Tag: Rap

Spotify Partners With Les Flammes Music Awards To Celebrate French Rap

April 24, 2024

Spotify is once again teaming up with Les Flammes, the only music awards dedicated to rap, R&B, Afrobeats, and popular culture in France.

Spotify helped create Les Flammes in 2023 to celebrate and highlight the French-speaking artists who are actively shaping new cultural trends. Rap is a hugely prominent genre in France—on Spotify, the top five most-listened-to artists in the country have hailed from rap, hip-hop, and R&B for the past several years.

Ahead of the ceremony on April 25, let’s take a moment to highlight the impact of last year’s inaugural event, and also spotlight the 2024 nominees.

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Looking back at Les Flammes 2023

Not only was Les Flammes 2023 a success, but it also impacted music consumption on Spotify in France. Rap and hip-hop have continued to gain steam since last year’s ceremony, with French artist listenership increasing by 15% among users aged 25-44 and 12% among users aged 24-29 and users over 55.

In addition, several winners saw an increase in streams in France in the past year:

- Maureen saw her streams jump by 314%. The former RADAR artist’s track “Laptop” was awarded best Caribbean or Caribbean-Inspired Song.
- Streams for Aya Nakamura, who won the Female Artist of the Year award, increased by 97%.
- Hamza, winner of the best R&B Song award with Tiakola for “Atasanté,” recorded a 93% increase in streams.
- Tiakola saw a 71% increase in streams. The artist won the New Pop Album of the Year award, as well as best Afro or Afro-Inspired Song.

Looking forward to Les Flammes 2024

A number of artists up for awards at this year’s ceremony have already made their mark. Among the male nominees, that includes Yamê, an artist supported by Spotify’s RADAR program; Favé; and Werenoi.

- Yamê’s streams have skyrocketed by 12,883%. Nominated for Male Revelation of the Year and New Pop Album of the Year, he’s the fastest-growing male French-language rap/hip-hop artist of the year in France.
- Favé, also nominated for Male Revelation of the Year, has seen a 561% increase in streams.
- Werenoi’s streams are up 606%. The artist is up for Spotify Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year.

Among the female nominees:

- Shay has seen a 65% increase in streams. Nominated for Video of the Year, she’s the third-fastest-growing female French-language rap/hip-hop artist of the year in France.
- Nej, an EQUAL artist, has recorded a 36% increase in streams. She’s up for Female Artist of the Year.

And while this year’s ceremony will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Spotify will also host a special viewing party in Marseille. The event will reinforce the sense of unity that characterizes Les Flammes while also celebrating the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Photocalls, food, and DJ sets will keep the party going for more than 500 attendees as screens project the awards ceremony.

The international influence of French artists

Beyond France’s borders, French pop, hip-hop, and rap artists continue to gain notoriety, especially as Spotify helps reduce language barriers and enable local artists to gain visibility in non-French-speaking markets:

- Gazo, Ninho, and Tiakola are all among the top 10 most-streamed French R&B/hip-hop artists outside of France.
- Favé and Yamê are both among the top 50 most-streamed French-language R&B/hip-hop artists outside of France.
- Indila and Aya Nakamura are the first- and second-most-streamed French pop artists outside of France, respectively.

Stream our official playlist for Les Flammes 2024 to hear this year’s nominated artists.

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.

South African GLOW Artist Mx Blouse Proudly Combines Hip-Hop Beats With Dance, Kwaito, and Queer Themes

October 24, 2023

Johannesburg-based creative Sandi has been a writer ever since they could remember. Short stories and poetry gave way to a career in journalism, and, eventually, to song lyrics that were inspired by American hip-hop artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas. In 2016, after quitting their journalism job and traveling in Southeast Asia, Sandi wrote a set of lyrics to layer on top of their friend’s beats. “I didn’t know a thing about music at the time,” Sandi told For the Record. “I didn’t know about mixing or mastering. I just thought the song was done. ” Shortly later, it was posted to Soundcloud.

Suddenly after publication, blogs back home began picking up the song, and called to Sandi to release more songs and perform. Sandi quickly began writing, looking to communicate in their own authentic voice, and then returned to South Africa to begin rapping live.

“The feeling of being onstage is what convinced me, okay, this is what I want to do,” they said. “I went up to my sister after the show and said, ‘sis, I don’t know how I’m going to pay rent, so I’m moving in with you. And I’m going to try to make this music thing work.’ And she said, ‘after what I saw tonight, go ahead.’”

Since then, Sandi’s been releasing hip-hop tracks centering their non-binary queer and South African identities as Mx Blouse. They’ve garnered a monthly listening base and picked up steam abroad. And this month, as Spotify’s GLOW spotlight artist, we’re supporting them on our flagship GLOW playlist, as well as through billboards and other efforts.

As much as Sandi has discovered and developed their voice since sharing that first song, barriers persist. “I kind of feel alienated from hip-hop as a queer person,” they shared. “I don’t really feel like I’m part of that community. A lot of my community are people in the dance music circuit. And I love dance music myself, so I’ve been trying to mold those two worlds together because I do love hip-hop, as much as I feel alienated from it. I’m trying to mix hip-hop with dance music sounds and obviously, talking about my queer experience.”

In addition to drawing inspiration from local queer creators like Athi-Patra Ruga and genres like kwaito, Sandi has found an incredible source of joy and hope in American rapper Lil Nas X. Growing up without much LGBTQIA+ representation, they simply never expected to see a Black, queer, global pop star. “What he’s achieved is something close to impossible,” Sandi shared.

