 2021 was an especially notable one for Spotify. We’re excited about what we’ve delivered for creators and listeners alike across new features, innovations, and collaborations. As the year comes to a close, we are taking a moment to look back on some of the advances we’ve made over the past 365 days. 

More listeners in more places

We have more listeners than ever. As we announced in our Q3 2021 earnings, as of September 2021, Spotify had increased the number of monthly active users and subscribers on the platform by 19% compared to 2020*. This year, we also doubled our global footprint by expanding into 92 new markets, bringing our total to 184 markets globally. New countries on our roster include South Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and many more across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America. This continued expansion means that the music and voices of more people, places, and cultures can be shared with listeners around the world.

Podcasting for all

At Spotify, we believe that podcasting provides a massive opportunity for creators to entertain, inspire, and inform people across the globe. According to Edison Research and our own internal data, we recently surpassed both Apple and YouTube in the U.S.—the largest podcast market globally—to become the number one podcast platform listeners say they use the most.

The appetite for podcasts has grown among listeners, and we are answering that demand with a catalog that includes 3.2 million titles*. That’s 68% more podcasts (as of September 2021) than were on the platform in 2020. Through November of this year, we launched over 400 new O&E podcasts globally, and throughout the year we signed numerous podcast deals and entered into podcast partnerships with some of the world’s biggest creators and beloved entertainment brands like Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert, The Joe Rogan Experience (the number one podcast in the world), and Bad Robot. But our passion for podcasts isn’t limited to the U.S. This year, we expanded podcasts into more than 80 markets, including Russia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Expanding the possibilities for advertising

When we reported earnings in October, we announced that ad revenue had increased 75% year over year. And in November, we surpassed 1 billion euro in annual ad revenue for the first time. New opportunities were created for advertisers with the launch of the Spotify Audience Network, our first-of-its-kind audio advertising marketplace that enables advertisers to connect with listeners enjoying a broad range of music and podcast content. Advertisers now have a way to reach and target audiences listening to Spotify Original & Exclusive podcasts, as well as third-party podcasts from enterprise publishers via Megaphone and Anchor creators. We’ve also introduced podcast ad buying to Spotify Ad Studio, our self-serve ad channel that makes it easy for advertisers of all sizes to reach podcast listeners.

Supporting both established and breakthrough artists

With over 380 million listeners on the platform, there’s a large audience for artists to share their new releases with. The increase in subscribers has led to many major artists, like Drake and Adele, across various genres breaking Spotify records throughout the year. 

Spotify has also continued efforts to support up-and-coming artists. We expanded our exclusive offerings with Spotify Singles (including Pride, BNA, Latinx Heritage Month, Are & Be, mint, and Holiday programs) and Spotify x Electric Lady live EPs. We’re supporting artists at all levels through programs like Fresh Finds (for independent artists), RADAR (for global emerging artists), EQUAL (which fosters equity for women in music globally) and Billions Club.

But those aren’t the only ways we are pushing the industry when it comes to artists. We also launched Loud & Clear to increase transparency by sharing new data on the global streaming economy. And we expanded our Charts feature to include artist, genre, and local charts. This allows artists and listeners to dive even deeper into the data.

Inspiring and enabling creation

In order to be the best audio network, we know we need to provide the best-in-class experience and content for our listeners. This means new features and new opportunities for creators to connect with their fans. We launched Spotify Greenroom, adding live audio as part of Spotify’s ecosystem and providing yet another opportunity for creators of all types to connect with their fans more deeply and meaningfully. In November we announced the acquisition of Findaway, the global leader in digital audiobook distribution, to accelerate our presence in the audiobook space. We also introduced Spotify Open Access, which allows listeners to hear third-party content on Spotify. Finally, we partnered with beloved brands like Peloton, Netflix, and Delta to bring exclusive experiences and curated playlists to our listeners.

Get to Know Rapper Everthe8 and the Other Emerging Talents From Russia’s RADAR Program

October 7, 2021

This past March, Spotify launched RADAR, our emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the globe, in Russia. To kick things off, we spoke with the bands Сёстры (Sisters) and Три Дня Дождя (Three Days of Rain) about their excitement in joining the program. Now, six months later, we’re excited to share updates on their RADAR experience and introduce the roster of talented artists who have joined the program.

