Tag: Songwriter

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.

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:

GLOW Artist Joy Oladokun Embraces the Beauty in the Unexpected

April 25, 2023

Joy Oladokun is one of those self-proclaimed “rare birds” who didn’t set out to become a professional musician. The fact that Joy now gets to write, record, and perform music for themself and other Black queers like them is still nothing less than magic. “Maybe it’s my religious trauma, but I feel this responsibility as an artist—and not in a heavy way, in a truthful way—that if I’m going to ask people to listen to me, I want to say things that matter,” the 31-year-old, Nashville-based songwriter told For the Record. “I want to make work that builds a bridge.”

While living in LA after college, Joy found a job singing background vocals for a rock artist, and from there began to write music for low-budget videographers. The work snowballed into a viral gig, and eventually, a publishing deal. A few albums, plenty of singles, and an enviable number of high profile collaborations later, Joy is now preparing to release a new album and then go on tour with collaborator Noah Kahan. To top it off, she was just named Spotify’s latest GLOW artist. 

GLOW is our global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. We’ll support Joy on-platform with a dedicated hub and flagship GLOW playlist, and off-platform via billboards and other takeovers. The visibility, to her, is crucial—online as well as in real life. 

“Nashville reminds me of the small town that I grew up in, in rural Arizona. And it’s really interesting being so Black and so queer in a place that, at least on the outside, wants to pretend that you don’t exist. I think that there’s this real ownership and identity for me that has happened here. Yes, it’s a country music town, and I’m not a country musician, but I feel just as at home writing songs and making music here.”

Joy always believed in the power of storytelling and songwriting, and now, they have the opportunity and the audience to tell their own stories. 

“As a songwriter, I got to a place where I could have written a song for an Ariana Grande or a Carrie Underwood and that could have been gratifying. But I also was looking around the playing field and not seeing anybody like me and not seeing anybody telling stories like mine in a way that I resonated with,” they said. “There are obviously queer artists, there are obviously Black queer artists—thank God for Lil Nas X—but I think for the kids who grew up watching too much Star Wars and listening to Paul Simon and geeking out to the harmonies in Crosby, Stills, and Nash records, and also lying on the floor and listening to Linkin Park’s Meteora because it’s the best thing ever, I think I fill that gap. And I get to remind people that Blackness and queerness and womanhood and gender are not monoliths.”

Listen to her tracks “sunday” or “jordan” and you might just hear a 21st-century Tracy Chapman with hints of Bob Marley, Phil Collins, and Peter Gabriel. “They used a lot of West African music and rhythms in what they did. My family is from Nigeria and West Africa, and their music feels like home. They reached out and created a bridge, musically, between a synth and a talking drum.” 

Jimi Hendrix, Green Day, Nirvana, Paramore, and Metallica also made a big impact on the artist as a young person. “Music is the weirdest thing we do. We just make noise out into the void, hoping it connects with somebody. I can listen to a Johnny Cash record and be like, ‘I relate to this.’ But if Johnny Cash and I sat down to dinner, it would just be awkward.” 

Maybe, but there’s also a broad range of artists Joy has already been able to work and record with, including Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy, Noah Kahan, and Chris Stapleton. “When Chris said he would sing ‘Sweet Symphony’ with me, I think I said, ‘Are you sure?’” Joy has a photo of herself crying after listening to their track together for the first time. “Everyone has been so cool and so open to this sort of weird world that I’m building.” 

Joy refers to their work and live shows as a sandbox at a playground—a place where lesbians dressed like truck drivers stand and sing their songs next to actual truck drivers. But it’s not always a day in the sun. “I did this benefit concert in Tennessee because there’s been a lot of anti-LGBTQ legislation here. And we were like, ‘Hey, queer people live here! Imagine.’” One of the songs on the new record is about how nobody came to Joy’s eighth birthday party, but when it comes to the mood, “It sounds as if Radiohead and the Beach Boys had a baby. So I have a serious, innate desire to make beauty out of difficulty.”

