Tag: turkey

10 Years After Launching in Türkiye, We’re Taking RADAR to the Market

October 16, 2023

When Spotify launched in Türkiye in 2013, we were excited to take the world’s music to the market. But we were also eager to hear the sounds that Türkiye could deliver to listeners beyond its borders. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growth of a fast-paced, diverse music community with artists who create across genres like arabesk, Anatolian rock, hip-hop, indie, and folk.

Now, 10 years on, we’re celebrating another important milestone: the launch of RADAR, our emerging artist program, in Türkiye. Since 2020, RADAR has been the global home for what’s next in sound, lifting up rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising podcasters as they develop and expand their global reach on the path to superstardom. Five up-and-coming Turkish artists are now part of this prestigious club. 

For the Record sat down with Melanie Parejo, Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe, to learn more about the music trends she’s observed in Türkiye over the past decade and get a sneak peek at this first class of RADAR artists. 

What are some ways the Turkish music scene has evolved over the past 10 years? 

Back in the 2010s, Turkish listeners were into global music. The dominant genre from 2013 to 2017 was pop, with artists like Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, and Rihanna. But it was also a time when a new wave of indie music emerged in Türkiye with elements from 2000s—Turkish rock combined with more alternative and experimental sounds. In a short order, this new style gained popularity with artists such as Büyük Ev Ablukada, Yüzyüzeyken Konuşuruz, Dolu Kadehi Ters Tut, Adamlar, Son Feci Bisiklet, and Madrigal.

Another influence in the local music scene is the revival of Anatolian rock and Turkish psychedelic music with artists like Gaye Su Akyol, Grup Ses, Baba Zula, Elektro Hafız, Lalalar, and Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, who are creating a new wave with roots in the 1960s and 1970s Turkish Anatolian pop and rock music. Today, this genre keeps growing with new artists joining the game and bringing their own unique interpretations of it. 

From 2017 and 2018, the hype around Turkish hip-hop and rap music was palpable. Take Ezhel’s iconic debut album, Müptezhel, as an example that truly reached the masses. In 2018 he held the top artist, track, and album spots on Spotify. Since then, we have continued to see hip-hop as one of the top genres, with cross-genre collaborations and hip-hop and pop getting closer to each other. While pop artists are exploring authentic sounds from hip-hop, dance, and electronic, we see some hip-hop artists also adapting the afro-trap music. Another trend worth noting out is arabesk, which is both being consumed in its original form but is also merging with pop and rap.

What are some of the notable trends and behaviors we’re seeing among Turkish listeners? 

What stands out is the dedication to and appreciation of local music. Back in 2013, there were only 11 local artists in the Top 100 list in Türkiye. Over the years, we’ve witnessed a solid growth of local music consumption. Five years after the launch of Spotify in Türkiye, 66 of Türkiye’s Top 100 streamed artists were local. And in 2023 through today, that number has grown to 91. 

And Turkish music is not only growing in Türkiye. The borderless nature of our platform means that Turkish talents are able to reach listeners in over 180 markets. Our data shows that Turkish artists were played outside of Türkiye close to 75% more on average year over year. Comparing 2013 to 2022, streams of local artists outside of the country have grown more than 12,000%. Speaking of exports, Turkish dance and the EDM scene have also grown a lot over the last ten years, with DJs and producers gaining recognition both domestically and abroad. 

Turkish folk music also stands out as one of most long-lasting genres with its regional differences, historical journey, and cultural richness. And while the artists stay true to the traditional sounds, Spotify also sees more and more artists borrowing from the genre, creating contemporary arrangements made with folk and Anatolian music sounds. This might also explain why the genre has seen particular growth within Gen Z in the last year, with 50% of the genre’s streams coming from the younger generation. 

Do you have a favorite musical moment from the past decade? 

