Tag: singer

RADAR Artist Reneé Rapp Dives Headfirst Into Her Music Career With a New Single, Album, and Tour

August 16, 2023

Renee Rapp sitting in a blue room facing the camera

Fans may already know 23-year-old Reneé Rapp from her theater and television careers. Now it’s time for the North Carolina native’s third act—and the one she’s most passionate about—her music career.

Music has always been a present and important part of her life, with Reneé starting to write and record songs when she was a teen. In 2022, she released her first single, “Tattoos,” and then followed it up with her EP, Everything to Everyone. Her pop-driven songs include a range of soft-spoken lyrics and belt-out-loud ballads.

As Reneé prepares for the release of her debut album, Snow Angel, on August 18, the star takes the title of Spotify’s newest RADAR US artist. RADAR, a global Spotify program, is dedicated to showcasing emerging and talented artists around the world through support and resources that help selected artists expand their audiences.

“It’s been incredible to watch Reneé’s growth over the past year—her talent is undeniable,” shared Ashley Graver, Spotify’s Head of Pop, Dance & Indie, Artist Partnerships. “We took an interest in Reneé early on when she had only released two songs and had yet to announce a single live show. Her sound and energy are unmatched. She has a wildly devoted fan base that constantly proclaims their love and has anointed her the next big pop star, and we’re excited to introduce her to an even bigger audience through RADAR.”

Through the RADAR program, Reneé is featured in the RADAR US social content series, which includes an exclusive interview with the artist and a stripped-back performance of a track off her new album. Additionally, she will receive marketing support throughout key milestones, like on-platform promotion, visuals in Times Square, a feature in RADAR’s quarterly partnership with Rolling Stone, and more. The singer is currently showcased on the cover of the RADAR US playlist, and her latest track, “Talk Too Much,” is featured prominently at the top.

“We are very excited to partner with Reneé through our RADAR program. Last year, our editors noticed her music not only because of the quality but also because of the way it was resonating with our users,” said J.J. Italiano, Spotify’s Head of Global Hits. “As we worked with Reneé and her team to help grow her audience on Spotify, we were taken by her passion, motivation, and ambition. When watching her perform as part of our Pop Rising On Tour program, it was immediately clear that she was connecting to fans in the real world as intensely as she was connecting with them on our platform. We’re honored to be a part of Reneé’s journey and looking forward to what’s to come.”

This fall, Reneé will embark on her Snow Hard Feelings tour with Alexander 23, a singer-songwriter and producer who worked with Reneé on the new album. Many shows are already sold out, proving that her presence doesn’t have to be on Broadway or TV screens for fans to flock to her. This is only the beginning for the actress and singer, and through RADAR, we hope to introduce Reneé’s catchy and captivating sound to even more audiences around the globe.

 

Fans can find music from Reneé, and other promising artists to watch, on our RADAR US playlist.

Malaysian Pop Princess CLAUDIA Takes the Spotlight as Our Global EQUAL Ambassador for July

July 12, 2023

CLAUDIA posing in front of the camera on a purple backdrop with roses by her feet

CLAUDIA’s career shot off like a firework when her ’70s-inspired song “Bodies” went viral on social media in 2020. Love for the Malaysian pop artist’s upbeat and catchy music continued when she released her track “Your Gentleman.” 

From there, the singer-songwriter has performed at festivals and released more pop hits like 2023’s “Toast,” a bubbly track that talks about being in love. CLAUDIA has two more singles in the works, both of which follow the same love theme. Her music plays with sounds that stem from various genres, such as jazz and R&B. This month, CLAUDIA is also Spotify’s Global EQUAL Ambassador of the Month. 

The EQUAL Global Music Program launched in 2021 with the aim of promoting gender equity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. CLAUDIA’s featured at the top of the EQUAL Global playlist, and her song “Toast” is displayed prominently.

For the Record caught up with CLAUDIA to learn more about her inspirations and her advice for other emerging artists.

The artists who have most inspired me are _____.

Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, and LØLØ.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is _____.

Never take no for an answer. We deserve to take up space in this industry, and we should always feel like we deserve to be here.

One notable moment in my career so far is _____.

Having Jung Kook from BTS listen to my song “Your Gentleman” live on his WeVerse. Since we live in such a digital era, it’s validating to have your music reach people’s ears, and I’m happy it has brought many new fans to my music.

My creative process consists of _____.

Strumming on my ukulele and finding a good melody that sticks in my head.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is _____.