Joy aims to keep her diverse fan base in mind and deeply values creating art that allows anyone to come to the table to find themselves. 

“I want queer people to listen to my music and feel empowered to take up all the space that God made them to take up,” they said. “I want people to feel like they can be sad or frustrated at the state of the world, or the way they’re spoken to, and feel like they still have people who care about them and advocate for them. And I think music does that.” 

Listen to the singles from Joy’s upcoming album, Proof of Life, and look out for the release on April 28.

Spotify Surprises Young Songwriter With a Recording Session Featuring His Favorite Band

December 30, 2022

Sometimes all it takes is one great concert to inspire a new generation of musicians. And for an 11-year-old from Cheshire, UK, that was a live performance from The Vamps. 

Daniel knew he wanted to make music after seeing the British pop band in 2019. Since then, he’s been practicing guitar and writing songs. He even won his school’s talent show with a performance of one of his original pieces. 

After learning about Daniel’s journey, Spotify invited him to the Noteable Studios in London to record some original tracks. We also invited The Vamps along—but kept it a surprise. Check out Daniel’s reaction when he met his music inspiration for the first time.

 

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For the Record caught up with Daniel to learn more about the experience.

 

Tell us a bit about the concert where you first saw The Vamps. What made it so impactful? 

Daniel: I first saw the Vamps in their Four Corners Tour in Liverpool in 2019. Seeing a live concert was so much better than listening to music in the car. It felt like a party and made it all more real. Seeing the guitars and how they played them was very cool.

How would you describe your musical sound? Are there any other groups that inspire you?

Daniel: I would describe my musical genre as soft pop, but I’m also working on some songs at the moment which I’d describe as pop rock! I’m also inspired by James Arthur, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Anson Seabra.

What is your creative process like? How do you come up with ideas for lyrics and melodies? 

Daniel: It depends—sometimes when I’m jamming on the guitar I decide I like the riff or think that the chord structure might be fun to work with. I then put it on a loop on my looper pedal, and sing in my head and experiment with a tune. At other times I’m singing to myself and decide that the lyrics sound nice. Once I’ve got a few lines of lyrics, I’ll find out what key I’m singing in and then I’ll try and work on the instrumental ideas.

Tell us about the eventful day in Noteable studios when The Vamps surprised you. 

Daniel: I loved my whole day at the Noteable studios. It was so good working with Amy, the sound technician, and learning the process of recording a song. When The Vamps arrived my heart stopped, and I couldn’t speak. It was the best day of my life so far! I enjoyed having a chat with Brad, James, Conner, and Tristan on the sofas and sharing the fruit! We chatted about school talent shows and writing songs. Since my trip to the Noteable studios, I’ve been inspired to write more songs and improve the songs that I’m writing. I’m in the process of writing an eight-song album!

Then For the Record asked The Vamps for their side of the story. 

 

What was your reaction when you got the call to come surprise Daniel? 

The Vamps: Any opportunity to encourage people to follow their dreams, we’re in! We were all very excited to meet Dan and check out his vibe.  We recorded the last album, Cherry Blossom, in Metropolis Studios, so it’s always special going back there. We always jump on an opportunity to help a young musician. I remember when we were all getting started and any good advice we could get, we would listen. I loved Dan’s attitude towards making music and the confidence he has to enter a studio with such heritage.

Why did you want to jump on the opportunity? 

The Vamps: Since the start, one of the main objectives of The Vamps is to spread love and happiness. If we can do that then so can he. When we saw Dan’s letter it was a no brainer. When I was that young I would do anything for some advice that would point me in the right direction. Life is about believing in yourself, and if there is anything we can do to help, we will. 

In the video you give the young songwriter a piece of advice. Can you recall any advice you got when you were first starting out? Any that you wish you had followed but didn’t? 

The Vamps: I think one of the main pieces of advice is that music doesn’t just automatically show up on a piece of paper, or is created by a computer. It comes from emotions and experiences. He will go through these during his lifetime growing up. The best thing he can do is write about it. 