“It’s a struggle for a lot of queer artists, trying to fit into a music industry that, for the most part, doesn’t see you,” they said. “I’m also very blunt about my gender and my sexuality. If you listen to ‘ICON,’ there’s a part where I’m like ‘I’m not a rapper telling you that I’m an icon.’ It’s me recognizing that I’m not a traditional rapper, and maybe you shouldn’t see me that way. And that’s fine, because this is who I am, and I’m going to do things my way.”

Over the years, Sandi has learned more about the music industry and what it takes to have a career as an artist. “First of all, I learned about mixing and mastering,” Sandi laughed, “but people have also taught me how to consider song structure and putting a song together. It’s not just writing. Anyone who’s paying close enough attention can see the improvements.”

They’ve also become stronger as a performer, incorporating a band into several of their live shows, and they now serve as their own manager, booking agent, social media manager and producer. They’re also their own advocate, carving out space locally and globally for their work and work of those around them. “Recently, my friends and I got together to do a fundraiser for queer people in Uganda because their existence has been outlawed. Being pushed to do that, first of all, was very scary, but the feeling of being able to contribute to my community is something that really makes me feel proud.”

Sandi unabashedly claims that they “love people,” and “love being around people.” What they love most as an artist is a strong feeling of contributing to their community, and even while still early in their career, they’re advocating for more equity in available opportunities.

“I’ve played at a lot of festivals where the queer stages are always separate from everything else,” they said. “In many ways, we can celebrate that and say, ‘we are being included, we are being given our own space.’ and I think that’s great. But at the same time, we are being alienated. Why can’t the queer artist be on the mainstage? There’s a catch-22, in creating something that is explicitly for queer people, and something where all kinds of people can hear you. I would like to see a world where queer artists don’t have to have that prefix in front of them, where they can be artists, period.”

Catch Mx Blouse on Spotify’s flagship GLOW playlist.

Spotify’s 100 Live Showcase at Way Out West Celebrates the Impact of Hip-Hop in Sweden

August 16, 2023

Since 2007, the Way Out West music festival has been a cultural melting pot in Sweden. Located in a large, lush park in Gothenburg, the three-day-long festival celebrates music discovery, sustainability, and diversity, and attracts approximately 50,000 fans each year. At the festival, you can find Höjden by Spotify, our live stage nestled among the trees, where you can dance, eat good food, discover new music, or simply sit down and relax.

On August 11, which marked hip-hop’s 50th birthday, we decided to celebrate in a big way with our 100 Live showcase. New and upcoming talents—along with some of the most prominent names in Swedish hip-hop history—met at one of the festival’s largest stages to perform an epic show that paid tribute to the genre and its cultural impact in Sweden over the past 50 years.

Toast Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary With Our Special Playlist Hub, Murals, Animated Shorts, and More

August 3, 2023

Fifty years ago, hip-hop was born in the Bronx. And today, it continues to influence music and culture on a global scale. To celebrate this massive milestone over the next month, we’re creating murals in some of hip-hop’s biggest capitals, giving fans a personalized hip-hop listening experience with our DJ, and releasing a series of animated shorts. But to kick off the festivities, we’re launching the Hip-Hop Turns 50 hub.

Highlighting the contributions of hip-hop’s greats, this special destination will live on-platform over the next month and house more than 40 global playlists that reflect the various eras, regions, and trends that have shaped the genre over the last half-century. This includes many of our top data-driven and editorially curated playlists, as well as dedicated shelves for the 50 most-streamed rappers and hip-hop albums on Spotify.

“We wanted to acknowledge the anniversary in more than one way. Three months ago, we kicked off conversations on social media with our Top 50 Hip-Hop lists and are now showcasing how hip-hop’s and Spotify’s history intersects,” said Carl Chery, Creative Director, Head of Urban Music, Spotify. “Throughout August, we’re paying homage to some of the artists that paved the way in their own cities with murals and billboards, creating an animated shorts series narrated by artists, and built out a destination on platform that features a variety of playlists from around the world. Stay tuned for more—here’s to the next 50″

Fans can dive into the best hip-hop songs of each decade with special curations for the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s, as well as the ’20s, where listeners can tune in to RapCaviar, our flagship hip-hop playlist, to find the best of hip-hop today. As part of the global hip-hop shelf—which features playlists like Spotify Italy’s Plus Ultra, Spotify India’s Rap 91, Spotify Korea’s KrOWN, Spotify U.K.’s Who We Be, the Spotify Middle East’s Arab Hip-Hop, and Spotify Philippines’ Kayle Hip-Hop—we’re showcasing the hottest, freshest, and most diverse hip-hop sounds being created around the world.

We’re also revisiting some of our editors’ top picks through our 50 years of hip-hop shelf, which features episodes from podcasts like the New York Times’s Popcast and Fab 5 Freddy’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop, as well as Spotify Originals like The RapCaviar Podcast, Dissect, The Ringer Music Show, and Nas and Miss Info’s The Bridge.

You can check out more of For the Record’s hip-hop content from over the years by visiting our special Hip-Hop Turns 50 hub.

Spotify celebrates in hip-hop’s biggest meccas

To honor some of hip-hop’s biggest game changers, Spotify is collaborating with illustrator and image-maker Raj Dhunna to design large-scale murals and billboards. These pieces will put a spotlight on artists in their respective hometowns and depict the ways rap’s most influential sounds spread from region to region.

In New York, Spotify will unveil a mural acknowledging the history of drill as it grew from its origins in Chicago with legends like Chief Keef, and expanded into London and Brooklyn with artists like 808 Melo and Pop Smoke. A second mural will spotlight the impact of women in hip-hop and feature icons like Lil’ Kim and Cardi B.

