Tag: Spotify Singles

Kick Off the Festive Season With Our Joy-Filled Holiday Spotify Singles

November 16, 2022

The joyous holiday season is among us and Spotify is ready to follow along as you prepare to light the candles, decorate the tree, or concoct a delicious mulled cider. But instead of hitting play on last year’s favorite festive hits, we have a new set of merry melodies that have been added to our ever-expanding Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection. 

As is our own seasonal tradition, we worked with artists from around the globe to reimagine classic holiday tracks and record them in a fresh new way. Get to know some of this year’s artists—and their favorite holiday traditions—below.

Tom Grennan – “Driving Home For Christmas”

London-based singer-songwriter Tom Grennan quickly went from guest vocalist to headlining artist as fans fell in love with his soulful voice.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

Chris Rea’s “Driving Home For Christmas” always gets me in the holiday mood and really makes me think of family. I put it on when I’m heading back to my parents’ house for Christmas and it gets me super excited, feeling very festive. 

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

A holiday tradition would defo be having a snowball in the morning whilst opening presents. It’s not the nicest of drinks but it’s a tradition me and my family have.

 

Kenia OS – “Blanca Navidad”

Kenia OS, a Spotify RADAR Mexico artist, breezes seamlessly between Spanish-language pop and hip-hop in her music.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

“Blanca Navidad” is one of the classic songs in my home when Christmas starts. When I had to choose a song that represents that magical moment with my loved ones, it was the only one I could think of.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

A very important holiday tradition for me is decorating our home for Christmas. In the first couple days of December, my sister and I have the tradition of going together to choose the Christmas tree and decorate it. 

 

Kalush Orchestra – “Shchedrivka”

Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian group and 2022 Eurovision winner that fuses traditional Ukrainian folk instruments and melodies with modern hip-hop beats.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

In anticipation of the Christmas holidays, everyone wants a miracle. We are waiting only for the most important thing—the victory of Ukraine. We hope that our cover of “Shchedrivka” will bring positive emotions to Ukrainians and show the world community the true spirit of traditional Ukrainian Christmas.

What is your holiday tradition?

It has become a tradition for our group to walk with the nativity scene and sing carols on Epiphany Eve in early January. Last year in Kyiv, we went around the apartments of Kyiv residents and sang. And before that, Ukrainian carols were also sung in the city transport of Kyiv.

 

Kaylee Bell – “Christmas Tree Farm”

New Zealand country pop star Kaylee Bell was first introduced to fans through the television show “The Voice Australia” and is now bringing her talent to listeners around the world.

Why did you choose the song you covered? 

I am the biggest Christmas fan and Taylor Swift fan, so what better way than to get to tie those two things together than with “Christmas Tree Farm”? This song always makes me feel happy and excited for Christmas and that’s the kind of joy I want to spread.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

I put up the Christmas Tree and watch Love Actually while doing so every single year with a glass of sparkling grape juice and scorched almonds. It’s random—I know!

 

Lasse Skriver – “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas For The Broken Hearted)”

Lasse Skriver hails from Denmark and was a carpenter before he appeared on the country’s version of “X-Factor” and became an overnight singing sensation.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

I chose Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas For The Broken Hearted)” because I think the story behind it is very interesting and it’s also just a really good song. I knew of the song before I made the cover but never had any idea that it originally was a Christmas song, so I wanted to make a cover with its original meaning, where the theme of Christmas shines through like intended. 

 What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

Every year around Christmastime I’ll be at my grandparents’ place, where we bake all kinds of cakes and pastries and just enjoy each other’s company. It is a tradition I treasure very much!

 

IVE – “After LIKE (Holiday Mix)”

IVE is a six-member girl group taking over the K-Pop scene. 

Why did you choose the song you did?

We think “After LIKE” is one of our most upbeat songs that goes well with the holiday vibes. With Spotify Holiday Singles, we wanted to take it up a notch and make it even more Christmassy. Also, the sampling of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” in “After LIKE” makes it a more easy-listening and enjoyable song for all. That is why we thought this song would be perfect for the holiday season.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

Korea doesn’t have any specific year-end holiday traditions, but on Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), we would wear Hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing. While wearing Hanbok, Koreans perform a New Year’s bow to their elders, and sometimes the elders would give allowances to the young ones. 

For the holiday season, however, we just spend time with our loved ones and eat delicious food with the holiday spirit! Japan is quite similar to Korea overall, but Japan has a unique tradition of eating soba (“toshikoshi soba”) on December 31. This soba is nothing special, but there are many reasons why the Japanese eat it on the last day of the year. Soba noodles are long, so eating toshikoshi soba symbolizes our wish for longevity. At the same time, soba noodles can be cut easily, so it also represents our wish to break off from the bad influences or incidents from the past year.

DannyLux – “Triste Navidad”

Daniel Balderrama Espinoza, better known as DannyLux, is a California native who brings a unique flair to the corridos genre.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

I chose to write this Christmas song and make it sad because I want the people to feel it—I wanted to make a story about the feeling. There’s some people that spend the holiday season alone. That’s why I titled it “Triste Navidad,” because Christmas can be happy for some, but there’s also times that Christmas is sad, because it brings memories, sad memories.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

One tradition that my family always does during Christmas is gather at my grandmother’s house. All my cousins, uncles, aunts. And we gather there and place all the gifts under the Christmas tree, and it gets full! And once midnight strikes everyone opens their gifts.

Kurt Vile – “Must Be Santa”

Singer-songwriter Kurt Vile is all about the lyrics and the sound in his music—which has an element of what the Philadelphian describes as “fried pop.”

Why did you choose the song you covered?