Of course when you’re that age you don’t tend to want to listen to other people. When I was younger, sometimes I would over-play, and not listen to anybody because I was having too much fun; but the reality is, the song is king. You have be in the mindset of “What is best for the song?” and not what’s best for you as a musician. Now when we write, I’m always thinking, “What does this music NEED?” and think less about what I want. 

What are some other ways Spotify has helped you connect with your fans?

The Vamps: Spotify is the new way of discovering and listening to music. I can’t tell you how much it has helped The Vamps reach an international audience. I feel it delivers what people actually want, and ignores any politics behind the music. I have discovered artists that I never would have 10 years ago. It connects music, which connects people.

Check out more from The Vamps 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.

 

Quiz: Can You Match the Songwriter to Their Work?

February 12, 2020

Creating hit songs and albums can be a group effort, comprised of a team of songwriters, composers, and producers whom you don’t often see onstage. You’ve heard these behind-the-scenes artists’ work on your favorite albums and playlists—but can you match them to their work? Whether they write for themselves, one other artist, or several hit groups, we’re celebrating the songwriters, artists, and producers who help create some of the world’s favorite music.

Today, we announced the beta of songwriter pages, a new way for fans to dive deeper into the creators behind their favorite songs. In celebration, we want to test your songwriting savvy—challenge yourself with the quiz below. (Oh, and even if you get a question wrong, you can keep choosing answers until you get the right one.)

Songwriters Tayla Parx and Victoria Monet both worked on which of Ariana Grande’s albums?
Mark Ronson received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Grammy Award for penning which song?
Each of these female songwriters is accomplished in her own right. Who had six nominations at the 61st Grammy Awards in 2019, making her the most nominated woman?
This songwriter, singer, musician, and producer worked on albums for Weezer and Panic! at the Disco that were nominated for the Rock Album of the Year at the 59th annual Grammy Awards in 2017.
Choose the option that correctly matches each hip-hop and pop songwriter with their stage name. 
In 2019, Missy Elliott became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Which of the following songs did she not have a hand in crafting?
This German composer has a vast catalogue of work but his claim to fame also includes winning the Eurovision song contest for "Rise Like a Phoenix," written for Conchita Wurst.

Bebe Rexha, Ty Dolla Sign, Becky G, Daniel Caesar, Jacob Collier and More To Perform at Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards

November 8, 2018

Keith Urban, G-Eazy, Tiesto, Timbaland, Bazzi, Max Martin and More To Take the Stage as Presenters

Awards Set for November 16 in Downtown Los Angeles

On November 16, the second annual Secret Genius Awards will celebrate the masterminds—songwriters, producers, engineers and mixers—behind the music that fans are streaming the most on Spotify in 2018. Singer, songwriter and producer Bebe Rexha; rapper, songwriter and producer Ty Dolla Sign; Latin pop singer Becky G; R&B singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar, British singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier; and singers Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper will perform before a room full of their peers, mentors and idols at the special evening taking place at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Spotify founded the Secret Genius program in 2017 as part of its mission to remain dedicated in supporting creators in the music industry.

Bebe Rexha began her rise as a solo artist in 2013 and has since released hits including the country collab “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line, “Me, Myself & I” with G-Eazy, and “In the Name of Love” with Martin Garrix. She has also written songs for artists such as Selena Gomez, Eminem, Nick Jonas and more. Ty Dolla Sign has released several hits including “Blasé” and has written songs for Rihanna, Post Malone and Chris Brown. Singer and actress Becky G is best known for her infectious 2014 hit “Shower” and is set to release a new Spanish album. Canadian Daniel Caesar broke through with “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis and recently released a new single “Who Hurt You?” in October 2018. Grammy Award Winner Jacob Collier first gained recognition in 2012 for his viral video performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing” catching the attention of producer Quincy Jones, the 2018 Secret Genius “Legendary Genius Honor” recipient. Jacob will perform as part of a special tribute to Quincy for the night. Ty Dolla Sign, Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper will also take the stage for a special tribute performance.