Have more female collaborations in songs. It makes me feel like there’s a sense of camaraderie between women, and that we’re supporting each other the best we can.

A few up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are _____.

Katherine Li, Emei, and Alex Porat.

My girl-power anthem is _____.

“Power” by Little Mix.

 

Check out music from CLAUDIA, as well as other talented women artists from around the world, in our EQUAL Global playlist below.

Covering Everything From Heartbreak to Anxiety, EQUAL Arabia Artist zeyne Knows No Limits

June 22, 2023

equal playlist cover art featuring artist zeyne looking at the camera

With her compelling fusion of R&B, soul, and contemporary Arab stylings, zeyne made a splash in the music scene in 2021. Critics and fans alike love her sound—and they’re drawn to the Jordanian-Palestinian singer-songwriter’s lyrics. Her tracks cover a wide range of relatable topics, from love and grief to mental health and anxiety. As an artist and a woman in the Arab world, zeyne feels strongly that her music must tackle more than standard tropes of love and relationships. 

With hits that include “Balak” and “Bala Wala Shi”resonating with a wider audience, zeyne now takes the title of Spotify’s EQUAL Artist of the Month for Arabia. 

The EQUAL Global Music Program launched in 2021 with the aim of promoting gender equity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. Zeyne currently graces the cover of the EQUAL Arabia playlist, and her latest track, “Ana Wein,” is featured prominently.

For the Record caught up with zeyne to learn more about her inspirations and her advice for other emerging artists.

The artists who have most inspired me are _____.

Fairuz, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jorja Smith, and Billie Eilish.

Other Arab and Palestinian women artists who inspire me are _____.

Lina Makoul, Noel Kharman, and Manal because they have unique, distinct sounds that authentically represent who they are as women and artists. 

One piece of advice I’d give other emerging artists is _____.

Own who you are and never be afraid to show your real self.

One notable moment in my career so far is _____.

Revealing my full solo set in Amman was an exciting milestone. Seeing the audience sing every word of “Ana Wein” only a week after it dropped was very special.

When I think about my identity as a woman Jordanian-Palestinian artist _____.

I feel inspired to showcase my culture through the music and infuse it with my global musical influences.

One thing I’d like my fans to know about my culture is _____.

We don’t take no for an answer when we invite you over for a meal.

Listeners can hear my culture in my music through _____.

Moments, sounds, and songs like “Nostalgia” and “Balak.”

My creative process consists of _____.

Lots of brainstorming, acai bowls, and experimentation.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is _____.

To see more female producers, cowriters, and performers in important rooms.

My girl-power anthem is _____.

“Not My Job” by Flo.

Check out music from zeyne, as well as other talented women Arab artists, in our EQUAL Arabia playlist below.

Raissa Anggiani Finds Success Through RADAR Indonesia and Paves the Way for Its 2023 Class

May 17, 2023

It didn’t take long for listeners in Indonesia to be enchanted by Raissa Anggiani. The 19-year-old’s music, which can be described as flowing folk-pop and bedroom-pop, has fans hitting repeat on tracks like “Kau Rumahku” and “if you could see me cryin’ in my room,” a duet with fellow Indonesian pop artist Arash Buana.

Raissa began to gain traction in 2022, the same year she became a member of RADAR, Spotify’s program to showcase emerging artists globally. Since being highlighted in RADAR marketing and receiving on-platform support, Raissa has seen a 151% increase in monthly listeners, 629% growth in followers on her artist page, and 790% surge of streams over the past year. 

“RADAR is an important program for us at Spotify. We are always looking to support artists at every stage of their career, and RADAR is one of the ways we’re providing roadways for emerging artists to shine through,” shared Kossy Ng, Head of Music Spotify Asia. “Raissa is a great example of how the program is beneficial to local artists. We couldn’t be more proud of her.” 

The Jakarta-born singer was featured on Spotify’s RADAR Indonesia 2022 playlist and was included in the #RamadandiSpotify campaign. She was also chosen as an EQUAL Ambassador, making her an important part of our program that extends resources and opportunities to women artists.

“It feels amazing to be in this position given that I am very new to this industry. Spotify has played a pivotal role in shaping my music career and has helped me realize that achieving big dreams is possible, and it’s within the reach of anyone,” said Raissa. “RADAR has opened doors to many opportunities, one of which is being chosen as the EQUAL Indonesia Ambassador. I can say that RADAR has boosted my confidence in my potential.”