When I was asked to be on this Christmas compilation, they said, “You can do any Christmas song you want, as long as it’s not repeated by somebody else on this series.” I thought it was nice of them to invite me, but I didn’t know if I could pull off a Christmas song! Then my mind jumped to when John Agnello showed me the Bob Dylan version of “Must Be Santa” while we were making the Smoke Ring For My Halo record. It’s a really hilarious video (he showed me that first), and it shows a rambunctious Christmas party. Bob Dylan has a wig on, and someone goes flying through a window. All this time, I thought it was Bob Dylan’s song. It’s really catchy, and he makes it his own as he usually does. I figured if I can do Dylan’s “Must Be Santa,” if that’s not taken, it’s a sign. I gotta be the next chapter in this version of a Bob Dylan song. 

Then I realized it was actually a classic Christmas song, and was written however long ago, but I still wanted to do it justice the way Bob did. I wanted to be the guy who attempted to pull it off.

This was also a great excuse to use my home studio OKV Central again, with my bandmate Adam Langellotti on bass, and Ted Young. Ted moved to Philly (he engineers with me a lot), but he was actually John Agnello’s assistant engineer back when I first heard Bob Dylan’s “Must Be Santa.” It feels like a perfect circle, really. I thought I’d do an acoustic version and have my daughters sing backup, but then it turned into more of a weird synth version with their vocals, which is really the hook. I figured Bob wouldn’t hear it, but I still wanted to do it justice, and once I got my daughters singing with me I hoped he would at least like it. Now I know . . . he loves it [laughs]. Merry Christmas, Bob Dylan!

What is a holiday tradition of yours?

My wife, Suzanne, reminded me of my funniest holiday Christmas tradition: Every year now we go to a Christmas Eve service at an Episcopal church that is very beautiful in Philadelphia. And I sit there in the pew with the family while the songs are there and it really is a nice service, it’s pretty. But then a few songs in, I start tapping my foot and it reminds me of when I was young and I was always having to sit in church and I was just wanting to get out of there. So what I do is, I go to the corner Dunkin Donuts in all my holiday finest and I have some coffee and donuts. And I just sit in the car and wait for the service to be over. And it sort of makes me feel good and free, but it’s also like, I have my kids in there. So it’s full circle again, where it takes me back to growing up and being excited about Christmas, but also being free enough that I’m an adult now, and I don’t have to sit through a whole service, and I can still enjoy some fine Dunkin Donuts ’til I drive my family home. It’s become a running gag sort of Christmas tradition. And so it’s literally something I do every year now. I’ll definitely do it again this year.

 

Unwrap all the new tracks in our Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection playlist.

RADAR Artist Cat Burns Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane With Spotify Singles Recorded at Her Former School

October 26, 2022

a photo of Cat Burns sitting on a brown leather couch, wearing a green tracksuit, and staring at the camera

Cat Burns is Spotify’s newest Global RADAR artist, but this may not be the first time listeners have heard the singer-songwriter’s name. The South London native recently supported superstar Ed Sheeran on the European leg of his Mathematics Tour, and she’s set to support Sam Smith on the European leg of his GLORIA tour. On Spotify, Cat has already attracted listeners’ attention, racking up over 5.8 million monthly listeners.

Plus, Cat was previously featured in Spotify’s Noteable songwriters program, and earlier this year she was highlighted as a Spotify UK RADAR artist. Now, she’s going global with Spotiy’s RADAR program, which spotlights rising stars through editorial, creative, and marketing support. 

As part of RADAR, Cat Burns sat down to create new music in a special Spotify Singles session. The Spotify Singles program, which kicked off in 2016, was created to provide artists with the opportunity to rerecord one of their existing songs in a fresh new way, as well as cover a song of their choice by one of their own musical heroes.

For her Spotify Singles release, Cat returned to the Sir George Martin Recording Studio—located in The BRIT School, where she was a former student—and reworked a stripped-back version of her current single “people pleaser.” She also recorded a cover of fellow Londoner Estelle’s hit award-winning single, “American Boy.”

“Cat is the real deal. Authentic, open, hardworking, talented. A real BRIT School example,” shared Stuart Worden, Principal of The BRIT School. “We’re so proud of her.” 

During the experience, we worked with Cat to create a special mini-documentary. “Being given the opportunity to do the Spotify RADAR documentary was honestly so much fun. I felt so lucky and honored that they wanted me and was excited to take a trip down memory lane,” said Cat. “It helped me really put into perspective my career and what I’ve achieved and how hard I’ve worked.”

Cat is already a platinum-certified artist, and now fans can find her track at the top of the RADAR Global playlist.

 

 

Kevin Kaarl graba su propia versión de “Prenda del Alma” de Chalino Sánchez para Spotify Singles

October 20, 2022

kevin kaarl spotify single cover

La música de Kevin Kaarl, cantautor mexicano de 21 años, se ha convertido en el soundtrack perfecto para una generación. Con un estilo único, una voz profunda, guitarra punteada y letras melancólicas, las canciones de Kevin resuenan con fans que acuden a ellas para encontrar una mezcla de vulnerabilidad y esperanza. 

El artista originario del pequeño pueblo de Meoqui, en el norteño estado de Chihuahua, se ha distinguido por darle vida a un sonido nostálgico desde que lanzó su primer sencillo “San Lucas.” 

Tres años más tarde y como la tercera apuesta de RADAR México en 2022, Kevin Kaarl cuenta con 8.3 millones de oyentes mensuales y en tan solo un año ha disparado el número de streams en más de 400%. 

Ahora, Kevin Kaarl lanza para Spotify Singles su propia versión de “Prenda del Alma”, popularizada por Chalino Sánchez. La canción fue grabada en los Electric Lady Studios en Nueva York, en medio de la gira del artista por los Estados Unidos. En la producción minimalista, lograda en un par de tomas en el estudio, se escucha en la trompeta a Bryan Kaarl, hermano gemelo de Kevin, quien a menudo es parte de sus presentaciones en vivo. 

