Tag: streaming

What Gen Z Listeners Are Streaming in Pakistan

September 15, 2023

Since Spotify’s launch in Pakistan in 2021, the platform has become a destination for younger generations to make their voices heard by powering unprecedented musical trends. To better understand what these listeners love, we looked at Spotify streaming data between July 2 and August 2 for listeners aged 16 to 27 to see what tracks, artists, and genres are rising to the top.

Overall, these listeners gravitate toward genres like filmi, modern Bollywood, desi pop, pop, and Punjabi pop. These high-bass beats often reverberate across Pakistan late into the evening, with 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. representing the most popular time frame for these listeners to stream music on Spotify.

We also learned that “Lagda Nahi” by Ammy Gill and Toshi is the most-streamed track for listeners between the ages of 16 and 20. Next in line are “Bikhra” and “Iraaday” by the powerful duo Abdul Hannan and Rovalio. Shifting to listeners aged 21 to 27, we found that the same songs rank in the top three, but the order is reversed: “Iraaday” ranks top, with “Bikhra” next and “Lagda Nahi” third.

One thing that the 16 to 27-year-olds can agree on: Rapper and songwriter Talha Anjum sits at the top as the most-streamed local artist for these listeners in Pakistan. He is followed by the pop legend Atif Aslam and Spotify’s Fresh Finds discovery, Abdul Hannan, who has blossomed into a global sensation.

If we turn to global artists, Indian artist and the king of heartbreak anthems Arijit Singh is the artist 16-to-27-year-olds stream the most, with Indian composer Pritam, American pop star Taylor Swift, Indian rapper Shubh, and Indian singer AP Dhillon rounding out the top five.

Spotify’s curated local playlists have also become a favorite for many listeners. For Gen Z, the top playlists streamed include Hot Hits Pakistan, Shaadi Hits, and Desi Hits. Millennials also gravitate toward Hot Hits Pakistan and Shaadi Hits, but their third-most-streamed playlist is Pakka Hit Hai.

Check out what Gen Zs in Pakistan have been grooving to late into the evening. Check out Hot Hits Pakistan.

Spotify Turns Up the Volume in Pakistan With Events and Music Campaigns

April 6, 2023

an artist performs on stage at a concert event

Two years ago, we introduced Spotify to listeners in Pakistan. Since the launch, we’ve worked with the country’s artists to expand their reach and share their music with new fans worldwide—and now we’re taking things to a new level.

March marked the first anniversary of our EQUAL women’s empowerment program in Pakistan, with singer Tina Sani as the Ambassador of the Month. RADAR, which highlights emerging artists from all around the world, also recently made its debut in Pakistan, featuring Taha G up first. He’s at the top of the RADAR Pakistan playlist, and Spotify worked with the singer to create a mini-documentary that spotlights his life and career.

In addition to bringing these programs to the region, we’re finding unique ways—from Masterclasses to cricket campaigns to local playlists—to connect with artists. 

Lending artists support with a Masterclass in Lahore

Our music industry experts were ready to share their knowledge during a Spotify for Artists Masterclass event in Lahore, PK. “We hosted at the historical Haveli Barood Khana mansion, and used this opportunity to educate and share information on music streaming trends and new product features with the burgeoning music industry in the region,” shared Khan FM, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Renowned Coke Studio music producer, curator and artist Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan shared his perspective on the Pakistani music industry with an audience that included more than 150 artists and their teams. 

Making Spotify’s Exclusive Content Inclusive to Creators and Listeners

August 19, 2021

At Spotify, we are committed to creating an array of podcasts that engage, inspire, and inform our listeners and can be streamed wherever and whenever, for free. Streaming podcasts isn’t just for your entertainment, however; streaming also provides greater insights for our creators, helping them see what is resonating with audiences. These valuable insights, only available thanks to streaming, allow us to create better shows and help you discover more shows. We are able to suggest and introduce you to programming we think you’ll like based on your listening, from podcasts to music and more.

We want to acknowledge that some have pointed out to us that their favorite Spotify-produced podcasts have disappeared from their usual podcast feeds. Therefore, we wanted to take the time to explain where and why these changes have been made, and we hope it brings clarity and a window into our podcasting strategy.