A milestone I’m personally very proud of was the launch of EQUAL in Türkiye in 2021 and how well it’s been received by the industry and our users. EQUAL is about the power of raising voices together to drive equity in music and standing together to fight for a common goal that has no borders. In 2023, we are celebrating the second year of the program in Türkiye, which has featured 29 brilliant female artists in Türkiye so far. We are absolutely thrilled by the impact our program has created for them. We are also very excited to feature Müzeyyen Senar—the Republic’s Diva—as our latest EQUAL Ambassador for October in celebration of the 100th year of the Turkish Republic. The launch of EQUAL has boosted the awareness and streaming of female artists both locally in Türkiye and globally. Streams of Turkish female artists in Türkiye saw a spike between 2021 and 2022, with almost 60% more female artists streamed by Turkish listeners. Outside of Türkiye, Turkish female artists were streamed almost 30% more in 2022 compared to 2021. 

Why are you excited to launch RADAR in the market?

By launching RADAR in Türkiye we’re putting in an even stronger effort to support emerging Turkish talents and boost their exposure at a crucial point in their careers, both inside and outside of Türkiye. With Böyleyken Böyle, Ege Can Sal, Paptırcem, Selin, and Sena Şahin we have a strong first cohort that truly represents the diversity of the Turkish music scene. And while each one of them comes from different backgrounds and has different styles, they all have their unique ways to express themselves. With RADAR Türkiye, we want to make sure to showcase the many brilliant and talented minds in our country and let everyone witness what happens when an opportunity is given to them.

Introducing Türkiye’s first class of RADAR artists 

Each of our five inaugural artists has their own vision, point of view, and sound. Some are more attuned to global modern pop and indie, while others take a more traditional approach. Something they all have in common? The potential to shape the future of music in Türkiye. 

Paptircem

Singer-songwriter, producer, keyboard player 

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: She’s gone viral for a series of shorts where she played piano harmonizations over funny videos and has also become known for her unique approach in producing and songwriting.

Böyleyken Böyle

Indie pop/alternative duo

Based in: İstanbul 

Fun fact: They started their journey in 2020 and have released more than 10 singles and an EP. Elements of synth pop, indie rock, and singer-songwriter can be heard in their music.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Selin

Pop singer-songwriter

Based in: İstanbul 

Fun fact: Her Sezen Aksu cover, “Yalancı Bahar,” went viral, resulting in 12M streams. Her collaboration with Turkish DJ-producer Mahmut Orhan, “In Control,” received 10M streams. Selin performs with his father, Selim Geçit, an established and talented guitarist.

Sena Şahin

Singer, songwriter and musician 

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: She started her career by composing jazz, soul, and R&B on piano. She found a wider audience when her track “Sonu Var Mı” was used in a local Netflix show, Kuş Uçuşu. 

Ege Can Sal 

Singer-songwriter, Turkish R&B/pop

Based in: İstanbul

Fun fact: Built a fan base with the cover videos he shared online, and broke the internet with his first release, Başa Sar.

 

Excited? Stream RADAR Türkiye to hear from these artists. 

Turkish Artist Aleyna Tilki Makes a Splash as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

May 17, 2022

Aleyna Tilki is breaking the mold as she makes a name for herself in the music industry. The edgy Turkish singer-songwriter started her singing career at 14 years old, and now, at the age of 22, she already has multiple hits and high-profile collaborations to her name. Add to that the fact that Aleyna is the first Turkish artist that Warner Music Group has signed for international projects, and it’s clear she’s a musical force to be reckoned with.

Aleyna’s signature vocals—whether she’s singing in her native Turkish or in English—and unique style help her fuse genres in her music. Early last year, she released the highly anticipated single, “Retrograde,” cocreated by an all-star team that included Diplo, Dua Lipa, and King Henry. In October of 2021, Aleyna continued to prove her success with the song “Real Love,” which was a collaboration with producer and DJ Dillon Francis. The track was a hit, debuting at number 24 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

singer aleyna stands in front of a pink backdrop looking directly into the camera.

Now Aleyna continues to gain a global following as the EQUAL Ambassador of the Month for May. Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As a part of this month’s spotlight, Aleyna will have her song “Take It or Leave It” at the top of the EQUAL Global playlist, and the artist is featured on the playlist’s cover.

For the Record spoke with Aleyna to learn more about her creative process and some of the notable moments in her career.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Freddie Mercury, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, and Michael Jackson.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ____.