La canción fue compuesta por Pedro J González, también originario de Chihuahua, en la década de los treinta y fue interpretada famosamente  por la leyenda de los corridos, Chalino Sánchez.  La extraordinaria vida de Chalino, desde su humilde origen en Sinaloa rural hasta el misterio que rodea su trágica muerte a inicios de los noventa, se ha convertido en materia de culto entre una nueva generación de artistas que regresan a las raíces de la música mexicana. 

El sonido indie-folk que Kevin Kaarl ha perfeccionado como compositor se refleja en sus álbumes, San Lucas y Hasta el Fin del Mundo, ambos lanzados en 2019, y su más reciente entrega, París Texas, que debutó en la posición #5 dentro de la lista de estrenos globales en Spotify.

For the Record habló con Kevin sobre su nuevo Spotify Single, la música que lo ha marcado desde niño y su identidad como artista.

¿Por qué decidiste hacer un cover de “Prenda Del Alma” de Chalino?

Chalino es un personaje muy importante en México, sobre todo en el norte del país por todo lo que representa como artista. Últimamente se ha popularizado y aún más gente joven lo escucha. 

Siento que él fue uno de los cantantes que ha implantado la esencia de lo que es un corrido y por eso popularizó el género. Yo crecí escuchando toda su música y se me hizo interesante entender cómo podía acoplar mi estilo a un corrido de aquellos tiempos, sobre todo de alguien tan importante como él. Me gusta mucho el estilo que Chalino tenía y la forma tan suya de cantar, muy honesta y del rancho. 

Durante tu infancia y adolescencia en Chihuahua, ¿cuál era la música que más escuchabas y qué papel tuvo?

En realidad me crié con la música que mis papás escuchaban en aquellos tiempos, la que escuchábamos en familia en los viajes, de artistas como Marco Antonio Solís, Los Bukis y Conjunto Primavera. 

Cuando tenía seis años de edad y acababa de entrar a la primaria concursé con la canción “Casas de Cartón” de Marco Antonio Solís y de hecho quedé en primer lugar. Así que en mis memorias está el escuchar a esos cantantes populares del norte del país, corridos y a Chalino.

¿En qué momento sientes que encontraste tu voz para escribir canciones?

Cuando estaba en la universidad, recuerdo que agarraba la guitarra acústica nada más para desestresarme, ni siquiera tocaba acordes. Nada más lo hacía para jugar con los dedos y las cuerdas. Poco a poco empecé a crear canciones con mi voz y guitarra. 

Al principio no tenía muy definido qué es lo que yo quería para ese proyecto. Primero hice una canción porque estaba aburrido, la publiqué y ví que le fue bien. Así que decidí seguirle. 

A finales de 2018 me di cuenta que ya tenía tres canciones a las que les estaba yendo bien y decidí hacer un álbum con pura guitarra acústica y mi voz. Pero hasta que grabé el álbum de “San Lucas” decidí quería tener un estilo campirano y poco a poco mi sonido ha evolucionado hasta encontrar el estilo que tengo con el nuevo álbum, que es una mezcla de folk y pop. Por ahora es lo que quiero para mi música. 

Kevin Kaarl with portada paris texas sign

¿Cómo lograste imprimirle tu esencia a esta canción de Chalino?

Algo muy importante es que le metí mi guitarra acústica, mi voz y la trompeta de mi hermano Bryan, algo que la gente ya conoce y lo relaciona con mi proyecto. Además con mi nuevo estilo, que tiene más toques de pop y alternativos, incorporé un riff de guitarra eléctrica. 

Este año publicaste junto con Leon Bridges el track “Summer Moon” ¿Cómo fue que surgió esta colaboración? 

Allá por el 2018 encontré el video de su canción ‘River’, y realmente se quedó en mi cabeza como una fuente de inspiración. Incluso durante la pandemia, recuerdo que esa canción junto con su historia fue la referencia principal para el video musical de una canción mía. Cuando me hablaron de una colaboración con Leon Bridges, no dudé en aceptar.

En el coro del sencillo “Como me encanta” dices “como me encanta estar sufriendo” ¿Por qué crees que ese estado de ánimo conecta con tus fans?

Siento que, actualmente, todo el mundo tenemos problemas, sobre todo los jóvenes. Es más fácil identificarse con cosas tristes que con cosas felices. Incluso para mí es más fácil escribir de cosas que me hacen daño, que de las que me hacen feliz. Siento que a la gente le gusta esta música melancólica porque es un sentimiento que los hace sentir comprendidos y acompañados, aunque estén tristes y los hace sentir un poco mejor, dentro de su misma tristeza. Es otra forma en la que la música nos une. 

Escucha “Prenda del Alma” por Kevin Kaarl aquí.

Spotify’s Latest Fresh Finds Class Delivers a New Wave of Independent Artists

October 5, 2022

Since its debut in 2016, Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist series has served as a launchpad for developing artists. Previously showcasing stars like Clairo, Omar Apollo, and Aminé—who now each attract millions of monthly listeners. In total, Fresh Finds has featured more than 40,000 independent artists, and in 2022, Fresh Finds–featured artists saw their total monthly streams grow by an average of 289%.

We continued our support of the latest developing artists we are excited about by evolving Fresh Finds into a marketing initiative in 2021, providing support, resources, and mentorship to help with these artists’ career development. Last year, we worked with eight artists—including EKKSTACY, Wallice, TOLEDO, and Doss—to help them reach 6.5 million new listeners and grow their followers by an average of 50%. Earlier this year, we built on our Fresh Finds momentum by working with the likes of Delaney Bailey, Jhariah, Carter Faith, and Alemeda. 

