Spotify is dedicated to amplifying and celebrating the incredible contributions of all artists and creators worldwide. As part of that commitment, on March 6 we teamed up with Billboard to host the first-ever Women in Music Executive Honoree Reception, an intimate gathering in Los Angeles.
The evening served as a pre-celebration for the magazine’s annual Women in Music event on March 29, which recognizes top artists, creators, producers, and executives for their contributions to the industry.
It has been 10 years since the world lost corridos tumbados godfather Ariel Camacho, but the influence of the Sinaloan singer-songwriter remains stronger than ever. His signature requinto and minimalist style paved the way for a new generation of artists now dominating international stages, like Natanael Cano, Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, and Christian Nodal.
Included in this group is Gabito Ballesteros, who was publicly encouraged by Ariel to keep pushing forward with his career. Today, Gabito is the eighth-most-streamed artist on Spotify in Mexico, and along with Spotify, he is honoring Ariel’s legacy with the release of his Spotify Single, “Te Metiste,” one of the greatest hits by Ariel and his band, Los Plebes del Rancho.
“For many, Ariel is an idol. Not just because of his age but because of how he started from the bottom, picked up a guitar, and made it happen,” Gabito said while recording the Spotify Single. “Many of us followed that path, and that’s why we relate to him so much. We owe a lot to Ariel Camacho, and that will never change.”
Gabito is not the only artist who has felt the positive effects of Ariel’s impact. Globally, Música Mexicana has grown by nearly 450% over the last five years, and Ariel was a key figure in making this phenomenon possible.
“Ariel Camacho was one of the first artists to bring sierreño to the mainstream. Before him, this genre was entirely regional, deeply rooted in northwestern Mexico,” said Alejandro Grageda, Artist & Label Marketing Lead at Spotify Mexico. “After his passing, artists who grew up listening to him started blending his style with trap and hip-hop elements, shaping the evolution of sierreño into what we now know as corridos tumbados.”
Ariel’s songs have not only remained relevant in the years since his passing, but the impact of his music has grown stronger over time. Streams of Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho have increased by more than 130% in the last five years, and new generations continue to embrace his music, with more than 40% of his listeners on Spotify aged 24 years or younger.
“In the past, the biggest icons of Música Mexicana were well-established figures like Vicente Fernández or Los Tigres del Norte. But Ariel Camacho broke that tradition, proving that a young artist could stay true to the ranchera essence while keeping it fresh,” Alejandro added. “His rise coincided with the explosion of social media and music streaming in Mexico, which helped his songs, videos, and content go viral and gain traction on Spotify.”
For those just discovering Ariel’s discography, there are many must-listen classics, but “Te Metiste” (#1), “Hablemos” (#2), and “El Karma” (#3) are Ariel’s most-streamed songs on Spotify. In total, eight songs from Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho have made it onto Spotify Mexico’s Top 100, while his music is featured in more than 18.7 million fan-created playlists.
Ariel’s streams outside of Mexico have also surged by approximately 80% in the past five years, with the U.S., Guatemala, and Chile being the top consumers of his music abroad.
Without a doubt, the padrino of corridos tumbados remains more alive than ever on Spotify.
Find Gabito’s cover of “Te Metiste” and other timeless hits from the icon in the playlist Ariel Camacho Por Siempre.
Spotify Singles, our longest-running original recorded music franchise, has officially surpassed 10 billion collective streams worldwide. That’s a whole lot of listening, and a testament to the power of connecting artists with fans in exciting new ways, since the program launched in 2016.
Spotify Singles provides a unique platform for artists across genres to reimagine one of their existing tracks or pay homage to their musical heroes by covering a song of their choice. Recorded in Spotify’s state-of-the-art studios in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Stockholm, these sessions have resulted in nearly 1,000 recordings from more than 750 artists in 45 markets. In addition to our own studios, Spotify Singles have been recorded in famous studio spaces around the world, including Abbey Road and Electric Lady Studios.
Further expanding our global reach, our Stockholm Studio is now officially open to artists across Europe. The studio had previously only hosted Nordic artists. Damiano David, who fronts the Italian rock band Måneskin, recently inaugurated the refreshed space with a fiery cover of “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart,” which has already amassed more than 6 million global streams.
