Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, supporting emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Now we’re launching our fifth edition of RADAR Spain, featuring Mushkaa, Charlie USG, Luis Cortés, pablopablo, shego, and Samuraï.
These six artists reflect the rich tapestry of sounds taking the country by storm, from the rise of urban music in Catalan to the fusion of flamenco, soul, and R&B. And as part of the program, they will all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.
Across the previous editions of the program, 35 Spanish artists have used RADAR as a springboard to raise their profiles and connect with new fans across the globe. Take reggaeton star Quevedo: After being named one of Spotify’s RADAR Global artists in 2022, the singer dropped his collaboration with Bizarrap, “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” and went on to become the most-listened-to homegrown artist in Spain in 2022 and 2023.
The RADAR Spain class of 2023 is also riding a wave of momentum. One featured artist, singer-songwriter-producer SAIKO, has seen his monthly listeners grow by a cool 600%. Similarly, pop performer Marta Santos has boosted her monthly listeners by more than 120%, while singer Queralt Lahoz has seen a 90% spike.
This new class of rising stars is now ready to make their mark and showcase the innovation and experimentation that has long defined Spanish music. Keep reading to find out why these artists have fans buzzing.
Mushkaa
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
Just a few years into her professional music career, Mushkaa sits at the forefront of the Catalan urban music scene. With a distinct urban/pop sound, the artist is helping take music in the Catalan language beyond its traditional geographic borders.
Charlie USG
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
Charlie USG got his start performing covers of popular Spanish songs on the streets of Madrid. In 2022, he released his first original song, “Gran Vía 82,” in honor of the corner where he developed his first fan base. Today, the singer-songwriter combines classic rock elements with contemporary pop sounds.
Luis Cortés
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
Luis Cortés’ gypsy and African ancestry helped shape his diverse musical palette, with the musician blending flamenco, soul, and R&B into one unique sound. He recently dropped three new singles: “Sin Ti, Sin Mí,” “Mama,” and “ME DUELE QUERERTE.”
pablopablo
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
After getting his start as a producer and composer, pablopablo burst onto Spain’s indie music scene in 2022. Since then, the artist has collaborated with Spanish pop star C. Tangana on several releases, including “Estrecho / Alvarado (feat pablopablo).”
shego
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
The Madrid-based rock band shego dabbles in rock, pop, punk, and electronica. Currently working on its second studio album, the female-fronted group has been steadily climbing the ranks of Spanish indie rock.
Samuraï
Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez
Samuraï takes us back to the punk-pop sounds of the 2000s. The artist mixes alternative pop, electronic, and urban sounds, fusing her passion for video games with her music in a fresh, vibrant way.
Stream our RADAR España playlist to discover more emerging Spanish artists.
In particular, Spotify has featured a number of African artists in these moments throughout our partnership. We’ve played their songs through stadium speakers, showcased their names pitch-side on LED screens during matches, and added their tracks to playlists on the official FC Barcelona page on Spotify so that fans worldwide can enjoy the exposure this partnership has offered them. With 23 million FC Barcelona fans in the Middle East and Africa, this also marked a great opportunity to bring their local talent to a grand, global stage. And now, artists like ODUMODUBLVCK, Pabi Cooper, Teni, and Ch’cco are front and center in our latest video campaign.
We also took a selection of Egyptian creators, like professional football presenter Ibrahim Fayek, on an exclusive tour to watch FC Barcelona matches.
Read on to get to know the 20 dynamic artists who have commanded the spotlight alongside FC Barcelona.
Afroto
Egypt
Since emerging on the scene in 2016, rapper Afroto has won over fans with hit singles like “Brazil” and “7ALA.”
Amir Eid
Egypt
A singer, composer, guitarist, and actor, Amir Eid is best known as the lead singer of Cairokee, one of Egypt’s top rock bands.
A-Reece
South Africa
Rapper A-Reece’s career took off with the release of his best-known single, “Mgani”; and following the release of his debut album, heaveN caN waiT: thE narroW dooR (vol.1), in 2021, his star has continued to rise.
BNXN
Nigeria
Following the release of “Spiritual,” his 2019 collaboration with Zlatan, Afro-fusion artist Bnxn (fka Buju) has gained attention for his infectious hooks, which have featured on other popular Afropop songs over the years.