Now we’re excited to present our newest group of Fresh Finds artists who have been making waves and are ready to take the next step toward stardom: emlyn, Avenoir, Paty B, and Blondshell. 

As part of the program, each artist will release a Spotify Singles song on October 19 and will have access to the following to help them further their careers over the long run:

  • Education and resources: Each artist will have access to personalized master classes and mentorship, best practices and credits for Spotify for Artists tools like Marquee, and more. 
  • Marketing support: All four artists and their associated collaborators will be featured in a major marketing campaign on- and off-platform that includes social content, out of home, on-platform promotion, and press support.
  • Creative collaboration: In partnership with our Noteable songwriter and publishing team, a key piece of this initiative is to highlight the producers/songwriters that craft the brand new tracks alongside the featured artists.
    • emlyn has chosen to work with producer AlexV.
    • Avenoir has chosen to work with YmxBeats.
    • Paty B has chosen to work with Kuinvi.
    • Blondshell has chosen to work with producer Yves Rothman.

“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the latest class of Fresh Finds artists and collaborators. This group represents some of the best new talent from an amazing community of indie creators, and their Spotify Singles illustrate the talent, diversity, and high caliber of music being created by the next generation of artists,” says Jesse Jacobsen, Spotify’s U.S. Indies Lead of Artist & Label Partnerships. “Since launching this marketing initiative in early 2021, we’ve watched previous Fresh Finds artists take their careers to the next level—touring the world and playing sold-out shows for their fans. Being a part of this discovery process is a huge honor for the entire Fresh Finds team.”

Curious what the latest Fresh Finds class is cooking up? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know.

emlyn 

This emerging alt-pop singer-songwriter has been featured on the cover of the SALT playlist three times and her music has been streamed globally more than 70 million times. Following the release of her debut album, her second album, loneliest b!tch in america, reached the Top 10 on Spotify’s U.K. charts. emlyn is currently preparing for her first headline tour across nine cities in North America. 

“Getting chosen as Spotify’s Fresh Finds pick this year is more than just a title to me,” emlyn told For the Record. “Only a little over a year ago, I made my first Fresh Finds playlist when I was just starting to release music, so being recognized now in this way is a true honor.” 

Speaking with emyln’s collaborator AlexV about the Fresh Finds experience, he was impressed with the level of support. 

“Being a part of the Fresh Finds program is an incredible opportunity. The Spotify team has been extremely supportive throughout the entire creative process and has provided a platform for independent creators to thrive.” 

Avenoir 

Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer Avenoir has been making noise in the underground R&B space, pulling inspiration from artists like Static Major, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Aaliyah. A blend of nostalgic drums from the early ’90s accompanied with neo-soul melodies and a sensuous tone help describe his ever-evolving sound. Coming off the success of his latest single, “Shameless,” the multi-instrumentalist is ready to make a name for himself in the world of R&B. 

“I’m trying to make timeless music that inspires people for generations,” Avenoir explained. “What started as me making music with my friends has turned into the opportunity to share it with the world. Spotify is changing the game for independent artists, and I am grateful to be a part of this program.”

When asked about what he and Avenoir have in store for their Spotify Single, producer YmxBeats struck a nostalgic chord. 

 “I want to bring back a sound that hasn’t been heard in a while and make it my own,” he said. “I am blessed to have Spotify showcase what I can do as a producer.”

Paty B

Born in Miami and raised in Lecheria, Venezuela, Paty B has been influenced by her Venezuelan-Dutch father, who was a jazz musician, producer, pianist, and arranger. With her family’s support, Paty B began singing at the age of four and performing at the age of 12—before also training to become a classical ballet dancer. Paty B burst onto the global musical scene in 2021 with her debut single, “Peo Que Resaca.” And earlier this year she released her debut album, GOTEO, which she describes as a “transparent expression of love, sexuality, and passion from the divine feminine perspective.” Soon after her album release, Paty B found herself the face of numerous official playlists, including Fresh Finds. 

“Being part of the Fresh Finds program means a lot for me,” Paty B said. “As an independent Latin artist, I feel so proud and honored to have the support and to be able to share my music with the world, representing not only my roots but a generation that is electric, diverse, free, and limitless.”

As for Paty B’s collaborator Kuinvi, the chance to push the sonic envelope excites her the most. 

“As an artist and producer my greatest joy is to create music that transcends in a true, relevant way,” she remarked. “This program is at the forefront of what’s next in music so being featured on it this year is truly an honor for me.” 

Blondshell 

Growing up in the middle of New York City in the early 2000s, Blondshell was inspired by legends such as Patti Smith, Joy Division, and The Velvet Underground. Now based in LA, the singer-songwriter describes her music as the “angriest, clearest, and most vulnerable” side of her personality. Although her tones are predominantly dark and brooding, there is a bright sense of hope that shines through tracks like “Olympus” and others with confessional lyricism and adventurous song structures. 

“Being chosen for Fresh Finds is such an amazing opportunity for indie artists, and hopefully it helps more people connect with my music,” said Blondshell. 

On working with Blondshell, producer Yves Rothman explained:  “For me the most exciting part of producing is working with new artists, helping them realize their vision, bringing all the ideas that have been keeping them up at night their whole life and finally getting that out and into the world.”

As with past programs, Spotify will document each artist’s journey, and we’ll be amplifying the process in a variety of ways, including with social video content. So keep an eye out to discover more about these four promising talents as they step into the spotlight.

Looking for more of the hottest songs from DIY and independent artists? Stream our Fresh Finds playlist below.

 

Lewis Capaldi Gives Fans Two New Spotify Singles Recorded at Abbey Road Studios

September 23, 2022

a photograph of lewis capaldi looking at the camera

It didn’t take long for Lewis Capaldi’s new single, “Forget Me,” to soar to the top of the U.K. chart. But the Scottish singer-songwriter isn’t using that success as an excuse to sit back and relax.