Her song “Kau Rumahku” is on Spotify Indonesia’s Top 10 Weekly Chart and has been sitting there for 24 weeks straight, amassing more than 96 million global streams.* Currently, Raissa is working on a mini-album and collaborating with several producers as she continues to connect with fans through her dreamy melodies.

Class of 2023

We’re excited to reveal the latest class of RADAR Indonesia talent. For 2023, the program is spotlighting 10 artists representing a range of sounds from pop to indie to folk. 

  • Anggi Marito tops the Spotify Indonesia weekly chart with her heartfelt tunes.
  • Awdella and Bernadya dazzle listeners with their soulful vocals.
  • Aziz Hedra, who also entered the Top 10 Spotify Indonesia weekly chart and found a spot on several Top 50 Viral Songs charts, brings his unique take on R&B.
  • Naura Ayu delivers an energetic mix of pop and R&B tunes for listeners.
  • Hal and Nadhif Basalamah serenade fans with their folk and indie-pop songs.
  • Stereo Wall gives an energizing boost to the alternative-rock genre.
  • ENVY* serves up authentic hip-hop beats to listeners.
  • Maulana Ardiansyah’s melodic voice can be heard on his pop-melayu songs.

These artists are finding their groove and attracting new listeners daily. If you’re ready to hear more from RADAR Indonesia’s class of 2023, check our dedicated playlist.

 

*As of May 17, 2023

Raissa Anggiani Berhasil Raih Kesuksesan Melalui RADAR Indonesia dan Buka Peluang Bagi Angkatan 2023

May 17, 2023

Raissa Anggiani tidak butuh waktu lama untuk membuat pendengar Indonesia terpukau. Dengan mengusung genre folk-pop dan bedroom-pop, penyanyi berusia 19 tahun ini membuat para penggemar terus memutar lagu-lagunya, seperti “Kau Rumahku” dan “if you could see me cryin’ in my room,” lagu duetnya bersama artis pop Indonesia, Arash Buana.

Raissa mulai mencuri perhatian sejak 2022, di tahun yang sama ketika ia menjadi bagian RADAR, program Spotify untuk memberdayakan artis pendatang baru di seluruh dunia. Sejak mendapat sorotan di program RADAR dan dukungan melalui platform Spotify, Raissa berhasil meraih 151 persen peningkatan dalam monthly listeners, 629 persen peningkatan followers di artist page, dan 790 persen kenaikan dalam jumlah stream selama setahun terakhir.

“RADAR merupakan program yang penting untuk kami di Spotify. Kami selalu mencari cara untuk mendukung artis di setiap tahap kariernya dan RADAR menjadi salah satu upaya kami untuk menyediakan kesempatan bagi artis pendatang baru untuk bersinar,” ujar Kossy Ng, Head of Music Spotify Asia. “Raissa adalah contoh luar biasa bagaimana program ini membantu artis lokal. Kami sangat bangga pada dia.” 

Penyanyi kelahiran Jakarta ini masuk ke dalam playlist RADAR Indonesia 2022 di Spotify dan menjadi bagian kampanye #RamadandiSpotify. Ia juga terpilih sebagai ambassador EQUAL dan menjadi bagian penting dari program ini yang bertujuan untuk mendukung serta memberi kesempatan bagi para artis perempuan di industri musik.

“Rasanya luar biasa sekali bisa berada di posisi sekarang ini, apalagi buat aku yang terhitung masih baru di industri musik. Spotify sudah menjadi salah satu bagian besar dalam perjalananku berkarier di musik dan membuatku kembali sadar bahwa tidak mustahil untuk mewujudkan mimpi-mimpi besar karena siapa pun bisa dan mampu mewujudkannya,” ujar Raissa Anggiani. “RADAR membuka pintu untuk banyak kesempatan luar biasa, salah satunya adalah menjadi ambassador EQUAL Indonesia, RADAR membuatku menjadi lebih yakin atas potensi diriku.”

Lagunya ‘Kau Rumahku’ masuk dalam 10 besar tangga lagu mingguan Spotify Indonesia dan bertahan selama 24 minggu berturut-turut, meraih lebih dari 96 juta stream secara global. Saat ini, Raissa sedang mempersiapkan sebuah mini album dengan berkolaborasi bersama beberapa produser agar dapat terus terhubung dan membuat pendengar terbuai dengan alunan melodinya. 