In Argentina, rock music has long been a powerful force shaping the country’s cultural and political landscape. Over the past year, however, a new generation of talent has emerged, breathing fresh life into the local rock scene—and younger fans are all ears. In fact, 60% of Gen Z users on Spotify in Argentina have listened to Argentine rock this year, embracing classic hits and newer sounds alike.
To honor both the pioneers and the next wave of Argentine rock, we’re launching a trio of Spotify Singles—each one a unique reimagining of an iconic track that highlights the evolution of the genre. Featuring rapper Dillom, rock band Airbag, alt rock singer-songwriter Marilina Bertoldi, and electro-pop artist Juliana Gattas, this series bridges the past, present, and future of Argentine rock.
Hit play on these exclusive releases:
“¿Qué Vas a Hacer Tan Sola Hoy?” by Dillom, covering the Viejas Locas classic.
“Ella Usó Mi Cabeza Como Un Revólver” by Airbag, covering Soda Stereo’s iconic hit.
“Me Vuelvo Cada Día Más Loca,” a duet by Marilina Bertoldi and Juliana Gattas, covering Celeste Carballo’s timeless track.
These Spotify Singles not only spotlight Argentina’s rising stars but also pay tribute to a genre that has shaped the country’s cultural identity. We’re proud to provide a platform for Argentine rock to continue flourishing across generations.
Discover more up-and-coming talent on our Rock Argentino playlist.
The air is turning crisp, and it won’t be long until everyone is walking around with an extra jingle in their step. As our listeners are continuing to seek holiday music earlier and earlier each year, Spotify is ready to give listeners an additional dose of holly jolly with our newly released Spotify Singles as part of our Holiday Collection.
Every year, a selection of artists can choose to record a cover of a classic holiday hit, or an original song that channels the spirit of the season. For 2024, we have five tracks to add to your holiday playlist. “We worked very carefully with each of our artists to pick the perfect holiday song for them—taking into account things like production style, voice, tone, and personality,” explained Talia Kraines, Senior Editor of U.S. Pop at Spotify.
This year’s festive hits are:
“Run Rudolph Run” by Mark Ambor
“Holiday Road” by Kesha
“River” by Max Richter
“Driving Home for Christmas” by Dasha
“Emanuel” by Miel San Marcos
Each track brings a sense of nostalgia as listeners hear some of their favorite seasonal lyrics in a whole new way. “Mark Ambor’s ‘Run Rudolph Run’ is a really rootsy, fun version of the song where you can hear the production he uses in his album, Rockwood, shine through,” said Talia. “It’s authentic and feels very real to him.”
“‘Driving Home for Christmas’ is a holiday song that is huge in the U.K. and Europe but isn’t known very well in the U.S. We saw this as a great opportunity to give this holiday song a whole new audience in America with Dasha while sharing a new version for countries where the song is already beloved,” she adds
And while the ’80s hit “Holiday Road”—despite its name—isn’t a traditional favorite, Kesha’s pop twist makes it a fun, upbeat track perfect for the season. “Her vocals make me think of The Go-Gos or The Bangles here,” noted Talia. “It feels like a monumental year for Kesha, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it—she’s reclaiming her joy and owning her own voice.”
Find these tracks, as well as past Spotify Holiday Singles in our Holiday Collection playlist.
Since the Mexican Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century, one particular style of music has served as a form of cultural storytelling for the Mexican people: the corrido. And while its popularity has endured, those accordion-laced ballads have evolved as modern influences began taking the genre in new and interesting directions.
Today, corridos tumbados are one of the most popular sounds under the Música Mexicana umbrella. Fusing trap and hip-hop with the traditional sounds of a corrido, a new wave of artists that includes Natanael Cano, Peso Pluma, Junior H, Fuerza Regida, and Eslabon Armado has been topping the global charts. And it was Natanael himself who gave the subgenre its name five years ago this month with the release of his album Corridos Tumbados under the Rancho Humilde record label.