Fans will be delighted to learn that Lewis has more new music to share. This week, as a part of Spotify Singles, the artist visited the iconic Abbey Road Studios to perform two exclusive tracks for an intimate audience. For those not lucky enough to be in attendance, the songs were recorded and are available now on Spotify. 

The first track is a stripped-back version of “Forget Me,” and the second is the artist’s take on Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license,” a massive hit and the most-streamed song on Spotify last year.

This isn’t the first time Lewis has recorded a Spotify Single. In 2019, he recorded “when the party’s over” at Spotify Studios in New York City. 

Give his two new Spotify Singles a listen below:

Spotify Celebrates Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month by Spotlighting Creators and Activists

May 5, 2022

Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month banner

Each May on our platform, Spotify has amplified and honored the cultures and traditions of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year, our campaign expands from an American observance to a global celebration and highlights the full Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora. We’re proud to now mark May as Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Spotify.  

To celebrate, we’ve refreshed our Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month content hub with new activist-created playlists and a spotlight on up-and-coming artists. With Asian and Pacific Islander artists representing every genre and in all stages of audio creation, this campaign continues our ongoing efforts to create awareness and expand the API community’s presence on Spotify. Read on to learn more about our plans. 

Turning the volume up on API voices

Our API content hub is a space dedicated to the API community that showcases the work of activists while also highlighting fresh new releases from creators across the audio landscape. This year’s hub is adorned with new cover art and features a variety of audio content, from Punjabi and K-Pop playlists to podcasts from API creators around the globe. It’s also home to a variety of specially curated playlist takeovers. 

 

Letting activists take the lead 

This year, we worked with prominent API activists Malavika Kannan, Amanda Nguyen, and ALOK to create a series of playlists, each with a special theme and message. 

Malavika’s playlist is a musical love letter to fearless immigrant daughters, strong diaspora children, the proud queer community, and multilingual Asian Pacific Islanders. Amanda’s playlist includes music that celebrates API culture year-round. And ALOK’s playlist is a curated collection of API musicians across a wide array of genres and geographies. 

Spotify Kicks Off International Women’s Day With Love Letters, Playlists From Gender Equity Advocacy Organizations, and New Music Created Exclusively by Women

March 8, 2022

Today, Spotify is celebrating International Women’s Day by sharing the music and stories of women creators, artists, activists, and nonprofits around the world. The music, lyrics, and voices coming from women in the industry and beyond are complex and vibrant—something we’re amplifying for our listeners this month through the creation of platform initiatives, release of new music created entirely by women, and off-platform support of nonprofits. 

New playlists and a refreshed EQUAL hub

Spotify is starting off International Women’s Day With Love, a podcast playlist series created in partnership with social impact agency Invisible Hand with production support by Pod People. With Love celebrates and honors 24 women who share “love letters” to their past selves or to a key supporter who changed their lives during a pivotal moment in time. There will be three playlists: one for Artists, one for Storytellers, and one for Changemakers. Artists like Fefe Dobson and Pyra, songwriters like Jennifer Decilveo and Kuinvi, creators like Munroe Bergdorf and Rintik Sedu, and activists like Dominique Morgan and Lauren Wasser all share their stories in the collection playlists. These personal anecdotes of wisdom, gratitude, and compassion spotlight the vast landscape of what it means to be a woman and the outsized impact that women have in the world.

Spotify is also highlighting five global nonprofits focused on gender equity by amplifying each nonprofit’s own curated playlist themed around the voices of the communities they serve. Organizations include:

In addition to spotlighting these organizations on the platform, Spotify will be giving donations to each of them to support their critical work.

The With Love and nonprofit playlists will all live on the EQUAL Global Hub, which continues to be a one-stop destination for listeners who want to discover music from emerging women artists. 

This month, the hub is getting a new look and feel and will be available in new markets, including those in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. It will also include an EQUAL Arabia playlist from MENA and EQUAL Pakistan. Both are the latest markets to join EQUAL.

EQUAL x Spotify Singles

In addition to these playlists, listeners can find brand-new music on the EQUAL Global Hub. EQUAL and Spotify Singles, two of Spotify’s innovative music programs, are uniting to bring listeners recordings from an incredible slate of emerging women artists.

EQUAL fosters equity for women in the music and audio space and has helped highlight the careers of women around the world. Spotify Singles, which launched in 2017, gives artists an opportunity to record new versions of their own songs, songs of artists they love, or an original song. Since its launch almost six years ago, tracks from the program have collectively hit over 5 billion streams.

For International Women’s Day, the two programs collaborated to produce three songs created exclusively by women—from the production to the recording to the engineering. 

Ethel Cain, whose music reflects on her upbringing as a backwoods churchgoer in the deep South and who is Spotify’s first-ever transgender EQUAL ambassador, took this moment to cover Britney Spears’s 2003 hit “Everytime.” Produced by Ethel and recorded in Los Angeles, the harmonica-backed cover of the iconic ballad with its haunting, acoustic guitar  puts her wide-ranging, layered vocals at the forefront. 

“I’ve always loved this song and immediately knew I could take Britney’s melodies and make something super dreamy with it,” shared Ethel. “I usually record alone at home, so working in the Spotify studio with all the synths and old vintage gear was a really special and fun experience. I think Britney wrote a very lovely song, and it was an honor to put my spin on it.”

Mexican composer, singer, songwriter, and producer Bruses took to the studio in Monterrey, Mexico, with producer Daniela Mendez to record her own unique spin on Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.” Known for her Latin-inspired indie-pop sound, Bruses brings girl power front and center in this single. 