Ch’cco
South Africa
After the popular choreography-infused song “Nkao Tempela” became a viral hit in 2019, Ch’cco immediately became a name to remember. Since then, he followed up with hit single “Pele Pele” and was featured on Pabi Cooper’s 2022 hit “Banyana Ke Bafana.”
CKay
Nigeria
With one of the most popular Afrobeats songs of all time, “love nwantiti (ah ah ah),” to his name, CKay is one of the Nigerian artists responsible for turning Afrobeats into a global phenomenon.
Davido
Nigeria
One of the most popular afrobeats artists in the world, Davido is referred to as “OBO” by his fans. In 2019, his smash hit “Fall” made history when it became one of the longest-charting Nigerian pop songs, and he reached new heights in 2023 with “UNAVAILABLE,” his collaboration with Musa Keys.
Essam Sasa
Egypt
One of the fastest-rising artists to come out of the region recently, Essam Sasa continues to peak on Spotify’s Egypt charts with hits like “Yalla Nedy Lely Baana Bosa.” The pop star is known for his contemporary take on traditional genres, like Shaabi music.
Fireboy DML
Nigeria
After his hit single “Scatter” was included on EA’s FIFA 21 Soundtrack, Fireboy DML quickly made a name for himself around the world. In 2022, the singer released his third studio album, Playboy, to great fanfare.
Joeboy
Nigeria
Popular among Gen Zs and millennials due to his timeless love songs, Joeboy caught everyone’s attention with his 2019 hit “Baby” and has since been able to establish himself as one of the finest voices in Afrobeats and R&B.
Lloyiso
South Africa
When Lloyiso released “Nontsikelelo” in 2018, he reminded the music industry why he placed in the top five of the popular singing competition Idols SA as a 16-year-old back in 2015. Today, the 24-year-old is a mainstay on local and international stages, opening for renowned artists such as Tamia.
Major League Djz
South Africa
Credited with amplifying the global presence of amapiano, Major League Djz are a cornerstone of South Africa’s music scene. Their popular releases, “Ndikuze” and “Shoota Moghel,” continue to dominate the dance floors from Mamelodi to Soweto.
ODUMODUBLVCK
Nigeria
Starting his music journey in Abuja, rapper ODUMODUBLVCK rose to fame with his breakthrough song “Picanto.” Earlier this year, he took over the airwaves with his hit “Declan Rice,” catching the attention of the professional footballer following its release.
Olamide
Nigeria
The success of many street pop and Afrobeats artists can be linked to Olamide, whose record label YBNL is home to like-minded artists Fireboy DML and Asake. His debut single, “Eni Duro,” propelled Olamide to stardom in 2010 and he has since become one of the most revered figures in the Nigerian music scene, most notably releasing the hit single “Infinity” withOmah Lay in 2020.
Pabi Cooper
South Africa
Also known as “Pretoria’s finest,” Pabi Cooper traded her life as an influencer and content creator for one as an artist with the release of her 2021 single “Isiphithiphithi.” One of the most recognizable amapiano artists in South Africa, she has gone on to release notable singles like “Waga Bietjie” and “Banyana Ke Bafana.”
SPINALL
Nigeria
An internationally recognized Nigerian DJ and producer, SPINALLis known for his signature hats. His collaborations with Wizkid and Mr Eazi have contributed to his growing popularity around the world.
Teni
Nigeria
Fondly referred to as Teni Makanaki by her fans, this exciting talent introduced herself to the world with her hit 2018 single “Fargin.” Since then, she has successfully challenged gender stereotypes and worked to redefine the modern image of a celebrity, allowing fans to focus on her amazing music, which includes singles like “Case” and the Davido collaboration “FOR YOU.”
Tyla
South Africa
Known as the princess of amapiano, Tyla first gained recognition in 2019 when she dropped her single “Getting Late.” The singer has enjoyed a red-hot 2023, making global waves with her hit single “Water,” which has generated over 120 million streams on Spotify to date, and starring in a RADAR Africa mini-documentary that tracks her ascent to the global spotlight.
