Tag: the free studio

2022 Saw Even More Advancements, Acquisitions, and Excitement at Spotify

December 27, 2022

Earlier this month, we all had a chance to revisit what we listened to most in 2022 with Wrapped. From the year’s top artist (congrats on the three-peat, Bad Bunny) to identifying our listening personalities (where the “Deep Divers” at?), fans worldwide shared their listening habits. But that’s only the icing on the cake. The year also saw new content offerings such as audiobooks and more programs to support diverse and underrepresented voices, all designed to bring the best experience to listeners and creators.

Ring in 2023 by reliving Spotify’s highlights from 2022.

Commitment to platform safety

At the start of the year, we shared several actions we’re taking to balance creator expression with safety, including publishing our Platform Rules and taking steps to ensure creators and users alike understand what’s permitted on Spotify. This summer, we unveiled the Spotify Safety Advisory Council, an interdisciplinary group of experts that are providing our teams with an outside-in view of the safety landscape and helping us ensure that our products and policies address the needs and concerns of our users, creators, and artists around the world.  

Acquisitions expand our offerings

Early in the year, we acquired two podcast technology companies: Podsights, a podcast advertising measurement service, and Chartable, a podcast analytics platform. This move helped us uplevel measurement for podcast advertising and give publishers a new way to grow their business through insights and promotions tools.  

Over the summer, we closed on the acquisition of Findaway, a global leader in digital audiobook distribution. Findaway works across the audiobook ecosystem with a platform and offerings that serve authors, publishers, and consumers. Their technology and know-how helped accelerate Spotify’s entry into audiobooks earlier this fall.

As the world’s leading audio streaming platform, it made perfect sense to bring Heardle, the beloved interactive music game to Spotify. It has provided a fun and innovative way to help fans discover new songs and artists.

We also acquired Kinzen, a global leader in protecting online communities from harmful content. Our partnership with the Dublin-based company, which began in 2020, has been critical to enhancing our approach to platform safety. The company’s technology and unique approach helps Spotify better understand, prepare for, and prevent abuse trends from emerging on our platform.

Frequency carves out a spot for Black creators

We expanded Frequency, our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform, with even more opportunities for Black creators. In addition to on-platform hubs and playlists, we hosted The Free Studio, a four-day residency that brought together nine Black musicians and creators. Spotify’s popular playlist Ripple Effect continued the Frequency Sunday Dinner series in Houston, as well as cities across California. 

Helping diversify the voices of podcasting

Programs like Sound Up, the Creator Equity Fund, and RADAR for Podcasters help underrepresented voices and emerging talent in the audio space. From education and workshops to on-platform amplification, these initiatives give creators the tools they need to tell their story. In October, we introduced the Africa Podcast Fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative to support burgeoning podcasters through financial grants, workshops, and networking opportunities. In December, we launched Elevate for Podcasters in partnership with the Inevitable Foundation. The program empowers professional podcasters with disabilities, providing the funding, mentorship, equipment, and accommodations they need to level up their careers. 

Introducing User Choice Billing with Google

Our multi-year agreement with Google represents a first-of-its-kind option in payment choice with opportunities for both consumers and developers. Users who’ve downloaded Spotify from the Google Play Store are presented with the choice to pay with either Spotify’s payment system or Google Play Billing. These two options living side-by-side in the app give users the freedom to subscribe and make purchases, using the payment option of their choice. With this announcement and our partnership, Google is allowing more choice and competition—decisive steps that demonstrate how platforms should work.  

Blend it up

Blend combines the best of Spotify’s personalization capabilities and collaborative playlist functionality into a single shared playlist. In 2022, we took Blend to a whole new level. Users can now Blend with up to 10 people or they can Blend with artists like Lizzo, Post Malone, and Charli XCX. Fans also have the opportunity to shop artist merch from the Blend experience. Blend represents another way we can give artists a new oportunity to interact with fans, and to bring added personalization to a listener’s music experience.