Since March, the emerging artists and bands have seen their music highlighted on the RADAR RUSSIA playlist within the global RADAR hub, helping fans from all over the world discover their music. Spotify has also been working behind the scenes through marketing campaigns and artist-focused interviews to help fans get to know and connect with their new favorite musicians.

“We are the only music-streaming service in Russia to provide emerging artists with the support of such scope,” said Rustam Kireev, Artist and Label Partnerships for Spotify Russia & CIS, reflecting on RADAR’s impact. “Based on the social media reaction, we see how much getting featured on the RADAR Russia playlist means to artists. And for fans, I think this playlist offers a wide variety of fresh and trendy aspiring artists from all over the country collected in one unique destination.”

As a result, in the past six months, RADAR Russia has become one of the fastest growing playlists locally. It’s particularly popular with younger listeners between ages 18 and 24, who make up more than half of the playlist’s audience. 

While Spotify Russia is celebrating the half-year milestone, the team is already looking ahead. “We constantly think about ways to expand the program and come up with new creative ideas,” Rustam explained. “We’d like to try a cross-market collaboration like we’ve seen with RADAR Korea and MENA. We also hope that with the RADAR playlist our artists can receive new opportunities to promote themselves outside of their home countries. For example, we believe this month’s RADAR hero, Everthe8, could become an international celebrity, as tracks from his recent album have already been featured in global playlists like In My Feelings, cellophane, and sadboi hours.”

Get to know some of RADAR Russia’s up-and-coming talents featured on our playlist. Plus, read on for our conversation with Spotify’s most recent addition to the program, Everthe8, below.

Spotify Presents the Second Edition of RADAR Italy With 10 Featured Artists

September 27, 2021

In March of 2020, Spotify launched an emerging artist program called RADAR in 50 markets around the world. Since then, RADAR has propelled musical up-and-comers to the next stage of their careers by connecting them with new audiences on Spotify’s global platform. Now, Spotify Italy is getting ready to launch its second edition of the program.

Last year’s rising artists have experienced huge growth since joining the RADAR program. Genre-agnostic BLANCO saw a year-over-year growth of over 7,500% in monthly listenership and a 30,000% increase in daily listeners. When his debut album, Blu Celeste, was released, all 13 tracks occupied the top 13 positions on the Spotify charts. 

Singer and musician Mara Sattei also found new fans and became the fourth most-streamed female artist in Italy in 2020. Daily streams of Rondodasosa and Il Tre grew by 470% and 560% respectively in one year, and during the last three months, newcomers Speranza, Radical, and CARA were Italy’s most-discovered artists with more than 300,000 new plays each.

This year’s selection of artists is poised to become just as popular. These RADAR musicians also reflect a changing landscape of Italian and global music in which genre lines are becoming blurred and themes of diversity and inclusion dominate.

“Spotify is particularly focused on the growth of artists, and RADAR Italia 2021 is yet another demonstration of this,” said Melanie Parejo, Spotify’s Head of Music for Southern Europe. “Our priority will always be to increase the connection between creators and their fans, as well as to help them reach new audiences. The aim of the program is to give visibility to emerging talent on an international level and to highlight all culturally relevant music genres in Italy, as Spotify reflects the country’s diverse musical culture.”

Through this program, Spotify will continue to support these rising stars with a dedicated RADAR Italia playlist, features on our editorial channels, and a personalized marketing plan that will give listeners around the world the chance to discover their music.

Get to know the 10 artists participating in RADAR Italy 2021:

RADAR Artist Nathy Peluso Shares Her Approach to Bending and Blending Genres

July 7, 2021

Artist Nathy Peluso isn’t afraid to push a genre’s limits—or her own. The Barcelona-based singer, writer, and producer spent the first 10 years of her life in Argentina before moving to Spain. Now, she’s creating genre-blending songs inspired by music from all over the world.