Wizkid
Nigeria
Referred to by some as the biggest Afrobeats artist in the world, Wizkid is one of the most influential African artists of all time. He first caught the ears of fans worldwide with his 2014 single “Ojuelegba,” which earned a remix from Drake a year later. His Grammy-nominated collaboration with Tems, “Essence,” was dubbed the best song of the summer by Rolling Stone in 2020. Last year, the star released More Love, Less Ego, his fifth studio album.
Zlatan
Nigeria
Considered the pioneer of the zanku dance style popularized by his single of the same name, Zlatan Ibile shook the streets of Nigeria and has become one of the most buzzed-about artists in the country, also appearing on Chinko Ekun’s 2018 hit “Able God.”
When Spotify launched in Europe in 2008, the music industry—and the world at large—changed forevermore. At the time, few could have predicted that a start-up originating in Stockholm only a few years prior would grow beyond Europe to become thelargest audio-streaming subscription service in the world with over 550 million users worldwide.
Since then, Spotify has innovated and expanded to incorporate podcasts, audiobooks, and the latest technology into our product. And as a result, we’ve also transformed the artist-listener relationship and impacted listening worldwide. Michael Krause has had a front-row seat to Spotify’s expansion—and the trends it’s both inspired and amplified—for quite some time, first in his role as the Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe, and now as General Manager for Europe.
For the Record recently caught up with Michael to learn about some of the most notable changes in his markets over the last 15+ years.
Can you give us a short musical overview of the UK, Spain, France, and Sweden?
It was amazing to look back at the streaming trends over 15 years and pick up on the similarities and differences between the four countries. It’s also great to reflect on how listening habits have evolved more broadly over time and how we’ve contributed to the growth of local music.
In the U.K., 1990s nostalgia is still going strong. Britpop is high on the listening figures, with Oasis and the ArcticMonkeys as firm favorites. Unsurprisingly though, EdSheeran takes the crown for most-streamed British artist, second only to Drake in all-time streams. It is also great to see early British Spotify adopters including Adele, SamSmith, and Stormzy going on to achieve massive streaming success in the U.K. market and around the world.
Meanwhile, Spain has seen a significant shift in musical taste, replacing pop music with urban Latino, a genre which has topped the charts for the past six years. The likes of Manuel Turizoand Rauw Alejandro in the top five artists reflects the South and Central American influence on Spanish music trends.
France has also experienced a shift in listening habits over the years, from international rock and pop in the earlier years to a dominance of French hip-hop and rap today. This is reflected by the market’s top five artists of all time, led by local sensation Jul. When we look at 2008, when Spotify was launched, to more recent years, we see an embracement of local musical genres, which has overtaken international music.
Sweden—the birthplace of Spotify—on the other hand, has been steadfast in its love of pop music, which has been the most-streamed genre every year since 2011. Fittingly in 2023, given the triumph at Eurovision, Swedish pop leads the way.
Are Spotify fans in these markets more interested in global top musicians, local artists, or a mix of both?
This is something that has changed over time. When Spotify launched in 2008, streaming across all markets was largely focused on international artists and those in the mainstream globally. But as time has passed, streaming for local artists has increased significantly.
Taking France as an example, the figures show that in 2008, French artists made up a very small proportion of listener streams. Jump forward ten years and the majority of France’s top 100 artists were local, something that has continued up to today.
This trend sums up why we are so proud of Spotify and what we’ve achieved over the past 15 years in Europe. The platform empowers creators to grow their audience base and allows listeners to discover a wider variety of artists, and it is fantastic to see that they are gravitating towards local talent. What’s even more interesting is seeing that these local artists can now travel beyond their own geographical or linguistic barriers—as an example, every one of two streams for a French-produced artist comes [from] outside of France. It’s quite an extraordinary achievement, one that was literally unthinkable 15 years ago. Swedish artists are also riding the wave as they are streamed more than twice as much outside of their own country.
What other notable behaviors are you seeing across the region?
There has been a notable rise in the popularity of hip-hop across all markets, and this year the genre is consistently among the top five across the U.K., Sweden, and France. Back in 2008, on the other hand, rock was the top genre across all four countries.
Another trend that stands out is the breadth and variety of genres featured in the top 10. While pop, rock, and other classics remain prominent, the likes of reggaeton, trap Latino, and permanent wave have found their way into the mix.
What about podcasting across Europe?