Additionally, Spotify will welcome Keith Urban, G-Eazy, Tiesto, Timbaland, Bazzi, Max Martin, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Marcella Araica and Duro as Awards presenters. Earlier this month, Spotify announced that singer-songwriter Ne-Yo will host and the venerable, iconic producer, Quincy Jones, will receive the “Legendary Genius Honor.”

The second annual Secret Genius Awards will celebrate the masterminds behind the music that fans are streaming the most on Spotify this year. Spotify founded the Secret Genius program in 2017 as part of its mission to remain dedicated in supporting creators in the music industry.

The Secret Genius Awards are made up of 14 categories and include Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year, Social Message and more. A complete list of Secret Genius Awards nominees can be found here.

Sam and Moa Had Never Met, But Spotify’s Soundtrap Helped Them Create Something Awesome

November 6, 2018

It all started with a beat. Smooth, slinky, and undeniably chill, “Don’t Miss Me” has the sweet flow of any world-class pop hit. But if you haven’t heard of the new duo behind the song, $AMoA, it’s for good reason–they hadn’t even heard of each other until Soundtrap, Spotify’s new platform brought them together.

Moa Michaeli, a pop songwriter and artist, and Sam Alaish, a rock songwriter with a background in classical cello, live in different parts of Sweden. Using Soundtrap for the very first time, they came together remotely to create something reflective of both their talents.

“We were paired together by Spotify with the goal of writing a song using Soundtrap in three days,” Moa explains. “Sam and I had never met before. Before using Soundtrap, I’d never thought about the idea of working with someone who lives in a different time zone.”

With Soundtrap, we hope to help erase borders and make collaboration easy and accessible for artists and creators across the globe. For Sam and Moa, it was as natural as wearing pajamas on the couch—here’s more of what they shared with Spotify about working together.

How did “Don’t Miss Me” get off the ground?

Sam: We started off by talking on the phone. We talked about ideas and tried to find the right approach to get started. We decided who was going to do what. It all started with a beat, and that laid the groundwork for what the song became.

It’s hard to start with a blank canvas, but once you add just one element, it’s easy to go from there. After that, everything just flowed.

Have you collaborated with other people before?

Sam: Yes, but not remotely, and not with a stranger.

Moa: Exactly!

What’s the main difference between in-person and remote collaboration?

Moa: When you write in person, you can’t try your ideas out first before you present them to the people you’re working with. But when you work remotely, you can collect your thoughts and think things through before you present them.

Sam: You can present much bigger ideas.

Since you hadn’t met, did you find working together awkward or weird?

Moa: Not really. I was at home with a fever, so I was speaking to him from my couch while wearing pajamas. I felt pretty comfortable!

Sam: I felt bad calling Moa because she was so sick! But we had an initial comfort level. No communication problems.

Moa: I felt like I already knew him. That was pretty cool.

What was your experience using Soundtrap for the first time?

Moa: For me, collaborating in person can be a bit tricky, because I’m reserved and shy. Soundtrap helped me let go of my fears. This was my first time working to produce a song, and so Soundtrap felt like a game-changer.

How do you now use Soundtrap?

Sam: I’ve made some demos on it.

Moa: I use it for myself when I get an idea—I usually record a voice memo. But now I record it directly into the studio on Soundtrap. That makes it easier to invite someone to come work on it, or just use it myself to add a synthesizer, or a beat. It just keeps the creative process going.

How will Soundtrap change the way artists collaborate across the globe?

Sam: The more seamless you make things work for artists, and the more you create a flow, that helps allow you to work with anyone. Soundtrap gives you everything you need. So if you’re in New York, and another person is in Stockholm, Soundtrap makes it easier to just make things happen right now.

Would you work with each other again?

Sam: Yeah, I want to!

Moa: Yay! Let’s make it happen.