Playing with video

In 2022 we expanded video podcasting to Anchor creators in over 180 global markets. Podcasters love having the option to accompany their audio with visual components, and fans get the opportunity to deeply connect with the content. We also introduced Spotify Podcast Subscriptions for video podcasts, an integration with Riverside (the go-to platform for remote recording), embeddable video, video bulk-replace, video-specific analytics, and interactive podcast features, such as polls and Q&A.

Celebrating EQUAL’s first anniversary 

Since its launch, EQUAL has spotlighted women artists through global partnerships, activations, new content experiences, and on- and off-platform support. April marked the program’s one year anniversary. Among EQUAL’s major accomplishments: listeners streamed more than 13 million hours of program artists in the first month of joining. 

Reimagining with Roblox

We entered the virtual universe Roblox to create Spotify Island, an audio paradise where fans and artists from all over the world can connect and explore exclusive sounds, quests, and merch. We enhanced the experience during the year with K-Park and Planet Hip-Hop.

Spotify and FC Barcelona team up on the field

In July, we kicked off a partnership with FC Barcelona, becoming the Main Partner of the Club as well as the Official Audio Streaming Partner. We joined the team in Miami during the club’s preseason tour and brought artists like Ovy on the Drums, Piso 21, and Mau y Ricky along for the fun. Through the in-stadium LEDs and our other marketing channels, we promoted artists of all sizes from around the world including BLACKPINK, Fireboy DML, Megan Thee Stallion, Aitch, Pomme, Feid, and Rigoberta Bandini. For FC Barcelona’s October El Clásico showdown—one of the most iconic events in all of sport—we celebrated Drake’s 50 billion streams by creating a limited-edition kit. Get more details on this multiyear partnership on our Spotify: For the Record podcast.

Upping the ante with audiobooks

This fall, we introduced audiobooks to listeners in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. With more than 300,000 titles on the platform, we are giving book lovers a new way to enjoy storytelling on Spotify.

Time to play fair

We believe everyone benefits when competition is fair. Unfortunately, Apple does not, and they’ve consistently abused their dominant position to favor their own services, stifle innovation and hurt consumers. This year, we continued to urge policymakers to take significant action to protect competition and consumers from Apple’s anticompetitive behavior. For more on this fight, listen to  Spotify: For the Record, where entrepreneurs, U.S. senators, and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek discuss the importance of consumer choice.

‘The Art of Letting Go’ Podcaster Mike Brown Talks Collaboration, Growth, and the Importance of Supporting Black Creators

May 18, 2022

photo of mike brown, free studio resident and host of podcast 'the art of letting go'

In February, Spotify hosted The Free Studio, a four-day residency that brought nine Black musicians and creators together under the same roof. Part of the Frequency initiative to amplify Black voices, The Free Studio not only provided access to studio spaces and production resources, but also allowed these artists to connect and collaborate with one another.

The residency included creators like artist Doechii and producer Sango, in addition to Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo, and Richie Reseda from the podcast Abolition X. One of the many talented creators asked to participate was Mike Brown, host of the podcast The Art of Letting Go. Mike started the show on a whim to talk through his own life experiences, but the series expanded and now serves as a platform for Mike and his guests to explore the idea of Black male vulnerability and their path to personal growth.

Cover art for podcast "The Art of Letting Go"

After five years of juggling his work on the podcast with his responsibilities as a teacher, Mike is stepping away from the classroom to work on his podcast full-time. For the Record caught up with Mike to talk about his experience taking part in the Free Studio residency, the evolution of his podcast, and his personal journey along the way.

In what ways has The Art of Letting Go evolved since it first started? Was there anything new that you tried during your residency?

I remember I used to do a lot of editing . . . chopping up what I wanted in the podcast and what I didn’t; putting music in and taking music out. But fast-forward to now, and I like to keep the conversation in the rawest form because I want listeners to feel like they’re in the conversation with me. 