“For me, the most important thing with this song as a fan was to respect the original essence. It’s one of those hits that last a lifetime; it’s a classic,” explained Bruses. “In this version we add a bit of rock and punk, especially in the chorus. I always imagined that part a little heavier, so we added some electric guitars, and it was from the little we recorded; the rest is sampled. It is very much directed towards electronic music or pop.”

South Korea’s SUNMI gives fans an all-new original track, titled “Oh Sorry Ya.” Created in collaboration with the Los Angeles-based songwriting duo, LYRE, the song kicks off with a swell of new-wave synths in a shadowy minor key before building to bubblegum pop perfection with a huge, infectious chorus that still has hints of darkness beneath. 

“It was a huge honor being part of Spotify’s EQUAL project, and I really hope that fans and listeners worldwide enjoy, get inspired, by this track,” said SUNMI. “Team LYRE and I have put a lot of thought into producing this multidimensional track together. It’s truly ‘created by women’ and hopefully loved by everyone.”

If you want to hear more from SUNMI, check out Spotify’s Mic Check episode, where the K-Pop artist shares more about her new single and opens up to us about the family tragedy that brought her to the music industry. 

EQUAL Collective brings off-platform support

Last year, Spotify launched the EQUAL Collective, bringing together a group of nonprofit organizations from around the world that are focused on furthering gender equity in music. These 14 organizations were given an opportunity to collaborate together on new ideas to help reach more women creators and further their work.

This year, for International Women’s Day, Spotify is excited to announce that we are awarding two teams, composed of four organizations, a grant of $50,000 in order to bring the following concepts to life:

  • Femme Africa and P_ssy Party are helping solve for representation of women creators in Africa by developing a curriculum and online directory to connect creators within the industry.
  • MEWEM (France) and MIM (Spain) partnered together to develop the MEWEM Golden Ticket, a concept that will award eight women entrepreneurs from across Europe free access to international professional festivals to pitch their own projects and new ideas, develop their businesses, and meet future partners within a high-level network.

Year-round, Spotify aims to celebrate the incredible impact that women have on the world. This month, we are excited to bring front and center for listeners new music and new playlists from women.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by listening to songs entirely written, produced, and performed by female songwriters on Spotify’s Created by Women playlist below.

Brazilian Hitmakers Play With Genre for Latin America’s First Spotify Singles Series

February 3, 2022

Summer is in full swing in Brazil, and now, so is Latin America’s first-ever Spotify Singles series. As Brazilians soak up the sun, buzzy artists Os Barões Da Pisadinha, LUDMILLA, Matheus & Kauan, and more are inviting listeners to stream seven new Spotify Singles songs exclusively on Spotify. From January 26 to February 16, fans will see new tracks debut on Spotify Brazil’s official summer playlist Vem, Verão!

The Spotify Singles program launched in 2016 as a creative outlet for artists as they revisit their songs, engage their fans, and connect with new listeners. More than 5 billion streams later, Spotify Singles continues to surprise audiences around the world. This special summer release is no different. It marks an innovative moment in the program as Spotify challenged Brazil’s artists to explore rhythms and genres outside their usual sound.

“This Singles series was created as a place to highlight and celebrate the summer through Carnival, all while catering to genre listening trends we have been identifying in the market. We brought the idea to our partners and found artists who were eager to be a part of it. The artists then took the idea into their own hands and created all these amazing representations of the rich culture Brazil has to offer,” said Carolina Alzuguir, Artists and Label Partnerships Lead for Spotify in Brazil.

The singles take inspiration from the most-listened-to genres in Brazil during the summer, including pisadinha, Brazilian funk (also referred to as funk carioca), and brega funk. Pisadinha is an offshoot of the popular Brazilian genre forró, a rhythmic music style that features the accordion and triangle. Inspired by Miami’s flourishing hip-hop scene, Rio de Janeiro’s Brazilian funk music pulls from a number of different genres to create a uniquely local sound made for dancing. And brega funk, which originated in Northern Brazil, is a branch of Brazilian funk known for its heavy bass and offbeat rhythms.

Follow along as beloved Brazilian artists embrace genre fluidity and try their hands at a fresh sound. Here are the songs making every day feel like a summer celebration, no matter where you listen:

Released in January

Releasing in February

  • Next, on February 7, Brazilian funk and pop queen LUDMILLA promises a surprise with her trap version of “Fora de Si.”
  • MC Hariel, who is known for his impact on the São Paulo funk scene, will push the boundaries this summer with a reggaeton version of “Pirâmide Social” on February 9.
  • PEDRO SAMPAIO has a sweet surprise in store for February 14. He teamed up with Anitta once again to reenvision the catchy hit “NO CHÃO NOVINHA” as a techno brega bop.
  • And Rebecca will close the summer Spotify Singles series by introducing a new brega funk version of the techno pop hit “Barbie” with the help of Mexican singer Dulce María, the Colombian rapper Farina, and Mc Danny on February 16.

Want more? Keep up with the latest releases and the soundtrack of the season on Vem, Verão!

Spotify Reimagines Holiday Classics With Nao, Ashnikko, Spoon, jxdn, El Alfa, and More Hitmakers From Around the Globe

November 17, 2021

As the weather cools in the northern hemisphere and the spike in seasonal music streaming begins, Spotify traversed the globe to work with artists Nao, Ashnikko, Spoon, jxdn, El Alfa, and more on a holiday haul. So while we didn’t go around the world in a single night, we are excited to share our fifth annual ever-growing Spotify Singles Holiday Collection.

We checked the track list twice and can confirm that this year’s releases feature 12 new reimagined holiday classics, including—for the first time ever—four tracks from international artists. Over the last five years, our Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection has helped connect families and friends across continents and time zones. So this year, for the first time, we tapped creators from Canada, the Nordics, Korea, and Latin America to create new renditions of timeless tunes. The multigenre, multilingual results hit all the right notes, giving each of us a chance to make new memories with a cherished song.