Ready to make your own hit collaboration? Try Soundtrap today at Soundtrap.com.

Spotify Announces Nominees for 2018 Secret Genius Awards

August 22, 2018

NE-YO to Host Annual Award Show Recognizing the Most Influential Songwriters, Producers and Engineers in Music on November 16th

Beatmakers. Hitmakers. Songwriters. Producers. Engineers. Mix Engineers. What do all of these individuals have in common? They are Secret Geniuses—the quietly known, seldom recognized driving forces behind the most listened to music in the world. But the secret won’t last long.

In response to the success of last year’s inaugural Secret Genius Awards, Spotify will again honor some of the most creative minds in music at the second annual awards show November 16 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Grammy-Award winner NE-YO will host the show which will celebrate Secret Geniuses across 14 categories.

“I look forward to hosting Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards this Fall and joining in the effort to properly recognize and raise awareness of the creative minds behind the music,” said NE-YO. “As both a songwriter and artist I understand just how much these men and women drive the musical soundtracks of our lives. It’s important we honor their hard work and immense contributions.”

Last year, Spotify founded the Secret Genius program as part of its mission to remain dedicated in supporting music’s creator community, which includes artists, songwriters, producers, engineers and mixers. Secret Genius shines particular light on the masterminds behind the music that fans are streaming the most on Spotify. Since the program’s inception, Spotify continues to tell the stories behind today’s biggest hits on the Secret Genius podcast, hosts songwriting “Songshops” camps, and provides studio access to rising songwriters, among other ongoing efforts.

The 2017 Secret Genius Awards honored Rick Rubin as the Legendary Genius, Max Martin as producer of the year, J Kash as songwriter of the year and more with performances by Shawn Mendes, Halsey and PartyNextDoor.

Today, Spotify is honored to announce the brilliant, innovative, thought-provoking songwriters and producers nominated for the 2018 Secret Genius Awards. Presenters, Performers and the recipient of the Legendary Genius Award will be announced at a later date. And the nominees are…

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2018 Secret Genius Nominees:

SECRET GENIUS: SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Ali Tamposi
“Havana” – Camila Cabello; “Wolves” – Selena Gomez and Marshmello; “Let Me Go” – Hailee Steinfeld, Alesso, Florida Georgia Line and Watt; “Lonely Together” – Avicii ft. Rita Ora

Brian Lee
“Havana” – Camila Cabello; “Wolves” – Selena Gomez and Marshmello; “Let Me Go” – Hailee Steinfeld, Alesso, Florida Georgia Line and Watt, “Lonely Together” – Avicii ft. Rita Ora

Starrah
“Havana” – Camila Cabello; “Feels” – Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean; “What Lovers Do” – Maroon 5 ft SZA

Justin Tranter 
“Believer” – Imagine Dragons; “Friends” – Justin Bieber and BloodPop

Sarah Aarons 
“Stay” – Zedd and Alessia Cara; “The Middle” – Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey

SECRET GENIUS: PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Louis Bell
“rockstar” – Post Malone ft. 21 Savage; “Psycho” – Post Malone ft Ty Dolla $ign; “Candy Paint” – Post Malone; “Better Now” – Post Malone; “Wolves”– Selena Gomez and Marshmello

Frank Dukes
“Havana” – Camila Cabello; “Never Be The Same” – Camila Cabello; “Better Now” – Post Malone

Boi-1da

“Gods Plan” – Drake, “No Limit” G Eazy

Andrew Watt 
“Let Me Go” – Hailee Steinfeld, Alesso, Florida Georgia Line and Watt; “Lonely Together” – Avicii ft. Rita Ora

Murda Beatz

“Nice For What”- Drake, “Butterfly Effect” – Travis Scott, “Motorsport” – Migos ft Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, “Portland” – Drake ft Quavo and Travis Scott, “It’s a Vibe” – 2 Chainz ft Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz and Jhene Aiko