Your body is your area of freedom. Be free to explore it for your art. Being open about your body does not mean you are open to being abused by anyone.

One notable moment in my career so far is ____.

Being able to collaborate with great artists and big labels for my music, even though it’s really tough to break through globally from my country.

My creative process consists of ____.

Psychoanalysis. It helps me to go deeper into human psychology. But this is not about empathy, rather it’s about how it helps me to express myself in my art.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ____.

By people accepting that everything is not about masculinity.

Some women artists I’m excited to watch are ____.

ROSALÍA, Doja Cat, GAYLE, Billie Eilish, and Jessie Ware.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” (of course).

 

Listen to music from Aleyna, as well as other strong women, on the EQUAL Global playlist.

 

Get To Know the Sounds of Ramadan Around the World

April 13, 2022

Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual rejuvenation, tranquility, and contemplation by those celebrating across the globe. Many Muslims come together with their families and communities for suhoor, the predawn meal, iftar, the post-sunset meal, and everything in between. For some, audio also plays a large role in setting the tone of the holiday. 

And just as Holy Month traditions play out differently in communities around the world, so does the audio people listen to for reflection or celebration. In the Arab world, observers will mostly play traditional instrumental nasheeds; Turkish celebrants may stream tracks from their favorite Ramadan television series; and in Indonesia, the top tracks played during Ramadan have a pop feel—all while guiding listeners to self-reflection.

Some tracks are universal—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s song “Ramadan – English version” is one of the most popular during Ramadan, with listeners tuning in from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Australia, Canada, Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. last year. Depending on where you’re listening from, you can find plenty of options throughout the month on Spotify’s Ramadan destination. 

For the Record asked five of our music editors celebrating Ramadan around the world to share some of the themed playlists they curated during the Holy Month and what makes the playlists unique to their communities. 

Middle East and North Africa

Curation: Ramadan Series مسلسلات رمضان and Ramadan Spirit by Alaa Ismail and Naoufal El Amrani

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

The Holy Month is a rich and diverse experience. People across the Arab world are very disciplined in fasting and praying in Ramadan; they decorate their homes with Ramadan lanterns and organize iftar banquets for families. Arabs tend to listen to spiritual hymns (nasheeds), especially during fasting times. After iftar, family and friends gather to watch their favorite Ramadan series, and therefore Ramadan series songs have a distinctive mark during the Holy Month. Ramadan Spirit and Ramadan Series playlists are inspired by the culture, customs, and traditions of the region. 

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Ramadan is very special and has its own charm; it is like a guest who comes to the house once a year and is welcomed with pleasure. Reflecting the spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with relaxing, spiritual, and instrumental tunes is key to our curation process. 

Pakistan

Curation: South Asian Sufi by Rutaba Yaqub

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

Pakistan is a family- and community-oriented nation. And in the month of Ramadan that feeling of togetherness grows even stronger. Families spend more time together for suhoor, iftar, and in between. Pakistanis love to host big iftar feasts for their families as well as for the needy. Thousands of people are fed on the streets with langar (a communal free kitchen). 

How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Because of the busy nature of Ramadan and Pakistan being a majority Muslim nation, the consumption of music, specially in the first 10 days of Ramadan, drops significantly. Most of the consumption happens before suhoor. After the 10 days, audiences ease into consumption of music with more Sufi/devotional content, which is musical content of mystical nature. “Tajdar-e-Haram,” a track performed by Atif Aslam, jumps to the top of charts as soon as Ramadan starts. That’s a very clear indication of listeners’ inclination to Sufi content. 

Turkey 

Curations: Ramazan and İftar by Nazlı Yırtar

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Gathering with family, neighbors around the iftar table; hosting visitors for big iftar dinners. Also the Ramadan-themed TV shows starting before iftar, where conversations around Ramadan are had and music reflecting the theme of the month is played between conversations. Our Ramazan and İftar playlists are definitely inspired by the music I used to hear on TV and radio during the Ramadans of my childhood.

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

I try to reflect the calm spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with instrumental music or Turkish classical songs that would bring our users the experience around those feelings of peace and serenity.