“Corridos tumbados have transformed the vision of Mexican music and have connected with an unexpected audience globally. We had this idea since 2009, when we started Rancho Humilde,” said Jimmy Humilde, founder of Rancho Humilde. “For those of us who grew up between Mexican and American culture, we wanted to create something of our own, something that represented our identity. Today, thanks to this music, the new Mexican American generations are recovering Spanish, and our culture is more alive than ever. It was my dream, along with JB [José Becerra] and Roque Venegas.”
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re releasing a new Spotify Single from Belinda, Kevin AMF, and Neton Vega. The trio teamed up to record an original song titled “Ni Fiestas, Ni Flores.”
While inspired by the sonic hallmarks of the earliest corridos tumbados, the track still carries a modern flair that you’d expect from three rising stars. Pop star Belinda only recently ventured into the world of corridos tumbados with hits like “Cactus” and “300 Noches.” Kevin AMF, meanwhile, is a young singer-songwriter known for fusing corridos tumbados with electro and dembow sounds. Last but not least, Neton Vega has made a name for himself as a producer of the genre. Together, these three Mexican artists offer a sense of the rich evolution of this sound and its impact on the industry.
“I love this new generation of Mexican music because it’s a generation unafraid to say what it thinks and what it feels,” said Belinda. “With this Spotify Single, we’re celebrating five years of corridos tumbados and building the future of this genre that is making history around the world.”
“Corridos tumbados were born in Los Angeles among a group of young artists who sought to express their experiences without disconnecting from their Mexican roots,” said Gerardo Mora, Senior Editor, Spotify Mexico. “But the genre has evolved a lot—today, it has become the anthem of a whole generation and a symbol for a community that identifies with its sound and its message.”
Let’s take a look at some of our top insights from the past five years of corridos tumbados.
Spotify has been proud to support Música Mexicana and its many flavors, including corridos. On our platform, fans can find a number of variant-specific playlists to explore the multifaceted genre. And last year, we teamed up with Fuerza Regida, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, and Eden Muñoz to release “La Tierra del Corrido,” a Spotify Single celebrating three generations of corridos artists.
Stream our Corridos Tumbados playlist to celebrate half a decade of the hit sound.
Across generations and borders, Música Mexicana continues to reach new fans. On Spotify, the genre has experienced unprecedented growth, with global streams up more than 440% since 2018. Several Música Mexicana subgenres are also on the rise as new waves of artists put their stamps on long-established musical traditions.
Last month, we celebrated “La Tierra de Música Mexicana” with a series of Spotify Singles showcasing three of today’s hottest subgenres: electro corridos, norteño sax, and sad sierreño. This week, we’re thrilled to bring the campaign to life for fans, artists, and industry leaders with a three-day affair in Los Angeles to celebrate all that falls under the Música Mexicana umbrella.
Over the first two days, the event will offer panels, masterclasses, and showcases tailored to emerging artists and industry professionals. On the third and final day, “La Tierra de Música Mexicana” will take over Avalon Hollywood with a packed lineup of performances from some of the genre’s most exciting artists.
We’ll kick things off with a Spotify for Artists masterclass focused on the tools and resources available to our creator community. Next, our Editorial team will host a Playlists, Curation, and Algorithms panel exploring our playlist ecosystem and how we represent Música Mexicana culture across Spotify. Our experts will then be available to answer specific questions during a “breakout tables” segment.
From there, our Songwriter and Publisher Partnerships team will explore the business side of Música Mexicana, with a focus on empowering and educating the new generation of songwriters and producers. Attendees will also be treated to a sit-down interview with Miguel Armenta, the songwriter behind “TQM” by Fuerza Regida, as we take a deep dive through the hit songs he’s helped create via his Written By playlist.
Night one will close out with our Mujeres en Música Mexicana panel and showcase featuring women artists and industry professionals from across the genre, including Chiquis, Erika Vidrio, and Designo Celestial.
On day two, we’ll host a live show and Q&A with the hosts of the Agushto Papa podcast and special guests Oscar Ortiz and Alex Favela, who will delve into the trends and artistry shaping the genre.
Up next: presentations on strategic partnerships and music sales promotion. We’ll discuss how artists combine Spotify tools with their own marketing strategies to build successful album release cycles, followed by how to leverage tools like Showcase and Marquee to promote new music to your most likely listeners.