RADAR Indonesia Angkatan 2023

Kami senang sekali dapat mengumumkan deretan musisi berbakat yang menjadi bagian dari RADAR Indonesia. Tahun ini, program RADAR menyoroti 10 artis yang merepresentasikan berbagai genre, mulai dari pop ke indie, sampai ke folk.

  • Anggi Marito memuncaki tangga lagu mingguan Spotify Indonesia dengan lagunya yang menyentuh.
  • Awdella dan Bernadya memukau pendengar dengan suara soulful-nya.
  • Aziz Hedra, yang juga masuk dalam 10 besar tangga lagu mingguan Spotify Indonesia dan menempati posisi di beberapa tangga lagu Top 50 Viral Songs, siap membawa ke musik R&B-nya yang unik.
  • Naura Ayu membawakan gabungan melodi pop dan R&B yang energik. 
  • Hal dan Nadhif Basalamah memikat fans dengan lagu folk dan indie-pop mereka. 
  • Stereo Wall memberikan dorongan semangat lewat musiknya yang bergenre alternative rock.
  • ENVY* menunjukan hip-hop beats yang autentik bagi pendengar.
  • Suara merdu Maulana Ardiansyah bisa didengar melalui lagu pop-melayu miliknya.

Para artis tersebut sedang menunjukan pesona mereka dan menarik pendengar baru setiap harinya. Kalau kamu penasaran dengan artis RADAR Indonesia angkatan 2023, dengarkan lagu mereka melalui  playlist RADAR Indonesia di sini:

British Legend Craig David Reflects on His Career in the Latest Episode of ‘Spotify: Mic Check’

March 21, 2023

a visual of craig david looking at the camera with graphic shapes around him

Craig David hit the music scene just before the turn of the millennium when he was featured on U.K. duo Artful Dodger’s garage classic “Re-Rewind.” What followed for the British singer-songwriter were eight studio albums, 14 Brit Award nominations, and the release of many successful song collaborations across multiple genres.

Craig has made a mark on music and culture over the last 25 years, and he’s not slowing down. He recently sat down with Lea Palmieri, host of the Spotify: Mic Check podcast, to revisit the pivotal moments in his career, from hearing his breakout hit at the Notting Hill Carnival to writing his first book, What’s Your Vibe? Tuning Into Your Best Life.

Listen to the episode here, and watch the full conversation below.

Turkish Artist Aleyna Tilki Makes a Splash as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

May 17, 2022

Aleyna Tilki is breaking the mold as she makes a name for herself in the music industry. The edgy Turkish singer-songwriter started her singing career at 14 years old, and now, at the age of 22, she already has multiple hits and high-profile collaborations to her name. Add to that the fact that Aleyna is the first Turkish artist that Warner Music Group has signed for international projects, and it’s clear she’s a musical force to be reckoned with.

Aleyna’s signature vocals—whether she’s singing in her native Turkish or in English—and unique style help her fuse genres in her music. Early last year, she released the highly anticipated single, “Retrograde,” cocreated by an all-star team that included Diplo, Dua Lipa, and King Henry. In October of 2021, Aleyna continued to prove her success with the song “Real Love,” which was a collaboration with producer and DJ Dillon Francis. The track was a hit, debuting at number 24 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

singer aleyna stands in front of a pink backdrop looking directly into the camera.

Now Aleyna continues to gain a global following as the EQUAL Ambassador of the Month for May. Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As a part of this month’s spotlight, Aleyna will have her song “Take It or Leave It” at the top of the EQUAL Global playlist, and the artist is featured on the playlist’s cover.

For the Record spoke with Aleyna to learn more about her creative process and some of the notable moments in her career.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Freddie Mercury, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, and Michael Jackson.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ____.

Your body is your area of freedom. Be free to explore it for your art. Being open about your body does not mean you are open to being abused by anyone.

One notable moment in my career so far is ____.

Being able to collaborate with great artists and big labels for my music, even though it’s really tough to break through globally from my country.

My creative process consists of ____.

Psychoanalysis. It helps me to go deeper into human psychology. But this is not about empathy, rather it’s about how it helps me to express myself in my art.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ____.

By people accepting that everything is not about masculinity.

Some women artists I’m excited to watch are ____.

ROSALÍA, Doja Cat, GAYLE, Billie Eilish, and Jessie Ware.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” (of course).

 

Listen to music from Aleyna, as well as other strong women, on the EQUAL Global playlist.

 

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.