In Atlanta, Raj will create a mural that celebrates the evolution of trap music, which was pioneered by Atlanta’s own T.I. and cultivated into a global phenomenon by artists like New York’s Arcángel.

Raj’s designs will also appear on billboards in Miami and Los Angeles. The L.A. billboard will feature Dr. Dre and Mustard, two of the city’s musical titans, with a tagline that reads “Long live the West Coast sound. Hip-hop is everywhere.” The Miami billboard, meanwhile, will pay tribute to the provocative sounds of the region’s most influential women rap acts.

Spotify will also commemorate hip-hop’s growth in Mexico and pay homage to its current and foundational artists with a mural that features over 15 Mexican hip-hop artists, including Akwid, Cartel de Santa, Santa Fe Klan, and Gera Mx.

The party continues

In addition to the on-platform destinations and custom murals, our AI-powered DJ will provide expert hip-hop commentary all month long on Spotify, supplying aficionados with cultural context about musical legends and retracing how hip-hop has grown through history.

To close out the month, Spotify will debut editorially curated animated shorts that underscore hip-hop’s influence in over nine countries, featuring narrations from artists.

Our celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary will let fans discover and connect with artists of the past, present, and future. But this is only the start. Stay tuned for updates throughout the month as we commemorate one of the most beloved genres in the world.

Hit play on our flagship RapCaviar playlist and discover the artists who are making their mark in hip-hop’s history books.

The 2023 All-RapCaviar Winners Are Here

July 31, 2023

RapCaviar has been a cultural force in hip-hop since 2015, with a flagship playlist boasting 15 million followers, a namesake podcast, and even its own documentary series. For the past three years, we’ve also recognized hip-hop’s standout MCs with our annual All-RapCaviar Campaign.

Inspired by the end-of-season awards that honor basketball’s top hoopers, our All-RapCaviar First, Second, and Third Teams consist of the 15 rappers who’ve had the biggest impact on the flagship playlist (and other hip-hop-centric Spotify playlists) over the past 12 months.

Last week we announced the All-RapCaviar teams, then gave fans the chance to vote for the RapCaviar MVP and Rookie of the Year.

The All-RapCaviar campaign has always brought the worlds of hip-hop and basketball together. But this year we took things a step further and teamed up with basketball superstar Kevin Durant—an expert in winning MVP and Rookie of the Year awards—and his media company Boardroom to help heat things up with the process.

KD stopped by the RapCaviar set last week to help reveal our team selections, then got the conversation started about who the MVP favorite might be. And after a week of intense debate and voting by fans on social media, we finally know who will take home All-RapCaviar’s top honors.

All-RapCaviar First Team and MVP

In a battle that featured the likes of Metro Boomin, Drake, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Baby, the voting race for RapCaviar MVP came down to the wire between our All-RapCaviar First Team selections, with Drake just edging out Metro Boomin as the fans’ pick. After releasing solo hits like “Search & Rescue,” collaborating with 21 Savage on “Rich Flex,” and making a cameo appearance on J Hus’s “Who Told You,” Drake’s victory was well-earned.

RapCaviar Rookie of the Year

As Rookie of the Year voting concluded, Destroy Lonely broke away from the pack and claimed a victory over fellow nominees Central Cee, GloRilla, Ice Spice, and Luh Tyler. The Atlanta rapper, known for tracks like “NOSTYLIST” and “Bane,” turned heads with his 2023 album, If Looks Could Kill. Destroy Lonely’s dynamic and eclectic approach to music has resonated with fans, and it’s easy to see why they reached a consensus on a talent we tipped earlier this year as an artist to watch.

All-RapCaviar Second Team

The All-RapCaviar Second Team is made up of Ice Spice, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Durk, Coi Leray, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who all made their mark with iconic hits over the past year.

All-RapCaviar Third Team

Rounding out our list of honorees, our All-RapCaviar Third Team features a mix of new, legendary, and global talent like GloRilla, Central Cee, Nicki Minaj, Don Toliver, and NLE Choppa.

In addition to RapCaviar MVP and Rookie of the Year, fans also had the chance to vote on Coach of the Year: Pierre “P” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee.

As the leading destination for hip-hop, conversation, and culture, we’re thrilled to unite the best rappers in the game with their biggest fans through this unique social-first experience. And we can’t wait to see who will step up and lead the way for hip-hop in the year to come.

Want to hear the latest hits from our All-RapCaviar Team picks? Check out our flagship RapCaviar playlist below.

Spotify Launches Most Necessary Live, a Concert Series to Showcase Hip-Hop’s Rising Stars

July 24, 2023

Fifty years into the game, the world of hip-hop keeps evolving, influencing artists from around the world with different sounds and scenes, and ushering in a new wave of superstars. Now, Spotify’s Most Necessary playlist is celebrating the next generation of hip-hop with its concert series: Most Necessary Live.

With their unwavering support and amplification, local hip-hop scenes all around the globe have been bolstering the rise of this new crop of artists.. Today’s hottest rising stars of hip-hop are breaking out of their homes and stepping into the spotlight, accumulating countless fans and influencing the trends of music at large.

To continue our support of artists at every stage of their careers, we are launching Most Necessary Live, a quarterly live performance series highlighting regional rap scenes and emerging local hip-hop artists from across the United States. The series kicks off at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas, on August 2. Spotify will invite top listeners in that city to see a stellar lineup of the home’s freshest faces, including DeeBaby, KenTheMan, Mike Dimes, Monaleo, and That Mexican OT.