But recording at The Free Studio opened me up to some of the ideas that I’ve wanted to try out because I had the space and the time to consider them. Sometimes when I’m recording or working on something at home, I’ll get distracted by all the other stuff I need to do. Just being there in that space allowed me to completely focus on the podcast, record some freestyles and some raps. I asked a friend who wasn’t able to come by to send me some meditations and I created a segment for people to ask me questions. And I was like, “Wow, like I could have been doing all of this.”

What was it like taking part in the Free Studio residency? 

It still has a lingering effect on me. I’m thinking about it right now and it almost felt like a psychedelic trip. I feel like I went into my real life and came back into this fantasy world because it felt like what I was supposed to be doing. It felt very natural. Starting this podcast, I was just trying to just get my feelings out. The Free Studio showed me that I can really do this. Frequency created this space that felt safe enough to be and do whatever I wanted.

What was the spirit of collaboration like within the studio?

Not to be corny, but I think we were all on the same frequency. But seriously, there was just a level of safety. I really connected with the group that works on Abolition X. Everybody was friendly, everybody just felt like they were there on some really positive vibrations. It felt natural to ask somebody like, “Hey, you know we’re working in this space together, would you want to work together?” I’m actually supposed to be connecting with Indigo from Abolition X this weekend and possibly recording something for my show. But yeah, it was really dope.

Having spent the last five years working on The Art of Letting Go, did the Free Studio opportunity change, challenge, or help you expand your role as a podcaster?

I would say going into it, that impostor syndrome kind of came up. And that was the challenge to get over. Like, “Am I supposed to be here?” Then actually being in the space and connecting with people, the answer was, “Yes, I’m supposed to be here.”

It made me comfortable asking people to collaborate. I’ve always been hypercritical of creating and art in general, and sometimes it didn’t feel safe to tell someone “I want to work with you.” But being there just made me think, “Let’s just see what we could do, what we can make happen.” The last day right before the closing party I asked Anthony Prince Leslie, the director of the Free Studio documentary, if he wanted to record an episode for my podcast. And he was like, “Absolutely, let’s record.” And we ended up with a really beautiful episode. So that was a challenge I feel like I ultimately overcame.

 You’ve spoken previously about how one of the core topics of The Art of Letting Go is the idea of Black male vulnerability. Can you speak a little on the ways that this podcast has helped you explore that aspect of yourself?

Yeah, it’s definitely made me almost, like, hyper self-aware and just more compassionate toward myself. Because I feel my growth in sharing my experience, and even on those days where I am kind of down on myself, there’s always somebody to remind me of how my journey is affecting them. So you know, it’s definitely taught me to be kinder to myself to really feel safe within my own body, to communicate and express my feelings and just understand. Like the result of my authenticity is beyond my control. But as long as I’m being authentic, that’s all that matters.

Is there anything about Frequency’s approach that caught your eye prior to starting your residency? Is there anything that you’ve come to appreciate after the experience?

Coming into it, I really had only known Frequency for music. But being on the creator side of it and seeing how much the Frequency team poured into me, you know, like not only just giving me this opportunity to create, but really just showing me that they really were in support of what I’m doing. It just felt like people were genuine about really wanting to build up my voice. I guess that could be Black voices, but also my voice, from my personal experience. 

I would say prior to this, I really didn’t know what that support looks like. But being a part of The Free Studio, I really felt like there was support for creativity. And there should be more of that because there are so many talented Black creators that don’t get the shine. And it’s not because the product isn’t good, but because everybody doesn’t know how to play the game—the social media game or the numbers game. That’s all a part of it, but we all are trying to contribute to the world in some type of way. So you know, the more people support us, the more influence and inspiration we could put out in the world.

Want to find out more about the Free Studio residency? Be sure to read our interview with Anthony P. Leslie and watch the Free Studio documentary he directed. And to follow along with Mike Brown on his journey of discovery, check out the trailer for The Art of Letting Go below.