The Singles, which debut today, show off a range of artistic talents and sounds that are sure to bring a welcome dose of holiday cheer.

Meet the Latest Class of Independent Artists Taking Part in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Program

October 12, 2021

Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist brand is often the very first level of Spotify playlisting for independent artists. With a main flagship playlist, nine genre lists, and 14 playlists from regions around the world, it has served as a launchpad for countless artists who have gone on to reach widespread success. Back in May, we took it to the next level, launching a brand-new marketing program for independent artists centered around Fresh Finds. Our focus was to help developing artists learn, collaborate, and grow, giving them tools for long-term, sustained career success. 

Since joining the inaugural Fresh Finds class in May 2021, the first four artist partners—Wallice, Unusual Demont, Julia Wolf, and EKKSTACY—have seen a 50% average increase in Spotify followers, a 65% average increase in monthly listeners, and over 6 million discoveries, or first-time listeners. Now, following in the footsteps of the inaugural group of Fresh Finds artists, we’re welcoming four new up-and-comers to the program: Doss, Araya, TOLEDO, and Pom Pom Squad.  

“We are thrilled to welcome this new group of independent artists and producers into the Fresh Finds family,” says Jeff Stempeck, Head of Indies, Artist, and Label Partnerships at Spotify. “The sustained growth we’ve seen from our first Fresh Finds class earlier this year is exactly what we hope to bolster in this program—giving artists the tools to build long-term careers both on and off Spotify.”

Doss, Araya, TOLEDO, and Pom Pom Squad will receive access to opportunities and resources that will allow them to grow their careers, fan bases, and reach. Some of these include: 

  • Education & access to resources: Each artist will have access to personalized Masterclasses and mentorship, best practices and credits for Spotify for Artists tools like Marquee, and more. 
  • Marketing support: All four artists will be featured in a major marketing campaign on- and off-platform that includes a social content series, Spotify Clips, out-of-home advertising, and more.
  • Creative Collaboration: Each artist will be given the opportunity to create a Spotify Singles original song and record it at Electric Lady Studios in New York City for release in November. What’s more, Spotify’s songwriter and publishing Noteable team has paired the four artists with collaborators who understand each of their unique visions:
    • TOLEDO will be paired with producer Gabe Wax. 
    • Pom Pom Squad will be paired with producer Sarah Tudzin (aka illuminati hotties).
    • Araya will be paired with producer Mindchatter.
    • Doss will be paired with songwriter/vocalist Cecilia Gault.

And while these artists are “fresh,” they’ve already been honing their skills for years. Get to know them below.

TOLEDO

The New York City-based duo and BFFs Jordan Dunn–Pilz and Daniel Álvarez de Toledo released their most recent EP, Jockeys of Love, earlier this year. It’s a lush dream-pop soundtrack for those long drives when the entire world seems to be in harmony with you, and your thoughts seem monumental because of it. The pair’s emotional clarity, boldness, and lyrical maturity span across all of their music, including a handful of singles and their 2019 EP, Hotstuff. “A lot of the advice we’ve gotten has come from watching videos and interviews from other producers and artists,” the duo shared. “One of our favorite videos to revisit is the ‘making of’ video for Feist’s album The Reminder. In that video, she records with Chilly Gonzales at La Frette in France, and there are shots of her tracking vocals through guitar amps, recording noise from the outdoors, and to this day we use almost all of the methods we saw in that video. The way they recorded and worked on the songs felt so impulsive, and we often find ourselves trying to capture that impulse. So, although Feist and Chilly Gonzales have no idea who we are, we thank them for giving us the best advice of our career.”

Araya

Araya strikes with precision and heart on his latest Y2K-produced single, “Archon,” and his forthcoming album, Ethos, which will come out in early 2022, less than a year after the Thai-Chilean songwriter’s breakout debut and critically acclaimed Atlas. “The best piece of music advice I’ve gotten was from Thaddeus, my producer,” said Araya. “He told me that as an artist, it’s important to remember to live life, to step outside of my work space and continue to seek inspiration.” As such, Araya grapples with purpose, identity, and spirituality through his music as he mixes vintage and futuristic sounds into a transfixing blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and electronic. 

Doss

Raised in Texas and based in New York, Doss first appeared in 2014 with her EP Doss, which evokes the playful maximalism of the early 2000s with equal parts sincerity and humor. Fast-forward to this year. It’s been a full seven years since she released her cult favorite self-titled debut. Following her tours with Porter Robinson and the late SOPHIE, she has returned with an impressionistic dance EP, 4 New Hit Songs, that mirrors a daydream of nights past—equal parts ennui and euphoria. “I come from a collaborative background,” she shared. “I am excited to reconnect with that structure and practice—explore new ideas and ways of working alongside someone I might otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet.”

Pom Pom Squad

Mia Berrin first played under the name Pom Pom Squad in 2015 after moving to New York, where she eventually linked up with Shelby Keller (drums), Mari Alé Figeman (bass), and Alex Mercuri (guitar). “My mom once told me, ‘Any space you want to take up, you’ll have to make yourself,’” Mia told For the Record. “When I first moved to New York, I tried to assimilate into certain social scenes or cliques and always ended up feeling like I was compromising my own wants, needs, or interests to fit in. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my career so far is that I have to forge my own path. It sounds cliché, but it’s a cliché for a reason!” So with their 2021 album, Death of a Cheerleader, Pom Pom Squad offers a cathartic, punk, and decidedly queer take on picking up the pieces—from heartbreak, from injustice—and creating oneself anew.

 

Catch all four Fresh Finds artists on the titular Spotify playlist below.