Steve Mac 
“Your Song” – Rita Ora; “Strip That Down” – Liam Payne and Quavo

SECRET GENIUS: BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR

Tank God 
“rockstar” – Post Malone ft. 21 Savage

6ix
“1-800-273-8255” – Logic ft. Khalid and Alessia Cara

David Park 
“I’m The One” – DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne

The Orphanage
“Sorry Not Sorry” – Demi Lovato

Whiskey Water
“IDGAF” – Dua Lipa

SECRET GENIUS: POP

Ian Kirkpatrick 
“New Rules” – Dua Lipa; “Bad Liar” – Selena Gomez

Benny Blanco 
“Happier” – Ed Sheeran; “Crying in the Club” – Camila Cabello; “Now or Never” – Halsey

Caroline Ailin
“New Rules” – Dua Lipa

Emily Warren 
“New Rules” – Dua Lipa

Jason Evigan

“What Lovers Do” – Maroon 5 ft. SZA, “Girls Like You” – Maroon 5

SECRET GENIUS: HIP HOP

Tank God 
“rockstar” – Post Malone ft. 21 Savage

Cardo
“God’s Plan” – Drake

Yung Exclusive
“God’s Plan” – Drake

TM88

“XO TOUR Lif3” – Lil Uzi Vert

Nic Nac

“I’m the One” DJ Khaled (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper)

SECRET GENIUS: R&B

James Fauntleroy 
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars; “Finesse (Remix)” – Bruno Mars & Cardi B; “Filthy” – Justin Timberlake

Christopher Brody Brown
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars; “Finesse (Remix)” – Bruno Mars & Cardi B

The Stereotypes
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars; “Finesse (Remix)” – Bruno Mars & Cardi B

Syk Sense
“Location” – Khalid; “Shot Down” – Khalid; “Saved” – Khalid

PartyNextDoor
“Wild Thoughts” – DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

SECRET GENIUS: DANCE

Jordan ‘DJ Swivel’ Young
“Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers

Vincent Pontare & Salem Al Fakir 
“More Than You Know” – Axwell & Ingrosso

Ed Drewett
“Mama” – Jonas Blue

RØMANS

Mama” – Jonas Blue

Giorgio Tuinfort
“2U” – David Guetta ft Justin Bieber

SECRET GENIUS: LATIN

Gaby Music
“Se Preparó” – Ozuna; “SUBEME LA RADIO” – Enrique Iglesias; “Dura” – Daddy Yankee; “Ahora Dice” – Chris Jeday, J Balvin and Arcangel

Hi Music Hi Flow 
Se Preparó – Ozuna, Tu Foto – Ozuna

Torres & Rengifo
“Echame La Culpa” – Luis Fonsi ft. Demi Lovato; “Báilame (Remix)” – Nacho, Yandel, Bad Bunny

Adam Assad
“Mi Gente” – J Balvin, Willy William

Mohombi 
“Mi Gente” – J Balvin, Willy William

SECRET GENIUS: ROCK

Mattman & Robin
“Believer” – Imagine Dragons; “Walking The Wire” – Imagine Dragons

Joel Little
“Whatever It Takes” – Imagine Dragons

David Pramik
“Home” -Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors, Bebe Rexha

Jake Sinclair
“Death Of A Bachelor” – Panic! At The Disco; “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time” – Panic! At The Disco

Camille Purcell
“Rain” – The Script

SECRET GENIUS: COUNTRY

Ashley Gorley

“Unforgettable” – Thomas Rhett; “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett

David Garcia 
“Meant to Be” – Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha; Take Back Home Girl – Chris Lane feat. Tori Kelly

Jesse Frasure 
“Unforgettable” – Thomas Rhett; “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett

Shane McAnally
“Unforgettable,” “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett; “Written in the Sand” – Old Dominion

Josh Miller
“Meant to Be” – Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha; Take Back Home Girl – Chris Lane feat. Tori Kelly