Podcasts continue to grow in popularity, with listening figures rising across Europe. While they have been well established in the U.K. and Germany for some time, some of the sharpest rises have come from countries newer to podcasting. In Spain, for example, podcast listens grew by 298% in 2022, and France saw a staggering 379% increase. More big influencers are successfully launching podcasts, including Hobbyloss in Germany and Canapé Six Places in France.
Can you share some of the continuing opportunities in the region?
Spotify began as a music-streaming company, and over the past 15 years we’ve evolved into a global platform for audio content. We’re always looking to create new opportunities for artists to connect with audiences across the world and shape the future of creativity.
Audiobooks is a focus area which offers significant innovation and growth potential and has large and engaged audiences in Europe. We launched audiobooks last year and recently expanded our offering to make 150,000 audiobooks available in the U.K. and Australia as part of users’ existing Spotify Premium subscriptions. The U.K. is one of the largest markets for audiobooks globally, and we know there’s similar appetite in countries like Germany. As we help connect creators with new audiences, we’ll be applying the learnings as we plan for launches in further European markets.
Meanwhile, AI has huge potential to help artists and listeners form deeper connections while expanding their reach. We’re piloting new OpenAI technology that translates podcasts into new languages in the original creator’s voice, making them accessible to listeners worldwide.
Do you have a favorite musical moment from the past 15 years? Any you’re anticipating?
One artist who has accompanied me through that time is The Streets with Mike Skinner. Especially in the pandemic—they were my most-listened-to artist according to my Wrapped. The biggest transformation over the last 15 years, which I’ve found fascinating, is that the Arctic Monkeys have gained a whole new audience through social media and now have several songs with over 1 billion plays.
One thing that I’m looking forward to the most is the comeback of Blink-182 with their new album. The pre-save version of it is already available on Spotify.
What’s the importance of Europe for Spotify as you celebrate this milestone?
We’re really proud that we’ve been a pioneer in so many aspects and that we’ve built this in Europe and have remained in Europe. The journey has been amazing, and we’re growing fast in Europe. Music and audio is such a universal use case. Every person from a newborn to members of the older population finds joy in music. And our platform has room for everyone.
With the phenomenal level of engagement that we have on our platform in Europe, we see lots of opportunities for sustainable and profitable growth. We’re going to continue to expand and build upon the Advertising business, our Free and Premium music product, and in Podcasts. Europe is our single biggest source of revenue, and with the opportunities ahead we think it can remain so.
Over two years ago, Spotify created EQUAL, a global initiative that aims to promote gender equity in music and give female artists around the world the prominence they deserve. It’s a program that seeks to eliminate the existing gender gap in the music industry so that women artists, composers and producers have the representation and visibility they deserve in the sector.
Since then, week after week, we’ve been raising the volume on women artists. And this past weekend in Spain, we held the highly anticipated EQUAL Fest, a night of music, visibility, and empowerment.
“I’ve spent a lot of parties, barbecues, and moments listening to Shakira’s ‘La Tortura’ in the background, so I wanted to give it a nod, without leaving aside the Andalusian weight,” shared Judeline.
“I discovered ‘Soy El Único’ last year, and since then I haven’t stopped listening to it. The structure of the corridos tumbados is something that does not exist in other types of music,” explained Judeline. “They have something to their sound that reminds me of the flamenco and traditional Venezuelan music I grew up with as a child.”
The Spotify Singles program was created to provide artists with the opportunity to cover a song of their choice by an artist they admire, as well as re-record one of their own songs in a fresh new way.
“At Spotify we want to turn up the volume on promising and diverse voices on the scene, and that’s why we are proud to have the enormous talent of Judeline for Spain’s first Spotify Singles,” said Melanie Parejo, Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe at Spotify. “Judeline is an example of the very rich talent that exists in the local scene.”
Hailing from Los Caños de Meca in the Cadiz province of Spain, Judeline started pursuing music when she was 17 years old. It didn’t take long for her to make her mark, and in 2022 she was named a Spotify RADAR artist. RADAR is our global program dedicated to showcasing emerging and talented artists around the world through support and resources that help them expand their audiences.
Judeline will be onstage at EQUAL Fest, taking place September 22 at the WiZink Center in Madrid. Spotify’s EQUAL program represents our commitment to amplifying the voices of women musicians and creators locally, regionally, and internationally. EQUAL Fest is another way we’re extending our support beyond the platform, and fans attending the show will have the chance to also see performances by Nathy Peluso, Lola Indigo, Ptazeta, and Natalia Lacunza.