Singapore and Malaysia

Curations: Penenang Hati, Satu, MendekatiNya, Lagu Raya, Salam Raya by Nurul Husniyah

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the music played during the month? 

Ramadan is a time for connecting and reconnecting with loved ones, so one of the top priorities for most people is coming home to buka puasa or iftar with their families and to also spend time with their friends. Singapore saw the return of two really popular annual Ramadan bazaars at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam after a two-year hiatus. Even though they are scaled down, these events definitely add festive cheer to this year’s celebrations. Raya (the South Asian way to address Eid al-Fitr) songs will also be soundtracking homes and bazaars as early as the first couple of days to the first week of Ramadan.

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Indonesian artist Opick’s “Ramadan Tiba” (Ramadan is here) and Anuar & Ellina’s “Suasana Di Hari Raya” both start showing up in our viral charts as early as the first day of Ramadan. You can find both of these on Lagu Raya, the quintessential playlist for familiar tracks that dominates the charts throughout the month of Ramadan leading up to Eid al-Fitr. 

Penenang Hati and Satu are usually updated weekly due to the steady stream of artists releasing Ramadan-themed and spiritual tracks throughout the month. Penenang Hati features tracks that are more mellow, and nasyid (nasheed) tracks as well. Satu features more modern-sounding and upbeat Islamic and spiritual tracks.

Indonesia 

Curations: Refleksi Diri, Ketupat Lebaran by Dyah Paramita Saraswati  

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

The unique element in Indonesia during Ramadan is people here usually hang out together or do something unusual in the evening while waiting for iftar. We call the activity “ngabuburit.” That is why Spotify in Indonesia launched a campaign titled #NgabuburitDiSpotify for the second year in a row! Since Ramadan is a big cultural moment in Indonesia, television and radio stations tend to play Islamic songs that are related to Ramadan. Also, some artists launch Ramadan-themed songs during this period, mainly around self-reflection. 

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

For Refleksi Diri, on top of Islamic songs, I also program pop songs themed around wellness, self-reflection, and life contemplation. That is why one of the two music playlists I have programmed is named Refleksi Diri, which means self-reflection in English. As for Ketupat Lebaran, which loosely relates to “The Best of the Festival of Breaking Fast” in reference to the local delicacy ketupat that is served during this period, I program songs that are centered around the celebration of Lebaran or Eid (a period which marks the end of the month of fasting and celebrations over the control over one’s desires).

 

Stream one of the most popular songs during Ramadan—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s “Ramadan – English version.” 

Whether You’re Spending Thanksgiving Near or Far, Spotify Has a Playlist to Help Make the Day Extra Special

November 21, 2019

Do your Thanksgiving plans include going over the river? Perhaps through the woods? Or maybe to grandma’s house? Or maybe you’re staying home and cooking up a feast for your own guests. Whether you’re spending hours on the road, in the kitchen, or both, you’ll need ample amounts of sure-fire audio entertainment.

Thanks to Spotify’s annual Turkey Timer and all-new Soundtrack Your Ride microsites, you can soak in music and podcast playlists geared specifically for you while traveling to your holiday destination or whipping up a culinary creation.

And just like the food on your dinner table, these playlists have something for everyone. So gather round and check out these custom playlists to help you survive—and thrive—this turkey (or tofurkey) season. 

Get Movin’ with Soundtrack Your Ride 

If you’re one of the millions of people hitting the road for the most-traveled day of the year, make sure you don’t leave the house before taking our interactive Soundtrack Your Ride quiz to generate a custom playlist that fits the mood and duration of your journey. The playlist is made just for you and is customizable based on everything from the car you’re driving to your passengers, top genre, and all-time-favorite driving tunes on desktop and mobile.

And if you’re headed to a cozy cabin in the woods (read: no cell service) or just want to save data, Spotify Premium users can download the playlist before their journeys to listen in offline mode. If you’re not already a Spotify Premium subscriber, check out our annual Spotify Premium holiday offer. From November 18-December 31, new users can get three months free* (so your wallet will thank you, too), and anyone who was previously on Premium but has since dropped can get three months for $9.99 (meaning you pay once and get the next two months on us).** 

There’s also a multitude of ways to connect to Spotify from your car. Not sure how? We’ve got this handy guide to help you get started.