The 26-year-old’s ability to jump between sounds, languages, accents, and even characters has gained the emerging artist global recognition and the title of Spotify U.S. RADAR artist. Through RADAR, Spotify’s global emerging-artist program, Nathy will be featured on the RADAR playlist, have the opportunity to record music for our Spotify Singles program, and star in a biographical mini-documentary, in addition to a full suite of on- and off-platform marketing, promotional, and editorial support.

Nathy’s sound ranges from lyrical hip-hop to pop-inspired anthems, and she has been celebrated for her debut album Calambre, as well as for songs like Latin Grammy-nominated “Corashe” and fan favorite “Business Woman.” She also made waves with her noteworthy collaboration “GATO MALO” on KAROL G’s recent album KG0516. The singer has become known for her versatility and knack for creating thought-provoking characters within her performances.

“Nathy Peluso’s creative output is bold, empowering, and eclectic,” shares Monica Herrera Damashek, Spotify’s Head of U.S. Latin Artist & Label Partnerships, North America. “Her music is uniquely modern and classic, mixing everything from Latin hip-hop and soul to tango and salsa, and her visual aesthetic and live performances are undeniable. She’s already developed a passionate fan base across Spain and Latin America that can’t wait to hear what’s next from Nathy, and we’re thrilled to support her continued growth internationally and in the U.S.”

Her nearly 4.7 million monthly listeners are eagerly awaiting her new single, “Mafiosa,” which debuts today. For the Record caught up with the performer to learn more about the single, her creative process, and her inspiration.

You’re known for creating bold, genre-bending music. How would you describe your sound to new listeners?

I like to push the limits when writing or composing. I don’t like to limit my music to one genre. I mix things that don’t typically go together but still sound fresh and different. I have lots of inspirations—salsa, hip-hop, R&B, rock and roll, Brazilian sounds, world music—and they all seduce me enormously. I learn so much when listening to music; I’m like a sponge that soaks all these different sounds up. Then I try to make new songs from all my inspirations.

I also enjoy fusing the organic sounds of musical instruments with more synthetic sounds. And I love working with my band and great musicians. For me, making music is about pushing myself and trying to constantly evolve. 

What are you looking forward to as Spotify’s latest RADAR U.S. artist?

I hope being a RADAR U.S. artist allows new audiences to discover my music and inspires more people in different countries and cultures to listen to my songs.

What should listeners expect from your new single, “Mafiosa”?

“Mafiosa” is a song that tells the story of a situation many women go through. It’s a message of female empowerment. When I wrote it, I tried to transmit internal power and security. I feel strong when I sing and dance to “Mafiosa.”

It’s also an homage to salsa, a genre that I love with all my heart. I hope people feel connected to salsa rhythms when they listen to this song and enjoy it as much as I do.

How does channeling a character in your music and music videos help you express yourself? Do you have a favorite character or persona you’ve created for a song?

Each song I compose has a personality that moves me. I inhabit different characters through the sound, the movement, the aesthetics, the gestures . . . I build an imaginary world around each song where a character belongs. I studied dance and musical theater, and both disciplines are a key part of my artistic process. Building those characters and impersonations is a lot of fun for me, and I believe it strengthens my music and makes it different. 

I’ve enjoyed my many characters. I try to make them strong, since each of them is a statement in a way. I’m now enjoying the Mafiosa Nathy a lot. She’s risky, sexy, and fun. She empowers me!

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your music? Did it bring about new types of inspiration?

All distractions disappeared during lockdown, so I was able to focus on my music a lot. I finished my album in the middle of the pandemic! I must confess that having so much time at home alone made me a little obsessed and become a perfectionist with the details. But it was good to nail the album I was dreaming of. Overall, it was a different but good experience for me—I was really connected with my music, my inspirations, and myself. It made me see things from a different perspective.

What are some Spotify tools you’re using to connect with fans? 

Spotify is the platform I use the most to discover new music and to share my music. I’m constantly researching, making playlists, sharing songs, and analyzing my insights to understand my audiences better. 

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

I would say: Stay true to the music you feel and that you like. Give yourself freedom to create, and work very hard. Don’t get overwhelmed or overshadowed by what the market wants, what is commercial or trendy in a specific moment, or what works for the algorithms. Push the limits, try new things, take risks, and enjoy the ride!