Want to hear more Spotify Singles? Here’s the complete collection.
From Japan to Argentina, Malaysia to the U.K., women artists, engineers, and producers continue to be vastly underrepresented in the music industry. But there’s incredible talent worldwide that must be highlighted and celebrated. So in 2020 Spotify launched EQUAL, an always-on global program to drive equity for women in music. EQUAL represents our commitment to amplifying the voices of women musicians and creators locally, regionally, and internationally.
The more fans listen to women, the more opportunities that are created so that women can enter the industry. Through our suite of EQUAL playlists and marketing tools, we provide women with more space on and off our platform to share their work; at the same time, we’re giving fans the chance to remember that by listening, they too are taking action.
“EQUAL is about the power of raising voices together to drive equity in music and standing together to fight for a common goal that has no borders—it’s about acknowledging the difficulties and celebrating each other all year round,” says BelAztiria, Equity Global Music Programs Leadat Spotify. “It is much more than a program: EQUAL represents a mission and a community that stands together.”
Celebrating two years of EQUAL
Two years later, the work is far from done, but we have a lot to be proud of as we continue on this journey. Our EQUAL artists have collectively wracked up millions of streams and advanced other women creators in the process.
“On platform, in the studio, onstage, and on billboards, more women are having their voices heard, no matter where they come from and no matter at what stage of their career they are,” says Bel. “Beyond global support, EQUAL honors this as its mission with the deepest respect for each local culture. Since our inception, we have launched 40 local EQUAL programs. Thanks to these programs, we’ve been able to host the first-ever EQUAL Festival with an all-women lineup in Colombia, offer studio residencies in the U.S., and invite women to our offices in France to participate in mentorship opportunities; and we’ve seen sorority and artistry prevail every time we come together.”
“Being a part of the first EQUAL Fest was really an honor,” Elsa y Elmar, a singer-songwriter who creates synth-pop music with a folk flair, wrote to For the Record. “I am a woman musician from Colombia, but most of my music is done in Mexico City. So being considered as one of the first Colombian women to inaugurate this festival made me feel proud of my journey and actually very thankful for the support that Spotify has given me.”
“As women, it can be a bit harder—if not much harder,” she noted. “So, it’s really a space for empowerment, it’s a space for acknowledging our place in the music industry, and it just feels really special. Sometimes music made from a woman’s perspective is different: It’s sentimental, it’s special, it has a different value than other music. So creating a space for that, where people know what they’re going to get, is just a very, very valuable thing.”
On September 22, we’ll bring EQUAL back for a full-volume, all-women set of performances at EQUAL FEST held at the Wizink Center in Madrid, Spain. We’re excited to share that Argentinian Spanish singer, songwriter, and dancer Nathy Peluso will headline alongside several other established and developing Spanish and Latin women artists.
“There are so many women artists, and we are claiming our space and visibility,” says Nathy. “That’s why I’m happy to be a part of EQUAL and to continue to build fairer spaces. It’s an honor to perform at EQUAL FEST with so many incredible women.”
More must be done to put women artists front and center, and with Spotify EQUAL Fest in Madrid we’re turning up the volume on women and reminding everyone that they can be part of a more equal world.
Tickets will be available soon—so stay tuned for more details.
“We’re so proud of what EQUAL has achieved in its first two years: through our editorial, marketing, and partnership capabilities, we have celebrated and uplifted the voices of thousands of women artists on and off the platform, and our ambassador program has celebrated almost 800 women artists from over 50 countries,” Bel noted.
Since announcing our partnership with FC Barcelona in March 2022, we’ve been working to bring the worlds of music and football together. As the team’s Main Partner and Global Audio Streaming partner, we’re committed to making Spotify Camp Nou a space that celebrates artists from around the world—and helps FC Barcelona fans connect with their favorite creators, as well as their favorite players.
That’s why this October, we’re updating the Spotify mobile experience to support the Catalan language, making our app more accessible to Catalan speakers and bringing the total number of languages on our platform to 63. Catalan has been on our road map for some time, and we’re excited to accelerate the launch in support of our partners.