Stay tuned for a Most Necessary Live showcase coming to a city near you.

For the Record caught up with some of the performers at the Houston show to ask about the advice and inspiration they’ve gotten on their musical journeys.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

DeeBaby: Keep going! No matter what is in the way of you and your goals and dreams, face it, overcome it, and WIN.

That Mexican OT: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to stay humble and thankful for every blessing.

Mike Dimes: Best piece of advice that I received in this stage of my career was to focus on myself, because that’s all I have control of.

Monaleo: To be present, live in the moment, and be appreciative and grateful for the blessings bestowed upon you. Sza said it best in “Good Days”: “Half of us chasing fountains of youth and it’s in the present.”

KenTheMan: The best piece of advice was from my manager: “A skilled sailor never sailed a smooth sea.”

Who were your favorite rap and hip-hop artists growing up, and who inspires you now?

That Mexican OT: Growing up, I was super inspired by Big L and the Texas hip-hop scene. Right now, I’m inspired by a lot of my peers, including the ones I got on this new project Lonestar Luchador, which will be landing later this month.

Mike Dimes: A$AP Rocky and Joey Bada$$ were my biggest inspirations growing up; now my inspiration comes from Mike Dimes.

Monaleo: I was a huge YMCMB fan, specifically Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne. They all inspired me to pursue music and take it seriously. I was also a huge Odd Future fan. I just loved how the entire group was committed to being themselves and creating fun music. Currently, my inspirations are Frank Ocean and Beyoncé. I love Frank’s deeply poetic nature, and I’m inspired by Beyoncé’s amazing talent and dedication to the culture.

KenTheMan: Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, 2Pac, and my supporters and friends are the ones that truly inspire me!

From Houston to Miami

On November 15, Miami’s next generation of emerging rappers, including Luh Tyler, Real Boston Richey, Danny Towers, Wizz Havinn, Loe Shimmy, C-Stunna, Icandy, and Lil Crix, brought high energy to the stage in our second live Most Necessary showcase. They were even joined by surprise guests Kodak Black and Nardo Wick. Catch shots from the unforgettable evening below.

Spotify’s Artists To Watch Are Primed To Make Moves in 2023

January 31, 2023

It’s always exciting when artists enter the realm of bonafide stardom and bring new sounds and ideas to the music world. And it’s even more exciting to follow along as it happens. That’s why, at the start of each year, we tap our influential playlists to reveal our Artists To Watch.

With this list, we’re amplifying the next wave of music stars who we predict will make an impact in 2023. As we considered this year’s Artists To Watch, we were guided by four main playlists:

RapCaviar’s Most Necessary, our playlist for the next generation of voices in hip-hop
Viva Latino, our flagship playlist for today’s top Latin hits
Hot Country, our flagship country playlist
Are & Be’s R&B Rising, our newest playlist for emerging artists

“Spotify has always been a place for music discovery and artist growth, and our Artists To Watch lists allow us to showcase up-and-coming talent with serious momentum behind them,” said Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial. “We use our fan-favorite editorial playlists, including Hot Country, Viva Latino, Most Necessary, and for the first time, R&B Rising, to tap into existing listener bases. In return, artists are introduced to listeners who will love their sound.”

The end result is 40 artists—10 from each list— representing each playlist that should be on your radar in the coming year. Keep reading for our full list of picks.

Most Necessary’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Most Necessary, who hail from Atlanta, Brooklyn, London, and beyond, are ready to impact hip-hop culture and make their mark in the music industry.

GloRilla
Rising to prominence following her Grammy-nominated 2022 song “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” GloRilla has gone on to record chart-topping collaborations with Cardi B and Latto.

Finesse2tymes
Revered for his thunderous voice and motivational lyrics, this Memphis rapper recently collaborated with Gucci Mane, Lil Baby, and others on his debut mixtape 90 Days.

SleazyWorld Go
SleazyWorld Go went viral in 2022 with his track “Sleazy Flow” and later collaborated on an official remix with Lil Baby; he’s also collaborated with Migos’ Offset.

Central Cee
Known for his upbeat and melodic approach to UK drill, this British rapper and songwriter topped the UK album charts with his first two mixtapes, Wild West and 23.

Destroy Lonely
The No Stylist rapper resonates with fans for the dynamic and eclectic beats featured in his music.

Ice Spice
This Brooklyn drill artist seized the rap world’s attention in 2022 with her viral, chart-topping track “Munch (Feelin’ U).”

Babyface Ray
After collaborating with Big Sean and Hit-Boy on his 2021 single “It Ain’t My Fault,” the Detroit native released his album Face in 2022, featuring collaborations with Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa, and more.

Saucy Santana
This makeup artist turned rapper commanded the spotlight when his tracks “Walk” and “Here We Go” went viral in 2021. Notable collaborations include the remix of his song “Material Girl” with the “Queen of Pop” Madonna, hip-hop duo City Girls, and Latto.

2Rare
This Philly rapper stands out for his 2022 collaboration “Q-Pid” with Lil Durk, and later appeared on NLE Choppa’s “Do It Again.”

Real Boston Richey
Catching the ear of listeners with his Michigan-style hip-hop production, he’s recently collaborated with Future and Lil Durk.

Viva Latino’s Artists To Watch

With a selection of artists representing a wide range of styles and countries, Viva Latino’s picks are ready to go worldwide in 2023.