Check out the latest music from Nathy and start streaming her new single, “Mafiosa,” below.

Panamanian Artist Boza Brings His Local Sounds to the Global Stage With RADAR

June 22, 2021

Panamanian artist Boza is making waves far beyond his geographical roots, and as the latest artist to join Spotify’s RADAR roster in the United States, his rise may very well continue.

The singer-songwriter is the newest RADAR artist in the U.S., but he’s no stranger to the program, which spotlights emerging talent from around the globe. In 2020, Boza was chosen as the first March RADAR artist of the month for the Central America and Caribbean region. Listeners quickly gravitated toward his music, and his success in the program is what led him to be picked as a 2021 RADAR artist for the U.S. region. Boza’s tracks can be found on over 80 Spotify playlists and he has nearly 12 million monthly listeners. Fans particularly love his song “Hecha Pa’ Mi,” which has racked up more than 330 million streams. On his debut album, Mas Negro Que Rojo, listeners will find sounds that follow a mix of dancehall, reggaetón, R&B, and more.

“Over the last two years we have witnessed Boza develop one of the strongest fan bases in all of Central America, which has quickly scaled throughout the rest of Latin America and Europe,” shares Jose Nova, a Spotify Senior Editor for Latin America. “Boza consistently provides his fans with unique storytelling through his lyrics that have deep connections with audiences around the world.”

Through RADAR, Boza will be featured on the RADAR playlist and will record music for our Spotify Singles program, and Spotify will provide a full suite of on- and off-platform marketing and promotional support. Spotify also worked with the artist to release a mini documentary, out today. Taking place in his hometown of Panama City in the La Meri neighborhood, the film gives viewers an intimate look at Boza and his journey from the streets to the stage. 

Watch the documentary in Spanish.

For the Record caught up with Boza to ask a few questions about his first album release, his musical style, and how he’s using Spotify to reach fans all over the world.

The last year has been quite busy for you, with your first full album release and the popularity of the song “Hecha Pa’ Mi.” What has it been like to see your career take off? 

Seeing my career take off with “Hecha Pa’ Mi” marks a before and after. To really see a track like this hit the whole world is what every artist dreams of. Seeing that they write to me from countries where they don’t even speak Spanish is so exciting.

Your music includes elements of the Panamanian style “canela.” How would you describe this sound to new listeners?

Canela is a little bit of Panama in my music. It is “The Hood” (El Barrio) and represents my friends, my experiences, and my life experiences in words.

What artists have inspired you the most, in terms of their sound and lyrics?

I really like Bad Bunny. I also like Kafu Banton from Panama—he is one that I always listen to, and I like his way of composing. El Roockie was also an influence. I also like all kinds of music such as salsa, merengue, Haitian, and rock and roll. I learn, gain knowledge, and take elements from everything that I listen to.

You’ve been working with Spotify’s RADAR program since 2020, when you were named  RADAR artist of the month for Central America & the Caribbean. Now you’re expanding as a U.S. RADAR artist. What has this experience been like?

This is another dream that I didn’t think would come so soon. It is very important to connect and see this happening in my country and in Central America, but as an artist, to come to the United States and see that my music is sneaking in everywhere, it’s wonderful. This is going to help me to grow that dream!

Your music has found international popularity in countries like Spain and Italy. Do you think working with Spotify and the RADAR program has helped introduce your music to other areas of the world, outside of Latin American?

The data available to artists on the platform allows me to know how many people are streaming my music in real time, how the number of listeners change over time, where they live, and to also be able to know which of my songs are liked the most. It’s incredible.

You can’t imagine my, and all my team’s, excitement when we saw we were number three in Spain. We were jumping with joy, because really when we entered the top 200 it was already an achievement, then at 100, and then at 50 we said, “Wow, the dream came true.” But when we got to number three, it is one of those moments that you thank God and reflect on all the effort and sacrifice, because it is not easy. It is almost impossible to have a number three in Spain with so many good artists there. In Italy, we asked ourselves, “How did it reach number seven when the song is in Spanish?” That is where one learns that music has no borders. 