We’ll also hear from leading Música Mexicana experts on the evolution of the genre, as well as changes within the industry itself. Last but not least, the day will conclude with performances from Oscar Ortiz, Clave Especial, Octavio Cuadras, Adriana Ríos, and Adrian L Santos.
To close out “La Tierra de Música Mexicana,” Spotify is extending a special invite to our Música Mexicana Top Fans in Los Angeles for an evening of unmissable performances. Both established and emerging artists will take the stage, including Gabito Ballesteros, DannyLux, Oscar Maydon, Los Primos del Este, Alex Favela, Estevie, and Ivonne Galaz.
“Música Mexicana means so much to me because it truly changed my life,” says DannyLux. “From growing up listening to it with my family to being able to perform it onstage is something I’ll always be grateful for. I love how much people have embraced it in the past few years, and it’s cool to see it being mixed with different genres along the way. It’s a very collaborative genre and I think that’s why it lends itself to growth, because all the artists are willing to make magic together.”
Stream our Los Que Mandan playlist to hear the next generation of hitmakers, then head to our La Tierra de Música Mexicana hub to explore the genre in all its glory.
As one of the fastest-growing genres worldwide, Música Mexicana has emerged as an unstoppable cultural force in recent years. In fact, between 2018 and 2023, Música Mexicana streams on Spotify shot up by more than 440% globally, with artists like Peso Pluma, Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, and Grupo Frontera rising to the top of the charts. Younger fans are particularly captivated by the genre: Gen Z streams climbed nearly 60% over the last year.
And it’s not just a single sound that’s responsible for such a meteoric rise. The Música Mexicana umbrella encompasses a rich tapestry of styles and genres, including corridos, banda, norteño, sierreño, grupero, and mariachi. A number of Música Mexicana subgenres have experienced significant growth on Spotify, as new waves of artists put their stamp on long-established musical traditions.
To celebrate the diverse landscape of Mexican music, Spotify is launching “La Tierra de Música Mexicana,” a new campaign spotlighting three of today’s hottest subgenres: electro corridos, norteño sax, and sad sierreño. We’ll showcase these sounds with a series of Spotify Singles launching throughout the month of August, each representing a unique facet of Música Mexicana.
Electro corridos are a modern take on corridos, a style of music steeped in history, tradition, and storytelling. This subgenre fuses the electronic sounds of dance and house music, as well as dembow and urban beats, with the lyrics and storytelling of a corrido.
Debuting August 7, the first of the three Spotify Singles is “LIV” by brothers Sebastian and Eugenio Esquivel and producer-DJ Deorro. The forthcoming release captures the essence of electro corridos, which have seen remarkable growth on Spotify in the past year. They’ve experienced a 644% rise in consumption in the U.S. and a 590% rise in consumption in Mexico.
Stream our Electro Corridos playlist to hear some of the best the genre has to offer.
Up next, “Beso” by Los Primos del Este, which showcases the norteño sax sound, will drop on August 21. Norteño sax blends the traditions of northern Mexican music with the distinct melodies and sonic textures of the saxophone. On Spotify, consumption of norteño sax has grown by 39% in both the U.S. and Mexico over the past year.
Discover the genre’s hottest hits on our Norteño Sax playlist.
Last but not least, “Cielo Eterno,” the sad sierreño single by DannyLux and Jasiel Nuñez, will arrive on August 28. Sad sierreño is a Gen Z twist on sierreño, a style of Mexican folk music best known for nostalgic ballads performed with acoustic guitars. Infused with emotive and introspective songwriting, sad sierreño has seen a 48% increase in consumption in both the U.S. and Mexico over the past year on Spotify, with Gen Z accounting for more than 40% of the genre’s streams.
Dive into our Sad Sierreño playlist to hear tracks that’ll get you in your feels.
Spotify has been proud to support Música Mexicana’s rise into a global powerhouse. “La Tierra de Música Mexicana” follows last year’s “La Tierra del Corrido” campaign, which included a special showcase featuring performances from top artists like Chino Pacas and Esteban Gabriel. We also celebrated “La Tierra de Texas” earlier this year, bringing live Música Mexicana performances to the iconic Houston Rodeo.