Emilia
Finding fame with hits such as “Recalienta” and “No Soy Yo” featuring Darell, this Argentine artist continues to generate buzz. Her first album, Tú crees en mí?, debuted at No. 4 on Spotify’s Top Albums Global chart.

Ivan Cornejo
A California native and one of the most promising voices in the sad sierreño scene, Ivan caught the attention of the music world with his debut album Alma Vacía, and is a pivotal figure in exporting Música Mexicana out of the U.S.

Chris Lebron
This rising Dominican artist already has a few notable collaborations under his belt, most notably teaming up with Romeo Santos on his popular track “SIRI.”

Kevin Kaarl
His most recent album, Paris Texas, debuted at #5 on the Top Albums Global Chart which experiments with traditional folk, rock, and lush dream-pop and. In addition to being an Artist To Watch in 2023, the Mexican singer was also part of our RADAR Class of 2022.

Paopao
A Latin Grammy award-winning artist known for her mix of reggaeton and alternative pop, this Puerto Rico native released the all-female EP hembrismo in 2022.

YOVNGCHIMI
A rising star from Puerto Rico, this Latin trap artist is best known for his debut single “Glizzy’s Walk.” He has numerous collaborations with prominent artists in the Latin trap scene, including Arcangel, Anuel AA, and Ozuna.

Villano Antillano
One of the leading figures of the queer movement within the urban genre in Puerto Rico, Villano was most recently selected as an ambassador for RADAR US, Spotify’s global program for emerging artists.

Young Miko
This Puerto Rican artist burst onto the scene in 2021 with the release of her first single, “105 Freestyle.” Her debut EP Trap Kitty and US Tour solidified her as a Spotify RADAR US artist.

3AM
A duo made up of Venezuelan brothers Richard and Christian Bermúdez, 3AM started their musical career after leaving their home country and settling in Boston. They are best known for their songs “Por Ti” and “Vuela.”

Fuerza Regida
Trailblazers of the urban corrido movement, this California group is making waves for a new generation of Mexican Music artists.

Hot Country’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Hot Country bring a fresh and unique sound to the world, and these artists are primed to make their mark on the country music scene this year.

Avery Anna
Having opened for acts like Josh Turner and Martina McBride, the Nashville singer-songwriter is best known for her 2022 single “Narcissist,” featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

Dylan Marlowe
Popping up on the scene with his viral cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” he’s continued to make waves with his catchy breakup track “Goodbye Gets Around.”

Ella Langley
The “Country Boy’s Dream Girl” singer is known for her unique blend of country and rock.

ERNEST
Known for “Flower Shops,” his hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen, this country singer got his start writing music for fellow artists including Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, and Chris Lane. As a performer, he has also collaborated with Diplo.

49 Winchester
This Virginia-based country group is known for its distinct brand of tear-in-your-beer alt country, sticky-barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk.

Jackson Dean
Jackson Dean embodies the old-school, lyric-driven, outlaw style of country, and his hit song “Don’t Come Lookin’’ was recently featured in the series Yellowstone.

Josh Ross
Topping the charts with his singles “First Taste of Gone” and “On a Different Night,” this Canadian singer-songwriter was nominated as a “Rising Star” at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards.

Megan Moroney
The Georgia native made her debut in 2022 with her EP Pistol Made of Roses, and has since built on that momentum with the release of her viral hit “Tenessee Orange.”

Restless Road
This Nashville-based country music band first attracted fans with their song “Take Me Home,” a collaboration with Kane Brown that was inspired by John Denver’s iconic track “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” They went on to reach new heights in 2022 with their hit single “Growing Old With You,” which they performed on Season 26 of the television series The Bachelor.

Tanner Adell
Bringing a fresh new vibe to country music, Tanner’s catchy and dance-worthy singles “Country Girl Commandments” and “Honky Tonky Heartbreak” have continued to generate buzz.

R&B Rising’s Artists To Watch

To cap things off, R&B Rising also revealed its first-ever roster of emerging stars who are primed to make waves in R&B music this year.

CoCo Jones
Working in TV and film since she was a tween, and most recently starring as Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, Coco has moved into the R&B spotlight with a soulful sound and honest, powerful storytelling. In 2022, she made her major label debut with her EP, What I Didn’t Tell You, and was featured on Babyface’s “Simple.”

FLO
This British girl group took the world by storm in 2022 with their breakthrough single “Cardboard Box.” They closed out the year winning the 2023 Rising Star Award and BBC’s Sound of 2023 poll.

Alex Vaughn
Alex first disrupted the industry in early 2022 with the release of Voice Notes, an honest and raw EP constructed entirely by using the voice notes app on her phone. She followed up the project with her debut album The Hurtbook.

DESTIN CONRAD
A native of Florida, Destin first found internet fame on the social media app Vine thanks to his lush, intimate earworms. That same sound, infused with a gentle touch, can be heard on his latest EP, Satin.

Fana Hues
Known for her vulnerable voice and woozy vocals, she’s featured on Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me if You Get Lost and released her latest album, flora + fana, in 2022.

LAYA
This dynamic NYC native has made waves by taking ’90s R&B and giving it a current, authentic spin, like she did with her breakout hit “Sailor Moon.”

Q
With a powerful falsetto and a stripped-back, emotionally complex sound, this alternative R&B artist went viral with his track “Take Me Where Your Heart Is” and has continued to win fans with his most recent release, “Today.”

RAAHiiM
The Toronto artist first hit the R&B scene in 2020 with his EP ii Knew Better. Known for his multidimensional vocals and sultry production, he has since collaborated with Shantel May and Rory.