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

The best advice I can give you is to be prepared, and to 100% create your own style and your own music. Learn every day from everything you can in studios, in meetings—listen and know that your future depends on many things but the main one is that it depends on yourself.

 

Check out the latest music from Boza below and keep an eye out for his new track, “En La Luna,” coming out June 25.

RADAR Artist Griff Is Bringing Songwriting and Soul to British Pop and Beyond

June 2, 2021

There’s a new face coming to take the crown of British pop royalty. At least, that’s what critics say about singer-songwriter Griff. She’s the winner of the BRITs 2021 Rising Star Award and one of the newest additions to RADAR, Spotify’s emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the globe. Griff is the first creator to join RADAR with the support of two markets. 

“Griff has an innate sense of herself as an artist—being a multifaceted talent in writing, producing, and performing her own work—paired with an indelible aesthetic that is 100% her own. This has marked her out as one to watch not just in the U.K., but also internationally,” shares Sulinna Ong, Head of Music at Spotify U.K. and Ireland. “It’s just one of many reasons we’ve created a bespoke proposition for her in the U.K. and the U.S., which will entail promoting her in multiple markets simultaneously.”

Back before Griff was receiving awards, selling out tour dates, and seeing her music streamed over 126 million times on Spotify, the 20-year-old was a curious preteen experimenting with beats and melodies on her brother’s audio production software. Her first music releases came while she was still in school, featuring rousing melodies and poignant lyrics about self-love and overcoming anxiety.  She’s since been added to over 287 Spotify editorial playlists and over 1.6 million user-generated playlists on Spotify, with her audience growing at an exponential rate off the back of singles like “Black Hole” and “Good Stuff.”

Drawing inspiration from artists like Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, Griff’s music is a soulful combination of clever songwriting and crisp harmonies. Griff skillfully juxtaposes honest and insightful lyrics with uplifting beats. 

For the Record chatted with Griff to learn more about the struggles of finding inspiration over the past year and the excitement of the long career that lies ahead of her. 

What are you looking forward to most as Spotify’s latest RADAR artist?

Getting famous! Jokes, I mean, I just feel very excited that more people are going to discover my music and hopefully they’ll like it.

You’ve talked about your Jamaican and Chinese heritage being something that caused you to feel different from your peers while growing up. How is that experience reflected in your music? Nowadays, do your roots impact your music or sound?

My dad played a lot of Black music around the house growing up. So hopefully that sense of soul and emotion that you hear in artists like Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Mary J. Blige still exists in my songs. I think overall, though, having a mixed heritage in a very white area has made me used to being different, and perhaps more confident in trying new things, pushing boundaries, and standing out.

You’ve said that songwriting is your first love, before being an artist. What draws you to that part of the creative process?

I think that 90% of the time, songwriting is the most frustrating thing, and 10% of the time, it’s the most euphoric, satisfactory thing because you feel like you’ve cracked the code. So I think I’m addicted to that feeling of creating something out of nothing and feeling proud of writing something that feels both unique and true to me.

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your music? Did it bring about new types of inspiration?

It was hard to stay inspired, to be honest. Suddenly, I was just staring at the same four white walls every day and didn’t know what I wanted to say or put out into the world. I definitely had to dig a little deeper and find inspiration in new ways. I started listening to a lot of older music, like Whitney, Michael Jackson, and ABBA. I had to really reflect and have a lot of conversations with myself to find lyrical inspiration. I also had to trust that some days I was gonna write really sh*t songs, but the good stuff always comes eventually.

You’re also a part of Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music program, which fosters equity for women in the music industry. What advice do you have for female artists who are just starting out in the business and are working hard to break through?

I would say this: Try your best to know who you want to be and what you want, because if you don’t, other people so easily will. And also, look at what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite or do something different, because that will hopefully make you stand out against the rest.

Earlier this year you won the BRITs Rising Star award, and you recently released a new single. What’s next for you?

I’m excited to release this mixtape, which is coming out on June 18. I feel really proud that most of this mixtape has been written and produced 100% by me in my bedroom, and hopefully that means the songs are intimate and authentic to me. I’m also excited to get back into shows. I’ve never really gotten into the rhythm of touring; I did one show and then COVID-19 hit, so I’m excited to meet all the people who have started listening to my music in the past year.