SECRET GENIUS: SOCIAL MESSAGE

6ix, Andrew Taggart, Dylan Wiggins

“1-800-273-8255” – Logic ft. Khalid and Alessia Cara

Johnny McDaid, Steve Mac

“What About Us” – P!nk

Frank Dukes, Doc McKinney
“Pray For Me (with Kendrick Lamar)” – The Weeknd

Benj Pasek, Adam Gubman, Alex Lacamoire, Greg Wells, Justin Paul

“This Is Me” – Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman Ensemble

Ludwig Goransson
“This Is America” – Childish Gambino

SECRET GENIUS: ENGINEER

John Hanes

“Love Lies” – Normani and Khalid; “Never Be The Same” – Camila Cabello

Rick Steel

“Unforgettable” – French Montana ft. Swae Lee

Andres Restrepo

“Mi Gente” – J Balvin & Willy William

Kesha Lee

“XO TOUR Lif3” – Lil Uzi Vert

Steve Fitzmaurice

“Too Good at Goodbyes” – Sam Smith

SECRET GENIUS: MIXING ENGINEER

Manny Marroquin
“rockstar” – Post Malone ft 21 Savage; “I’m The One” – DJ Khaled; “Attention” – Charlie Puth; “Congratulations” – Post Malone; “Silence” – Marshmello and Khalid; “Wild Thoughts – DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller; “I Fall Apart” – Post Malone; “Psycho” – Post Malone; “Sorry Not Sorry” – Demi Lovato; “Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man

Serban Ghenea
“Believer” – Imagine Dragons; “What Lovers Do” – Maroon 5 ft. SZA; “Dusk Till Dawn” – ZAYN; “Wolves” – Marshmello & Selena Gomez; “That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars; “Meant To Be” – Florida Georgia Line & Bebe Rexha

Jaycen Joshua

“Havana” – Camila Cabello; “Unforgettable” – French Montana and Swae Lee

Josh Gudwin

“New Rules”– Dua Lipa; “IDGAF” – Dua Lipa

Leslie Brathwaite

“XO TOUR Lif3” – Lil Uzi Vert

Singer-Songwriter Jade Bird Gets Geeky About Words

May 9, 2018

Self-proclaimed “obsessive songwriter” Jade Bird has more in common with David Bowie than their shared British heritage and adoption of the U.S. as a songwriting muse. They share a unique songwriting process that allows them to spin intricate, flowing, familiar stories. Yet, as Jade pointed out, Bowie’s method was more visual, sporadic, and inimitable.

“I think the visual element was a really big part of his project. He used to cut out words or sentences and jumble them all up, and then put them together so they’re really quite random,” she told us at the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York, where she recently played at an event honoring the David Bowie is exhibit.

“It’s interesting because when I was doing a cover of his song, ‘Quicksand,’ it felt like that. When you cover one of his songs, it feels like no one else can do it but him. He’s got this special kind of magic that’s almost got a random nature to it, that I fully appreciate as a songwriter. It’s something really incredible.”

Jade’s had a busy year. The 20-year-old left her British roots for an “Americana,” folk-country feel on her first LP, Something American, which debuted in July 2017. Since then, she’s recorded in Woodstock, New York; toured North America with First Aid Kit, Brent Cobb, and Son Little; showcased at South by Southwest (SxSW); and on May 7th, announced her own North American headlining tour.

Amplified on Spotify: Nina Nesbitt

April 2, 2018

Spotify has helped cultivate the growth and subsequent cultural explosion of many artists across varied musical genres. In the “Amplified on Spotify” series, we’ll be interviewing artists who have not only made their names through the platform, but are shaping it as well.

Twenty-three-year-old singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt has come a long way since writing and recording songs in her childhood bedroom in Edinburgh, Scotland. She experienced some early achievements by posting originally written songs to her YouTube channel and performing in pubs around Edinburgh, but Nesbitt could not have anticipated the success and wide reach of her music.

At only 17, Nesbitt performed in front of Ed Sheeran and asked him for advice—she impressed the fellow UK musician and ultimately landed a spot on his European tour, which launched her music career on the international stage. She’s since toured with artists including Justin Bieber, released her first album and plenty of singles, and is now producing her own songs for her second album, to be released in Spring 2018.