JVCK JAMES
After initially gaining recognition for his viral internet videos, this East London artist’s star has continued to grow thanks to his ‘90s R&B-inspired tunes and 2021 standout single “No Drama.”

Dylan Sinclair
This Candian singer-songwriter earned immediate acclaim for his debut album Proverb, which was nominated for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards.

Looking to discover more of the hottest emerging artists who are ready to step into the spotlight? Stream our RADAR US playlist now.

RADAR Global Artist Rhove Delivers His Positive and Passionate Hip-Hop Sound to the World Stage

December 14, 2022

Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to showcase emerging artists from all around the world, supporting them and taking their talents to the global musical stage. Now RADAR Global turns the spotlight toward Italian hip-hop artist Rhove.

Having started rapping from an early age in social centers and discos, Rhove—whose stage name is a portmanteau of his surname, “Roveda,” and his home of Rho, Milan, in Italy—very quickly attracted attention with his distinctive personality and musical style. In 2020 he took to recording and self-released his first single, “Blanc Orange (Nanana),” followed by “Provincia,” “Corso Europa” with Madfingerz, “Montpellier,” “La zone,” and “Jungle.”

It was with the 2021 release of “Shakerando,” however, that Rhove started seeing overwhelming critical success on the national level, reaching number one on Italy’s charts. And it remains his top song on Spotify, with over 95 million streams and growing.

Taking his influences from international artists like Morad and French performers such as Stromae and JUL (with whom he collaborated on a song for the French rapper’s new album), Rhove integrates French urban sounds with Italian influence into his music. His ongoing goal is to create music that transmits positive and encouraging messages and highlights the importance of humility, passion, and dedication. Nowhere is this more evident than in his debut album, PROVINCIALE, released this year, and in the new Spotify RADAR mini-documentary about him.

Give a listen to Rhove’s tracks along with the rest of the best of our emerging artists on the RADAR Global playlist:

Brazil’s Urban Culture Is Thriving—And So Is Its Music

October 6, 2022

The artist Veigh poses in front of a wall covered in graffiti

Around the globe we’ve seen hip-hop and trap artists dominate the charts, and recently in Brazil, the already diverse and far-reaching sounds of urbano music have only gotten bigger. With urbano’s thriving culture and ever-growing roster of artists, its listenership in the country is at an all-time high.

Hip-hop, trap, and pop make up the majority of the tracks and artists represented within urbano music, but artists pull inspiration from a wide range of genres that include funk carioca, funk ostentação, and R&B.

Spotify has been supporting the call for more Brazilian urbano music by becoming the official partner of Brazil’s only trap festival, CENA 2k22, as well as partnering with Red Bull FrancaMente, the world’s largest rap competition. And almost two years ago, Spotify introduced the creme playlist, which celebrates the massive and diverse talent of Brazil’s urbano culture and how it pushes the boundaries of genres, cultures, and borders. Listenership of urbano music is up, particularly with Brazilian trap, which has seen Spotify streams increase by 33% in the past two years in Brazil alone.

Spotify has also featured some of the best up-and-coming artists in the urbano scene through RADAR, a program that represents Spotify’s commitment to new and emerging artists from all over the world. Through the RADAR Global playlist, artists like Rio de Janeiro’s N.I.N.A and São Paulo’s Veigh are bringing their unique rap and trap sounds to the world stage.

“The growth of urban culture coincides with a period of intense social transformation in Brazil, with the empowerment and rise of audiences that, until recently, were not represented,” says Ellen Rocha, Marketing Manager of Spotify Brazil. “Artists of genres that encompass urban culture are spokespersons for a generation of young people—an audience that asks for personality and authenticity and that absorbs and reflects culture not only in speech, but also in the way they behave and dress.”

For the Record sat down with RADAR-featured artists N.I.N.A and Veigh to talk about the rise of trap music in Brazil.

N.I.N.A

Rap and trap music have been on the rise in Brazil lately—why do you think so many listeners are drawn to these genres?

N.I.N.A: The music is always renewed. Year after year we see our youth consuming a new style, having a new face, dancing with new moves . . . rap has always been very communicative, and I think this rise comes from the identification and plurality that rap and trap bring.

Veigh: Trap ends up attracting a lot of listeners, and it’s an aspect of rap that has been popular for a long time both inside and on the outskirts! It also has a strong connection with funk, and I think a lot of young people identify with that genre.

In what ways have you seen urban culture really grow and influence parts of life in Brazil?

N.I.N.A: Those who come from the favela know the lives that urban culture impacts. There are several projects to rescue lives through music, and it’s where our talents are born. I’ve seen the art, culture, and music of the periphery save lives many times—including mine.

Veigh: I saw the culture grow inside where I live, where many portrayed the reality of that place through letters and other types of art. The culture ends up expanding to the whole world!

Veigh

What was your experience like being a part of the RADAR program?

N.I.N.A: RADAR boosted my work in ways I couldn’t even imagine. Today I have a diverse audience that came from extremely different strands of drill, which is what I do. It was a great door-opening for me. I am extremely grateful and happy to be part of RADAR’s history!

Veigh: It was a very important milestone for me and for my people (Itapevi in the west zone of São Paulo), where many saw me on RADAR and believed it could be them soon. Being in a place where a lot of artists, whom I am personally a fan of, have passed through is amazing for me!

The RADAR experience has taken my sound to bigger places and my art to more people! We know how difficult it is sometimes for our music to reach certain places.