Listen to Griff’s latest tracks below, and keep an eye out for her mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other, releasing June 18.

RADAR Unites K-pop Star AleXa and Arab Hitmaker Bader AlShuaibi to Create “Is It On”

May 25, 2021

K-pop, which has transformed from a burgeoning genre to a full-fledged musical phenomenon, has held onto its border-crossing world domination for some time now. And yet there are always new fans turning to the genre from around the world. One such place where K-pop found a particular popularity is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): From January 2020 to January 2021, the genre saw a 140% increase in Spotify streaming from users in the region. 

So with K-pop’s prominence as a dominant genre in the MENA region, our Spotify RADAR team saw a unique opportunity to bring an artist from each market together to participate in a cross-border collaboration. The result? Spotify’s first RADAR KOREA artist AleXa and RADAR MENA’s Kuwaiti-Saudi-based creator Bader AlShuaibi’s new single “Is It On.”

“Is It On” is a K-pop-style track with high energy based on a distinctive reggaeton rhythm, a fresh melody line, a catchy lead sound, and a drop. Over the past year, Spotify oversaw a virtual collaboration between AleXa and Bader that will ultimately give both artists global exposure and help them expand their audiences to over 178 markets. Of particular interest are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Qatar, which are currently the top five MENA countries streaming K-pop music.

“K-pop is a phenomenon that has blown up across the world, and as MENA is a crossroads of culture and trade routes from East to West since antiquity, it only makes sense that K-Pop makes a stop over in MENA,” says Spotify’s Wissam Khodur, Artist and Label Partnerships, MENA. “K-pop already has a healthy share of streams per capita in the region, but making the region’s first collaboration between both cultures and genres (K-pop and Khaleeji Pop) will help grow the appreciation for K-pop for sure and bring the artists closer to their fans.” 

RADAR was designed to help emerging artists around the world reach the next stage in their careers and strengthen their connection to listeners. Spotify provides RADAR artists with resources and access to integral marketing opportunities to help them boost their careers, in addition to expanded reach and exposure. When it came to this collaborative song, Spotify was available to support every step of the way.

“From a wide range of marketing support, including a billboard placement in New York Times Square to local and cross-regional playlisting, we’ve been excited for this RADAR collaboration featuring a K-pop artist for the first time in Spotify’s history,” explains Spotify’s Wootae Kim, Artist and Label Partnership, Asia. “We are confident to introduce both AleXa and Bader to each other’s market and globally in the most Spotify way, while continuing to connect K-pop with the world in creative ways.”

To celebrate the launch of the song, we asked each RADAR artist to reflect on the collaboration and what it meant for them as creators. Read what they had to say below. 

Bader AlShuaibi

You’re known for your pop hits. What elements were different in creating a K-pop song? 

Music is music, so the same passion was injected into this project, but the new element I felt during this song was that the tempo of the music was different than what we are used to in the MENA area. It was a fun, new, awesome experience.

What elements of your own creativity and style did you infuse in “Is It On”?

Trying something new in every production. In this one in particular I sang with a fast flow, I almost rapped. Something I’ve always wanted to try and I did.

How can music bring people together across borders? 

Music is a very passionate way of communication. The expansion of Spotify around the globe made it easier to understand what’s going on in every part of this planet. We can understand each other better with music.

AleXa

You became the first RADAR KOREA artist back in August 2020. What has your experience been like since then?

It is a huge honor and I still feel grateful for all the opportunities Spotify has provided. RADAR enabled me and my team to share our music and work of art to fans all over the world. I also got to meet new fans thanks to Spotify. I’m so grateful to everyone behind the scenes that helped make this possible! 

Why should your fans be excited for this collaboration? 

I really believe that this is a never-heard-before kind of project! It has lyrics in Korean, Arabic, and English. And the melody exudes a unique energy based on a distinctive reggaetón rhythm and catchy lead sound. Every element in the track is so distinctive and culturally outstanding on its own, yet they are all beautifully intertwined with each other. It’s a harmony of different cultures. 