Spotify’s Latest Digital Experience and Singles Are a Celebration of ’90s Country Music Nostalgia

September 21, 2021

Nineties country music gave us power anthems like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” and seven hit-filled albums from the legendary Reba McEntire, and it made stars out of the young duo Brooks & Dunn. As listeners return to these classic songs, albums, and moments in droves, Spotify has decided to honor them with an interactive microsite, Spotify Singles, video content, and more.

These days, the timeless songs and stories behind ’90s country music have found a new generation of ears: Gen Z.

To celebrate this resurgence, today we launched a campaign highlighting the staying power of our country catalog while also promoting the next generation of emerging country stars who are inspired by those that came before them.

Head to our 90s Country Digital Experience to reconnect with your old country favorites and discover the classic songs that shaped the genre’s sounds of today. Enter into an interactive experience by answering ’90s-inspired questions like “Who’s riding shotgun?” and “How big is your hair?” Then select an iconic artist (perhaps Shania Twain or Alan Jackson) as your copilot and choose your hairstyle, whether that’s a mullet or a head full of curls. Once you’re done, the site will analyze your responses and generate your top ’90s country albums as well as a personalized playlist.

RADAR Artist Nathy Peluso Shares Her Approach to Bending and Blending Genres

July 7, 2021

Artist Nathy Peluso isn’t afraid to push a genre’s limits—or her own. The Barcelona-based singer, writer, and producer spent the first 10 years of her life in Argentina before moving to Spain. Now, she’s creating genre-blending songs inspired by music from all over the world.

The 26-year-old’s ability to jump between sounds, languages, accents, and even characters has gained the emerging artist global recognition and the title of Spotify U.S. RADAR artist. Through RADAR, Spotify’s global emerging-artist program, Nathy will be featured on the RADAR playlist, have the opportunity to record music for our Spotify Singles program, and star in a biographical mini-documentary, in addition to a full suite of on- and off-platform marketing, promotional, and editorial support.

Nathy’s sound ranges from lyrical hip-hop to pop-inspired anthems, and she has been celebrated for her debut album Calambre, as well as for songs like Latin Grammy-nominated “Corashe” and fan favorite “Business Woman.” She also made waves with her noteworthy collaboration “GATO MALO” on KAROL G’s recent album KG0516. The singer has become known for her versatility and knack for creating thought-provoking characters within her performances.

“Nathy Peluso’s creative output is bold, empowering, and eclectic,” shares Monica Herrera Damashek, Spotify’s Head of U.S. Latin Artist & Label Partnerships, North America. “Her music is uniquely modern and classic, mixing everything from Latin hip-hop and soul to tango and salsa, and her visual aesthetic and live performances are undeniable. She’s already developed a passionate fan base across Spain and Latin America that can’t wait to hear what’s next from Nathy, and we’re thrilled to support her continued growth internationally and in the U.S.”

Her nearly 4.7 million monthly listeners are eagerly awaiting her new single, “Mafiosa,” which debuts today. For the Record caught up with the performer to learn more about the single, her creative process, and her inspiration.

You’re known for creating bold, genre-bending music. How would you describe your sound to new listeners?

I like to push the limits when writing or composing. I don’t like to limit my music to one genre. I mix things that don’t typically go together but still sound fresh and different. I have lots of inspirations—salsa, hip-hop, R&B, rock and roll, Brazilian sounds, world music—and they all seduce me enormously. I learn so much when listening to music; I’m like a sponge that soaks all these different sounds up. Then I try to make new songs from all my inspirations.

I also enjoy fusing the organic sounds of musical instruments with more synthetic sounds. And I love working with my band and great musicians. For me, making music is about pushing myself and trying to constantly evolve. 

What are you looking forward to as Spotify’s latest RADAR U.S. artist?

I hope being a RADAR U.S. artist allows new audiences to discover my music and inspires more people in different countries and cultures to listen to my songs.

What should listeners expect from your new single, “Mafiosa”?

“Mafiosa” is a song that tells the story of a situation many women go through. It’s a message of female empowerment. When I wrote it, I tried to transmit internal power and security. I feel strong when I sing and dance to “Mafiosa.”

It’s also an homage to salsa, a genre that I love with all my heart. I hope people feel connected to salsa rhythms when they listen to this song and enjoy it as much as I do.

How does channeling a character in your music and music videos help you express yourself? Do you have a favorite character or persona you’ve created for a song?

Each song I compose has a personality that moves me. I inhabit different characters through the sound, the movement, the aesthetics, the gestures . . . I build an imaginary world around each song where a character belongs. I studied dance and musical theater, and both disciplines are a key part of my artistic process. Building those characters and impersonations is a lot of fun for me, and I believe it strengthens my music and makes it different. 

I’ve enjoyed my many characters. I try to make them strong, since each of them is a statement in a way. I’m now enjoying the Mafiosa Nathy a lot. She’s risky, sexy, and fun. She empowers me!

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your music? Did it bring about new types of inspiration?

All distractions disappeared during lockdown, so I was able to focus on my music a lot. I finished my album in the middle of the pandemic! I must confess that having so much time at home alone made me a little obsessed and become a perfectionist with the details. But it was good to nail the album I was dreaming of. Overall, it was a different but good experience for me—I was really connected with my music, my inspirations, and myself. It made me see things from a different perspective.

What are some Spotify tools you’re using to connect with fans? 

Spotify is the platform I use the most to discover new music and to share my music. I’m constantly researching, making playlists, sharing songs, and analyzing my insights to understand my audiences better. 

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

I would say: Stay true to the music you feel and that you like. Give yourself freedom to create, and work very hard. Don’t get overwhelmed or overshadowed by what the market wants, what is commercial or trendy in a specific moment, or what works for the algorithms. Push the limits, try new things, take risks, and enjoy the ride!

Check out the latest music from Nathy and start streaming her new single, “Mafiosa,” below.