Head over to our Música Mexicana hub to explore the genre in all its glory, with everything from new releases to classic favorites.
On April 6, 1974, the Swedish pop quartet ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo,” a victory that would propel them to dazzling international fame. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean, Björn Skifs and Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” had just become the first single by a Swedish artist to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S.
As it turns out, that was just the beginning. Today, half a decade later, Sweden is one of the world’s biggest music exporters. To commemorate the outset of the country’s remarkable global success in music, Spotify invited the Swedish rock quintet The Hives to our Stockholm studio to record a Spotify Singles cover of “Hooked on a Feeling,” out now:
Known for their legendary live performances and strict black-and-white dress code, The Hives have been making heavy garage music for more than three decades. As one of the most-streamed Swedish rock bands globally, they’re thrilled to be carrying the storied song into its next chapter.
“I think there’s a synergy effect of Swedish music having made it abroad, and you feel like it’s possible. We can’t make it more perfect than the original is, so we went the other way instead: ruined it but made it sound exciting,” quipped front man Pelle Almqvist.
“Since the iconic year of 1974, when ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest, music from Swedish creators has continued to influence beyond its borders,” said Sophia Olofsson, Music Program Lead at Spotify. “We hear a lot about the Swedish pop wonder, but rock and metal are also two impactful genres for listeners around the world. With this Spotify Singles release, we wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the export of Swedish music while also paying homage to Sweden’s rock talents.”
The original “Hooked on a Feeling” was written by Mark James and performed by American singer B.J. Thomas in 1968. In 1973, Björn Skifs and his Blue Swede band recorded their version, which retained the “ooga-chaka” introduction from an earlier cover by English singer-songwriter Jonathan King.
To date, Blue Swede’s version of the song has racked up more than 670 million streams on Spotify globally. It has continued to gain traction over the years, having been featured in movies like Reservoir Dogs and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Sweden might be best known for its pop music, but Spotify data shows that rock is also driving the country’s music exports. On our platform, the love for Swedish rock stretches near and far. In the past five years, streams of rock music by Swedish acts have increased by 90% globally, with France, Italy, Mexico, and Australia being the biggest consumers. Over 40% of the consumption comes from listeners aged 18-29.
Stream The Hives’ “Hooked on a Feeling” now, then dive into our Made in Sweden playlist to explore more tracks from Swedish artists.
This month marked the return of Spotify’s HAN, our collaborative program that brings the unique sounds and culture of Korean hip-hop to the world through exclusive artist collaborations, bonus content, and more.
Developed in partnership with Korean hip-hop community HIPHOPPLAYA, HAN references the complex Korean emotion of the same name—an indescribable blend of resentment, sorrow, bitterness, anger, and sadness. Arising from the historical and cultural experiences collectively shared by Koreans, it’s a feeling that serves as creative inspiration for the artists involved.
For this year’s iteration, dubbed KrOWN X HAN 2024, some of the biggest names in the K-hip-hop scene joined up in the studio to record a pair of new Spotify Singles.
The first single, “No Tomorrow,” offers a diverse blend of styles from CHANGMO, Dok2, lobonabeat!, Shyboiitobii, and SMUGGLERS while delivering a message that resonates not only in Korea, but worldwide.
“Thanks to Spotify, I had the chance to collaborate with incredible artists I’ve admired for a long time, crafting this new track,” said CHANGMO. “I hope that the positive energy created from this collaboration reaches beyond Korea, introducing Korean hip-hop to listeners worldwide.”
The second single, “Ugly,” is a collaboration between Lil Moshpit, Paul Blanco, and Okasian featuring a minimalist beat produced by Lil Moshpit, who took home Hip-Hop Album Of The Year at the Korean Hip-Hop Awards 2023. The artists’ rhymes complement the track, adding to its playful sound.
“I am honored to contribute to KrOWN X HAN 2024,” said Lil Moshpit. “Collaborating with artists of unique styles was truly exciting. I believe this initiative will not only revitalize Korean hip-hop globally but also forge deeper connections with fans worldwide through our music.”
