Tag: rave

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

November 29, 2023

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

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

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

Peso Pluma and Música Mexicana go mainstream

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

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

Folk rising

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

Explore this trend on: Indie Twang, Juniper

Shoegaze returns courtesy of Gen Z

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

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

Explore this trend on: Shoegaze Now, IRL Angel

Rema carries Afrobeats into Spotify’s Billions Club

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

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

Taylor Swift’s eras on tour

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

Explore this trend on: Surprise Song Era

Troye Sivan and Hyunjin’s IRL friendship

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

Explore this trend on: what a moment

Peggy Gou takes house music to the top of the charts

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

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

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

It’s a Barbie world

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

Explore this trend on: Hot Pink, Barbie Official Playlist

Hyper techno surges

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

Explore this trend on: rave, techno party

Jersey Club is everywhere 

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

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

Tyla’s turns her viral moment into crossover success

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

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

Women run hip-hop  

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

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

Pop-punk’s greatest legends return

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

Explore this trend on: Pop Punk’s Not Dead

The nu-metal revival continues

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

Explore this trend on: new nü, ALLURE

Alt country crosses over

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

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

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

Get To Know Dxrk ダーク, the Phonk Artist Taking Electronic Music by Storm

February 14, 2023

If there’s any artist who can say they had a big year, it’s Dxrk ダーク. Starting 2022 as an unknown entity, the Algerian phonk producer ended the year as the most-streamed artist from the Middle East and North Africa globally. 

Last year alone, his tracks were streamed more than 232 million times by more than 19 million listeners in 182 countries, with the U.S., Mexico, and Germany representing his top markets. In total, fans streamed nearly 9 million hours of Dxrk ダーク’s music in 2022.

With fans from nearly every corner of the world flocking to his sound, Dxrk ダーク saw his monthly streams increase by 1,200% last year, and 43,000% since he released his first track, in July 2021. He’s appeared on the viral charts in 93 different nations, reaching number one in 26 of those countries and number three on the Viral 50 – Global chart. 

Dxrk ダーク’s sharp rise to fame began with the release of his hit “RAVE,” which was featured on playlists like phonk, Top Gaming Tracks, Ultra Gaming, and Hits de Internet. Since that breakout moment, “RAVE” has eclipsed 200 million streams, and Dxrk ダーク was even tapped by global pop star Sam Smith for a remix.

For the Record had the opportunity to chat with Dxrk ダーク recently, and we took the time to find out more about his inspirations, his life as a newly minted star, and what fans can expect in 2023.

What makes phonk unique compared to other genres?

Phonk is more than a genre to me. It’s a movement encompassing many different genres. Many people look at it as aggressive house music, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because it’s more tied to the use of cowbells and Memphis rap-inspired vocals, you can utilize all types of dance music. It doesn’t just have to have a house sound. It just has to be raw and emotional.

What was it about phonk that inspired you to embrace the genre when it comes to your own music?

I discovered phonk in early 2017 and it wasn’t the way it is now. There’s such a grim and dark atmosphere while listening to it. My first thought was, “How can you make this dancy?”

2022 was a massive year for you in terms of new fans all over the world discovering your music. What does it feel like to have this global fan base? Were you expecting to reach this level of stardom?

It’s surreal. I never could have imagined a moment like this. But it also comes with a lot of pressure. I have a lot of people depending on me now. Every step matters.

Are there any Spotify tools you like to use to learn more about listeners? Has there been any information that’s surprised you?

Spotify for Artists is my holy grail. I choose it over any other analytic device. I watch the Audience Engagement tab religiously. It blows my mind to see how many people have added me to their personal playlists and just how big that space is in general.

Was there a specific moment where you felt like you “made it”?

There are two specific moments that come to mind. When “RAVE” hit the Global Viral 50, that’s when I first knew my life was forever changed.

But I think it became very real when Sam Smith’s team reached out to me to remix “Unholy,” which features Kim Petras and was one of the biggest hits on the planet last year.

Did you do anything or buy anything special to celebrate your successes this year?

I bought a couple of cars. A SEAT Cupra and a VW Golf 7.

Are there any artists you’re inspired by? Are there any artists you’d like to work with?

My main inspiration is Daft Punk and I wish they were still active. They’re my dream collaboration.

What can fans expect from you in 2023?

I have more major remixes planned, but I also owe my fans an album. It’s way overdue. Very excited to show them what I’ve been working on. 

Take a deeper dive into the ominous phonk sounds of Dxrk ダーク with his playlist This Is Dxrk ダーク.

 

Kitchen Raves are the New Craze on Spotify in the UK

April 12, 2021

Even though in-person nightclubs have been closed for the past year, the dance music genre is booming around the world. AmaPiano takes the stage in South Africa, Slap music thrives in Germany, and Russian Rave is also keeping the beat going. And in the UK especially, seasoned clubbers and new fans alike have brought the party to their kitchens, living rooms, and gardens—resulting in a boom in dance music streaming.

Since the start of 2021, Spotify has seen almost 80,000 new playlists created with “dance” in the title globally, and in turn, over 143 million hours of dance music have been streamed this year the world. And, in just the last 90 days alone, there has been a 26% increase in the number of UK playlists with “Kitchen Rave” in the title.

Dance music has kept fans going during lockdown. They’re even reminiscing to the sounds of their favorite venues on repeat. Globally, we have seen an increase in streams of official playlists made by nightclubs, with Oval Space in East London seeing an incredible 300% increase in streams of its official playlist, and perennial London favorite Printworks seeing a 110%+ increase of its own playlist. 

“I know I’m not alone when I say I can’t wait to get back into my favorite venues,” says Spotify dance music editor Christie Driver-Snell. “Whilst we all eagerly await doors re-opening, it has been amazing to see the interest in the genre across the platform with both new and loyal fans turning to tracks to lift their mood, mark the arrival of the weekend, and relive dancefloor moments. With festivals and live events set to start taking place this year, excitement is at its peak. We are seeing this reflected on the platform, with dance having an incredible year on Spotify.’’

When it comes to the most popular artists and tracks, commercial dance has seen the biggest surge in fans. Since the beginning of 2021, Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris took the crown for the most-streamed commercial dance artist, followed by David Guetta and Travis Scott. “Don’t Play” by Anne-Marie, Digital Farm Animals, and KSI was revealed as the top commercial dance track of 2021 so far, followed by “The Business” by Tiësto and “Paradise (feat. Dermot Kennedy)” by Dermot Kennedy and MEDUZA.

Dance music isn’t just fueling our weekends and evenings; it’s also proving popular with fitness fanatics: Joel Correy’s “Lonely” is the most-streamed dance track within Fitness playlists on Spotify, followed by Becky Hill and Sigala’s “Heaven On My Mind (with Sigala)” and MK and Raphaella’s “One Night (feat. Raphaella).”

Throughout that time, DJs, venues, and producers have also kept the party alive by bringing the club scene into homes as dance has gone virtual. Now, Belfast-born, London-based electronic duo Bicep will be taking over Spotify’s flagship alternative electronic music playlist, Altar. The dance duo have nearly 3 million monthly listeners and over a quarter of a million followers on Spotify, with top listeners coming from London, Dublin, Birmingham, Amsterdam, and Bristol. Their takeover sees Bicep bringing all the heft of their euphoric energy and global sound to the playlist.

Whether you’re listening to Dance Pop or one of the other popular sub-genres of dance (Tropical House, EDM, House, Electro House), these stats show that you can keep the party going from any room you’re in.