“We’re grateful to the FC Barcelona members and fans for welcoming Spotify into their club and stadium this year,” says MarcHazan, VP Business Development and Partnerships. “As part of our partnership and commitment to bringing football and music together, the Spotify app experience will be available in Catalan later this month so that the club’s fans can enjoy Spotify with more ease.”
The emotional moment when two rappers take the stage for a freestyle battle is incomparable: The energy flows to the rhythm of the beats while the MCs—armed with their mental agility, linguistic acrobatics and lyricism—face off to show who has the best flow. The ritual of the rap battle is the foundation of hip hop and remains as valid as ever today with a new generation of fans.
Now, Spotify will officially partner with the largest freestyle tournament in Spanish, Red Bull Batalla, offering a unique, dedicated listening experience in a hub with playlists, battles in audio format, podcasts, and more.
In the official Red Bull Batalla playlist, fans will find the best of rappers who have emerged victorious and the most exciting tracks from the current tournament, including “Crescendo,” the anthem with the most beloved talent of the 2021 season.
In addition, fans will be able to follow their favorite rappers in each of the ten national finals: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, Central America and the United States, leading to the grand final in Mexico this December. The battles will be remastered especially for an album format, released by Red Bull Records, and fans can relive the thrill of historical battles through their ears as many times as they like in This is: Red Bull Batalla.
What’s more, fans can benefit from all of Spotify’s beloved features, including Lyrics—important when contestants are improvising by the second—and Storylines, which includes written commentary by the protagonists of the battles.
Follow the best of Red Bull Batalla and stay tuned for more news about the competition and its players on Spotify.
Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s marquee program for emerging artists around the world, helping to support and propel artists onto the global music stage. And now, RADAR Global is back with our latest featured artist, the up-and-coming reggaeton star Quevedo.
Hailing from Gran Canaria, Spain, the 21-year-old singer burst onto the scene in 2020 with his single “En Reformas.” His sound—a mix of hip-hop and Latin rhythms inspired by his upbringing in the Canary Islands—resonated with fans across the world, and he has since reached over 9.7M monthly listeners on Spotify. His single “Cayó la noche (Remix)” was a breakthrough hit, transforming Quevedo from an underground artist into the spotlight – reaching #1 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Spain Chart. Quevedo has also popped up on numerous Spotify charts, reaching #19 on Viral 50 — Global and #2 on Viral 50 — Spain.
“Quevedo’s growth has been breathtaking to watch in this very short period of time, and we love how it stems from a wonderful mix of talent, intuition, and breadth of musical influences,” said Melanie Parejo, Head of Music, Southern Europe at Spotify. “We’re thrilled that Quevedo is part of the new slate of RADAR artists and truly proud that he has been chosen to be in our RADAR Global artist program.”
Quevedo’s momentum has only continued in 2022; he’s racked up millions of streams with his singles “Respuesta Cero” and “Nonstop” and collaborated with the Argentinian hitmaker Duki on “Si Quieren Frontear.” But Quevedo really took the next step in his career this past May when he landed a spot on the remix of “2step” by Ed Sheeran.
Now, we’re thrilled to continue our support of Quevedo with his newly minted role as a featured global RADAR artist. Not only will he be featured on the RADAR Global playlist, but also in a short mini-documentary in partnership with Spotify. The mini-doc, which takes place in his hometown, gives fans a glimpse into his roots and musical journey. As a RADAR artist, Quevedo worked with Spotify on a custom photoshoot in the Canary Islands, establishing a new set of bespoke images that will be used throughout the duration of the campaign, across marketing materials, including a Times Square billboard in New York City. Quevedo will also receive promotion around key music releases, a feature in Spotify’s RADAR recurring Rolling Stone Series, and an opportunity to participate in Fans First opportunities including ticket presales and merchandise offers throughout the duration of the partnership.
“I couldn’t be happier to be the new Spotify RADAR artist,” Quevedo told For the Record. “It means so much to be able to share my music with new fans all over the world and I want to thank everyone who made this possible. From Gran Canaria to the world.”
Quevedo has accomplished a lot in a relatively short period of time, but stay tuned because he’s just getting started. And to discover more about the next wave of artists primed for stardom around the world, be sure to keep an eye on Spotify’s RADAR Globalprogram in the future.