Director Anthony P. Leslie Brings Frequency’s Free Studio to Life in a New Documentary

May 18, 2022

photo of anthony p leslie, director of spotify's free studio documentary

Last year, Spotify created Frequency, a global initiative and holistic destination to celebrate Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform. Then, earlier in 2022, Frequency debuted The Free Studio, a short-term creator studio in Los Angeles, as a place to celebrate Black expression. Nine Black creators across multiple disciplines spanning music, podcast, and artistry came together to use the space’s recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more—finding a physical location to foster and grow their creativity. 

Richie Reseda, Indigo Mateo, and Vic Mensa of Abolition X along with Mike Brown, Shefon Taylor, Thomeography, Doechii, Larry June, and Sango are the nine creators whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture and who came together for a set of short but impactful days at the studio.

We invited these nine to The Free Studio to create with no boundaries. We asked from them nothing in exchange except the ability to document their creative process. We used that footage to create a short documentary, shot and directed by Anthony P. Leslie of Equator Productions. The documentary features firsthand creator experiences shot in various spaces that embody creative expression—The Free Studio’s recording spaces, dance studios, hallways, and beyond. It explores intimate podcast and recording sessions and the authentic content and community fostered by the Frequency initiative. 

“This is a creator studio for the freedom of Black Expression,” Anthony P. Leslie notes. “Free Black Expression for me is being UNAPOLOGETIC in all the unique ways WE are, dancing to the beat of our own drum, sharing our color without boundaries. The one thing all of these artists have in common is that their experiences show up in their work. With the theme that we (Black creators) are all a work in progress and using our art as a form of expression throughout our respective journeys, I am looking to show raw moments that illustrate why exploring one’s self contributes to one’s creativity.” 

You’ve created a beautiful tribute to the individuals taking part in The Free Studio. What was your approach to this documentary and highlighting the work happening at The Free Studio? 

So first and foremost, I think it’s super important to understand that to be able to create with no boundaries is one of the main responses that we received from all of the artists when we asked them about the benefits of The Free Studio. I truly believe in that. Because it’s hard, once you’re in the creative field, to not feel like everything that you are creating has to come to life as perfect as can be or with already set expectations. 

With this documentary, I set out to really get a better understanding of these artists and to see them working in their true life. I kind of wanted to be a fly on the wall, but I also wanted to be a part of it. So it’s a nice balance of me being intercut into their world and us as a team just watching them do their thing.

But ultimately, to be able to show these Black creators express themselves in their purest form is what I really wanted to get at. A lot of times Black people are stereotyped, but we are all different. It’s our unique, complex ways that really enable us to learn from each other—and I truly got to learn from all these artists. 

In being a part of this project, did you also get a chance to experience a little bit of that flexibility and freedom to experiment with the way you do documentary? 

Yes. I always want to work on more personal stuff that truly feels like it comes from the heart, and it was just super fluid with Spotify and the Frequency team. The biggest way I experimented with the creative freedom that we had at The Free Studio was by inserting myself within the documentary. So you get to meet these artists by way of me. What’s more personal than somebody actually making real relationships in real time? I was able to break the fourth wall to learn from these artists and work with them, in a way that was more my style. 

You’ll see I also used the fish-eye lens to focus in on the individual artists. It shows that there are these distinct worlds that each of these artists lived in and worked in. And with the fish-eye lens, you can see a glimpse of what their world looks like—their full world within The Free Studio. And then we get into more of those intimate moments, in many shots, as we break down the artist and their creative practice. 

We talked to Mike Brown about The Art of Letting Go and he mentioned that the two of you had a chance to collaborate on a podcast episode. What was that experience like for you?

We had a nice glass of wine and just talked. I love the atmosphere that he creates on his podcast because it’s just a space to let it out. You don’t feel judged, you don’t feel like you need to have the answer; you can just flow and be yourself and exist. That was super comforting. 

What do you hope viewers walk away with after seeing this documentary?

I really hope that people feel inspired to create the way they want to, stop worrying about external acknowledgment, and focus on the approval coming from within. Because you’ll create something and then the world will want to be a part of it. 

Can’t get enough of the work from The Free Studio? Check out Free Studio participants Indigo Mateo, Richie Reseda, and Vic Mensa’s Abolition X.