Spotify spoke with Nina to about her creative process, the importance of autonomy and why she loves Spotify—both as a musician and as a listener.

Q: Tell us about your beginnings as a musician.

I started off writing short stories and poems as a kid; I was obsessed with words. Then, I picked up piano at age 10 and put my words to music. When I turned 15 and taught myself guitar, I felt like the songs really took shape. It’s always been about the lyrics for me, and the music kind of accompanies that. I think in the past couple years I’ve taken much more of an interest in melody and chords and it has all come together more.

Q: You were discovered by Ed Sheeran. How did that come about, and how did your life change as a result?

He heard me play a song live [while he was waiting to go on a radio show] and then offered me a support slot [on his 2011 European tour]. It was great experience because I was playing to about 10 people in Edinburgh pubs before that. Playing to thousands of people was terrifying at such a young age and with such little experience, but it was the best thing for me. After the first few tours I did with Ed and [English singer-songwriter] Example, I felt like I could handle any stage. I ended up independently releasing an EP that charted in the UK. Next thing I knew I was signed [by Universal Music Group], so it was quite a turning point.

Q: How did you start producing your own music? How has that changed your creative process?

I’ve always been interested in production. At the time, I had recently left the label I was on because I didn’t like the thought of having to rely on other people to do what I love. I set up a little home [production] setup in my bedroom, and I just started experimenting. I found this massive sample database that I use a lot. It’s an easy way for someone that maybe doesn’t have the luxury of a fancy studio, or expensive equipment, to make music. Then it was just a case of trial and error until I was able to produce my songs. On my upcoming album, [to be released Spring 2018,] I produced some of the songs and had other producers produce some, but I showed them what I wanted in a strong demo. It’s really helpful to be able to create clear demos that you can take to another producer to give them an idea of what you want.

Q: How do new fans typically discover your music?

I’ve found most new fans have come from listening to playlists on Spotify and saving the songs to their libraries. Some people are happy to just listen, while others want to get to know you— which is cool and has been instrumental in promoting my new album. I love how natural the process of discovering new music is; it’s all about whether the song connects. It also gives people from all over the world the opportunity to find my music, which is exciting.

Q: How has the Spotify for Artists platform helped you better understand your fans?

I think the platform has helped me to better understand where the music industry is heading in 2018 and how to prepare for that. The industry has changed so much in the past few years and everyone has quickly had to educate themselves.

Q: How do you discover new music?

I like to put on a lot of chill Spotify playlists and just leave them running until I find something I like. I’m one of those people who likes sticking to the bands and artists I already know and enjoy (which is bad), so it gives me an opportunity to be more open minded and find new music through similar artist recommendations or playlists.

Q: What artists or songs are you obsessed with right now? 

I love “About Time” by Sabrina Claudio. It’s such a beautiful, feminine record. I’ve also been listening to the Peaceful Piano Spotify playlist a lot; it’s so relaxing when I’m cooking or getting into bed.

Q: How has Spotify contributed to your success? 

Spotify has been absolutely instrumental in growing my fan base and kicking off the new album campaign. I think it suits my music because I’m very DIY and I feel like Spotify really clicks with those types of artists. I like that it gives people the option to listen or skip, and gives listeners a real idea of what’s connecting and what’s not. I’m also quite obsessive over the Fan Insights page [now known as Spotify for Artists]—it’s really helpful to see.

Q: What have you learned from working with Spotify?

Spotify is a great indicator of which songs are connecting with the audience. It can also give you an idea of when a song’s life is coming to an end and when to release the next one, thanks to the increases and decreases on the Spotify for Artists audience chart. I was planning on releasing three singles last year but “The Best You Had” just kept escalating, so we just ran with it. Spotify’s insights allow you to be reactive, which is really necessary in 2018. Gone are the days of plans set in stone.