To enhance our discovery and editorial prowess, in the last few months we’ve brought some of our shows exclusively to Spotify. What does that mean? Shows like Serial Killers, Horoscope Today, Motherhacker, and How to Save a Planet will still be available for free, but only on Spotify. Many podcast enthusiasts have found some of their favorite podcasts through our popular playlists powered by your algorithmic listening, like Your Daily Drive, or through our playlists where our expert Spotify editors have personally curated the best episodes.

It’s also important to point out what this change does not mean: that you have to pay to listen to Spotify-produced shows. You’ll still be able to listen to your favorite Spotify Originals for free on our platform.

Although this may require a shift in listening habits, we want to share more about why we are doing this. Spotify’s ultimate mission is to connect millions of creators to billions of listeners around the world and help those creators live off their art. We’re also invested in pushing the medium of audio forward by enabling greater creative freedom and driving the future of audio. 

By utilizing streaming technologies, we’ve been able to create new and innovative shows like The Get Up—a daily morning show that mixes pop culture conversation with a personalized playlist. At The Ringer, a Spotify studio, we recently produced a new type of show called Black Girl Songbook—a weekly production that celebrates a different Black artist per episode, mixing talk and commentary with full music tracks. This unique format, available only on Spotify, is also thanks to Spotify’s streaming technology and global catalogue of music.

We believe that streaming is the future of all audio listening and that our technology can provide the opportunity for the podcast ecosystem to grow, innovate, and ultimately create more opportunities for creators across the globe. It is also our priority to keep our world-class content both accessible and free to all users across the globe. 

Enjoy our content on Spotify through our Free or Premium services and help enhance the experience for all listeners. Check back for more about our upcoming slate of new shows and hear directly from our hosts via the Spotify: For the Record podcast and blog.

Dig Into Music Streaming in the Latest Episode of ‘Spotify: For the Record’

March 25, 2021

At Spotify, we believe artists deserve clarity when it comes to the economics of music streaming. That’s why last week we unveiled Loud & Clear, a new microsite that breaks down the players and process involved with the royalty system. 

Artists want the opportunity to make a living from their work. We want that, too: Although more artists than ever are finding success through streaming, we’re nowhere near done, and we’ll keep pushing to grow the industry. As we make those strides, the Loud & Clear site demystifies how the money flows while also sharing more context when it comes to streaming numbers and how they stack up on Spotify in 2020.

In this week’s episode of our podcast, Spotify: For the Record, we continue the conversation about streaming economics and Loud & Clear.

Our first guest is Sammy Andrews, CEO of Deviate Digital and a board member of the Music Managers Forum (MMF) in the UK, who discusses industry reaction to Loud & Clear and where she thinks we should go from here.

We also speak with Charlie Hellman, Spotify’s Head of Marketplace, who provides more context on Loud and Clear and details how more artists than ever are finding success in the music industry.  

Listen to “Loud and Clear: A New Conversation on Music Streaming.” 

Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek Discusses the Economics of Music Streaming

March 18, 2021

Since its 2014 low, the music industry has grown by 44%, driven primarily by streaming revenues, which increased 500% over this same period. In 2020 alone, Spotify paid $5B+ and makes up about 20% of global recorded music industry revenue, more than any other streaming service. That number is massive on its own, and it doesn’t include the other music streaming services, or other sources of music revenue. 

Still, artists ask me all the time why they’re not making more money. If the music industry is generating so much, then where the hell is it going? These are fair questions. So, we’re launching a new site, Loud & Clear, to increase transparency and shed light on the complicated economics of music streaming. 

Streaming is thriving and has been key to helping more artists find a global audience. There are more artists than ever before. That’s awesome. It means new genres, more music crossing borders, and more artists finding new fans. It also means new artists joining Spotify every day, along with the entire history of music that came before them. More artists want to share their art, reach fans and earn a living from music. And it’s happening. 

From streaming on Spotify alone, we’re seeing growth from artists at all stages of their career: since 2017, the number of artists generating

    • more than $50K/yr is up 80%
    • more than $100K/yr is up 85%; 
    • and more than $1M/year is up 90%. 

Today, 57K artists now represent 90% of monthly streams on Spotify — a number that has quadrupled in just six years. This means that the number of the most listened to artists in the world is growing and more diverse.

Our goal is to help musicians that aspire to be, or are professional to make a living. It’s something we take seriously every day. Of course not every one of the millions of artists on Spotify have found the same success. That will never be true. Fans will ultimately decide who succeeds and thrives, but our focus remains clear: Continue to create more opportunities for more artists to reach more fans. 