Get Cookin’ with the Turkey Timer


That’s right, the Turkey Timer is back, helping you roast your Thanksgiving dinner to perfection while giving you a playlist to match.

Simply select the weight of your turkey and whether or not it’s stuffed, and we’ll give you a playlist that matches the cooking time so you can go work on the side dishes and desserts. You’ll also be able to select your cooking playlist vibe. Not only do we have six music moods to choose from—from family favorites to top hits, and even a little something to help you get in the Christmas spirit—but this year, we also have a podcast playlist on the menu.

Podcast playlists are a new Spotify feature that allows you to build playlists full of podcasts, or add podcasts to existing music playlists for a mixed-media experience. When it comes to your Turkey Timer playlist, you can choose to fill the room with music or learn something new from a podcast. And if you’re bringing DJ skills (rather than a dish) to follow the meal, you can even make your own playlist with that special blend of podcasts and music to keep the energy up even when the food coma starts to creep in.

Whatever mood you choose, make sure you leave the playlists unshuffled—the last track will remind you that it’s almost time for the turkey to be done and the meal to begin.

 Check out Turkey Timer and Soundtrack Your Ride to get your playlists ready for the big holiday.

* Three Months Free is for new users who have never tried Premium, available across all Premium plans: Individual, Student (where available), Family (where available) and Duo (where available).
** Three Months for $9.99 is only for individual plan users and is not available to users who ended their Premium subscription after October 19, 2019.

Spotify’s “Turkey Timer” Matches Just the Right Playlist to Your Bird

November 8, 2018

The average Thanksgiving dinner takes seven hours to prepare—and timing is everything. That’s why we created our Turkey Timer, which cranks out a special holiday playlist based on the size of your turkey and your Thanksgiving mood.

It’s simpler than setting the table: Select the weight of your turkey and indicate whether it’s stuffed. Then, choose your vibe from one of our six playlists: Bastin’, All the Seasonings, Deep Fried, Fam Faves, Holiday Countdown, or Sabor de Sangsgiving. Songs are timed to play for exactly how long your turkey should be cooking.

Pro tip: Playlists are best left unshuffled—the final track will remind you to take your food out of the oven, as well as call your hungry guests to the dinner table.

Not sure which option suits you best? Dig in to these:

If you like: Refreshing our Global Top 50 playlist every day like it’s Christmas morning

You should try: Bastin’. For those who like to marinate in today’s hits 24/7, this playlist supplies only the hottest tracks from artists like Ariana Grande, Drake, Rita Ora, and more. You and your loved ones can discover new music together—and maybe even find some fresh favorites that you can all be thankful for.

If you like: Rhythm as smooth as your grandma’s mashed potatoes

You should try: All the Seasonings. A collection of gospel, hip-hop, and R&B tracks like Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long,” “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars, and “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige will keep everyone dancing until dinner is done.

If you like: Wearing plaid, sitting by the fire and sipping on mugs of hot apple cider

You should try: Deep Fried. The laid-back feel of this playlist featuring country legends like Luke Bryan and Rascal Flatts is sure to bring out your inner cowboy while cooking.

If you like: Multigenerational cooking (your aunt’s secret-recipe apple pie is the stuff of legends)

You should try: Fam Faves. We may come from different walks of life, but everyone is family on Thanksgiving. This mix of oldies and family-friendly tunes from Aretha Franklin to Demi Lovato has ageless appeal.

If you like: The minute blasting Christmas music finally becomes acceptable again

You should try: Holiday Countdown. With ’tis-the-season classics like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and more, it’s for anyone who sees Thanksgiving as the perfect pregame to the rest of the holiday season.

If you like: Bringing a little bit of Latin flavor to everything you do

You should try: Sabor de Sangsgiving. This collection of hits from Hispanic greats like Celia Cruz, Bajofondo, and Gipsy Kings will bring the flavor to your dinner table (even if you botch the gravy).

Food coma setting in? We’ve even created a Stuffed Snooze playlist to help you nap once the leftovers are put away.