I still remember during the recording session, everyone was so pumped up and excited, dancing and jumping to it. I really hope our fans and everyone who gets to hear this project can feel the same energy! 

What are you looking forward to in the future coming out of this collaboration?

I’m currently preparing for my comeback in mid-June, which is very soon! I hope that my lovely and beautiful A.I. Troopers (fan base) enjoy “Is It On,” and hopefully our song reaches new fans globally. I’m also hoping that through this project, more people get to understand that music is borderless and that music itself is communication when listeners can feel the beat!

Want more RADAR? Stream the global RADAR playlist below.

Swedish RADAR Artist Sam Ezeh Brings a Retro Sound to Modern-Day Listeners

April 27, 2021

Sam Ezeh’s music may have elements of ’60s and ’70s rock and soul, but he’s making a mark with his own progressive 2021 twist. The Swedish artist’s sound defies genre and gives modern listeners something they can’t help but sway their heads to. The singer, songwriter, and producer is one of the newest artists to be a part of Spotify’s emerging-artist program, RADAR, which launches in the Nordic region this month.

Through RADAR, Spotify will work with Swedish and Danish artists like Sam, LOVA, Augustine, Mina Okabe, and IVAN$ITO to amplify and connect their music with new audiences. Follow their journey in the enhanced playlist RADAR COLLECTIVE Nordics. 

For the Record chatted with Sam to learn more about his new EP, Night at Ezeh’s, and where he finds his inspiration.

What are you looking forward to as one of Spotify’s first RADAR artists for Sweden?

I’m very excited for my music to continue to spread across the globe. And hopefully it gets to resonate with more and more people. As a new independent artist, it’s a great opportunity. So many new people have discovered my music through Spotify playlists, like the Release Radar playlist. And the platform is a good way for people to follow me if they’re not up to date with my social media.

How does streaming your music expand your opportunity to reach new audiences? 

I love experimenting. I feel like my main goal is to have fun when I make music. There are so many different styles that I listen to, and I want that to be heard in the music that I make as well. 

This whole streaming era is very reassuring. It lets me know that no matter what type of music I make, there will always be someone out there who appreciates it. I’m on Twitter sometimes, reading my mentions, and I see there are so many different people who listen to my music. It’s really fun how the internet has brought everyone together in a sense.

You have a hand in all stages of your work, from songwriting to producing to mixing. Why was it important to you to learn about all these elements of making music? 

I started my musical journey alone. A lot of people have either a group of friends and they start a band together or they’re in a choir or something like that. But I didn’t have that, so I had to learn everything myself. And it’s very liberating to have knowledge in all of these areas, because I know that I can try out whatever I want. And it’s also very empowering to know that I can take a song from an idea to finish without anyone else having to be involved. I’d say my favorite part of the process is the producing.

What message do you want people to take from your music?

Honestly, I just want people to vibe to my music, and hopefully I can kind of soundtrack moments of their lives. But also with my whole experimenting thing, my creative process, I hope that people can take inspiration from that too. And whether they’re a creative person or not, they know they don’t have to conform to any norms or rules, and they can just feel freedom in whatever they do.

You’ve described your EP, Night at Ezeh’s, as an invitation into your world. What do you mean by that?

So it’s a collection of some songs I’ve made so far, but I tried to arrange the track list so it would feel more like one musical piece, adding an intro and the interlude and such to give the whole EP a life of its own. That’s why it’s called Night at Ezeh’s. I want it to be like a night with me. If I had to pick one track for people to begin with, it would be “CRISIS,” because it was my first release and that’s where my journey started. 

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your music?

It didn’t really affect my day-to-day life, since I’m a “bedroom producer” and I’m at home all the time anyways. But not being able to meet people out, I kind of had to find sources of inspiration elsewhere. And so a lot of it was just looking within myself, a lot of introspection, and also taking all that time to work on my crafts and deepen my passions.

Do you use any Spotify tools to connect with fans?

I like to use Canvas [a short looping visual artists can add to their tracks on Spotify] to show people my visual side. I feel like it adds something to my songs, too.