Check out the latest music from Quevedo and start streaming his latest single, “Nonstop,” below.
When it comes to artistic prowess, Argentine-born SIMONA is a quintuple threat. She’s a singer, songwriter, and trained dancer, and she even dabbles in wardrobe design and beat-making, the latter of which plays a starring role in her music.
The artist hails from the Andes Mountains of Argentina, but in 2017, she relocated to the seaside shores of Barcelona to pursue music full-time. While SIMONA’s beats and melodies are lively and upbeat, her Spanish lyrics reflect more complicated emotions that keep fans coming back for more. She credits her grandmother, a poet, for the inspiration behind her wistful, introspective verses.
This month, SIMONA is reaching even more listeners around the globe as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month—part of Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program that aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying the work of women creators globally. After sharing her music as Spain’s EQUAL Ambassador, this new role makes SIMONA the face of Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist, and her song “SHUT UP,” with Lee Eye and Blackthoven, is featured front and center.
Known for her multilayered melodies and melancholic lyrics, EQUAL Global Ambassador of the Month SIMONA is a multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter-dancer who gives us an inside look at her "truly magical" creative process and more: https://t.co/AluiQVakq1 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fIbYItKp2u
One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is __.
Trust your authentic self and your artistic visions. Be loyal to your original ideas, and be decisive when making decisions about the production of your own music. Know that each of us is special and has something unique to show. Honor your ideas and the art you put so much love into.
One notable moment in my career so far is __.
When I co-produced my single “TE VEO,” I realized the power of my art by being able to be fully present in the production of my music. I enjoyed the process so much; it gave me a boost of confidence to carry on materializing my ideas.
My creative process consists of __.
Listening to what’s deep inside of me. My creative process is very slow because I like living through it! It doesn’t really happen everyday, but when it does happen, it’s truly magical.
One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is __.
Establishing a quota of female and nonbinary or transgender participation in every major music festival. We want to see more women working in every area: recording studios, record labels, production companies, etc.
Some up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are __.
Last October, Spotify launched a pioneering listening experience called Music + Talk that brings together music and spoken-word content. The unique format weaves full songs and talk commentary together into one show.
Through Anchor, Spotify has also made Music + Talk an accessible format that anyone can use to create these unique shows. Anchor’s suite of tools is already available to users in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Starting today, we’re expanding the experience to millions more creators and listeners around the world and sharing the tool with 15 new markets across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Where in the world is Music + Talk?
With this expansion, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia will have access to the blended audio experience.
Creators in these markets will now have access to the “Music” tool in Anchor, where they can incorporate full songs from Spotify’s library of 70 million tracks into their spoken-word audio creations. And in return, listeners can interact directly with the music within an episode by liking, saving, and sharing with each track as they would in any playlist.
The shows will be available to Premium and Free listeners. Spotify Premium users will hear full tracks as part of these shows, while Free users will hear 30-second previews of each song. Shows can be listened to globally wherever Spotify is available.
Our catalog of Music + Talk Spotify Originals will also get a boost across a number of markets as new shows from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, India, Japan, and the Philippines join our library today. Plus, there’s more to come from all the markets included in our latest launch.These shows will explore the many facets of music, from the stories and inspiration behind a song to the listening trends of the modern age, and they will offer an opportunity for artists to engage listeners in a unique way.
More ways to get inspired
Along with the market expansion, Spotify will begin offering a variety of new educational and inspirational resources for creators interested in using Music + Talk.
Today also marks the launch of an exciting new Spotify Original called Music + Talk: Unlocked, which will explore creative uses of the Music + Talk format—from guided runs to music trivia and more. Listeners and creators can find more best-in-class shows in the Music + Talk hub in the Spotify app.
Since we rolled out Music + Talk last year, we’ve learned from the needs and behaviors of listeners, as we always do with new products. Savvy streamers will notice that we’ve implemented small tweaks to improve the listening experience and reflect those needs: clearer visual distinction between the music and talk segments of an episode and music previews on episode pages.
We can’t wait to see new creativity and stories from around the globe as more markets make the audio storytelling features their own. Check out Anchor’s blog post and creator landing page for more information on how to get started with Music + Talk.