Our New Frequency Studio, Scholarships, and More—Here’s What’s Happening on Spotify Throughout Black History Month

February 1, 2022

Last May, when Spotify launched Frequency—our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform—we did so with a mission to create a space that represents the wide spectrum of Black artistry. Since then, listeners have tuned into Frequency music playlists like Ripple Effect and House Party and learned from the Heard You podcast playlist.

We’re committed to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, creativity, and community year-round, with special emphasis on the month of February in honor of Black History Month. This year, we want to celebrate the multidimensionality of Black listeners, artists, and creators, truly encompassing the breadth of Black creativity—so we’ve created a space to bring that to life.  

Programs and Opportunities IRL

Introducing: Frequency Presents The Free Studio. We’re building upon Spotify’s existing investment in Black artists and creators by opening a short-term creator studio to host a number of diverse artists and creators. The space will consist of recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more. It will provide a physical space to foster creativity from rising artists whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture. We’ll be releasing more details, including the chosen creators, soon. In the meantime, check out the Frequency Hub on Spotify for newly refreshed playlists. 

Beyond The Free Studio, we’re also continuing our commitments from prior years. In spring of 2021, we reaffirmed our commitment to combating racial inequity with a focus on organizations dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and elevating the next generation of Black voices and creators. Two of these partners are the 4A’s Foundation and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Our new scholarships with each organization help young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys access education and career opportunities. 

Listen—and join in—on cultural conversations

We’re also ensuring that listeners can find Black History Month–specific content on the platform. Look out for new podcasts and special episodes from the following shows:

  • Today, we’re announcing Abolition X, hosted by Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo, and Richie Reseda. This conversation isn’t just about getting rid of police and prisons. It’s about replacing revenge-based thinking in every part of our lives. In each episode, incarcerated people, artists, and organizers address how abolition intersects with different parts of Black culture. Tune in when it launches February 15 and catch a trailer below.
  • A new season of NO SKIPS with Jinx and Shea debuts February 3 with a new episode on Madlib’s Madvillainy.
  • Spotify Original podcast Dope Labs will host special episodes this month on the Winter Olympics and HBCUs featuring Spotify’s Xavier “X” Jernigan. 
  • Co.Lab is a Spotify for Artists event series where industry experts and fellow artists offer their perspectives on the topics affecting working artists today. A product of Co.Lab, Co.Lab Sessions is a podcast that makes conversations from the event series and distills them into quick-hit episodes complete with top-notch tips and advice from various guests. Our Frequency ambassadors (Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley-Chickwe, and Tommy Brown) participated last year and their podcast episodes will be released Friday, February 11. 

Spotify Greenroom is also a new, entertaining, and educational resource for listeners looking to listen and learn this Black History Month. 

Spotify Original Greenroom show The Grapevine Live is hosted by Ashley Akunna and Donovan Thompson. It’s dedicated to driving the conversation around Black culture, the Black perspective, and current events. This month, Ashley and Donovan will dedicate The Grapevine Live’s episodes to various aspects of the Black experience and Black history with episodes focused on: 

  • “Killing the Stigma of HIV in the Black Community” – February 3
  • “Black Fashion: In Remembrance of Andre Leon Talley” – February 10
  • “The Murder of Lauren Smith Fields” – February 17
  • “To Be Young, Gifted and Black – A Celebration of Us” – February 24  

Tune in to these on Thursdays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

Plus, check out some other Black voices on Spotify Greenroom, including:

  • Most Necessary Live – Hosted by Brian “B.Dot” Miller – Tuesdays at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
  • Money Moves – Hosted by Lauren Simmons – Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Finally, Spotify Canada will highlight Black artists in underrepresented spaces by featuring creators such as Julian Taylor, Fefe Dobson, Kaytranada, and WondaGurl on the cover of various playlists across a variety of genres. 

This Black History Month, learn from new podcasts like Abolition X. Get a sneak peak with the trailer below.