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

I’d say having patience, knowing that things take time, but also clarifying what it is that you want and then adjusting yourself accordingly. I also believe that there are lots of opportunities in this world, so when the time is right, things can happen very quickly too.

Take a trip into Sam’s world with his EP, Night at Ezeh’s, below.

Meet 7 RADAR Artists Reinventing Italy’s Music Scene

April 15, 2021

It’s been six months since RADAR, Spotify’s global emerging artist program, debuted in Italy, and its artists are already making a worldwide impact. 

Since its launch on October 15, RADAR Italy has connected 12 up-and-coming artists with new audiences, bringing a fresh and assorted sound to listeners’ ears. “The team spent months listening to unreleased music from a vast group of artists, and we wanted the final list to be as strong and diverse as possible,” shared Melanie Parejo, Head of Music Southern Europe at Spotify. From indie and pop to reggaeton and rap, Italy’s RADAR lineup spans a variety of genres. “Through strong editorial support like curated playlists and tailor-made marketing campaigns, we’re helping our RADAR artists to be discovered by new fans both in Italy and globally,” said Melanie.  

Get to know seven of these Italian newcomers: 

Spotify’s Emerging Artists Program, RADAR, Kicks Off in Russia

March 9, 2021

Last year Spotify launched RADAR, our emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the globe. RADAR’s goal is to help up-and-coming artists in all stages of their development as they connect with new audiences. Now, after working with creators in the U.S., New Zealand, Spain, and many other markets, the program is ready to launch in Russia.

Since Spotify’s launch in Russia in 2020, we’ve seen tremendous success with subscriber growth and service adoption. According to our 2020 Q3 results, Russia has been our most successful new market launch to date and represented the largest portion of subscriber outperformance for the quarter. 

With RADAR, we will amplify emerging artists in the region through ongoing marketing and editorial support. Artists will be featured in the local creative marketing campaigns, and their tracks will be added to the RADAR RUSSIA playlist in the global RADAR hub, helping fans from all over the world discover their music. For the Record had the opportunity to chat with two bands that are a part of Russia’s RADAR program.

Сёстры (pronounced “sestry,” translation: Sisters) is an indie pop duo that debuted their first album, Когда были волны (When There Were Waves), in October of 2020. The group has already seen success, including having recently performed on a popular Russian late-night talk show.

Три дня дождя (pronounced “tri dnia dozhdia,” translation: Three Days of Rain) is an alternative band that released their first album in February of last year. Their most popular track, “Не киряй,” has racked up more than 4.5 million streams on Spotify.

Read what the bands had to say about their music, their experience, and more below.

What are you looking forward to as a Spotify Russian RADAR artist?

Сестры: We have been watching the RADAR program for a long time now, as it’s helped us discover many talented foreign artists, and it is very unlikely we would have discovered them without it. Now, through RADAR, it’s amazing that many more listeners will learn about us—our tracks will become a part of Spotify’s global ecosystem, and our songs will be heard by many people all over the world. We are just at the beginning of getting to know our audience, and it is so important for us to develop strong relations with our fans. 

Три дня дождя: We have big plans and ambitions going forward, and we hope the support of Spotify can help us with establishing our name not only in Russia but also abroad. We are honored to have been chosen as one of the first artists to take part in the program in the country. Russian rock is not dead and we’d love to prove it! We are hopeful that RADAR can help us bring our art to the new audiences.

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

Сестры: Trust yourself and your vision, work hard, and carry on no matter what.

Три дня дождя: First of all, don’t ever give up. Ever! And practice as often as possible. Secondly, try to minimize all factors that restrain you from doing what you love. Lastly, always believe in yourself and your art.

What message do you want people to take from your music?

Три дня дождя: With my music I’d love to convey the emotions everyone is familiar with. And about showing the listeners that love can be a very dangerous thing at times. 

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your musical career?

Сестры: 2020 is exactly the year when our music career began developing. The music industry turned to online, but it somehow brought us all even closer together. We are definitely looking forward to the day when live concerts and performances become possible again, but our approach to our music career has not changed a bit. We will continue gathering at home or at the studio to make new music together.

 

Ready to give these Russian artists a listen? Check out the new RADAR Russia playlist below.