Looking for a laugh? Search no further than the podcast section in your Spotify app. The comedy genre is seeing a steady rise on Spotify—according to Wrapped 2020, it was the second-most-popular genre on the platform globally. And in a few Spanish-speaking countries, such as Chile, Spain, and Mexico, the genre has risen in popularity to claim the number one slot.
Whether standup, scripted, or surreal, Spanish-language comedy podcasts have brought listeners levity and joy throughout the past year and will likely continue to do so well into the future. We dove into some of the Spanish-language podcasts sending fans into fits of laughter.
Comedy Across Chile
Every day, there are more and more comedy podcasts or creators aiming to make Chileans smile on Spotify. In podcasts, comedians have found an alternative route to portray humorous or cringe-worthy situations and fill listeners with laughter. As such, comedy podcasts are the most-listened-to genre in Chile, with more than 50% of Chilean listeners enjoying Spotify’s funniest podcasts.
According to a Spotify report, Chileans consume more than 89,000 hours of comedy content each day. This fascination can be seen in the growth of the genre as well, which has increased by an average of 842% year after year since 2017. The listeners themselves tend to skew younger—people under 30 years of age represent 57% of the genre’s audience.
“The growth of the comedy genre in Chile is really surprising,” said JavierPiñol, Director of Spotify Studios for Latin America and U.S. LatinX. “We have seen how audiences have grown exponentially since 2017 to date and have consolidated the genre as the most listened to in the country. From Spotify we always seek to enhance and make visible the talent that exists in the country and take creators to new frontiers. Comedians are truly having a moment in podcasting on Spotify.”
Thousands of miles away, Spaniards took to comedy podcasts in an entirely new way throughout the past year and a half. The comedy podcast genre, which is the most listened to in Spain, has seen its consumption grow by 186% since the beginning of lockdown in 2020.
This increase follows a consistent interest in comedy podcasts across age groups. In Spain, they appeal most to both 18-24-year-olds and people over 55. The genre is followed by society, culture, entertainment, well-being, and lifestyle shows.
“After the outbreak of the pandemic, many of us took refuge in comedy podcasts in search of distraction and a good time in the company of audio,” said EduardoAlonso, Head of Studios for Southern and Eastern Europe at Spotify. “This trend will undoubtedly continue in the rest of 2021: From January to June alone, we have observed that listening to comedy podcasts continues to grow by more than 28% in Spain.”
Spanish comedy podcast aficionados can pay particular attention to El bar de Los Broder Tolquin, a new Spotify original podcast starring and directed by RaúlCimas and JavierCoronas that premiered in June. The podcast comes out of an usual backstory: In 2010, Spanish police launched an investigation to dismantle a dangerous gang. To do this, they placed hidden microphones at a modest bar in Madrid. Coincidentally, this was the very same bar where comics Javier Coronas, Raúl Cimas, El Pirata, and a very colorful group of patrons spent their evenings. After the investigation, all the leftover conversations and chats that were recorded came to light—leading to the comical surrealist show.
Amused Around Mexico
Comedy has been the most popular podcast category on Spotify in Mexico as well. A few titles consistently top podcast charts, with the top spot usually a toss-up between La Cotorrisa, a weekly ramble with longtime friends RicardoPérez and Slobotzky, and Leyendas Legendarias, a satirical humorous exploration of true crime stories, conspiracy theories, and paranormal phenomena hosted by JoséAntonioBadía and EduardoEspinosa in a similar style as the American Last Podcast On The Left.
Mexico has a booming stand-up comedy scene, and even though the pandemic forced a retreat from live venues over the past year, fans turned to familiar voices like FranHevia and JuanCarlosEscalante in El Super Show está Genial. To further explore this scene, last summer Spotify launched Toma 1, an original podcast boasting conversations with some of the biggest names from the stage, hosted by RaúlCampos, a renowned producer of comedy specials. Over 36 episodes, the series gives a unique glimpse of what drives comedians, from impressions master Paco de Miguel to AnaJuliaYeyé (who was also featured in the Spotify Original podcast Coming Out Emociones Compartidas show).
Get joking with Con la ayuda de mis amikas, a Spanish-language comedy podcast where the two hosts analyze the week’s internet trends to help each other with their social media.
why we are proud to have the enormous talent of Judeline for Spain’s first Spotify Singles,” said 
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