We know we have much more work to do, but we’re confident in what we’ve built and the innovations we continue to deliver for artists and their fans. We’ll continue to empower the most talented artists in the world to turn their passion into a profession, grow the money paid to rights holders, diversify and expand the number of professional artists succeeding, and propel the music industry forward.

What’s New This Week in Spotify Podcasts

April 3, 2020

Welcome to This Week in Podcasts, where we share what’s new in the podcast world. Here you’ll find a roundup of series debuts, can’t-miss episodes, and so much more—all available to stream on Spotify. Whether you fancy yourself a content connoisseur or an audio amateur, you’re sure to discover something worth listening to. Keep scrolling to check out the latest and greatest in podcasts this week—including Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith, Heavyweight, Kids & Family Podcast Hub.

What’s New This Week in Spotify Podcasts

March 27, 2020

Welcome to This Week in Podcasts, where we share what’s new in the podcast world. Here you’ll find a roundup of series debuts, can’t-miss episodes, and so much more—all available to stream on Spotify. Whether you fancy yourself a content connoisseur or an audio amateur, you’re sure to discover something worth listening to. Keep scrolling to check out the latest and greatest in podcasts this week—including Mom’s Basement, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, and Where Should We Begin? With Esther Perel.

 

‘Cheer’s’ Monica Aldama and Andy Cosferent Take Us to the Mat and Behind the Music

March 12, 2020

Audiences have flipped for the Navarro College cheerleading team in Netflix’s new hit docuseries Cheer. At the heart of the show is Head Coach Monica Aldama, who prepares the team for the national title competition in Daytona, Florida through her fierce leadership. Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without Assistant Coach Andy Cosferent. The pair’s ability to inspire excellent performances while also nurturing the team through the highs and lows of life is a sight to behold and one likely to tug at your heartstrings. 

We recently caught up with Monica and Andy for an inside look at life on Cheer. Read on to hear their take on the show, the role that music plays in cheerleading, and the team’s unique practice playlist.

Cheer has proven to be a massive success. Why do you think the show has resonated with so many viewers? 

I think there’s a few different reasons. One is the fact that some of these kids have overcome obstacles and struggles in their lives, and Cheer shows that your past doesn’t define you. You can overcome it. You can be successful if you put your mind to it and if you have a strong support system.

I think another really important reason is that Cheer illustrates that it doesn’t matter what country you come from, what color skin you have, or what your sexuality may be. As long as you come together as a team in a specific environment—as long as you have each other’s back—you become a family, and you can achieve anything. Because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. And, like most things in this world, it’s about teamwork.

Throughout Season 1, you cheer with and without music. What role does music play in your competitions and tryouts?

We love the musical aspect of cheerleading. When we get to compete with music, it’s more entertaining.

When we do tryouts, however, we don’t use music because we look specifically for skills. I think a lot of people assume it’s like the movie Bring It On, where they press play on a song and do a little routine as their tryout. But it’s not really like that.

The phrase “mat talk” is used frequently on Cheer. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, how would you define it? Is there a song that exemplifies it? 

I’d say mat talk is giving your energy 100% to someone else in order to benefit them. Maybe someone is struggling or hurting, so I will yell and be extra happy for them. The energy they get will then get them through the routine, through life, anything that they’re struggling with on that particular day.

One song that’s been on our team playlist for quite a few years now is “Get It Ready” by DJ Jubilee, and it reminds me of mat talk. It’s so fun to listen to because it makes you have an extra little bit of energy. You just can’t help but dance when that song comes on, and it just puts everyone in a better mood.

What song would you say sums up your experience filming Cheer?

We would probably have to go with “Incredible” by Céline Dion. I think that every time we go somewhere—every time we go through an interview or an appearance—people ask, “How has your experience been?” Everybody looks at each other, and we all just pretty much say incredible.

Walk us through the process behind curating the team’s Spotify playlist.

Every year, we make a playlist that we can use to get ourselves mentally prepared, inspired, or pumped up, and that’s what we used for Spotify, too. The team members made it. Every individual picked their favorite song—some are hip-hop, some EDM, some rap. Meanwhile, others picked slower songs.

When we practice, we only listen to that playlist. We put it on shuffle, and no one is allowed to skip a song, because we want everybody to have the opportunity to listen to their favorite jam. Every individual has a different way of getting motivated, and I think each song, just like each team member, has something special.