Following the release of both songs, each participating artist selected five songs to be featured on our flagship K-hip-hop playlist, KrOWN, creating a stronger connection with fans and showing off their personal tastes.
Additionally, through Spotify clips on KrOWN and HIPHOPPLAYA’s official YouTube channel, listeners can discover behind-the-scenes footage, live performances, and stories that detail the creation of both songs.
“We are committed to giving Korean artists a platform for their music to reach listeners across the globe,” said Jungjoo Park, Spotify’s Head of Music, South Korea. KrOWN X HAN 2024 marks the continuation of our chapter in celebrating the voices and talent of Korean hip-hop, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with HIPHOPPLAYA to bring this to life.”
Spotify will also serve as an official sponsor of the HIPHOPPLAYA Festival 2024, Korea’s largest hip-hop festival. Taking place on May 4 and 5 at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul, the festival will feature special performances from a number of artists involved with KrOWN X HAN 2024, including CHANGMO and Shyboiitobii.
“We are excited to collaborate with Spotify towards the renaissance of Korean hip-hop and to partake in the journey of bringing more Korean artists and music to the world,” said Yongjun Kim, Founder and CEO of HIPHOPPLAYA. “We hope that Spotify Singles will serve as a bridge connecting Korean hip-hop with listeners worldwide, offering them an opportunity to enjoy the rich culture of Korean hip-hop together.”
KrOWN X HAN 2024 arrives at a time when global interest in K-hip-hop is surging. Between 2014 and 2022, K-hip-hop streams on Spotify skyrocketed by 9,500% globally,* and since the launch of HAN last February, they have grown by more than 40%.** And the genre’s appeal is crossing borders, with the United States, Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Japan, and Canada emerging as the top consumers of K-hip-hop.***
This campaign also follows up on the success of last year’s inaugural HAN outing, which saw K-hip-hop trendsetters like Jay Park, Kid Milli, and MIRANI release six Spotify Singles. The tracks, which included “Grrr” and “Rock With You,” caught the attention of hip-hop fans worldwide and have amassed close to 14.4 million streams to date.**** Notably, “Grrr” went on to become the Best of KrOWN Song 2023 on Spotify and was nominated for the Best Collaboration of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards 2024. “Rock With You” was also featured in our playlist Best of TrenChill K-R&B 2023.
Spotify is committed to supporting K-hip-hop culture through the flagship playlist KrOWN and programs like K-hip-hop Rookies that showcase the next generation of hip-hop talent in Korea. With our latest iteration of HAN, we’re continuing to support this vibrant musical culture.
Discover more of the biggest talents in Korea’s hip-hop scene with our flagship playlist KrOWN.
*Data from Jan 1, 2014 to Jan 1, 2023
**Data from Feb 23, 2023 to Apr 1, 2024
***Data from Mar 1 to 31, 2024
****Data as of February 16, 2024
The global success of K-Pop has opened the eyes and ears of music fans around the world. As part of Spotify’s efforts to help the genre travel the globe, we launched our flagship playlist K-Pop ON! (온) in 2014. The Korean word “온” means “100” or “whole,” the playlist’s title embodying the idea that K-Pop is always on 100 for listeners worldwide.
And that couldn’t be more true. In the last decade, K-Pop ON! (온) has amassed more than 5.3 million “saves” by Spotify users across the globe and racked up billions of streams for Korean artists, connecting them with listeners near and far. In fact, yearly streams from the playlist have skyrocketed by more than 5,600% since 2015. K-Pop ON! (온)’s top markets reflect the global demand for the genre, from the United States to Germany to Japan and beyond.
Whether they’re just discovering the genre or uniting over a shared passion, K-Pop ON! (온) has become a key destination for new listeners and veteran superfans alike.
To commemorate 10 years of bringing K-Pop’s very best to the world, Spotify is launching the first-ever Spotify K-Pop ON! (온) Singles, headlined by ENHYPEN, SHOWNU X HYUNGWON (of MONSTA X), and STAYC.