Celebrate the rise in urban Brazilian music by listening to the creme playlist:

Gera MX revela los giros de su vida en ‘No Teníamos Nada, Pero Éramos Felices’ y ‘Ahora Tengo Todo Menos a Ti’ en una experiencia única para Spotify

August 25, 2022

La escena del hip-hop mexicano cada vez cobra más relevancia y Gera MX se ha convertido en uno de los artistas más representativos del género. Hoy, el rapero de 28 años de edad, lanza No Teníamos Nada, Pero Éramos Felices y Ahora Tengo Todo Menos a Ti en una playlist multimedia que narra los giros que ha dado su vida, disponible sólo en Spotify.

El álbum doble es el octavo trabajo de estudio de Gera MX, quien inició su carrera con No Me Mates Antes De Hoy en 2015, seguido de No Veo, No Siento y Precipicio en 2017. El también fundador del sello Rich Vagos, amplió su alcance con El Vicio y la Fama, álbum que incluye colaboraciones en exploración a otros géneros junto Grupo Codiciado hacia los corridos, Celso Piña, la leyenda de la cumbia regia, y Santa Fe Klan. El año pasado lanzó Los No Tan Tristes en colaboración con Nanpa Básico y Charles Ans, además de alcanzar el #4 del chart global de Spotify junto con Christian Nodal con “Botella tras Botella.”

El rapero nacido en Monterrey ha disparado sus streams en más de 200% en tan solo dos años y hoy cuenta con más de 9.5 millones de oyentes mensuales. En su nuevo épico álbum, que gira en torno al pasado y presente de Gera MX, cuenta con colaboraciones de Snow Tha Product, C-Kan, la estrella emergente del reggaetón colombiano Blessd, y el grupo de corridos tumbados Herencia de Patrones.

Ahora los fans de Gera MX podrán conocer de primera mano la inspiración detrás de canciones como como “Papá”, “El Santo Grial”, y “Dinero sobre Amor” en videos donde el rapero comparte un viaje introspectivo hacia las historias que inspiraron su obra más extensa y personal.

For the Record tuvo la oportunidad de hablar con Gera sobre el proceso creativo detrás de su último proyecto.

¿Por qué lanzas dos álbumes, en lugar de una sola pieza?

Decidimos hacerlo así porque creemos que representa una dualidad, el lado oscuro y el luminoso. Como el día y la noche, el yin y el yang. Si juntas los títulos de ambos álbumes es como decir “no tenía nada, ahora tengo todo”. Ahí está la historia de mi vida. Por eso decidí hacerlo en dos partes.

Las letras de las canciones las escribí hace cuatro o cinco años. Era algo muy personal que tenía guardado para mí. Hasta ahora, he publicado muchos álbumes y mucha música, pero este es más mío.

¿Cuál es la temática principal de No Teníamos Nada, Pero Éramos Felices y la de Ahora Tengo Todo Menos a Ti?

Para el primero todo gira en torno a recordar que no se necesita mucho para ser feliz. El segundo se trata de todo lo que hemos pasado después de una década rapeando, de sacar el pecho, agarrar el micrófono y demostrar quién soy en el escenario. A eso se refiere el título: ahora tengo todo, menos a ti.

¿Por qué es el álbum más íntimo que has hecho hasta ahora?

Porque cada parte del álbum, cada canción, cada vivencia, cada video es una pieza del rompecabezas que conforma la persona que soy. Eso compone a Gera MX en estos momentos: mi equipo, mis canciones, mis conciertos, mis seguidores, mi familia. Creo que si faltara una pieza, me descompensaría completamente. Igual pasa con la música, cada canción que está en el álbum es como una parte del esqueleto, un brazo, el cerebro, el corazón. Así son las canciones de este álbum.

¿Cuál es la canción que mejor te representa en este álbum?

“El Santo Grial” para mí es lo más puro que queda de Gera. Es el espacio donde me permití rapear como a mí me gusta rapear. Como cuando te dan un beat y no hay reglas, como cuando no piensas en una canción que tenga que llevar alguna estrategia detrás.

Esta canción simplemente es “El Santo Grial”: mi manera de expresar lo que siento, como fluyo, cómo veo el mundo. En la letra hablo sobre cómo pienso realmente, dejando de lado al personaje. En esa canción escribe más Gerardo que Gera MX.

“Precipicio” es una de las canciones más representativas del álbum del mismo nombre que lanzaste en 2017. ¿Qué le diría el Gera MX de esa época al de “El Santo Grial”?

El Gera de Precipicio al de “Santo Grial” le diría que nunca se rinda y que nunca deje de rapear. Que nunca pierda su esencia y mantenga su estilo, las ganas. También que siga cuidando a su familia y se mantenga firme.

¿Cuáles son las canciones del álbum que más te gustan?

Obviamente la de “Papá” y la de “Diana”. La primera porque es un homenaje, simboliza que recuerdo al viejo con mucho cariño. Y la segunda es un detrás de cámaras de todo lo que no le tocó ver a mi hermana cuando nuestro padre se fue a Estados Unidos y lo que tuvimos que hacer para salir a flote, lidiando con los problemas de un barrio peligroso.

Este álbum doble trata de los giros que ha dado tu vida. ¿Cómo está presente tu padre en esta historia?

Los giros de vida en los que me acompañó mi papá, prácticamente han sido todos. Me acompañó desde cachorro hasta que me convertí en lobo. No compartí tanto tiempo con él. Pero me llevé el instructivo rudo, el que me ha hecho ser quien soy y sé que me acompaña desde arriba en cada paso, en cada logro, en cada caída, en cada noche que pasamos haciendo música y compartiendo con todos.