Stream the Cheer team’s exclusive practice playlist, only on Spotify.

3 Major Streaming Trends from Spotify’s First Year in India

February 27, 2020

It’s been exactly 12 months since Spotify launched in India, and my, how we’ve grown. There are now more than 6,400 Indian creators using Spotify for Artists, our platform that lets artists and their teams see who’s listening to their music and take control of their artist profile. Listeners from over 2,300 cities are tuning into more than 350 curated playlists in India—like New Music Hindi and Punjabi 101—and that’s up from 120 at launch. In honor of this anniversary, we dove into some of the trends and themes around a year’s worth of Spotify streaming in India. Here’s what we saw:

1. A lot of love for local artists

Spotify listeners in India have streamed over 130 artists each in the past year. Overall, we found that the top five most-streamed in the country are from India. Topping the list are three beloved Bollywood singers: Arijit Singh, Tanishk Bagchi, and Neha Kakkar. The age group of 35 to 44-year-olds stream Indian artists at a higher rate than any other.

Globally streamed hits are also very popular in India. The most-streamed international artist in India is Post Malone, who was also Spotify’s most-streamed global artist in 2019; BTS and Taylor Swift are popular with Indian listeners as well. The most-streamed track in India over the past year is the global smash “Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, followed by Arijit Singh and Mithoon’s “Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage” and Sachet Tandon and Parampara Thakur’s “Bekhayali” (both from the soundtrack to the popular Indian film “Kabir Singh”).

2. Music sets the mood

Love songs are a major part of Indian culture, which is why Spotify’s Bollywood Mush playlist is one of the top-streamed playlists among users. Interestingly, listeners in the eastern part of the country—West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Bihar, and Sikkim—have streamed the playlist the most (it seems love rises in the east!).

What’s more, during Diwali, India’s biggest religious celebration, the holiday’s themed playlists—which lean heavily on songs about love and partying—got major traction on the festival’s peak day on October 27, 2019, with plays increasing by almost 4,400%.

 3. Pressing play on podcasts and pop

India has fired up its podcast lineup, launching its first three Spotify original podcasts in December 2019. 22 Yarns With Gaurav Kapur, Bhaskar Bose, and Love Aaj Kal with Aastha & Ankit were each produced in India to cater to an Indian audience. These podcasts, which are all about pop culture, including cricket, fiction thriller storytelling, and relationship advice, respectively, also made it to the top five on the original podcast charts. 

The top three music genres streamed across India are pop, filmi (music from popular Indian movies) and hip-hop. K-Pop also has a growing fan base: Spotify’s most-followed K-Pop playlist, K-Pop Daebak, is a popular choice for Indian listeners. And India is in the top 22% of K-Pop listening in all of Spotify’s markets globally, based on streaming from the past 90 days. 

From the top-streamed artists to the most popular podcasts in India, see how listening stacks up since we launched in February 2019.

Download the infographic here.

For the uninitiated, be sure to stream Spotify’s Top Hits Hindi playlist. 

Spotify Has the Pawfect Playlist for You And Your Pet

January 15, 2020

There is something uniquely special about the relationship we humans have with our pets—it’s one filled with unconditional love, licks, snuggles, and cuddles. It’s hard to put into words the emotion these animals give us—other than pure happiness. So it’s only natural that we want to make them feel good, too, and many pet owners believe they do exactly that with music. 

We dug our paws into the subject and conducted a study on how pet owners use music with their pets. We found that 71% of pet owners surveyed play music for their pets, and that’s not all. Check out the rest of the furry (read: fun) facts we unearthed from pet owners in five countries across the globe.

Didn’t Get Your Free Google Home Mini? Now’s Your Chance

December 10, 2019

A few months ago, we announced that eligible existing Premium Individual and Premium Family master account users in the U.S. could get a Google Home Mini while supplies lasted, introducing households to a new, exciting way to enjoy music at home. For a limited time. For free. 

Now, we’re bringing the offer back to Individual and Family master Premium accounts, and adding existing Students into the mix.

So if you haven’t taken up the offer before, now’s your chance! Oh—and if you no longer have an Individual Premium account but are considering coming back, this offer may apply to you, too—just visit spotify.com/us/comeback to check if you qualify!

Streaming your favorite tunes and music playlists has never been so easy—or hands-off. You can also find more details here.