Centered around the theme of “My First K-Pop Crush,” these Spotify Singles feature covers of songs by the sunbaes (senior artists) who first sparked each band’s love of K-Pop. It’s a nod to every fan’s journey into the genre, which began with that first artist who made their heart flutter with their music, performance, and personality. It’s also a call to K-Pop fans around the world to join in this celebration of a shared passion for the genre, and the artists who started it all.
The Spotify Singles for the K-Pop ON! (온) First Crush campaign will drop exclusively on Spotify every two weeks. First up, stream ENHYPEN’s cover of “I NEED U” by BTS.
Next, listen to SHOWNU X HYUNGWON’s cover of “I Hate You” by 2PM.
Last but not least, stream STAYC’s rendition of “FANCY” by TWICE.
With every launch, listeners can also look forward to exclusive bonus content on Spotify’s K-Pop ON! (온) Video Podcast and YouTube channels. From performance videos to behind-the-scenes content, we’ll be unpacking the stories of the performing artists’ First K-Pop Crushes, the significance behind their song selection, and how the original artists inspired their journey in K-Pop.
Stream our K-Pop ON! (온) playlist to dive into the wonderful world of K-Pop.
Pinoy hip-hop is overtaking the music scene in the Philippines, and the lively beats of Filipino artists are finding their way to listeners far beyond the geographical borders of the country. “The genre reflects the energy, how organic the art form is, and how accessible rapping is to everyone,” shares Chesca Tan, Spotify’s Lead Editor for Philippines. “Pinoy hip-hop is gritty; it’s street.”
To celebrate Pinoy hip-hop’s massive growth on Spotify—a more than 700% increase in streams in the Philippines since 2018—we launched KALYE X. For the uninitiated, “kalye” means “street” in Filipino. The initiative celebrates the collaboration between artists, fans and community, and serves as an extension of Spotify’s popular Kalye Hip-Hop playlist. “This playlist is home to the best of Pinoy hip-hop tracks, also enabling artists to be discovered and reach more fans in the Philippines and beyond—gaining listeners from 184 countries,” says Chesca.
The KALYE X campaign kicked off with an unforgettable street-themed party. It featured live performances from contemporary Pinoy hip-hop icons Al James, Morobeats and Midnasty; a hip-hop dance showdown; street graffiti; and a chat session with Spotify’s Head of Music, Kossy Ng, about the vibrant culture of the Pinoy hip-hop genre. The launch was a testament to the vibrant tapestry of Pinoy hip-hop culture.
We also teamed up with six local artists from the three main islands of the Philippines—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—to record and release three new Spotify Singles. Each track showcases the depth and diversity listeners can find in Pinoy hip-hop.
Midnasty and Cookie$ bring the best of Bisaya beats in the track “Wa Na Wa.” “I have been dedicating my music and craft to take Bisaya hip-hop beyond Visayas, and this collaboration with Midnasty is an important step in that direction,” explains Cookie$. “Working with Spotify allows us to transcend boundaries and share the vibrant Bisaya culture through our music. I hope this latest track not only empowers our fans but also creates a legacy that resonates far beyond our hometown.”
Gloc-9, Hero, and Ramdiss pulled off a three-way mash-up for their song “Umaga” that represents the island of Luzon. “I love writing songs about real stories and struggles of people, and being able to capture what we go through every day,” says Gloc-9. “As an artist, I want my music to resonate with everyone, hip-hop fan or not. That is why I take pride in creating songs that tell people’s stories like what we did here.”
Morobeats reimagines Mindanao hip-hop on their single, “Kendeng.” DJ Medmessiah, a founding member of the group, says, “We’re proud and excited that the rest of the world will hear ‘Kendeng.’ We’ve been dedicating our music and talent to showcase the rich Mindanaoan culture and share our style of hip-hop, and this collaboration with Spotify is providing us with that opportunity.”
After spending time in the studio, the artists took to the stage for Spotify-hosted performances of their Spotify Singles in Cebu, Davao, and Manila. The excitement was palpable as nearly 6,000 fans attended the shows. The love for these songs spans the globe, and the artists and their Spotify Singles were featured on a billboard in New York City’s Times Square.
Learn more about these diverse and talented artists in our Spotify Singles documentary.
Want more Pinoy hip-hop? Check out our Kalye playlist below.
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