Descubre lo nuevo de Gera MX y sumérgete en sus historias y el detrás de cámara en “No Teníamos Nada, Pero Éramos Felices” y “Ahora Tengo Todo Menos a Ti”

Spotify’s Biggest Playlist—RapCaviar—Now Has Its Own Video Podcast Hosted by Brandon ‘Jinx’ Jenkins

August 4, 2022

Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins lives, breathes, and sleeps hip-hop. He’s the host of several podcasts, including Spotify and Gimlet’s Mogul and the Ringer’s No Skips, which he hosts with New York Times bestselling author Shea Serrano. He’s also penning a book, launching a media magazine, and working on pre-production for several upcoming video projects. So he’s a natural choice for the brand-new RapCaviar Podcast, a video podcast that explores the essence of rap and takes Spotfiy’s top playlist, RapCaviar, in a bold new direction.

The RapCaviar Podcast will settle long-standing debates, challenge theories, and offer fresh takes on hip-hop topics, like who the best rapper is of Kendrick, Drake, and J. Cole; whether My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is Kanye West’s best album; and who the Godfather of the trap sound really is. Each week starting today, the RapCaviar Podcast host and a panel of guests will dive deep into a main theme.

For the Record caught up with Jinx to hear more about the podcast.

How did the RapCaviar Podcast come about?

The RapCaviar Podcast was something that had been floating around in the Spotify RapCaviar hallways for a minute. I’ve known [Spotify Creative Director/Head of Urban Music] Carl Cherry for years; I’ve been a fan of his work in the hip-hop space. And he had mentioned this idea about how to grow RapCaviar into these other extensions. It’s the most popular playlist in the world, and he wanted it to do more than just serve up artists and music and allow fans to play music. So they started thinking through the things they could build around it. And there have been several experiences born from this—live events, parties, panels. But I think this podcast is one new piece in the arsenal that’s angling toward one of the most important pieces of rap, period, which is the rap debate. And I was really happy that RapCaviar was like, “Hey, let’s get Jinx to do it.”

What are some of the topics you’re excited to cover?

We’ll cover everything from nostalgia to where we think this genre’s going and how it might change. Because in the last five years, let alone the last 10 to 20 years, it’s evolved tremendously. So we’re at a super interesting time right now because we had this whole crop of artists for the last decade who are not the new artists anymore. We’re watching Kendrick and J.Cole and Drake and everyone from that field get older, keep doing rap, keep making new music—or leave music. But we’re also embarking on this new era that still feels very much like hip-hop. There are questions of how much of it is rap. I’m interested in pushing the boundaries of what rap is and having some discussions with the new generation about what they think of the rap sphere and what’s happening.

How has rap changed and matured over your lifetime?

I remember getting my first stereo for Christmas and setting the radio station—I’m from New Jersey, so setting the radio station to Hot97—and I was lucky. I had the rap radio station and the dial never changed. But it has gone through stages. I remember working in the mall, in the shoe store, and we played hip-hop in our store because it was the sneaker store, but you wouldn’t hear rap anywhere else in the mall. I remember when you wouldn’t hear rap in television commercials.

Then I remember these big moments where I was watching a basketball game and would hear rap, not just in the arena but on the commercial. Or starting to hear it in the mall or see it referenced in pop culture outside the rap radio station and my friends. So for it to just keep getting bigger and bigger, and for the RapCaviar playlist to be the biggest playlist on the biggest streaming platform in the world says a lot about what the genre has done. And I feel super lucky to now be able to contribute to the same thing I’ve enjoyed all these years.

Whom do you hope to invite on as guests?

We’re going to have a mix of producers, DJs, rap photographers, writers, journalists, executives, fans, YouTubers—just the whole rap sphere, which we know is much bigger than artists and media talking heads. We want to expand this to where it’s not necessarily about your resume right now. It’s really more about the question, Do you love this thing? We want it to be democratized by multiple viewpoints and to let everyone know that all opinions and vantage points are welcome. You don’t have to be working at a record label right now or be working in hip-hop.

This is not just a podcast, but a video podcast. What excites you about this format?

Fans spend a lot of time experiencing rap visually, whether it’s images, music videos, or the artist’s going live on whatever platform. So I think it makes sense to meet them where they’re at. Rap is such a visual medium, you know: the way you see these people dress, what they look like, how they look when they’re saying the thing. Or even in the rap debate—there’s a moment in a rap conversation where people are sitting down talking, and then someone, to make their point, has to stand up or clap their hands. So much of hip-hop and its adjacent cultures are about emoting. And I think it’s big for Spotify to take that leap and bring the rap audience something to watch.

What’s your best hip-hop unpopular opinion?

Everyone thinks the South is the most important region in rap. I very much think it’s the West Coast. They make the best albums. They have the most coherent music, the best positioning of their projects. It bothers me so much that it’s not the East Coast, it’s not New York or New Jersey, but I truly think some of the best music is coming out of the West Coast. So it’s not a hot take, but it’s a hot take when you wear a Yankees hat every day.

Who are you aiming to reach with the RapCaviar Podcast?

There’s a piece of the RapCaviar playlist that’s for the initiated—it’s for the hyper-fans of rap music who have been following the changing tide of the genre over the years. But it’s also the playlist for the person who is not a hip-hop fan who wants to figure out what’s poppin’ right now. So I say that it’s “for the purist and it’s for the tourist.” The podcast, then, has the same context around the music. So if you really want to know what rap looks like and our feelings about the music you’re playing on the playlist, it’s for you. Tune in.

Tune in to the first episode of the RapCaviar Podcast below.

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